Episode 231: Matt’s Journey to the Haute Route Alps – The Challenge for a Multi-Day Bike Race

In this episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, Ironman Master Coach Matt Dixon frames his preparation and training path as he sets his sights on the Haute Route Alps, a 7-day cycling challenge through the heart of the Alps.

The Haute Route Alps is thought of as one of the toughest endurance cycling events in the world and is the original version of the Haute Route Series of events now spanning the globe.

Matt and his team, consisting of his two brothers and a group of friends, will traverse some of the most challenging uphill climbs in cycling.

(47:16) "We have eight folks, all time-starved, all middle-aged men...that are going to do this thing on a very similar program."
The course spans from Nice, in the Côte d'Azur, to Megève, in the Mont Blanc massif and features 6 mountain stages of the Tour de France along with a hill-based time trial.

With the Haute Route only weeks away, Matt outlines his approach to the event, giving us a classic example of a time-starved athlete fitting training for a major challenge into the demands of life.

(21:51) “The truth is that when I looked at my priorities around family and Purple Patch, I didn't really have capacity to train for this event, at least in the way that I would if I didn't have those responsibilities. And so what I've had to do is think outside of the box, I've had to apply much of the Purple Patch methodology to myself. And I had to maintain throughout the journey, this within context, my priority number one, family. Number two, Purple Patch, and then the Haute Route."
Matt also provides an overview of what we can expect along the way as he documents the experience here on the Purple Patch Podcast from August 20th through the 27th.

In this episode Matt will cover:

(10:16) The Haute Route Alps: Course Profile and stage descriptions.

(17:20) A Preview of our coverage and daily field reports.

(23:41) The profile of a time-starved athlete: Matt’s training approach.

(40:16) An overview of Matt’s daily nutrition, hydration, and fueling.

This episode not only previews Matt’s pursuit of a personal goal as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, but it also highlights the distinct challenges of a multi-day event and offers individual lessons on the layers of preparation and performance in broader sport and life.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 - 03:03 Welcome and Episode Introduction

3:10 - 06:49 Matt's News-ings

6:55 - The Meat and Potatoes - Episode 231: Matt’s Journey to The Haute Route Alps: A case study of a challenge for a multi-day bike race

Training Camp - 2022 St.George Triathlon Camp

Training Camp - 2023 Kona Triathlon Camp

Learn More About The Haute Route

Learn More About Precision Fuel and Hydration

Purple Patch Coaching Consultation

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The Purple Patch Center is Open - Learn More and Schedule a Visit

Purple Patch Website and Newsletter

Purple Patch and Episode Resources

This episode is sponsored by our collaboration with INSIDE TRACKER. Inside Tracker and Purple Patch - Receive 20% off their services with code: PURPLEPATCHPRO20

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[picarddominic]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the 4th pillar of performance in your preparation, i.e. strength training. Any reason? Can low cadence work and hill runs replace dedicated strength sessions? Good luck for the Haute-Route, this is a awesome experience!