Cyclo-Cross + Mountain Bike Endurance Training

Shown: This is the Goal... and the Final Training Ride ADA will offer in June 2021.

This is the 45 Mile version of the Cyclo-Cross 201 North Shore Challenge.  

If you can ride this Route, you can ride any Route.

This is the final training ride and our goal we will  strive to hit by JUNE 2021.  If you attend all the training rides, you will be able to ride this route.  Even if you are not racing, or  planning an epic ride adventure this year, there are plenty of epic  rides here in the Great Boston area that may interest you.

3 Example Rides for You: 

The Fully Flat 50 / Boston - Salem Bike Path Fun Ride

The CX/MTB 40 Mile Boston to Salem Trail Adventure Ride,

 Mid Summer CX 72 Mile All Day Adventure Ride, with 70% of the  ride on dirt trails. 

All of these rides can be seen with details on  this CX ride page.   "Adventure Routes" 

All  of these rides, can be done on MTB's and sometimes we do, but are  designed for CX / (Gravel) Bikes.  Also View the MTB ride page for  similar MTB Only ride adventures.

"MTB Adventure Routes"

2021 CX/MTB Endurance Training Series:

Phase 1 Training: Starting with MTB/CX 101 training in the Greater Salem area, this is the first route you will learn. It is a  gentle and mostly flat 20 mile route.  It has an exact balance of trails, roads, and bike paths in a circular route that  takes you on the Marblehead Rail Trails,  and the great trail system at  Spring Pond. The connecting roads in between can consist of optional hill climb training as the riders progress in their training.

This  ride is appropriate for CX or MTB's but your MTB should have cross-country style tires, and hardtails are best.  Will offer this ride often because it is also my regular training route.

Phase 2 Training: You will be invited to join the First Half of MTB/CX 201 after you have attended at least 1 or 2 outings on the CX 101 route.  The full 45 mile CX 201 route is  the route shown above.  There are (2) versions of this CX 201 ride.   CX 201 First Half: CX 201 is limited to the first 17 miles of the route shown, followed with a 7  mile return on the Danvers Rail Trail.  While the return is a 7 mile flat ride, it is carefully planned to help with the Endurance aspect of  your training.  The first 17 miles of the ride will have worn your down,  and the 7 mile return is a bit tougher than you would think.  Helps  build your endurance. I will hold this 1/2 ride version a few times, at least once  per month till June.

Phase 3 Training: CX Hill Climb Training:   (Greater Salem Area) This ride is designed for any time of year when you know you will need to step up your game a bit.  We will ride this as a group at least once. You will be expected to attend this ride when I hold it. If you cannot complete this route, you will never be able to do the full 45 mile ride.  If you finish this route on (2 trips) 1 week apart, you will  have a lot of confidence in any other ride you are about to hit.  This route is carefully designed to burn your legs, and get you ready for any ride you have coming up. 

This ride is a short 25 miles, but has over 2400 feet of total climbing.  

18+ Hill Climbs

 (6) 15% Grade Climbs

(4) 18% Grade Climbs

(1) 24% Grade Climb   

(cars have trouble with this one)

Phase 4 Training: CX 201 Full: You get the full 45 miles on this one.  This is the graduation test.  I do not hold this ride very  often, it is a tough one. CX bike is your best bet, I have had folks on MTB's but they have also done Leadville 100 such rides.... You should have a CX bike for this ride. Even in peak  training, I sometimes have trouble finishing this ride but always  finish.

Will Offer this ride once each week, on Saturdays or Sundays.  This route is a standard local training route and can be finished in less than 2 - 1/2 hours. 

Must have TRAIL RATED CX TIRES for this ride and for all rides. Must have good climbing gears for all of these rides.

This ride is specially designed to wear you out in the first 17 miles on fun and twisty single-track, then force you on a 7 mile flat rail trail return.  

The return ride is more difficult than you may think, mostly because of the restive compressed dirt of the Danvers Rail Trail. A great way to prove your endurance is getting better, or to show you how much further you have to go.

This is the Hill Climb Training Route.  

This is for a CX bike only. Can be done on MTB but highly discourage it. This route is 2400 feet of climbing on very steep ascents. Look at the Hill Climb Profiles in this photo.  Blue parts of the route in this photo are the Climbing Hills, or the parts of Lynn Woods.  This ride does hit some rugged trails in Lynn Woods for a couple of miles, so you will need Trail Rated CX tires and really good climbing gears.