Why Zone 2 matters

Zone 2 is the steady, conversational effort that feels almost too easy. It is also where much of your aerobic fitness is built.

What it does

Riding in Zone 2 builds your aerobic base. You get better at using fat for fuel, you recover faster between hard days, and you hold your harder efforts longer before they fade.

How to ride it

Keep the effort steady and the breathing relaxed. If you can't talk in full sentences, you're going too hard. Resist the urge to turn easy days into medium days.

Why racers need it

Hard intervals get most of the attention, but they work best on top of a strong aerobic base. Easy days done properly are what let you do the hard days well.