Rating: 
Summary: Makes training much more fun - and efficient!
Review: I bought this book six months ago and I think I have read it a zillion times. First, I read it page by page. Now I keep going back to different chapters, depending on what part of the season we're in. The figures are terrific and makes it easy to understand the principles behind periodization - a way of planning which makes training much more fun.I have really improved my training and look forward to next season, when I will be much better fit to race!
Rating: 
Summary: Many better books out there
Review: I was certainly disappointed with this book relative to others that I have read relating to either cycling or running. I hate to give negative reviews, but to add balance to the others, I make an exception. Overall the book did not appear to be well organized or very deep in technicalities. The section on heart rate monitoring was weak at best. Very little detail or depth is provided regarding physiological effects of the various elements of training. Probably the strongest element of the book is its aid in setting up a program/training schedule and emphasis of periodization. This alone may be sufficient reason for the purchase of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great for every athlete
Review: I'm graduated at physical education and training is my "forte". When I readed this book some years ago, I was amazed at how easily Friel could explain vital training concepts and how his words make you instantly realize the value of an structured plan. He then gets through a plan custom-made for you, and helps you to learn which athlete you really are, and what your weakness are so that you can work on them to become a better athlete. There are better books for giving workout examples, but I'm yet to find a better book about making your periodization/planning of your year-round training, specifically for cycling. A must have for every athlete who wants to proficient in his training, be him a weekend warrior, a cat.5 or a pro.
Rating:
Summary: THE definitive cyclists training guide!
Review: If you buy only one cycling book... You will have to look very hard to find such a good cyclists' training guide. This book very clearly and simply shows how to effectively create a training program to meet your objectives and work within your constraints. Friel puts all aspects of training (sleep, nutrition, periodization, testing, balancing with the rest of your life, etc.) into perspective and provides a scientific foundation for all of these areas.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Training Planning
Review: If you want to prepare a well thought out and effective training plan, based on identifying your performance needs - including everything from commitment to sprinting, then this book will provide a superb template for your plan. The training year is split into sensible 4/5 week periods, each ending with a recovery week of lower volume and intensity, before winding up to the next higher level period- providing a developing plan that never gets stale. Once the annual plan is laid down, built around your planned events, you have to plan each weeks workouts as you go along. Theres plenty of workouts so your not restricted to the turbo when you want to get out on the road. This book doesn't alienate any discipline in competetive cycling. It's too early to say my plan is proven in races - but I'm definately improving according to the performance tests which form part of the programme. Of course better performance means effective training on the bike - the book can't do it for you...but what better aid than this.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Training Book Available
Review: If your idea of a good season is to just ride, or be pack fill until the hills then don't waste your money. On the otherhand, if you can set goals, want results and need to raise your performance year over year then get this book. You have to read, understand and follow the content of this book closely. If you can, then you will be able to set up a year 'round training program which will provide the results you have been looking for. This book is technical. You will have to focus as with any effective performance program. No, you really don't need the expensive testing stuff. You can get the same test information with a cheap wind trainer or the recommended time trial tests. A bike, a good heart rate monitor, this book and a true desire to get faster (in this order)is all you need.
Rating:
Summary: This book is not for everyone...Thank God
Review: If your idea of a good season is to just ride, or be pack fill until the hills then don't waste your money. On the otherhand, if you can set goals, want results and need to raise your performance year over year then get this book. You have to read, understand and follow the content of this book closely. If you can, then you will be able to set up a year 'round training program which will provide the results you have been looking for. This book is technical. You will have to focus as with any effective performance program. No, you really don't need the expensive testing stuff. You can get the same test information with a cheap wind trainer or the recommended time trial tests. A bike, a good heart rate monitor, this book and a true desire to get faster (in this order)is all you need.
Rating: 
Summary: Overly complicated program, but useful for the dedicated
Review: It is a little unclear for whom this book has been written. Professional, world class cyclists have their own training systems and don't need this book. It's difficult to see how 9-to-5ers who race on weekends have the time to follow a training program as complicated as this one. The author starts by describing the basic cycling abilities of speed, endurance, and strength and goes on to describe the advanced abilities of muscular endurance, speed-endurance, and power. His training program consists of "periods" that emphasize the specific training of those abilities in varying proportions. Those periods are Base I,II,III, Build I,II, Peak, and Compete. Throw in the factors of frequency, duration, intensity for all of the training periods, as well as lactate and cardiovascular monitoring and you have got yourself one complicated program. There is a lot of overlap in the training: to say that this manner of riding is this kind of training can seem somewhat arbitrary. As a long-time runner and cyclist, I can attest to the fact that numerous training books exist for runners that are far easier to follow than is this one. There are a few basic workouts that can make one a successful runner. It is the opinion of this reviewer that the author would better serve those likely to buy this book or a next one if he would make the effort to simplify and reduce his descriptions of basic physiological systems and the corresponding training needed. And the author does readily admit that some cyclists are successful without going through such a complicated schedule. There must be some middle ground here.
Rating:
Summary: A definitive guide to plan your training and racing season
Review: This book describes how you exactly should go about planning your racing and training season. All with tables, plans and suggested practices, and journals. Wonderful! The book is based on periodization and divides the training into six different areas (strength, speed and endurance are the main ones). The season is also split into several phases. Based on the time of year and your weaknesses and strengths you set up a yearly plan. The whole point with this plan is to peak you performance on a scheduled time. Out of some tables you choose different exercises for a weekly plan. The exercises differ in intensity and volume. But Joe explains all this. Although I am just an amateur road cyclist I highly recommend this book for any cyclist who wish to follow a better plan and improve their performances in races. Hell, even if you just interested in structured endurance-training, this book is a good read. Reading your journal (I recommend making an electronic one) you can easily see your improvements and what kind of exercises suited you best at different times.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for any cyclists coaching themselves.
Review: This book helps you to define a very detailed and specific training program. It helps you to determine your strengths and weaknesses, and outline your goals. From this basis, you develop the training program. The only complaint I have is that it is very specific to road racing, with absolutely no mention of any other type of cycling. Still, it's by far the best training guide I've seen.
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