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In: Biomechanics, Cadence, Power, Coaching and Cueing
With: 9 Comments

Many of us have seen professional riders climbing the famed ascents of the Tour de France. One observation is the speed at which they climb. Not just how fast their bikes are going, but how fast their legs are spinning. This faster climbing cadence is often referred to as “climbing at tempo.” For those of us that ride outside, this is not climbing in one’s granny gear (no offense, Mom), but pushing a relatively hard gear at a fast cadence.Read more…

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In: Biomechanics, Cadence, Power, Coaching and Cueing
With: 15 Comments

This strategy for strength dips in the world of biomechanics—one of my favorite topics! We can sometimes spend hours working on our pedal stroke seated, but neglect full muscle usage when standing. When proper pedal stroke technique is not emphasized out of the saddle, riders usually resort to simply mashing down on the pedals. This only activates the quadriceps and reduces efficiency, endurance, and power. So let’s throw some hip in there.Read more…

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In: Coaching and Cueing, Free Articles, Mental Training, Mind-Body, Outdoor Cycling
With: 3 Comments

Before I contribute a few of my favorite climbing strategies, I want to share my perspective on climbing. Because I’m mostly a sprinter, one might wonder what climbing strategies I have to offer. Well, if anyone has strategies for climbing, it would be a person who knows suffering is always involved.Read more…

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In: Coaching and Cueing, Free Articles, Mental Training, Mind-Body, Outdoor Cycling
With: 4 Comments

Climbing big mountains is a rite of passage for cyclists. Getting you and your bicycle up that hill in defiance of gravity is one of the most difficult aspects of riding a bicycle, but it is also one of the great attractions to cycling. Overcoming the mountain challenges you—it bares your soul; it asks you to perform beyond what you thought was even possible. Over the next few weeks, Tom and I will be giving you our favorite strategies—both physical and mental—to get you and your students over that hump. We’ll be drawing from our own experience climbing long, hard mountains.Read more…

Effective-Intros and-Outros

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In: Coaching and Cueing, Communication and Presentation Skills, Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors
With: 12 Comments

Many thoughtful instructors spend a great amount of time developing wonderful playlists combining strong physiological sequencing with impactful music. Yet many of these same instructors ad lib the beginning and end of class without much prior thought. Here are some specific things you can do to strengthen the impact of your intros and outros, while creating an atmosphere of trust and community.Read more…