Cycling Coaches in Sydney

[fergie]

You and Frank need to study cycling. Coaches like Alex and myself and knowledgeable non coaches like Dave show that we take a holistic approach to cycling performance. Rather than looking at one small component like pedalling and claiming that a change in pedalling will solve all the World's problems when there are bigger fish to fry. Especially when neither can contribute any real data to support you position. At least with our beloved powermeters we can actually show a rider if they have improved or not.

 

[Fday]

You and Frank need to study cycling. Coaches like Alex and myself and knowledgeable non coaches like Dave show that we take a holistic approach to cycling performance. Rather than looking at one small component like pedalling and claiming that a change in pedalling will solve all the World's problems when there are bigger fish to fry. Especially when neither can contribute any real data to support you position. At least with our beloved powermeters we can actually show a rider if they have improved or not.

If you have to use a PM to show your riders whether they have "improved or not" I would suggest that your riders are not seeing much in the way of improvement (or not).

 

[fergie]

Ha ha, we have covered this Frank, how riders can be going slower (terrain, weather conditions etc) but producing more power. I gave the example of a rider training in our cold winter doing **** times but fortunately seeing an improvement in power before she won 4 Masters World Titles.

 

[n crowley]

You and Frank need to study cycling. Coaches like Alex and myself and knowledgeable non coaches like Dave show that we take a holistic approach to cycling performance. Rather than looking at one small component like pedalling and claiming that a change in pedalling will solve all the World's problems when there are bigger fish to fry. Especially when neither can contribute any real data to support you position. At least with our beloved powermeters we can actually show a rider if they have improved or not.

From E.R.Burke's 'Science of Cycling'
"The importance of studying the way the rider applies force to the cycle and limb movements that accompany this force application will never diminish, regardless of the technical advances made in the field of equipment design. At each stage in the search for an "ultimate bicycle" the contest will always reduce to the successful application of muscular force to the cycle".
Scientists/engineers have wasted years of research time as they attempt to compensate for the dead spot area in pedalling, Houdaille powercam, biopace, eliptical chainrings, L-shaped cranks, rotorcranks and Q rings, all have ended in failure. I can demonstrate to any serious researcher that compensation is not required because with standard cranks and a set of 'Scott Rake Bars', it's possible to apply the same max tangential force to the crank at 12 o'c as at 3 o'c.

 

[fergie]

I can demonstrate to any serious researcher that compensation is not required because with standard cranks and a set of 'Scott Rake Bars', it's possible to apply the same max tangential force to the crank at 12 o'c as at 3 o'c.

When? Because it's been all talk so far.

 

[Gretzky1]

You and Frank need to study cycling. Coaches like Alex and myself and knowledgeable non coaches like Dave show that we take a holistic approach to cycling performance. Rather than looking at one small component like pedalling and claiming that a change in pedalling will solve all the World's problems when there are bigger fish to fry. Especially when neither can contribute any real data to support you position. At least with our beloved powermeters we can actually show a rider if they have improved or not.

Hi Fergie

How do you & Alex take a holistic approach?
As you will see, and the reason i started this whole thread was that i was looking for a coach who actually comes out riding with you to give you pointers & help you along the way.
As for Alex, he might be a great coach but he doesnt come out with you, so how does that give a holistic approach?

For the pedalling, i was just using that as an example.

Im sure there are plenty of things that small pointers could help me out in all different ways. And this is something that you could only get by a coach coming out with you or at least out to watch you & see what you are doing.

I have only started riding a road bike about 4mths ago, in the past all i have ridden was a bmx bike when i was a teenager which was now about 15+ years ago.

So this is why i was looking at getting some coaching.

 

[fergie]

How do you & Alex take a holistic approach?
As you will see, and the reason i started this whole thread was that i was looking for a coach who actually comes out riding with you to give you pointers & help you along the way.

