What makes RIDESTRONG different?

The RideStrong Training Program is a 10-week cycling clinic designed to increase your cycling fitness and improve your technique so you are more prepared for the cycling season than ever before. 
 
RideStrong is designed for anyone from a newbie to cycling who wants to improve endurance and comfort while riding to intermediate or more advanced recreational cyclists with big goals such as century rides, bike tours, or setting personal bests. Or anyone who simply just wants to keep up with their cycling buddies. 
 
It is also appropriate for those who only ride inside but who are committed to a structured training program to elicit the greatest performance improvements.
 
What you can expect from this training:
 
  • FTP/lactate threshold testing at the beginning and end
  • Skills drills to improve efficiency and technique
  • A progressive program to gradually increase intensity over time
    • Aerobic endurance development (the easier work)
    • Muscular endurance training (the moderate work)
    • Threshold improvement (the harder work)
    • Anaerobic capacity work (the even harder work!)
  • Weekly educational and motivational emails
  • Handouts with more in-depth information about the work we are doing
  • Exclusive Facebook group where you can ask training and technique questions, share your improvement, cheer on other participants!
  • Weekly “homework” (tips for an endurance ride on your own)
  • Suggested cross-training to enhance your cycling training
 
Classes will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. MST (6:30 p.m. EST). We begin Monday, January 22nd and end Wednesday, March 27th. Classes will be recorded and posted the following day. You will have access to the on-demand class, but only for 48 hours after the original live stream to encourage riders to stay committed and follow the structure. (Note: if you are out of town and miss several classes, contact me and I will give you access to those classes.)

What kind of bike do I need?
 
You can ride on any indoor bike for this program, a stationary indoor bike or your road bike on a trainer. You can even do the classes on a stationary bike at your gym. For that, I recommend a handlebar attachment for your phone or iPad such as this one so you can watch the classes and connect your headphones.

Power or Heart Rate?

If at all possible, I recommend you ride with a power meter, but I understand that not everyone can afford one or even cares about metrics. (They have dropped in price significantly over the past few years.)

Why a power meter? A power meter allows you to assess your current level of fitness, quantify it, and target very specific training zones to improve different elements of your cycling fitness in a way that heart rate training or riding by feel simply cannot. Additionally, a power meter allows you to see improvement. As you get stronger, your FTP (functional threshold power) goes up. With a heart rate monitor, you have to guess about intensity levels (that is, you can’t be very specific) and you may not see improvement.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get more fit if you only train with a heart rate monitor…you will! So absolutely, a heart rate monitor will work for this program. If simply feeling better on the bike and feeling more fit in the general sense is your goal when it comes time to ride outside, then you will be very pleased with your progress in this program.

If you want more than that, if you like measuring progress and setting and reaching more specific goals, then take the leap and get yourself a power meter. It may change your cycling forever! For the best value and quality, look into these power pedals or these crank-based power meters.

 
Regardless of whether you have a power meter or not, you should have a heart rate monitor. I recommend this one, the Wahoo TICKR which will connect via Bluetooth to any app or console. 
 
In this program, you will learn how to observe and monitor your heart rate response to your training, and what changes might be necessary when the heart rate doesn’t respond as it usually does. You’ll be able to take this knowledge out on the road with you wherever you ride.
 

What makes RIDESTRONG
different?

The RideStrong Training Program is a 10-week cycling clinic designed to increase your cycling fitness and improve your technique so you are more prepared for the cycling season than ever before. 
 
RideStrong is designed for anyone from a newbie to cycling who wants to improve endurance and comfort while riding to intermediate or more advanced recreational cyclists with big goals such as century rides, bike tours, or setting personal bests. Or anyone who simply just wants to keep up with their cycling buddies. 
 
It is also appropriate for those who only ride inside but who are committed to a structured training program to elicit the greatest performance improvements.
 
