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 A Mistitled Book, September 5, 2001
By Y. Zohar (Israel)
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I recently began biking in order to add some variety along side my primary activity which is swimming. I bought this book in order to learn something about mountain biking. If that is also your reason for buying this book then look elsewhere. Despite it's title this book has very little direct contact with mountainbiking. It has zero instruction on technique.
I think that the major problem is that the book is mistitled. This is a very well written book on periodized training for the endurance athlete. What Mr. Friel writes is applicable to any endurance sport and most of the text is not specific to mountain biking. It is also directed towards the very serious and experienced athlete.
In conclusion: this is an excellent book on periodized training, both theory and practice. If that is what you are looking for then buy this book. If you want to learn about mountainbiking - look elsewhere.
39 of 59 people found this review helpful
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 It made me faster and last longer!, December 21, 2003
By busysteve (Sunrise, FL United States)
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I began mountain biking February of this year('03). I threw up on my first ride. I raced my first race in April and came in 22nd of 24 finishers. I bought this book in May. About five months later I was flying through our local tough park, Markham maintained by ClubMud.org (believe it or not we have some decent cross country MTB parks in Florida). I went from a best single lap of over an hour to multiple laps of 45mins each. In the fall Ford Tough Series I placed 2nd overall in my category (Men Beginner 30-34). What a rush! The book was hard to read at first. Mainly because I wanted it to hand feed the training procedures to me. It finally dawned on me that it was training material for the self-coaching athlete that I, my own coach, had to put into a regiment based on my needs. It required that I get in tune with my body and its needs. I still reference it and still realize things in it I didn't before. The nutritional information was a big help in modifying my diet without dramatically impacting my family's eating habits. This is a book you have to read from cover to cover to get the most out of it. It's also wise to take the book's advice when taking training seriously and ease your body into it(although no-pain-no-gain does apply). I went from the slowest guy amongst my friends to the fastest after about eight weeks into the book. If you're not serious enough about getting faster to shut off the TV and read for a while for a couple of weeks than pass the book and stick to the magazines with all the pictures of guys you could otherwise be. Thanks Joe Friel.
27 of 28 people found this review helpful
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A true bible!!, September 30, 2000
By Thomas Johannessen (JESSHEIM Norway)
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I've read a lot of books, articles etc. about training. Resulting in me knowing lots of details, but not seeing the big picture. Joe Friels book was a revelation. I recomend it to everyone who is serious about their training. The book helps you analyze your weaknesses and your strengths. On the basis of this Joe helps you create a training plan consisting of a prep. period, base period, build period, peak period and race period. This book gave me new inspiration, I'm no loger planning to sell my bike, but instead I'm training in a structured way to beconme the best mountain biker I'll ever be ! Thanks Mr Friel.
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
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Searching for the burning bush, June 26, 2000
By "klunker-com"
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This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in training to become a stronger, more efficient rider/racer. Ned Overend writes the foreward/preface/praises of Friel's methods. Material covers from subjective, self-evaluative/empirical techniques, to scientific, performance result-based study of individual performance. Psychological profiling, pre-visualization, and projection techniques are covered as well as the expected mile-counting. Joe Friel is quick to point out that it is not an overnight method of strength building(show me one! ) but a process that can take years to mature. As it get's more technical in logging, metering, and studying performance values it may not be suitable for the novice trying to pick up on what they need to do to be a better weekend rider, but is _essential_ reading for those interested in bettering themselves as racers. That is, unless you are racing in my particular class of 35-39 Sport racers, in which case you should read the latest book on becoming a couch potato(_not_ a Friel book) Highly recommended
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
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 not the bible, January 6, 2003
By "sdb5236" (Brooklyn, NY United States)
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I think the author is a big pot smoker or something. His book is redundant and his thoughts are organized in a random long winded order. This book actually his first book Road Cyclists Training Bible with some of the phrases changed. He didn't even bother to to change the pictures to mountain bikes from road. I liked the section on overtraining and the importance of rest and recovery. Also liked the section on planning the whole for the whole race season with planned peaks at critical races. I feel like the guy should go back and rewrite the book and get rid of all of the charts and daily records, dairies and work on getting things more user friendly and coherent... lay down the pipe when you write this one dude.
12 of 34 people found this review helpful
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What it claims to be, September 6, 2005
By John K. Derby (Columbus, Ohio)
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I raced to win the overall expert category title in my age group in the Intermountain Cup Race Series (the tri-state race series for Utah, Wyoming, Idaho) in 2002. How? Hard work, natural ability, and this book.