I can't speak for Alex, but I do go on rides with riders and cover the basics like how to check the bike pre ride, what equipment to take, what to wear, what food to eat before hand and what to take on longer rides. On rides we go through rider set up (as the windtrainer set up can be improved when you see people on the road), safe riding, riding skills, gear selection, group riding skills, racing skills etc.

But then I coach riders out of Christchurch NZ and have been able to set them up with people/groups in their area to ride with.

As for Alex, he might be a great coach but he doesnt come out with you, so how does that give a holistic approach?

Again not speaking for Alex, but some people come to me pretty highly skilled or experienced (the odd World Champion) and some have greater technical skills than me (especially the Downhill Cyclists). But I do still cover all the bases: race specific fitness, conditioning, medical, recovery, nutrition, psychology, skills, bike set up, equipment selection, tactics and personal management. But I am always learning so if people have other reasonable suggestions I am all ears.

And this is something that you could only get by a coach coming out with you or at least out to watch you & see what you are doing.

Amen to that. I have most of my riders send me video of them riding to check position and basic techniques like standing starts but nothing beats being there. But then it would appear that I have some skills that coaches in some areas don't have so the compromise is worth it. I train people on all continents as does Alex and many other coaches.

I have only started riding a road bike about 4mths ago, in the past all i have ridden was a bmx bike when i was a teenager which was now about 15+ years ago.

So this is why i was looking at getting some coaching.

Which is why your initial idea of finding someone local is probably the optimal solution for now as most of your gains will come from improved technique and just getting fitter. If you pop down to the track and ride sub 11 sec for 200m and want to get sub 10 sec then come and see me (shameless plug)!

 

[Gretzky1]

I can't speak for Alex, but I do go on rides with riders and cover the basics like how to check the bike pre ride, what equipment to take, what to wear, what food to eat before hand and what to take on longer rides. On rides we go through rider set up (as the windtrainer set up can be improved when you see people on the road), safe riding, riding skills, gear selection, group riding skills, racing skills etc.

But then I coach riders out of Christchurch NZ and have been able to set them up with people/groups in their area to ride with.



Again not speaking for Alex, but some people come to me pretty highly skilled or experienced (the odd World Champion) and some have greater technical skills than me (especially the Downhill Cyclists). But I do still cover all the bases: race specific fitness, conditioning, medical, recovery, nutrition, psychology, skills, bike set up, equipment selection, tactics and personal management. But I am always learning so if people have other reasonable suggestions I am all ears.


Amen to that. I have most of my riders send me video of them riding to check position and basic techniques like standing starts but nothing beats being there. But then it would appear that I have some skills that coaches in some areas don't have so the compromise is worth it. I train people on all continents as does Alex and many other coaches.



Which is why your initial idea of finding someone local is probably the optimal solution for now as most of your gains will come from improved technique and just getting fitter. If you pop down to the track and ride sub 11 sec for 200m and want to get sub 10 sec then come and see me (shameless plug)!

Hi Fergie

Well yes you defintely sound like you take a holistic approach.

This is something that Alex doesnt do, and according to his website there is not much after service. Which i understand as im sure most of the people he does training plans for already have been riding for quite a while.

By the way, it sounds like you would be a pretty good coach, any chance your moving to sydney any time soon haha

 

[fergie]

Never say never.

If I got serious with my racing and was looking for a coach Alex would be in my top 5.

 

[Gretzky1]

Never say never.

If I got serious with my racing and was looking for a coach Alex would be in my top 5.

Well yeah im sure if i had been cycling for a while, and all that. Then i wouldnt have a problem with getting alex to do some training programs for me.

But at first, would just like someone a bit more hands on, so if there are any improvements to be made, they can be done quite easily.

