Learning to ride to Time

Training ideas from coach and Olympian Amanda Ross on how to use CrossCountry App at home to get used to the right pace and rhythm.

Measure a track or circuit in the paddock with CrossCountry App and cones. Ideally the length will be your speed in meters per minute e.g. 450 meters.

While you can do this by yourself with a watch it’s easier to get a friend to time you as you ride around. Then you can just concentrate on your pace. Note the difference between your first minute with a standing start and second minute when you are in a rhythm.

Add a jump. What is the impact on your time and the pace you have to ride to still achieve 450mpm?

Add a combination with a turn. How much faster again do you have to gallop between fences? What is the impact of terrain e.g. you may have a hill going one way. Do you slow down more going up or down it?

CrossCountry helps me ride at the right pace. I used to get time penalties for going too fast