Does a coach take the enjoyment out of cycling
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 169
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Does a coach take the enjoyment out of cycling
I'm thinking about getting a coach for next year and don't really have any input from my friends as they have never used one. I'm fortunate enough to have the means to afford one & feel that a coach would help me improve. I only race a few times a year, but do like to compete against myself and do well at the local charity rides which are about the same as a race around here. My concern is that the structured nature of having a coach would take away some of the fun I currently have in cycling.
Right now I do structure my rides, but I don't feel bad if a buddy calls up in the morning and change my plans. I'm wondering if a coach would make training too rigid for enjoyment b/c if I pay for a coach I'm going to do what they say. I'll probably get one to see if I like it and if I don't just cancel the relationship, but any insight would be appreciated.
Right now I do structure my rides, but I don't feel bad if a buddy calls up in the morning and change my plans. I'm wondering if a coach would make training too rigid for enjoyment b/c if I pay for a coach I'm going to do what they say. I'll probably get one to see if I like it and if I don't just cancel the relationship, but any insight would be appreciated.
#2
I got 99 problems....
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
Posts: 2,087
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Does having a coach take the fun out of it?
Cycling: No
Sperm donation: yes
Cycling: No
Sperm donation: yes
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 2,504
Bikes: Speedvagen Steel
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 429 Post(s)
Liked 248 Times
in
156 Posts
I had a similar decision last late winter early Spring. I got a coach, and frankly very much enjoyed the structure of the rides, it made me a better cyclist faster than my previous training. Plus I liked that he would help me to interpret my power data, etc. Like you I don't race much, maybe 5-7 races each year plus I do a bunch of charity rides. I gave him a calendar of how much training I could do along with the races I was planning, he built my monthly calendar based on the season. He also helped by giving me some upper and lower body workouts using common household stuff since I wasn't planning to buy anything and live in a rural area with no gym. This helped me a fair bit too.
It did change the few rides I do with others, my riding partner understood that there were times where I'd go off to do an interval or wind down. It didn't adversely affect my enjoyment of riding, but my coach understood that was important to me so he had me doing lots of recovery rides where I could spin and smell the roses.
In the end it only lasted for about 4 months since my work started to get in the way of my training hours but it did work for me and it didn't take away. I hope to do it again at some point.
It did change the few rides I do with others, my riding partner understood that there were times where I'd go off to do an interval or wind down. It didn't adversely affect my enjoyment of riding, but my coach understood that was important to me so he had me doing lots of recovery rides where I could spin and smell the roses.
In the end it only lasted for about 4 months since my work started to get in the way of my training hours but it did work for me and it didn't take away. I hope to do it again at some point.
#4
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,302
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1447 Post(s)
Liked 724 Times
in
371 Posts
Does a coach take the enjoyment out of cycling
It won't if you find a good coach that understands your goals, and your schedule.
Remember the coach works for you.
A good coach will give you plenty of leash, but also let you know whether your deviations from plan are hurting your performance.
Remember the coach works for you.
A good coach will give you plenty of leash, but also let you know whether your deviations from plan are hurting your performance.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 631
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 141 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
It's like trainers in the gym. Whether the client is sweating under a barbell or just sitting around chatting for the hour, the trainer is still getting paid $60.
#7
Senior Member
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,286
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1096 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If you're concerned about a coach taking the fun out of riding itself, I'd say definitely not - it should just be a different kind of fun. But if you're concerned about some schedule or routine that would be contrary to a more casual, impromptu approach to deciding when and where to ride, well, that's different. If you don't want to make it a priority, then don't, but you should be able to get some coaching on an occasional basis as well. Our club has some accomplished racers who give classes and also make themselves available for private lessons, and the only time I ever paid for coaching, it was just a single session - no need to sign up for a package or contract term.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,823
Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 614 Post(s)
Liked 565 Times
in
429 Posts
I've coached some, and I've had several coaches. (Though, not with cycling.) There's generally a regimen, a combination of steps and focus that gets the results. Some like to be shown that, even when it gets really focused and "gritty." Some get cranky when the volume gets pumped up. The quality of the instruction can often smooth things, if accommodating the given student. So long as such stylistic changes still yield the results intended, that should be fine. Some coaches are experienced enough, and good enough listeners, to be able to make some such changes.
