What’s “easier”, XC or Endurance?

Dave Taylor

Dave Taylor

Rex kwan Do
This is a tough one. I think XC is harder to be good at. I rarely cramp in endurance races yet almost always cramp in xc. It may be a trick question but not really. I find myself getting smoked at the beginning of big endurance races but picking tons of racers off after the XC time span is up.

On another note I get dropped in XC races usually after one lap. I ask this question seriously however. For me, if you ride tons of zone 2 endurance will come easy. I’m curious to see how “XC” guys like @jShort do at Lucky’s Revenge. I see him putting in lots of base miles now. How about @BrianGT3 ? Both strong dudes.

I think I don’t focus enough on top end u til it’s too late, endurance training is easy. Not once have I said “man, I’m not sure if I can finish this 100 mile race(it has happened however). Oh, we just needed a nee topic...OOS is dead.
 
Dave Taylor said:
OOS is dead.
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@Dave Taylor - do you think being a 'big guy' is a handicap in an xc race?

For those that don't know DT, he is tall, and fit. Not that weird skinny tall either.
(i could go and find one of his podium pics, but too lazy)
 
Patrick said:
@Dave Taylor - do you think being a 'big guy' is a handicap in an xc race?

For those that don't know DT, he is tall, and fit. Not that weird skinny tall either.
(i could go and find one of his podium pics, but too lazy)
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As one, I think being a Clydesdale in an XC race is a handicap. Not being quick off the line and carrying extra weight up the hills makes a difference. Power to weight ratio plays in big time even in Cat 3.

I know a Tri-athlete, who trains alot indoors. We were talking about the change in riding outside and hills and he said, "yea its tough transition, but I feel safer in the basement." Then he goes, "you're carrying 75-100lbs more than me up those same hills i would train on and maybe you're the better rider!"

Only racing Cathedral Pines twice, I've cramped both races, and I feel that it was due to my lack of structured nutrition during the race. I haven't cramped in any XC race tho.
 
Dave Taylor said:
This is a tough one. I think XC is harder to be good at. I rarely cramp in endurance races yet almost always cramp in xc. It may be a trick question but not really. I find myself getting smoked at the beginning of big endurance races but picking tons of racers off after the XC time span is up.

On another note I get dropped in XC races usually after one lap. I ask this question seriously however. For me, if you ride tons of zone 2 endurance will come easy. I’m curious to see how “XC” guys like @jShort do at Lucky’s Revenge. I see him putting in lots of base miles now. How about @BrianGT3 ? Both strong dudes.

I think I don’t focus enough on top end u til it’s too late, endurance training is easy. Not once have I said “man, I’m not sure if I can finish this 100 mile race(it has happened however). Oh, we just needed a nee topic...OOS is dead.
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You wish ?
 
Patrick said:
@Dave Taylor - do you think being a 'big guy' is a handicap in an xc race?
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in the pro class? I mean im sure there is an exception somewhere, but I cant think of anyone ever winning who weighed more than about 165. And they were a TALL 165 🙂

As far as whats easier....XC is much easier for me for a number of reason. 1. I dont have anytime to train or do rides longer than 3 hours (and that is even super rare now) 2. races like the bearscat, even with a great course....I get bored out of my mind after a few hours....On a course like ours at mooch...for 4 hours? lap after lap...omg..LOL...no thanks. I'd much prefer to just bleed out of my eyes for 1.5-2hrs and get it over with quick.
 
If some people do too much distance training, they can get slower in XC. I have seen it happen. I am not sure why it happens and why it does not apply to everyone.
 
a serious response; winning ultra endurance races is going to be more difficult than winning XC races, solely based on the time commitment. once you talk about "doing well", its relative and the argument is null and void
 
The question is relative. If the question is “what’s harder, excelling at XC or distance?” Well I cant answer as I excel at neither.

But if the question is “what’s easier, participating and finishing an XC event or an endurance event?” I can tell you that (all else being equal) finishing a 12 mile event is a lot easier than something 60+ miles.

Happy to clear that up for everyone
 
pixychick said:
If some people do too much distance training, they can get slower in XC. I have seen it happen. I am not sure why it happens and why it does not apply to everyone.
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I think that probably comes from improper training rather than too much distance. Take a guy like Brian Schworm who has one NUE 100s and then goes and wins his age group at XC nats.
 
I guess it depends if more time training makes it harder or if one training plan is a harder than another
 
Dave Taylor said:
This is a tough one. I think XC is harder to be good at. I rarely cramp in endurance races yet almost always cramp in xc. It may be a trick question but not really. I find myself getting smoked at the beginning of big endurance races but picking tons of racers off after the XC time span is up.

On another note I get dropped in XC races usually after one lap. I ask this question seriously however. For me, if you ride tons of zone 2 endurance will come easy. I’m curious to see how “XC” guys like @jShort do at Lucky’s Revenge. I see him putting in lots of base miles now. How about @BrianGT3 ? Both strong dudes.

I think I don’t focus enough on top end u til it’s too late, endurance training is easy. Not once have I said “man, I’m not sure if I can finish this 100 mile race(it has happened however). Oh, we just needed a nee topic...OOS is dead.
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There's zero chance I ride 50 miles. ?

Just trying to support the local race scene.
 
Serious endurance athletes don't just do zone 2 rides. They do all the intervals anyone training for a shorter event would do PLUS all of the distance. With decent genetics you can do a pretty good job of XC racing with 6-8 hours/week of training. You can't fake endurance. You need to do the same exact training plus another 6+ hours of easier stuff.

For me, actually racing (shorter) endurance is easier because there's no way I can keep up a race pace for over a couple of hours as I fall into the 6-8 hours/week bucket. For some 3+ hour event, I need to be at conversational pace most of the time or I'm going to get some serious cramps. Even at that, my body will be shot at the end.
 
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