Do you want to be a better mountain bike rider? Well, coach Ben Plenge from The Strength Factory is here to help you in just six simple steps. Ben lays out the fundamentals needed to put together a winter of progression, that will lead to you being a better, faster, safer rider in 2025. Ben takes us through planning, building a foundation, looking after ourselves, adding intensity, upgrading our skills and getting specific, to ensure that we’re always improving. As ever, there is lots of great information in this episode from Ben. So, it’s time to sit back, hit play and listen to this episode with Coach Ben Plenge.

You can also watch this episode on YouTube here.

If you’d like a handy document that covers all that we’ve talked about in the episode, then Ben has a free pdf available here.

If you want even more and are keen to get on a Strength Factory programme, then there are some offers available until 31st October 2024.

Discount code is DTIMEPOD Valid until 31st October 2024.

Get the first month of The Complete MTB Programme for only $10 and you get a 1 week free trial. Works out at only $2 per week for the first 5 weeks!

Get 50% off of lifetime access to The Over 40s MTB Programme.

All covered by a 100% money back guarantee.

You can follow Ben on Instagram @strengthfactory_coach. Check out his free resources on YouTube here and the video we mention in the episode is here. You can also find information on the Maffetone formula which we mention here.

We are looking for someone to help us part-time with video, YouTube and social media related bits and pieces. If you’re a passionate mountain biker, love podcasts and enjoy the challenge of working with video, YouTube and social media platforms, then get in touch before 18th October 2024 and tell us a bit about yourself. Emails to chris@downtimepodcast.com please, we look forward to hearing from you.

I would love it if you were able to support the podcast via a regular Patreon donation. Donations start from as little as £3 per month. That’s less than £1 per episode and less than the price of a take away coffee. Every little counts and these donations will really help me keep the podcast going and hopefully take it to the next level. To help out, head here.

If you want to support the podcast and represent, then my webstore is the place to head. All products are 100% organic, shipped without plastics, and made with a supply chain that’s using renewable energy. We now also have local manufacture for most products in the US as well as the UK. So check it out now over at downtimepodcast.com/shop.

If you want a bit more Downtime in your life, then you can join my newsletter where I’ll provide you with a bit of behind the scenes info on the podcast, interesting bits and pieces from around the mountain bike world, some mini-reviews of products that I’ve been using and like, partner offers and more. You can do that over at downtimepodcast.com/newsletter.

Give us a follow on Instagram @downtimepodcast or Facebook @downtimepodcast to keep up to date and chat in the comments.

For everything video, including riding videos, bike checks and more, subscribe over at youtube.com/downtimemountainbikepodcast.

Are you enjoying the podcast? If so, then don’t forget to follow it. Episodes will get delivered to your device as soon as it’s available and it’s totally free. You’ll find all the links you need at downtimepodcast.com/follow. You can find us on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google and most of the podcast apps out there.

Our back catalogue of amazing episodes is available at downtimepodcast.com/episodes

Photo – Dave Price