Online cycling coaches - Carmichael, et al.

Has anyone ever used an online cycling coach? I've been doing some research and there's a plethora of online coaches out there, but am wondering who, if any, are reliable and actually helpful. I've also come across training software specific to cycling and wonder as well if this would be useful. Although I have no plans to race, I would still like to improve my speed/endurance/power. I've purchased books, including the Cyclist's Training Bible, Maximum Performance for Cyclists as well as many others, but would like something with more interaction.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I haven't used any online coaches but I am using Carmichaels book "The Ultimate Ride" as a guideline to get back in riding shape after my knee surgery. I like the field test that he uses, easy to do at home and the ranges he has set up for heartrate zones. They are much closer together than the ranges that most people use.

I had lost muscle endurance after my surgery and I would try to ride at the speeds that I was used to. Without the endurance I was merely wearing myself out. I did the field test to determine my heartrate and found that it was much lower than I was used to. So I carefully watched my heartrate when I rode and didn't get as tired. I also do many of the workouts spelled out in the book.

Something must be working as I'm now riding with a higher heartrate, longer miles and feel stronger than before.

I'm thinking about trying a coach for next year and probably will use Carmichael or someone trained by him.

I used Wenzel Coaching for quite a while through 2002 in my first attempt at the Death Ride, and they were great. It actually didn't turn out to be a truly "online" coach, because my coach, Roger Rintala, is a local guy and we ended up working together last year in person as he coached our TNT Death Ride team. He still calls and keeps in touch, even though I am not officially working with him right now. I may well work with him again next year when I train for some of the tougher doubles and the 508, because my 508 partner continues to work with him.

My only problem with working with a coach's formal schedule is I really struggle to fit in the rides during the week. If I can't live up to the schedule set by the coach, I tend to feel like I am wasting the coaching services and get frustrated and then I may be inclined to give up. That's just a personal issue, though. I have worked around it in the last two years by really working out my own training schedule based on what is realistic for me, using some of the older coach schedules and other resources. That has worked great for me. I guess I tend to be a bit more self-directed. I like to set my schedule. My 508 partner prefers to follow a schedule. Chacun son gout - to each his own!

But I can certainly recommend Wenzel.

Hey, Sarah, something I've been wondering -- while you can't ride, can you coach/mentor other riders in your area??? I know that kind of thing isn't for everyone, but maybe it's almost as good, this watching "your kids" get better at this sport? Y'know, sort of biking vicariously....


Karen in Boise

Hey Karen -

Thanks for the nice thought. You know I could, but part of what we/I do is on the bike skills coaching and riding with a small group while we train them for their event. So leaving my Death Ride kiddos after the long ride to cheer them on instead of riding was fine - I gave them all the training and knowledge I had over the months that we were riding together before the event - and before I wasn;t supposed to ride anymore. But to start with a new group just wouldn't feel right, because I wouldn't be able to ride with them, coach on the bike, and do all the things I usually do.

I'll be back. And I'll be on the bike.

Oh - but I am going to help with SAG for our TNT Honolulu team. So that will be fun. Support in another way. Now you got me thinking - maybe I could do a clinic for them, too. Hmm.

Well, thanks!! Someday I will quit this silly day job and finish my silly USAC certification and just be a real coach.

Thank you so much for your input. I will absolutely consider your recommendations.

Although I've met smaller goals, I feel as though with a coach, I can attain some of the larger goals I have. I'm fortunate in that I work from home, so am able to adhere to a set training schedule. Strike that!!! I CAN follow a schedule, but I also have to monitor the Miami heat!!!!

I thought it was supposed to be so cool down there, compared to up here!! (95 today...)

Nanci

Aah Nanci, you're too funny:)

It's rained this morning so the temp has gone down a bit, but the humidity has skyrocketed. Normally, I'm okay in the heat, but this year, for some reason, it's bothering me more - it's probably just age!!!