"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Hired a coach....

So after many suggestions to find a coach I have finally decided to do that. My season as planned was basically over as far as planned races go. I had backed off of training for the time being. So I hire a coach, we talk, and he suggests I do these 2 upcoming races. One is a crit, no problem there. The other is a road race:eek:, I have not been logging any miles. ANyway, since Im paying for his advice I figured I should listen. Looks like Im back to a crash course of intensity.

Good luck and keep us posted. I am considering hiring a coach for next season. Reading Friel's and Maxwell's books has only confused me, yet motivated me even more to train and get faster. This is my first year racing and I've really learned a lot and enjoyed it so far. I've met some great people and want to kick it up next year. BTW, I'm 55 and will be retired next spring and hope to make training and racing a full time effort (at least 15 hours/week). I think a coach will help me plan out my workouts and race season and not overtrain like I did earlier this year.

The nice thing with this guy is he actually rides with me every three to four weeks to see how Im doing on the bike. So I get some extra feedback. We are actually starting training in sept for next season. He came highly recommended by a few team mates. Im looking forward to it. Im 41 and this has been my first year racing. So he says he can get me on going faster pretty quickly, and I know one of my team mates has gotten much faster in just a couple months.

Good move, power meter and a coach are the best investments you can make.

I need to hire a coach, but then I would feel bad when I send him crap power files.

how much do coaches run?

I'm a USAC coach. I coach a collegiate team and a few other athletes. I think that one of the biggest mistakes people make when hiring a coach is hiring one that lives too far away to see you regularly. We communicate non-verbally a whole lot. There's no way a coach can help your with your mental prep remotely. And, it's impossible to judge technique remotely. This is critical for riders in their first two or three years of racing.

I think you should take you coach's advice about the road race. It sounds like he knows enough about you. And you will gain a ton of confidence from just finishing it. Who knows, you might even do well.

I'm a USAC coach. I coach a collegiate team and a few other athletes. I think that one of the biggest mistakes people make when hiring a coach is hiring one that lives too far away to see you regularly. We communicate non-verbally a whole lot. There's no way a coach can help your with your mental prep remotely. And, it's impossible to judge technique remotely. This is critical for riders in their first two or three years of racing.

I think you should take you coach's advice about the road race. It sounds like he knows enough about you. And you will gain a ton of confidence from just finishing it. Who knows, you might even do well.


I registered for the race. If Im gonna pay a coach I think its best to follow his advice. I had an on-line coach a year ago. Didnt take long for me to stop with that. I was able to get the same thing out of a book. This time he helps with strategy and tactics and eating. He also will ride with me from time to time to go over some on the bike positioning and technique. Im not to concerned about finishing the race. Most of my training rides are solo and over tougher terrain, so I spend more energy and effort on those rides. This race will be all about surviving the climb, although there is a long flat section to the finish, about 12 miles.

how much do coaches run?

I dont know, think mine just rides.;)

I think it vairies alot. depending on area and how much time you want from the coach. I know some of the on line coach's are more then Im paying, and they never see you at all.

patterson pass?

patterson pass?

Oh hell no!:eek: I made that mistake last year.:rolleyes: Maybe next year I will give it another go. Doing the Winters Road Race.

Oh hell no!:eek: I made that mistake last year.:rolleyes: Maybe next year I will give it another go. Doing the Winters Road Race.

So am I -- I'm looking forward to it, since I ride those roads all the time.

Do some hill repeats in preparation for Cantelow. ;)

Oh hell no!:eek: I made that mistake last year.:rolleyes: Maybe next year I will give it another go. Doing the Winters Road Race.

Whats wrong with Paterson? I plan on doing it, then TT on Sunday. That should be fun. :)

The worst mistake you can make is paying for a coach. Just find a local club with a decent head coach (not hard to do if you live in a big city).

Whats wrong with Paterson? I plan on doing it, then TT on Sunday. That should be fun. :)

I was not climbing well at all last year. Combined with a 30mph headwind up the climb I was otb in no time. Too much of a climb for me right now. Its a climber race. Good luck.

I was not climbing well at all last year. Combined with a 30mph headwind up the climb I was otb in no time. Too much of a climb for me right now. Its a climber race. Good luck.

I am bringing an ipod, that way I have something to listen to after getting shelled on the first climb. lol.

Whats wrong with Paterson? I plan on doing it, then TT on Sunday. That should be fun. :)

no crit after patterson? HTFU!

no crit after patterson? HTFU!

Too lazy to drive there. :p Plus field limit was reached when I looked at it.

Good luck and keep us posted. I am considering hiring a coach for next season. Reading Friel's and Maxwell's books has only confused me, yet motivated me even more to train and get faster. This is my first year racing and I've really learned a lot and enjoyed it so far. I've met some great people and want to kick it up next year. BTW, I'm 55 and will be retired next spring and hope to make training and racing a full time effort (at least 15 hours/week). I think a coach will help me plan out my workouts and race season and not overtrain like I did earlier this year.


ain't that the truth. You need to be an engineer to figure out what he's talking about.

