The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

Coach Adam Pulford delivers actionable training advice and answers your questions in short weekly episodes for time-crunched cyclists looking to improve their cycling performance. The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast (formerly The TrainRight Podcast) is brought to you by the team at CTS - the leading endurance coaching company since 2000. Coach Adam pulls from over a decade of coaching experience and the collective knowledge of over 50+ CTS Coaches to help you cut throught the noise of training information and implement proven training strategies that’ll take your performance to the next level. 

Best Race Day Foods, Drinks, and Fueling Strategies, with Stephanie Howe, PhD (#244)
Apr 16, 2025 – 34:04
What To Eat and Drink To Fuel Your Best Training Days, with Stephanie Howe, PhD (#243)
Apr 9, 2025 – 41:47
DATA MINING TO MANAGE FATIGUE AND SUPERCHARGE TRAINING (#242)
Apr 2, 2025 – 23:43
Which "Zone 2"? Comparing 7-Zone and 3-Zone Training Systems
Mar 26, 2025 – 26:24
The Best Mountain Bike for Leadville Trail 100 for "Regular Racers", First Timers, and Fast Finishers (#240)
Mar 19, 2025 – 49:23
How to Verify Your Field Test Result and Training Zones (#239)
Mar 12, 2025 – 25:18
Comparing Cycling Field Tests & Using The Best Test For You (#238)
Mar 5, 2025 – 29:34
Inspiration Lessons from Olympian and Paris-Roubaix Winner Alison Jackson (#237)
Feb 27, 2025 – 41:44
How to Best Choose Between a Virtual Race vs Planned Interval Workout? (#236)
Feb 19, 2025 – 13:51
Joe Friel on Fundamental Truths and Practical Training Takeaways for Cyclists (#235)
Feb 13, 2025 – 53:27
Will Intervals Ruin A Zone 2 Training Ride? The Science Of Mixed-Intensity Workouts. (#234)
Feb 5, 2025 – 15:36
Cycling Training: When To Work Out On Tired Legs vs. Fresh Legs vs. Full Taper (#233)
Jan 30, 2025 – 19:06
Athlete's Mindset: Unlock the Power of Athlete Identity
Jan 22, 2025 – 40:50
Intuitive Eating: What It Is, What It's Not, and How It Might Transform Your Training, with Pam Moore (#231)
Jan 16, 2025 – 42:53
Are Intervals More Effective At The Beginning Or End Of A Zone 2 Workout? (#230)
Jan 8, 2025 – 13:16
New Year, New Perspectives on Achieving Meaningful Goals, with Coach Jason Koop
Jan 1, 2025 – 56:52
Tips For The Last Training Week of the Year! (#228)
Dec 25, 2024 – 34:05
Mastering the Perfect Warm-Up: Elevate Your Cycling Performance (#227)
Dec 18, 2024 – 24:13
3 Reasons Your Exercise Heart Rate Is So High (#226)
Dec 11, 2024 – 26:06
Minimum Durations for Effective Zone 2 Rides, Based On Your Fitness and Experience? (#225)
Dec 4, 2024 – 11:56
How to Tackle Epic Challenges, with Breck Epic Founder Mike McCormack (#224)
Nov 27, 2024 – 48:32
Junk Miles: They Aren't What You Think They Are (#223)
Nov 20, 2024 – 20:41
Finding Motivation for Short Term and Long Term Goals, with pro cyclist Heather Fischer (#222)
Nov 13, 2024 – 41:49
Bike Travel Tips and Tricks with Kerry Werner (#221)
Nov 6, 2024 – 33:38
How Much Zone 2 Is Too Much Or No Longer Productive? (#220)
Oct 30, 2024 – 23:41
Instructions for Boosting Cycling Performance with Sodium Bicarbonate (#219)
Oct 23, 2024 – 37:34
16-Week Cycling Training Program for Sustained and Punchy Power (#218)
Oct 16, 2024 – 21:37
Caroline Mani on Triumphs, Tragedies, and Lessons from a Life in Cycling (#217)
Oct 9, 2024 – 44:19
Fueling Tips for Busy Cyclists from Sports Dietitian Kristen Arnold (#216)
Oct 2, 2024 – 47:16
Should Athletes Use Heat Acclimatization Strategies Year Round? (EP215)
Sep 25, 2024 – 31:38
Unlocking Peak Performance: Heat Training Science with Lindsay Golich (EP #214)
Sep 18, 2024 – 35:08
Episode 213: The Time-Crunched Cyclist's Guide to Cyclocross, with Chris Merriam
Sep 11, 2024 – 51:22
Episode 212 - Which is Best: SweetSpot vs. Polarized Training for Cyclists?
Sep 4, 2024 – 26:39
Episode 211: Optimizing Recovery After Big Goal Events
Aug 28, 2024 – 27:34
Episode 210: How and when to intensify cycling training to gain speed and power
Aug 21, 2024 – 15:34
Episode 209: Super Time-Crunched - Cycling Training in 4 Hours Per Week
Aug 14, 2024 – 17:06
Episode 208: How Carbohydrate Fueling Affects Durability in Long Workouts and Races, with Dr. Gabriele Gallo, PhD
Aug 7, 2024 – 34:25
Episode 207: Bullet Proof Your Fatigue Resistance with Dr. Gabriele Gallo, PhD
Jul 31, 2024 – 30:34
Episode 206: Science of Peak Fat Oxidation and FatMax with Dr. Gabriele Gallo, PhD
Jul 24, 2024 – 33:28
Episode 205: Joe Friel on Science-Based Training for Older Athletes - Part 2
Jul 17, 2024 – 41:11
Episode 204: Joe Friel on Science-Based Training for Older Athletes - Part 1
Jul 10, 2024 – 31:04
The Science Behind Sodium and Electrolytes in Exercise Hydration
Jul 3, 2024 – 53:46
Drinking to Thirst vs. Following a Hydration Plan, with Dr. Alan McCubbin
Jun 26, 2024 – 47:46
The Science of Training Your Durability and Fatigue Resistance
Jun 19, 2024 – 36:17
Episode 200: How to Personalize Fueling and Training with Kilojoules
Jun 12, 2024 – 24:37
Episode 199: Is Training Twice a Day Good for Time-Crunched Cyclists?
Jun 5, 2024 – 15:55
Episode 198: Potassium in Sports Drinks & Planning Recovery for Time-Crunched Cyclists
May 29, 2024 – 24:57
Episode 197: How to Leverage Zwift Racing in Your Training Plan
May 22, 2024 – 25:17
How to Make Homemade Sports Drink with Carbs and Electrolytes
May 15, 2024 – 15:55
Episode 195: What To Do About 'Intensity Creep' During Zone 2 Rides
May 8, 2024 – 29:41