 

[fergie]

Actually in a interesting twist Alex will hopefully compete in the Oceania Champs for AWD competing against someone I coach in the same category (a former Paralympic Champ in Skiing no less) so would he coach me knowing some of his ideas could be used to train his opposition? This would also potentially rule out Alex's coach who would also be on my top 5 for pretty much the same reason

Talk to your LBS or Cycling Club, there should be someone local who can take you for a ride. Heck they may even teach you how to pedal. Apparently this is more difficult than I thought

 

[Gretzky1]

Actually in a interesting twist Alex will hopefully compete in the Oceania Champs for AWD competing against someone I coach in the same category (a former Paralympic Champ in Skiing no less) so would he coach me knowing some of his ideas could be used to train his opposition? This would also potentially rule out Alex's coach who would also be on my top 5 for pretty much the same reason

Talk to your LBS or Cycling Club, there should be someone local who can take you for a ride. Heck they may even teach you how to pedal. Apparently this is more difficult than I thought

LoL i know, who thought that such a simple question would bring out some much technical bull****! LoL

 

[steve]

LoL i know, who thought that such a simple question would bring out some much technical bull****! LoL

To be honest it's not surprising

 

[Alex Simmons]

What's all this "I'm not hands on" stuff?

If you buy a budget priced training plan, of course there's no ongoing support - that's quite a clear expectation when you buy such a plan. It's budget priced for a reason.

But I am very hands on for coaching clients who pay for that service.

Just ask Jayson Austin, who set a new world record for the Masters hour this year. Many hours of 1 on 1 work with him, at the velodrome, my ergo and outdoor rides as well. How do you think we got him to a CdA of 0.180 m^2? Or all the work on refining pacing to a fine art? Not to mention making sure he avoided accidents in the lead up!!

 

[Alex Simmons]

Actually in a interesting twist Alex will hopefully compete in the Oceania Champs for AWD competing against someone I coach in the same category (a former Paralympic Champ in Skiing no less) so would he coach me knowing some of his ideas could be used to train his opposition? This would also potentially rule out Alex's coach who would also be on my top 5 for pretty much the same reason

LOL. I ain't threatening the world stage, not with an LC2 pursuit WR of 4:40

More competition the better. I don't care about "opposition". My loyalty is to my clients. I'm not employed by Cycling Australia. Sure, I'll be cheering for the Aussies, but I'll also cheer for those that work their **** off to get there, not matter where they are from.

TBH, my paralympic aspirations hang in the balance. Not because I'm not going well (I did 2x20s this week at a higher power than before my amputation!) but because my State federation is mucking about with a selection policy that may mean I will not be even entered to ride my own track nationals. They agree my times are easily good enough. I'm not even asking for funding support.

 

[fergie]

(I did 2x20s this week at a higher power than before my amputation!)

I didn't realise you were a powercranker. Sure that wasn't just an outlier performance and more reflective of a poorly calibrated power meter?

 

[Alex Simmons]

I didn't realise you were a powercranker. Sure that wasn't just an outlier performance and more reflective of a poorly calibrated power meter?

Nah - it's all the core strength, stretching, big gear hills and one-legged riding I do.

 

[steve]

Nah - it's all the core strength, stretching, big gear hills and one-legged riding I do.

I hope you realize one-legged riding is another can of worms on here

 

[fergie]

I think Alex may have a pretty deep understanding of the problem

 

[DJA]

Thats the perfect reason to ride. All the best for your future fitness and good luck finding some local groups to ride with.

Until you find a coach, to help smooth out your pedaling technique. Try doing 5 spin ups every time you start a ride thats after you have warmed up for 10mins. They are very simple to do but make sure you are in a safe location to do them. All you have to do is stay seated in easy gear and gradual increase your cadence (pedalling speed, rpm) once you feel that your about to bounce on the sit try to hold that cadence for a minute without bouncing. If you have a bike computer that monitors cadence it easy to see the improvement over time as your holding cadence increases. As a first time to this exercise anything over 100rpm is good starting point, top rides can rev up to 200rpm and look as smooth and fluid as at 100rpm its amazing to watch (Theo Boss pedaling at 140kph on youtube) Just remember your pace is not important just you cadence.

This type of activity teaches the mucles when to fire which will ultimately help you become a more economical and efficient rider