With running, I always viewed, say, interval training on hills as being the one workout that risked my good views on the sport. But I knew what the goals were, I knew the value of that regimen, I knew I was improving based on the quality of the intervals, course, and amount of effort/focus I put into it. During such training, of course it was a sport to lambast the coach ... but it would have been infinitely harder to get the same benefit without the coach. (At least, on the hills and the type of intervals we were doing. Much simpler with a coach, for all the good-natured grousing we did, at the time.)
#11
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 169
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the comments. I'll certainly keep these comments in mind when in making the decision to get a coach & choosing a coach, if that's the route I take.
#12
OMC
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 6,960
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Allez Comp Race
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 461 Post(s)
Liked 116 Times
in
49 Posts
Mike - Keep in mind that since your training builds towards a goal, some of the stuff you'll have to do just won't be fun, even though it's worthwhile. If you're serious about attaining that goal, you'll have to sometimes beg off of rides with your friends when invited. If you do go with a coach, be sure to let him/her know that that aspect of riding is important so they can schedule group rides as part of your training. My group rides are almost always with my team, so they're always high-intensity/near race pace rides, and my coach is happy to have me do them when they fit with my goals.
OTOH, when your coach schedules recovery rides, your inner voice is going to yell that they're too slow. Many folks have a hard time doing them for that reason. This is where you need to listen to your coach instead of your inner voice.
Having a coach has increased my enjoyment of cycling, because I'm faster and stronger.
OTOH, when your coach schedules recovery rides, your inner voice is going to yell that they're too slow. Many folks have a hard time doing them for that reason. This is where you need to listen to your coach instead of your inner voice.
Having a coach has increased my enjoyment of cycling, because I'm faster and stronger.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
#13
ka maté ka maté ka ora
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: wessex
Posts: 4,423
Bikes: breezer venturi - red novo bosberg - red, pedal force cg1 - red, neuvation f-100 - da, devinci phantom - xt, miele piste - miche/campy, bianchi reparto corse sbx, concorde squadra tsx - da, miele team issue sl - ultegra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
My favourite coaches have been the ones that helped me design and self-administer my own programmes. I wanted to be an intelligent athlete, self-reliant, and have the tools to measure my own progress. However, at a provincial match sprint on the track, I had a fractured elbow, (happened in the semis) so I was riding for bronze. My coach saw me race the first of the best of three conventionally and lose. He gave me a radically different tactic and strategy to use, I took the remaining two rides and got a medal.
Whether with a coach or not, if you are riding for competition and looking to get as fast as possible, most of the experience is unpleasant. I'd posit that 97% of the time, the training was difficult. But for that 3% of the time, my form was glorious and I'd ridden faster and what seemed to me, effortlessly, beautifully, scintillatingly.
This year a recurring back injury kept me from M1 competition. I took all the computers off the bikes. Took a camera instead. I had a pile of fun riding, still went pretty fast, and got some great pictures.
Whether with a coach or not, if you are riding for competition and looking to get as fast as possible, most of the experience is unpleasant. I'd posit that 97% of the time, the training was difficult. But for that 3% of the time, my form was glorious and I'd ridden faster and what seemed to me, effortlessly, beautifully, scintillatingly.
This year a recurring back injury kept me from M1 competition. I took all the computers off the bikes. Took a camera instead. I had a pile of fun riding, still went pretty fast, and got some great pictures.
#14
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 33,001
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene '04; Bridgestone RB-1 '92
Mentioned: 325 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11967 Post(s)
Liked 6,639 Times
in
3,481 Posts
Maybe he'll take the enjoyment out of it, maybe he won't. Like you said, try it and see.
Find a female coach and most likely it will add extra enjoyment.
Find a female coach and most likely it will add extra enjoyment.
__________________
See, this is why we can't have nice things. - - smarkinson
Where else but the internet can a bunch of cyclists go and be the tough guy? - - jdon
#15
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,438
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3138 Post(s)
Liked 1,706 Times
in
1,031 Posts
I love having a coach (starting 3rd year), but remember there are different types of programs. Some train for racing, some train for fitness, others train power. I appreciate my power program, most of which is done on a Cycleops stationary, and which allows me to work with the coach year-round; we're always in the studio, but ride together with the club in the summers only, so there's still plenty of time for my regular ride buddies. Well, not plenty; I've never enough time to ride as much as I'd like to!