We talked with Off-Road racer and Saris Athlete, Lance Haidet, to talk through his thoughts on driving vs. flying to races, how the season has gone so far, his approach to indoor riding and more.
Interviewer: Hey Lance, thanks for taking some time to talk. Where are you right now?
Lance: "I am home finally. I feel like I haven't been home much in months. But yeah, San Luis Obispo, California."
Interviewer: What’s the weather like there?
Lance: "Even out here, the colors are starting to change, but the weird thing about coastal California is that it’s 78 degrees most of the year. But around Halloween time, we get these Santa Ana winds, and it’s like 100 degrees every day for a week."
Interviewer: How is your racing season going so far?
Lance: "It's been a long one. I started racing back in February, with events like BWR Arizona and the Grasshopper Series. I've been going since then. Right now, I’m home for a couple of weeks and heading to the finale of the Lifetime Grand Prix. That’s been my main focus for the season."
Interviewer: How do you handle traveling for races—do you drive or fly?
Lance: "I’m lucky to be able to drive to about 70% of my races. Especially early season races like Sea Otter and the Grasshopper series, they’re all West Coast, so within a 12-hour drive. Driving is way easier because you can bring everything—bikes, wheelsets, all the gear. Plus, you’re in control of your stops when driving, which is nice compared to flying."
Interviewer: What’s your cutoff for driving to races?
Lance: "Probably around 12 hours for a weekend. Eight to ten hours is very doable. Anything beyond that and it’s probably not worth driving."
Interviewer: What challenges do you face racing at altitude?
Lance: "Being from California, at sea level, most of the mid-season events are at 7,000 feet or higher, like Leadville or Steamboat Gravel. I struggle with altitude unless I have three weeks to acclimate. So, I’ll drive out to Utah and Colorado, pack the truck with bikes and gear, and spend a couple of months there. It’s hard to stick to a strict training schedule on the road, but flexibility is key."
Interviewer: How do you manage your time on the road?
Lance: "It’s challenging to be super structured with training and gym sessions, but being able to roll with the punches is part of racing. Sometimes I miss being home, but those two months on the road are sweet."
Interviewer: Does having a truck help with your bike races, especially gravel races?
Lance: "For sure! It’s not the most comfortable ride, and it’s super loud, but it’s super functional. It’s perfect for throwing bikes on the back and hitting the dirt roads at speed without worrying about stuff falling off or bouncing around. It’s solid."
Interviewer: You mentioned that you’re feeling tired. How do you manage the end-of-season fatigue?
Lance: "Yeah, honestly, the past couple of races, I’ve been tired. Mentally, I’ve been struggling to stay in the race and fight the entire time. For me, that’s usually a sign I’m at the edge of fatigue. I wouldn’t say I’m overtrained, but I’m definitely teetering on that edge."
Interviewer: After your gravel season, do you jump right into Cyclocross?
Lance: "In the past, I’ve always jumped straight into Cyclocross because I love it—it’s fun and super challenging. But after a long gravel season, it’s important to listen to my body. This year, I’ll likely take a solid break after my last couple of races."
Interviewer: Lance, what's your current approach to taking time off the bike after a long season?
Lance: "Maybe like an entire week, week and a half off the bike. It’s important to give my body the rest it needs, especially after a busy season of gravel racing. That downtime is key before ramping up for Cyclocross nationals in December.”
Interviewer: Do you see trainer season coming soon, even in California?
Lance: "Trainer season is short, but there will be a trainer season. When it rains here, it rains heavy. Gravel roads are non-existent ‘cause they’re literally washed away. During that time, typically January and February, I spend a lot of time on the H3 Plus trainer.”
Interviewer: Do you find value in indoor training versus outdoor training?
Lance: "The trainer is perfect for hitting power numbers in erg mode, especially during the building phase for threshold work. But for race prep, race scenario efforts are better done outdoors. You need to get used to surges, rough terrain, and maintaining traction.”
Interviewer: Do you enjoy indoor training setups, even though your time on the trainer is short?
Lance: “I enjoy it because it's a short stint, but if I had to do a full winter on the trainer, I’d need a much better setup to truly enjoy it. It’s all about finding the right balance between being efficient and enjoying the training.”
Interviewer: “Yeah, at some point, you have to flip the switch and say to yourself “okay, it’s trainer season." You have to get the setup right with fans, screens, and leave the bike on it, ready to go.”
Lance: “Totally, the best setups are in places like Iowa, where people spend months on the trainer. It’s a big part of their winter riding.”
Interviewer: “Thanks for agreeing to hop on the call, and good luck with the rest of the season. It’s been fun working with you, and following your progress has been awesome.”
