Home Podcasts Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling
Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling

Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling

Dave Schell 96 Episodes Aug 13, 2026

Real talk on endurance training for gravel and mountain bike racing. Host Dave Schell coaches and races events like Leadville 100 and Unbound 200, and each episode brings in coaches, physiologists, and industry insiders to dig into the physiology, nutrition, tactics, and training science that actually moves the needle for off-road endurance cyclists.

Episodes

Everything you need to know about the Leadville 100 MTB Reroute with Kevin Goldberg
Everything you need to know about the Leadville 100 MTB Reroute with Kevin Goldberg Aug 13, 2026 1912 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryDave sits down with ultra runner (and self-described "clueless cyclist") Kevin Goldberg to break down the newly released course changes for the 2026 Leadville Trail 100 MTB. If you've dreaded the Power Line hike-a-bike, wondered why the buckle cutoffs suddenly got 45 minutes tighter, or you're just trying to figure out
Nutrition Considerations for Leadville and other High Altitude Races with Uri Carlson
Nutrition Considerations for Leadville and other High Altitude Races with Uri Carlson Jul 22, 2026 3557 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary Dave and Uri Carlson (Inner Wild Nutrition) break down how altitude and heat change the fueling and hydration game for high altitude and heat. If you've ever bonked at Leadville, chugged water at 10,000 feet and still felt awful, or wondered why your usual race nutrition falls apart on longer efforts, this episode is for you.What we
Durability with Matti Rowe
Durability with Matti Rowe Jul 1, 2026 3914 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryDave and Matty break down durability, the fitness quality that actually determines whether you finish strong or fall apart late in a long race. If you've ever wondered why your FTP keeps climbing but your race results don't, this episode is for you.What we cover:Why durability matters more than FTP for gravel and ultra-endurance
Addressing Knee and Lower Back Pain with Martin Kumm
Addressing Knee and Lower Back Pain with Martin Kumm Jun 3, 2026 3951 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryIn this episode of the Training Babble Podcast, host Dave Schell and guest Martin Kumm discuss why cyclists get hurt and what to do about it. Martin, a sports chiropractor for Team EF Pro Cycling, breaks down the mechanics behind knee and back pain, explains why bike fit is only part of the equation, and introduces a framework for understa
Two Weeks Out: Everything You Need to Know Before Unbound with the Gravel God Matti Rowe
Two Weeks Out: Everything You Need to Know Before Unbound with the Gravel God Matti Rowe May 20, 2026 3514 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryIn this episode Dave and Matti break down everything you need to know in the final two weeks before Unbound Gravel. Whether this is your first 200 or your fifth, the same mistakes show up every year. This episode is about not making them.What we cover:Why Unbound is still an adventure race, not a controlled event, and why that distinction
Do You Really Need  to Fuel with 100 Grams of Carbs per Hour?! with Uri Carlson
Do You Really Need to Fuel with 100 Grams of Carbs per Hour?! with Uri Carlson May 6, 2026 3330 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryA new review of 300+ studies claims athletes only need 10 grams of carbohydrates per hour during exercise. Dave and Uri dig into that claim, the history of carb recommendations, and the more important question underneath all of it: how do you figure out what's right for you?Key TakeawaysThe research saying 10g/hr is enough is almost c
Sweet Spot Ain't That Sweet with Matti Rowe
Sweet Spot Ain't That Sweet with Matti Rowe Apr 22, 2026 3340 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text!  SummaryIn this episode of Training Babble Dave is joined by Matti from Gravel God Cycling to take a hard look at sweet spot training, where it came from, why it became so popular, and whether it actually delivers on its promises.They cover the origin story behind the zone, why it appeals to the lizard brain in all of us, how inflated FTP numbers
How to Develop Body Awareness for Better Performance
How to Develop Body Awareness for Better Performance Apr 8, 2026 1105 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryIn this episode, Coach Dave Schell discusses the over-reliance on data and technology in training, emphasizing the importance of listening to your body and developing intuitive training skills. He shares personal experiences and practical tips for balancing technology use with body awareness to improve athletic performance. Sound  Bites&qu
"Easy" Riding for Maximal Training Load and Optimal Adaptation with Marinus Peteren
"Easy" Riding for Maximal Training Load and Optimal Adaptation with Marinus Peteren Mar 25, 2026 4134 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryIn this episode, Marinus Petersen shares his insights on training load, lactate thresholds, and effective training strategies for endurance athletes. Discover how to optimize your training by understanding physiological markers like LT1 and LT2, and learn practical tips for measuring and applying these concepts to improve performance. Key 
Unlocking Elite Performance, the Power of Patience, and Long Term Athlete Development with Joel Filliol
Unlocking Elite Performance, the Power of Patience, and Long Term Athlete Development with Joel Filliol Mar 11, 2026 4596 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryIn this episode of the Training Bible podcast, host Dave Schell interviews world-class triathlon coach Joel Filliol. They discuss Filliol's coaching philosophy, the importance of periodization, managing mental load in athletes, and the balance between technology and traditional coaching methods. Filliol emphasizes the significance of
Practical Body Comp Tips for Busy Athletes with Alex Larson
Practical Body Comp Tips for Busy Athletes with Alex Larson Feb 25, 2026 3643 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryIn this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell and nutrition expert Alex Larson discuss the evolution of fueling strategies for endurance athletes, particularly in the context of transitioning from triathlon to gravel racing. They emphasize the importance of proper nutrition for performance, body composition, and overall
Sweat Testing Made Easy with H Drop Wearable Hydration Sensor
Sweat Testing Made Easy with H Drop Wearable Hydration Sensor Feb 4, 2026 2746 Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! SummaryIn this conversation, Adria from HDrop discusses the origins and development of their innovative hydration monitoring device. The discussion covers the accuracy of the device, its market position against competitors, and how athletes can utilize the data for effective hydration strategies. Adria also shares insights on the impact of diet o

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