What you can expect from this training:
 
  • FTP/lactate threshold testing at the beginning and end
  • Skills drills to improve efficiency and technique
  • A progressive program to gradually increase intensity over time
    • Aerobic endurance development (the easier work)
    • Muscular endurance training (the moderate work)
    • Threshold improvement (the harder work)
    • Anaerobic capacity work (the even harder work!)
  • Weekly educational and motivational emails
  • Handouts with more in-depth information about the work we are doing
  • Exclusive Facebook group where you can ask training and technique questions, share your improvement, and cheer on other participants!
  • Weekly “homework” (tips for a longer endurance ride on your own)
  • Suggested cross-training to enhance your cycling training
 
Classes will be offered Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. MST (6:30 p.m. EST). We begin Monday, January 22nd and end Wednesday, March 27th. Classes will be recorded and posted the following day. You will have access to the on-demand class, but only for 48 hours after the original live stream to encourage riders to stay committed and follow the weekly progressive structure. (Note: if you are out of town and miss several classes, contact me and I will give you access to those classes.)

What kind of bike do I need?
 
You can ride on any indoor bike for this program, a stationary indoor bike or your road bike on a trainer. You can even do the classes on a stationary bike at your gym. For that, I recommend a handlebar attachment for your phone or iPad such as this one so you can watch the classes and connect your headphones.

Power or Heart Rate?

If at all possible, I recommend you ride with a power meter, but I understand that not everyone can afford one or even cares about metrics. (They have dropped in price significantly over the past few years.)

Why a power meter? A power meter allows you to assess your current level of fitness, quantify it, and target very specific training zones to improve different elements of your cycling fitness in a way that heart rate training or riding by feel simply cannot. Additionally, a power meter allows you to see improvement. As you get stronger, your FTP (functional threshold power) goes up. With a heart rate monitor, you have to guess about intensity levels (that is, you can’t be very specific) and you may not see improvement.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get more fit if you only train with a heart rate monitor…you will! So absolutely, a heart rate monitor will work for this program. If simply feeling better on the bike and feeling more fit in the general sense is your goal when it comes time to ride outside, then you will be very pleased with your progress in this program.

If you want more than that, if you like measuring progress and setting and reaching more specific goals, then take the leap and get yourself a power meter. It may change your cycling forever! For the best value and quality, look into these power pedals or these crank-based power meters.

 
Regardless of whether you have a power meter or not, you should have a heart rate monitor. I recommend this one, the Wahoo TICKR which will connect via Bluetooth to any app or console. 
 
In this program, you will learn how to observe and monitor your heart rate response to your training, and what changes might be necessary when the heart rate doesn’t respond as it usually does. You’ll be able to take this knowledge out on the road with you wherever you ride.
 

How to Register for the Ridestrong Program

Here is what people are saying about my
RideStrong program:
Michelle Yohon
Jennifer’s RideStrong cycling classes were excellent…they really helped me build my base so that I could ride further outside. I rode 2226 mi outside after the classes finished. I couldn't have done it without the skills that we practiced and the knowledge that I gained. Many times while I was riding, your tips and mantras were playing in my head keeping me going and making sure I was on track. I am looking forward to taking the RideStrong classes again.
Laurie Geromini
Jennifer is perhaps one of the top indoor cycling instructors in the country. She was dedicated to helping each person set a baseline by conducting threshold testing (and) used those results to design her classes.(She is) a true fitness professional who knows how to teach and coach. …her playlists are always spot on, fun, worldly, and inspiring. (*see Laurie’s full testimonial below.)
Deb Benjamin
I joined the Ride Strong program last year and have been excited to start again this year. Jennifer’s program starts my cycling fitness, teaches me to understand my physical data and encourages me to set higher goals. I enjoy the riding progression, great music, and learning new techniques.  When outdoor Spring riding adventures begin here in Vail CO I’m ready to roll!  
Here is what people are saying about my RideStrong program:
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*Here is Laurie Geromini's full testimonial

Jennifer is perhaps one of the top indoor cycling instructors in the country. Her classes are carefully planned, methodical, and easy to follow. She focuses not only on the mechanics of pedal stroke, but also helps the rider to use and understand power and heartbeat to achieve their individual fitness goals. Her RideStrong program was a great way for me to build a base heading into the summer outdoor riding season. She was dedicated to helping each person set a baseline by conducting threshold testing. She then used those results to design her classes. She set up an exclusive group chat for us, and was available to answer our questions at any time. Jennifer's class is not for the the person who wants to lift weights on a bike and jump around to pop music. It is for the beginner and advanced who want to not only get a great and proper workout, but to learn the craft of indoor cycling. A true fitness professional who knows how to teach and coach. I would be remiss if I didn't mention her playlists are always spot on, fun, worldly, and inspiring. 
Laurie Geromini
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