How to Develop a Faster Cadence, Part 4: Make Cadence an Everyday Focus (and Powerful Cues to Coach It)

Make Cadence an Everyday Focus, Not Just a Special One

As you can tell by the number of drills and profiles we’ve provided on this topic, cadence is not a specialty—it’s a core competency. Yet in some online forums, cadence work is treated like a theme class or something you pull out only when you need a “skill ride.” But cadence is just as important as resistance, power, intensity, breathing, bike fit, or pedal stroke technique.

Yes, you will do specially structured cadence drills like ladders and spin-ups (part 3), but you should also weave cadence education into every ride. Even if the ride isn’t “about” cadence, it should show up in your cueing, your class design, your intensity targets, and your music choices.

You don’t have to get scientific every time (though a little physiology now and then can be powerful). Simply help riders connect why they are pedaling at a given leg speed to what’s happening in their body.

Below are coaching examples of how this sounds in class.