Recent Reviews

Merlin2/14

Thanks

Hi Adam, Thanks for your talk with Jason Koop, very inspiring! Peace, Steven in Houston
AK0008

Great resource!

Lots of great training advice- ty all.
Ori217

Time crunched cyclist

I have Chris Carmichael's Time Crunched book and read it in its entirety. Listened to several episodes of this podcast hoping it would offer new details. Did not find the episodes science- or data-based. More of a conversation with mild opinions being offered. In an ecosystem with occasional bright stars like Dylan Jawnson, this podcast in comparison doesn't offer a lot.
G Triffon

Great Stuff!

I am returning to cycling this season after a several-year layoff and this podcast provides the perfect blend of motivation and information to help keep my training on track. Thanks to Adam and everyone at CTS. Keep ‘em coming!
d4ang

CTS

Loved my experience with CTS in CO years ago and unforgettable bucket list experience from Snowmass/ Aspen to Denver . The advice training and support was superlative although expensive. The experience as participant in Peloton will always be the best experience ever .
Sandstead

A must listen

Adam Pullford and the team at TrainRight are really putting out superior content. This series has already produced several classic, must-listen to podcasts. Without personally knowing Adam, he has become a crucial part of my coaching team that I use for the athletes I work with.
AROBMTB

Better to not guess if don’t know. Listen and ask questions.

I tried your podcast for the first time through the link from Skratch Labs, with Dr. Allen Lim. He did it as a q&a to the host Hillary Allen. She was clearly in over her head and unfortunately tried to answer his questions instead of just saying “ what and why”, to each one. This because a distraction. Better to not guess if don’t know.
The Zman28

Last Pod on Base

Your pod is pretty good. But honestly, as a coach Hillary sure sounded like she was winging it to your questions.
Me1jo3.9

Like ?

And like, because like you know like, like wow like like like like wow like like because like like wow likeIt was like that was like this was like because like you know what I mean like
1364ron

Great knowledge a little too wordy

This is just great information you provide and most people need to listen then apply it. Thank you for all that you do. You truly have great insights on how the body works
Tom Tom review

Interesting but...

Big fan of CTS and Chris C. Good history look back. Not sure there was much applicable to my daily training so I’m hoping future episodes reveal more knowledge and insights. Pace of podcast could have just a bit more energy.