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In: Class Profiles
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This particular ride is written to be performed as much as it is to be coached. The instructor takes the position as a guide on a Haunted Bike Tour past a graveyard, through Halloween Town, into the woods, past a second graveyard, and concludes with a steep ascent to Dracula’s castle. The more theatrical—the better! Might I suggest ridiculous glasses or a witch/mad hatter hat…and a fog machine?Read more…

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In: General Coaching, Instructor Issues & growth, Programming and Management
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We are not taking away training or barricading treadmills and indoor bikes; instead we are offering them a much needed change in how they work out. Honestly, the efforts are not easier, just different. In part 2, we will discuss one of the keys to getting your riders salivating over a reset—knowing what you are selling.Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth
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The workout is intense. High-intensity intervals run amok. Full out! All out! Everything you got! This is the mode we have been in over the summer months and early fall weeks. For many, this is known as peak fitness; earned after months and months of dedicated riding and training. When we achieve this level of fitness and the associated intensity, we don’t want it to stop. Herein lies the problem. Unless we dial it back and let the body fully recover, we not only fail to improve further, but eventually lose what we’ve gained…or worse. How do we transition our riders out of an intensity frenzy and prepare them to reset and rebuild their fitness at the start of another year? Read more…

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In: Coaching and Cueing, Communication and Presentation Skills, Instructor Issues & growth
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In part 1 we discussed how to prepare our riders for a sub. In part 2 we threw out suggestions for finding an ideal sub for your class. Welcome to part 3—where you are the sub. It can be nerve-wracking to walk into a party not knowing anyone. My strategy in this case it to find someone who also appears uncomfortable and introduce myself. Eventually I build a posse that allows me to move freely about the cabin. This tactic doesn’t work when your goal is not to mingle, but command the room. I’m going to share my strategy to increase your chances of success and potentially keep the jitters down to a dull roar.Read more…

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In: Biomechanics, Cadence, Power, Class Profiles
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If you’ve ever been frustrated about riders who seem to cheat about the amount of work they are doing, or how to coach your riders to add enough resistance to do appreciable work (and get the results they want)…then this is your profile! The audio for this profile is a veritable continuing education session, so get ready to learn a lot!Read more…

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In: Free Articles, Music Resources
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This is not one of our weekly music suggestions, but a song that I think every instructor around the world should have. Not only is it beautiful, but the message is so powerful. Thanks to Jeanne Sims of Long Island who posted it on Facebook this morning… I immediately bought it and put it in my inspirational playlists to use at a later date.Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth
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In part 1, we discussed the difficulty of using a substitute instructor your riders like (or won’t stone), the challenge when other instructors do not “keep it real,” and teaching your class to respect your subs. Part 2 will focus on moving past a potential negative impression of your class, valuing the riders’ workout, and how to prep your sub for success.Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors, Programming and Management
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Mentoring new instructors is a valuable tool in helping them navigate the often overwhelming flood of information they receive in their certification and the weeks that follow. Listen to this audio interview with Melinda Massie of Lexington, KY, as she describes how she loves to take new instructors under her wing. If you’ve ever thought about mentoring (or if you’re a facility looking to develop a mentoring program) don’t miss this interview!Read more…