The worst mistake you can make is paying for a coach. Just find a local club with a decent head coach (not hard to do if you live in a big city).

I somewhat disagree. I think some people need a little push to get them to train harder. I've found that I kept to the program, due to my coach. Coaching got me to ride on days where I had no motivation to ride. Felt better and improved.

I somewhat disagree. I think some people need a little push to get them to train harder. I've found that I kept to the program, due to my coach. Coaching got me to ride on days where I had no motivation to ride. Felt better and improved.

Good point. For me, though, just knowing I have to race in X number of weeks makes me get out and train. But I can understand someone who isn't racing but wants to improve.

So after many suggestions to find a coach I have finally decided to do that. My season as planned was basically over as far as planned races go. I had backed off of training for the time being. So I hire a coach, we talk, and he suggests I do these 2 upcoming races. One is a crit, no problem there. The other is a road race:eek:, I have not been logging any miles. ANyway, since Im paying for his advice I figured I should listen. Looks like Im back to a crash course of intensity.

Sean, can you tell us a bit about the coaching process. I'm totally unfamiliar with it. What type of training has he recommended to you in terms of miles, hours, days per week, intensity, etc. Also, is he giving you cross-training exercises? And what type of diet changes is he recommending?

Sean, can you tell us a bit about the coaching process. I'm totally unfamiliar with it. What type of training has he recommended to you in terms of miles, hours, days per week, intensity, etc. Also, is he giving you cross-training exercises? And what type of diet changes is he recommending?

I cant answer for sean but I can give you a little insite on what the coaching experience for me has been like.

I work with a local coach. When you first meet you get asked a bunch of questions about your goals and your current riding and training levels. They usually want to know what other type of exercising youve been doing. If you have a power meter they want too see any data you currently have.

Once they have all that information and can anaylize it they will formulate a plan using your current values and goals. The plans typically look like what you will find online or out of a book. The major difference with a coach is that he can customize the plans and change them when needed. Since I upload my data after each workout if he sees trends he can accomodate for them and change the plan as needed.

My coach does have me cross train by doing other off the bike activities and pushes core strengthening. He shys away from the nutrition side although he tells me the usac has been making a big push to get coaches more into it.

Since my coach is local he can help out a lot with races I will be doing since he is familiar with the courses and competition.

It definitely helps me a lot and has been the best purchase ive made by far. Ive been working with my guy for over a year now and I am at the point where I would rather down grade bike purchases than give up coaching.

Good stuff.

I think I need to hire someone to break my jaw. Seems like the only way I'm going to lose any weight is to have my mouth wired shut for 6 weeks. Then a coach might be beneficial.

Good stuff.

I think I need to hire someone to break my jaw. Seems like the only way I'm going to lose any weight is to have my mouth wired shut for 6 weeks. Then a coach might be beneficial.

You don't need to hire a coach to do that. Just ride your bike up to a real "biker bar" and go in, with your team kit on, and down a few beers. Once you have sufficiently raised your manhood, (drink beers until you really man up) let the locals know who the real biker is around there. You'll have your jaw wired shut in no time and the money saved could go toward hiring a real coach.:D

"You bunch of Pansy's with your girlie engines on your bikes."

That should do it.

Since my coach is local he can help out a lot with races I will be doing since he is familiar with the courses and competition.

It definitely helps me a lot and has been the best purchase ive made by far.

I agree - I started with a coaching program last December and it has made a world of difference. I thought I could put my own program together based on Friel's book but that wasn't realistic for me. I am fortunate to have access to two experienced coaches from Belarus (one is a former Olympian team time trial gold medalist and both coached the Russian pro teams). I have a minimum of 4 face-to-face sessions a week, typically 3 sessions at the cycling gym on the rollers and a long group training ride on Sundays, and depending on the season and my goals, hill repeats and motorpacing. The training rides are fully-supported with a support van for extra wheels, clothing, food, etc. The coach is able to watch you ride (complete with stopwatch to time gaps) on the road and give real-time feedback. Great for developing fast paceline skills. For key races, the coach will show up to watch. Everyone has a customized program based on his/her goals. The program includes pros, track guys and regular cyclists who are not interested in racing but just want to become better cyclists. In the off-season, we do cycling-specific strength training (a whole weight set up in the cycling gym) and then immediately jump on the bikes. Great discipline too if you want to lose weight - we weigh in before and after every session (with weights posted). It makes a big difference when your coach tells you to lose those last five pounds to optimize power:weight. And what makes a difference is that they have a personal interest in your cycling successes. They want you to succeed if for no reason it is a reflection on them as coaches. If you are dedicated and follow the program, you are guaranteed success. What makes a difference for me too is that they have more belief in my ability than I do - that is inspirational when you think that you are being pushed to your limits. And then there are the actual workouts - they are brutal and diabolical and I would never ever in a million years do them on my own. But somehow (especially when you see everyone else suffering - misery does indeed love company) you get through it. There is a nice comraderie with my training mates. And ongoing tweaking of bike position, fit, etc. I am actually looking forward to my workout tonight! You just don't get this kind of coaching out of a book.

