Oregon Trail Gravel Recap: Five Races in Five Days [Part 3]

Oregon Trail Gravel Recap: Five Races in Five Days [Part 3]

Why this race? And why ride it as a team? In the third and final part of our Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder recap, we get into the "why" behind five days of gravel. I've coached for years, and I've always hated the gap between a training camp and a race. Same people, totally different weekend. This event closes that gap. It felt like five races in five days, the best return on investment in endurance sport, and adult bike camp all at once, with pros and first-timers rubbing wheels on the same course. We talk compressed learning (and the dog-on-the-carpet analogy that explains why most athletes never improve), the lessons we fixed on the fly, and why we'll only do an event like this with a partner from now on. Marine-voice tent story included. ⛺ Learn about the race: https://www.oregontrailgravelgrinder.com/ [https://www.oregontrailgravelgrinder.com/] 🚴 More coaching, camps, and community: https://www.endurancenation.us [https://www.endurancenation.us]

Oregon Trail Gravel: Four Decisions over Five Days [Part 2]

A coach's eye, a teammate's honesty, and we still got it wrong. In Part 2 of our Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder recap, we break down the four in-race decisions that shaped all five days. Tire pressure that we treated as set-it-and-forget-it (and paid for over 30 miles of volcanic washboard). Seeding, and why the back of the pack cost us free time and empty aid-station tables. Nutrition, including my caffeine-as-a-tool experiment and the tent-side gel math that literally resurrected Matt's race. And uncertainty: the stage-five "victory lap" that was anything but, and what you do when your whole plan falls apart at mile ten. This is where a gravel stage race is actually won and lost. ⛺ Learn about the race: https://www.oregontrailgravelgrinder.com/ [https://www.oregontrailgravelgrinder.com/] 🚴 More coaching, camps, and community: https://www.endurancenation.us [https://www.endurancenation.us]

Oregon Trail Gravel Recap: Systems & Logistics [Part 1]

Amateurs talk tactics. Professionals talk logistics. My co-host Matt brought that line home from the Marine Corps, and after five days of racing gravel at the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder, it's the truest thing we can tell you about stage racing. In Part 1, we get into the boring stuff that actually wins the week: the post-ride system that saves you from standing in a one-hose line with 500 other riders, packing your whole life into a Home Depot tote (RIP pillows), the nightly debrief that should've been its own episode, and "fravel," the fake gravel that no GPX file will ever warn you about. You win the race between the stages. Here's how. ⛺ Learn about the race: https://www.oregontrailgravelgrinder.com/ [https://www.oregontrailgravelgrinder.com/] 🚴 More coaching, camps, and community: https://www.endurancenation.us [https://www.endurancestation.us]

February Miles, Muscles & Mega Planning | Endurance Nation Update

Winter is doing winter things in New England, with snow, trainer miles, and a whole lot of basement fitness. In this February Endurance Nation update, Coach Patrick checks in on what's happening across the team, what he's building toward personally, and what's coming next for athletes looking for big adventures in 2025. Inside this episode: * How the Endurance Nation team is evolving, including Ironman, gravel, and a growing wave of Hyrox and hybrid athletes * Why Season Roadmaps matter more than weekly hours or TSS, and how they keep your training pointed at the right target * Coach Patrick's own training reset as he builds for the Oregon Gravel Grinder stage race * Lessons learned from going too hard, too early, and how to avoid the boom and bust season * A deep dive into Endurance Nation's Tuscany gravel camp with Avanti Tours, taking place June 13 to 20, featuring Strade Bianche roads, epic rides, incredible food, and unforgettable experiences Whether you're chasing Kona, Leadville, your first 70.3, or simply a stronger and more durable season, this episode is about training with intention, staying focused through winter, and building toward something that truly matters. This episode is also available on YouTube. Tuscany Camp details can be found at avantitours.com. Train smart. Stay consistent. Work works.

How to Safely Restart Your Training After Illness

In this episode, we dive into how athletes can safely restart training after a period of illness or fatigue. Whether you've missed a few days or weeks, we discuss the importance of a structured re-entry protocol to avoid further setbacks. If you're an OutSeason athlete, age-grouper, or just someone looking to protect your health while rebuilding your fitness, this episode is for you. Plus, we talk about when to test your fitness and how to track your progress during recovery.