So you use a cycling coach

CarbonCopy

Well i`ve been reading the boards and noticing quite a few of you are using cycling coaches.I`m seriously considering investing in a Powertap and using the services of a cycling coach,ensuring my time and data from the Powertap is used to its full potential.
So...... recommend me your coach or yourself if you are a coach. And what they or you could offer a keen cyclist
Also wise me up on what CPU should be used with a Powertap sl+ and why.

Scrumple

I used this one but it was sh;t

Anonymous

CarbonCopy wrote:

what CPU should be used with a Powertap sl+ and why.

That question reminded me of this show for some reason!

Chiggy

I use a cycling orientated Physical Training Instructor, but the problem is.... I very rarely talk to myself; and when I do, I don't listen....

Scrumple

Have I ruined this thread before it even got started?

Sorry

jibberjim

CarbonCopy wrote:

So...... recommend me your coach or yourself if you are a coach. And what they or you could offer a keen cyclist

You've not said anything about yourself, which is very important as it changes both what a coach can do and if it's even worth getting a coach.

If you're essentially untrained (ie you ride a fair amount but do no actual training just ride for fun) then you'll get large gains just by introducing some training. If you have a power meter you can very easily learn how to track your progress (ie have a couple of tests which you do regularly say climbing a hill for ~6 minutes and riding for 40-60 minutes and seeing average power improvements) And that progress will be the carrot to keep you training, and let you know if the training you've been doing has worked.

If you don't know how to use power analysis tools like Golden Cheetah or WKO then it may well be worth investing in someone to teach you how to analyse files and understand the principles - Some good coaches offer this service.

You can then save the money you're spending on a coach whilst untrained for more effective use of it - training holidays where you have a week of very high load perhaps, or simply saving the cash to spend on more effective coaching when you're trained and actually get more value from it.

When you're untrained, just about any training will see good progress and coaches will not be able to make much difference - your improvement rate is limited by the work you can do and the time it takes the adaptations to come in, a coach cannot shortcut that process. And in fact will likely have to side on the too cautious because they do not know you well enough. Learning the basic idea on how to train yourself will achieve the same.

Of course paying a coach may make you train more "I'm paying for this, I've got to use it!" approach so it may make a difference to you.

I wouldn't get a coach.

Bronzie

CarbonCopy wrote:

Also wise me up on what CPU should be used with a Powertap sl+ and why.

Been covered a number of times in the past on here - one of the more useful threads was this one:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12673397

hopper1

I recommend Ruth Eyles and a Garmin unit.

CarbonCopy

Nice coach jokes they were a larter larter laughs And for those that tryed to help thanks.

SBezza

Try this website.

http://www.abcc.co.uk/coachreg.html

I would also recommend Ruth Eyles. I personally think she is a fantastic coach.

freehub

I have a coach but I don't use power taps. But at his place his CPU's are a few pentium 4s.