Professional Cycling

Bringing back the “Good Ole’ Days”. Applying the old school art of “feel” in the modern training environment. Thankfully, there are a few old school, fundamental principles about cycling performance and training that never seem to loose their polish. For example, the importance of recovery is making a strong comeback. Much to the delight of many coaches, myself included. Another old school concept that is regaining popularity is developing the ability to make decisions about your workload based on accurate perceived exertion or “feel”. The simple art of monitoring the work you do on the bike by feel is experience a modern day renaissance.

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Regardless of your particular riding interest there is no better way to start the season than several days of full immersion, laser beam focused time in training camp. Pro teams hold pre-season training camps every year to introduce the new riders and staff to the system and help everyone start the season on the same page. For us mere mortals, organized cycling camps are fast becoming a very popular way to learn about the benefits of structured training and how the application of modern sports science can improve our development. In addition to learning camp also provides many hours of the pure joy and fun of just riding your bike and being looked after by a professional staff. Training camps come in all shapes and sizes and price ranges. Depending on what you are looking and how much money you want to spend there is a camp program out there for you.

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Your ability to sustain long efforts can be attributed to all of the base miles that you put in at the beginning of the season. As you transition from the gym back to the bike the endurance training you do begins the process of building fitness, capacity and the energy systems needed for sub threshold work. Generally speaking, “endurance” can be defined as the “ability to maintain a specific power level, involving muscular contractions, for a given period of time”. There is aerobic endurance, threshold endurance and anaerobic endurance. The intensity of the work will define the limits of the efforts and limits you have at certain intensities define your endurance for that level of work.

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Cycling is a sport that often requires training and competition in less than desirable conditions. Being well prepared and properly dressed for the weather is vital to your success and personal safety. Cold weather, combined with rain can make riding miserable and dangerous. The process of learning how to dress properly and take care of yourself in bad weather can be very unpleasant. Keeping in mind that every rider is different in their natural resistance to the elements here are a few guidelines and suggestions for riding in cold and wet conditions.

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At some point in your athletic career you are likely to find yourself looking for ways to “give back” to the sport for the many meaningful memories and lessons learned. One of the best ways I know of is to pass the torch to those of the next generation. Before you make a determination that you’re perhaps too young, too old, too busy, etc. take a few minutes to really evaluate what cycling has given to you and what you might gain (not just give) through such a commitment. Working with young people can be very rewarding regardless of their ultimate success on the bike. This reward is not just theirs, but yours as well. When you choose to work with young people you become much more than just a coach, often you become a friend, a mentor, perhaps even a role model. This can shape their life and future as well as yours.

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Movement is caused by the contraction of muscle fibers attached by the tendons on either side of a given joint (i.e. the elbow joint is flexed by contraction of the biceps muscle attached to bones of the upper and lower arm). In athletics this is called dynamic or “active” ROM (range of motion), where the movement of the joint is caused by a muscular contraction. Active ROM, or athletic specific movement, is most effected by the force of the muscle contraction and the flexibility of the joint being moved.

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There are few riders who have not at some time considered working with a professional coach. The reasons are obvious. Riders who have an organized and detailed plan and personal guidance have a better chance at success. And, since the average rider lacks the knowledge and expertise and time to develop and implement an effective training plan hiring someone to do it for them seems reasonable. But is working with a coach the right way to go for every rider? Before you hire a coach there are a few things to be sorted out.

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