The criticisms against this book posted here are unfair ("weed hound"? sounds like something only a "weed hound" would say). This book is not an instructional book for beginners. Simply put, this book is a guide for serious athletes to become elite racers in the discipline of mountain bike racing, who chose to coach themselves. Training for mountain bike racing is similar to but different in terms of particulars from any other sport, and this book unpacks all of the information you could possibly need to set up a perfect training program. And there is A LOT of information to be had.
But what about technique? Well, bike handling isn't technically part of developing a training regimen. Again, this book is what it claims to be, not what you might want it to be. And if you're looking for information like that, you're not ready for this book. As in any sport, the need for a comprehensive book on serious training is really only appropriate for those already seriously racing. If that's you and you don't have this book, now you know what the winners are reading and doing. Don't believe me? As them. Not a single top athlete I have talked to doesn't use this book, unless they are paying for a personal coach out the wazoo.
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
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Great introduction to the world of mountain bike training!, September 15, 2003
By A Practicing Quasi-Intellec.. (Lawrence, KS)
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This book was recommended to me by a local mountain bike Pro. She said if I was serious about taking my riding and racing to the next level, I had to get this book. I'm glad she turned me on to it, as it has been one of the most informative books on mountain bike specific training I've read. I wish it had more case studies and sample weekly and yearly training schedules, but the lack of them leaves their design up to your imagination. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is seriously thinking about getting into mountain bike racing or wanting to take their riding to the next level.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
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redundant and disorganized, January 6, 2003
By "sdb5236" (Brooklyn, NY United States)
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Yah I think the guy writing this is probably a weed hound or something. His thought process is random, although detailed. I found that calling this the bible of mountain biking training is a joke, a bad joke. This author first wrote the Road Cyclists Training Bible and then changed a few sentences to adabt it to mountain biking. Some of the pictures he didn't even bother to change into mountain bikes from road bikes. Their are however some good sections of the book for me and they are: sections & theme on overtraining and the value of rest and recovery; the section on planning the whole year into sections for training and planned peaks around critical races. The bible it isn't, but there are some valuable sections.
6 of 23 people found this review helpful
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serious training for anyone wanting to become a serious rider, September 21, 2007
By dirt rider (Victoria, Australia)
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This is a great book on mountain biking fitness training, not a book on technique is that's what your after....i have been riding mountain bikes for 2 years now and have improved my fitness over this time[also lost 25kgs somewhere along the way!!]...After riding socially i found myself wanting to do more and so i entered a race, and have now started racing on a regular basis. I found i had hit a plateau in my fitness, and not able to pay for a full time coach[or justify the cost of one to my wife]... i figured i needed a book to gain some information.
I found this book is an alternative to anyone who can't afford a coach I have read through it twice now [the second time with a highlighter pen and sticky tabs to note important sections]...
The book offers me a clear and simple training program to adhere to...and offers valuable info relating to pre race preparation...Improving lactate thresholds was a major area i needed to work on and having riden with my new training program i find i am leaving my riding buddies behind whom would normally beat me...I find that my fitness level is improving daily and the better i feel on the bike the more fun i have...I ride around 230kms a week these days[80% on single track], and i have more energy than i have ever had before[and i am 42 yrs young heading towards 21]
To sum up, this book has taught me to become my own trainer/coach. I find myself with more energy at the times i need it[especially race times] which was always a lottery ticket before...if you are a serious mountain bike rider or a beginner wanting to become one, i suggest this book is for you[on the other hand if you are one of my competitors disregard all of the above comments]
Thanks Joe Friel
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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 Too hardcore for recreational riders!, April 6, 2008
By Dr. Jordan
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Thorough book but only for those that are interested in racing. This book is way too in-depth and is not user friendly for those of us who want to get better and use a training schedule but do not race. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is not interested in racing and becoming a professional rider.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful
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BEST I'VE READ, November 2, 2003
By George Boz (Lincolnshire, IL United States)
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Great book for putting together a training program! Most others simply aren't clear. The charts, graph and sample program schedules are very helpful if preparing for and upcoming season. Bottom line - Start with this traing booke first, you won't be disappointed!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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 Great Planning Tool, March 16, 2010
By Mark
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Friel does a great job of going through the stages of planning a year of meaningful training. I think the book is written in realistic terms, and with a few days of earnest study, is helpful to any aspiring biker that wants to up his/her biking game. I am hoping to race in the Leadville race coming up here in Colorado in July; Friel's planning, I feel two months into it, is at least giving me some purposeful and consistent workouts. Easy to read, and with charts etc... included. The book allows the reader to create their own personal workout plan that can be easily scheduled around irritating things like work. If you are willing to 1. read the book and do the research, 2. follow through with the 'best laid plans', I think this book is a good source.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Great Planning Tool, March 15, 2010
By Mark
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Friel does a great job of going through the stages of planning a year of meaningful training. I think the book is written in realistic terms, and with a few days of earnest study, is helpful to any aspiring biker that wants to up his/her biking game. I am hoping to race in the Leadville race coming up here in Colorado in July; Friel's planning, I feel two months into it, is at least giving me some purposeful and consistent workouts. Easy to read, and with charts etc... included. The book allows the reader to create their own personal workout plan that can be easily scheduled around irritating things like work. If you are willing to 1. read the book and do the research, 2. follow through with the 'best laid plans', I think this book is a good source.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Best Book for Mountain Bike Racers, December 20, 2002
By Rod (Long Island, NY)
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This book transformed my training from a casual, unstructured regament, into a clearly defined and explained periodization program. I now have complete understanding of how hard to train, when to train, and why to train on a cold winter day when the first race isn't until June.
