Rating: 
Summary: BEST I'VE READ
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: BEST I'VE READ
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: It made me faster and last longer!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: It made me faster and last longer!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The Mountaine Bikers Training Bible
Review: I found this book to be immensely helpful in explaining the details of training for a mountain bike. I especially liked the explanation of training for aerobic and anaerobic fitness and intensity. I also found the guidance for developing an annual plan to be excellent. I recommend this book for any experienced and/or serious cyclist that wants to raise their fitness either for recreation riding or racing to a new level.
Rating: 
Summary: A Mistitled Book
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The Mountaine Bikers Training Bible
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: not the bible
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A true bible!!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Just in Time for Next Season
Review: 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.
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