I’m following the training plan from the MTB marathon website, to make sure I’m in good nick for a week’s riding on the continent in April. The plan involves a couple of days ‘cross’ training, which I’m currently using running as.

What aill have the best benefit? sticking to the cross training, or replacing it with riding the bike?.

Cheers.

Cross training. Why else would they recommend it?

Maybe just to keep some variety in there?.

If you train for one sport by only doing that sport (especially with something like cycling), you’ll only train a limited number of muscle groups through a limited range of motion. Cross training helps exercise those other muscle groups as you need them for stability etc and they need other ranges of motion to stay in shape.

Interesting article:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/is-bicycling-bad-for-your-bones/

cross training usually good during winter training to stave off boredom.

when it gets serious though just ride.

TooTall puts it very well, I’ve started some free weight work outs and I can feel the difference already in my “core” areas. Can see very easily how it will improve things once the good weather returns. But once the weather is nice, not sure I’ll keep it up unless I miss out on time on bike due to work etc.