The book is easy to follow, massively informative and well written.
After reading the book, check out the online coaching by the author at Trainingbible.com.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Just in Time for Next Season, June 28, 2000
By Alex Palermo (Puerto Rico)
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The book us written in easy to understand english and goes straight to the point. A complete guide for begginers and advanced riders alike. Make sure to read carefuly and follow the recommendations made by the author. Guaranteed to make you a better rider and enjoy every ride to the fullest.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
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Very good book, March 15, 2010
By Horácio (Portugal)
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I I've not read yet all the book, but until now it is one of the best books that I read about trainning.
It give us tools to understand the objective of tranning and how to plan it.
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Sound & Effective Training Plan for Competing, February 13, 2010
By R. Keener
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If you're looking for a training regimen that is specifically designed for you with specific goals in mind, this book is for you. Friel helps you find your strengths and weaknesses as well as identifying your goals. He then guides you in making a training plan designed to keep you growing toward your goals without geting burned out or peaking too soon. It is a great guide to help you peak at just the right time to be your best for a race or other competition.
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Mountain Biker's Training Bible, a great book the for hardcore mountain bike racer., November 9, 2008
By Dax Kastrin (Albuquerque, NM)
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After reading this book I will have a much more planned and refined approach to my training. This book helps give meaning to every step in the training process. Specifically geared toward mountain biking as well.
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Joe Friel's Mountain Biker's Training Bible, January 27, 2011
By Mark C. Bates (Colonial Heights, VA USA)
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Wow! Where do I begin? This book is incredible and very well organized and written. I don't think I can complement the author enough for how well this book is laid out for the reader. That doesn't mean it's an easy read. There is an incredible amount of information in there and it is not a cover-to-cover page turner for anyone other than the most dedicated reader.
The first part of this book has helped me better understand and apply what I already knew about physiology to what is actually happening when I ride. He then leads you through a self-assessment section.
Later in the book he provides his methodology for breaking the year into training periods specifically designed around A, B, and C priority races. How to train for them addressing your weaknesses and how to peak for the A priority events.
Probably of most use to me were sections later in the book addressing the older rider and the less experienced rider. I'm 46 and have been riding seriously for less than two years. I started riding just for enjoyment and to gain fitness. Two years ago I would never have expected that mountain biking would become such a huge part of my life. After reading this book I have come to realize that there are people much older than me still enjoying mountain biking and even competing.
This book doesn't really apply to me yet because I have no experience in competition. I think you need at least a season of actual competition before you would be able to complete his self-assessment to honestly determine your weaknesses.
This book is a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to take their riding to the next level. If you can't afford a coach, this is the way to learn how to be your own coach.
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If you want to get better, read this., November 22, 2010
By d s (Ca USA)
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I ride for fun and race on occasion for fun. I found reading this book helped me get better at climbing and endurance. It can get a bit technical at times, but still concise.
Even if you don't race, you will be a better rider from this book. In turn, you will have more fun.
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Well-Organized Information, April 9, 2007
By Truth About Caffeine.com (SCR Books)
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Climb those mountains faster and ride longer with this reference book for series mountain bikers. These tips will help you become one of the greats.
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Very good book, March 15, 2010
By Horácio (Portugal)
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I I've not read yet all the book, but until now it is one of the best books that I read about trainning.
It give us tools to understand the objective of tranning and how to plan it.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Good book, March 26, 2007
By Dana Andersen (Los Angeles)
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I liked the approach of the book, with some helpful tips and ideas.
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
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