It’s one thing to enter a mountain bike stage race like the Dragon Trail, but how do you truly prepare?
Riding your bike more before an event is a good start, but there’s more to it than that if you want to know you’ll get through the event and have fun – or be competitive. Following a training program doesn’t need to be a bore, but a structured approach will help you reach the start line in good shape to maximise your performance and subsequent enjoyment of your 3 days of mountain biking fun.
Justin Morris, our long time team member and full-time head coach with Mind Matters Athlete Coaching, has developed a 9-week training plan specifically targeting the Dragon Trail. It will run from the start of the New Year up to the event on March 17, letting you tackle the new year with gusto!

Sessions are devised specifically to help riders with the physical training, skills development and mental preparation for a 3-day mountain bike stage race like the Dragon Trail.
9 Week Training Plan for $79 – Starts 5th January, 2022
Once you have signed up, you will get free access to a TrainingPeaks basic account, with your daily training laid out and access to everything you need to start training without any extra cost required. You’ll get details on how to use the plan, and some reminders about how to best prepare for a successful and fun Dragon Trail!
By signing up, you’ll also be invited to two online seminars, one with Justin and team mate Mike Blewitt about how to use the training plan, and one 4 weeks out from the event, for your chance to ask Mike any questions, based on his Dragon Trail experience in 2021.

All you need is a bike with sessions that can be completed on the road and/or trail. Some stretching and strength sessions are also included which can be completed at home but do not require any equipment.
You can be assured that the training plan has been put together by an accredited coach, taking into account the right principles for training, progressive overload and recovery.
In addition to the training plan there is an opportunity to access continued coach consultation/contact throughout the plan for a discounted extra cost ($80 extra per month which includes fortnightly phone call, email contact and development of personalised Mind Matters mental training resources).
How to Sign Up for Dragon Trail training
Purchase the Training Plan through the Dragon Trail registration system when you enter the event HERE.
You can also add the Training Plan to your order post entry by heading to mindmatterscoach.com/store.
After purchase and within a week, Justin Morris from Mind Matters Athlete Coaching will be in touch with access details.