I agree - I started with a coaching program last December and it has made a world of difference. I thought I could put my own program together based on Friel's book but that wasn't realistic for me. I am fortunate to have access to two experienced coaches from Belarus (one is a former Olympian team time trial gold medalist and both coached the Russian pro teams). I have a minimum of 4 face-to-face sessions a week, typically 3 sessions at the cycling gym on the rollers and a long group training ride on Sundays, and depending on the season and my goals, hill repeats and motorpacing. The training rides are fully-supported with a support van for extra wheels, clothing, food, etc. The coach is able to watch you ride (complete with stopwatch to time gaps) on the road and give real-time feedback. Great for developing fast paceline skills. For key races, the coach will show up to watch. Everyone has a customized program based on his/her goals. The program includes pros, track guys and regular cyclists who are not interested in racing but just want to become better cyclists. In the off-season, we do cycling-specific strength training (a whole weight set up in the cycling gym) and then immediately jump on the bikes. Great discipline too if you want to lose weight - we weigh in before and after every session (with weights posted). It makes a big difference when your coach tells you to lose those last five pounds to optimize power:weight. And what makes a difference is that they have a personal interest in your cycling successes. They want you to succeed if for no reason it is a reflection on them as coaches. If you are dedicated and follow the program, you are guaranteed success. What makes a difference for me too is that they have more belief in my ability than I do - that is inspirational when you think that you are being pushed to your limits. And then there are the actual workouts - they are brutal and diabolical and I would never ever in a million years do them on my own. But somehow (especially when you see everyone else suffering - misery does indeed love company) you get through it. There is a nice comraderie with my training mates. And ongoing tweaking of bike position, fit, etc. I am actually looking forward to my workout tonight! You just don't get this kind of coaching out of a book.

Holy crap that sounds like a a friggin Olympic training program. But do you really ride rollers 3 days a week at this time of year?

That sounds expensive too.:eek:

Holy crap that sounds like a a friggin Olympic training program. But do you really ride rollers 3 days a week at this time of year?

We have a couple of pros in the coaching program - they do the same kind of stuff only at a much much much higher level. So it is definitely a serious program, and I really do ride rollers 3 days a week this time of year, although I might substitute a road work out (or motorpacing) for one of the roller work outs. The roller work outs are just more controlled/structured for cadence and HR than a road work out could ever be. My husband is also in the program so that is another reason why it works for us.

Sean, which crit are you doing? Metromint? It's full, but I'm near the top of the waiting list, I figure people won't show up since it's a holiday. what about dunnigan hills?

Sean, which crit are you doing? Metromint? It's full, but I'm near the top of the waiting list, I figure people won't show up since it's a holiday. what about dunnigan hills?

Yes, the Giro Metromint. I registered for the 35+ 4/5. Usually I would do 2 races but the others were already full. We have a good number of team mates in this race too. Hopefully I can regain some fitness by then. Ive had a bad past month.:o Dunnigan Hills is out for me, married so I gotta keep the racing under control.

We have a couple of pros in the coaching program - they do the same kind of stuff only at a much much much higher level. So it is definitely a serious program, and I really do ride rollers 3 days a week this time of year, although I might substitute a road work out (or motorpacing) for one of the roller work outs. The roller work outs are just more controlled/structured for cadence and HR than a road work out could ever be. My husband is also in the program so that is another reason why it works for us.

Sounds pretty cool (but not for me). I am sure it is going to make you stronger. Have fun.

Yes, the Giro Metromint. I registered for the 35+ 4/5. Usually I would do 2 races but the others were already full. We have a good number of team mates in this race too. Hopefully I can regain some fitness by then. Ive had a bad past month.:o Dunnigan Hills is out for me, married so I gotta keep the racing under control.

I am on waiting list for CAT4. Evil glare. :p

I'm a USAC coach. I coach a collegiate team and a few other athletes. I think that one of the biggest mistakes people make when hiring a coach is hiring one that lives too far away to see you regularly. We communicate non-verbally a whole lot. There's no way a coach can help your with your mental prep remotely. And, it's impossible to judge technique remotely. This is critical for riders in their first two or three years of racing.

I think you should take you coach's advice about the road race. It sounds like he knows enough about you. And you will gain a ton of confidence from just finishing it. Who knows, you might even do well.

I'm trying to find one in Ohio, any suggestions on where to look?