Gravel isn't steady. It isn't a perfectly paced FTP test. It's a constant cycle of climbing, accelerating, recovering, and then doing it all over again.

The riders who perform best aren't necessarily the ones with the highest FTP. They're the riders who can handle repeated surges above threshold and quickly settle back into a sustainable pace without falling apart.

Many riders focus on increasing VO₂ max because it sounds impressive. After all, it's often called the ultimate measure of aerobic fitness. But for gravel racers, the real question isn't how much oxygen you can consume—it's how much of that fitness you can actually use for hours on race day.

Understanding the relationship between VO₂ max and lactate threshold can help you train smarter and race faster.

Hand numbness is one of the most common complaints in gravel cycling — and one of the most ignored.

Many riders assume numb hands are simply part of riding long hours on rough terrain. They shake their hands out, adjust their gloves, and keep pedaling. But persistent numbness is usually a sign that something in your setup, position, or riding mechanics needs attention.

The good news?
Most cases of hand numbness can be dramatically improved — or completely eliminated — with the right adjustments.

A taper is the strategic reduction of training load to allow your body to:

• Shed accumulated fatigue

• Absorb training adaptations

• Restore glycogen and hormonal balance

• Prime your nervous system for performance

The goal is simple: keep the engine, remove the fatigue

When done correctly, performance increases without adding new fitness.

Altitude doesn’t care how fit you are at sea level.
At elevation, oxygen is limited, effort feels harder, and small mistakes turn into big problems fast.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to live at altitude to perform at altitude—you just need to understand what’s happening and train with intention.

If you’re heading somewhere like Flagstaff (~7,000 ft), here’s how to prepare.