I'm official (almost!)

[maillotpois]

Six years ago, I took a certification course put on by Arnie Baker, through Team in Training, to become a TNT cycling coach. I've been coaching on and off ever since. I also got the materials to become a certified coach through USA Cycling, but never did anything with them.

Well, I finally re-upped the whole USA Cycling thing and just received notification that I passed the exam and - assuming I pass the background check - I am an official USA Cycling Level 3 Coach.

The USA Cycling coaching materials were interesting but quite frankly, the TNT certification course was more helpful as it was hands on, an actual all day seminar. Anyone with good test taking skills and $125 can become a USA Cycling coach at this level. I know USAC has continuing ed seminars, etc., I can go to. So that will be good, and I may up myself to level 2 at some point.

I know there's been discussion on here about ALC, TNT or whatever ride leaders and "coaches" not being "real" coaches, and I've never subscribed to that. I believe a lot of folks out there leading these rides and helping beginners have as much skill and experience in teaching cycling as "real" USAC certified coaches. So there. That being said, I hope USAC sends me a badge or something.

[SadieKate]

You could use the badge to patch certain holes.

Truthfully, congratulations!

[snapdragen]

Kewl! Coach MP!

[jobob]

Whoa! Does that mean I have to pay you now?!?

Seriously, congratulations. You have a real talent for this.

And if (when!!) I finish the Solvang Double, you can add me to your list of accomplishments, to wit:
"transformed pokey hill slug into double century stud"

[maillotpois]

Whoa! Does that mean I have to pay you now?!?

Yes. You're buying the beer WHEN you finish Solvang.

[Adventure Girl]

That being said, I hope USAC sends me a badge or something.

"Badges!? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges!!"

Congrats!

[maillotpois]

Thanks, guys.

Finally a "badges" comment. Sheesh!

[Lise]

Congrats, MP! I think they should give you a special certification for achieving this without the actual use of your lungs!!!

[SadieKate]

Well, I gave you a badge comment but you didn't seem to appreciate it.

[maillotpois]

Well, it wasn't the stinkin badges comment I had expected. Plus, I'm just not all that "HIP" any more. (I hope. )

[Starfish]

Sarah, so great! I was just making up a new list of dreams and goals, and one of them is to get myself a cycling coach in the next year or two. I sure wish I was in CA where I could let you drag me up and down the hills!

Will you be doing internet coaching? Inquiring minds need to know!

[maillotpois]

Hands on coaching is always best, but I'm happy to help out friends whenever I can, wherever they are. Long distance and ultra distance stuff is really my forte. There are better racing coaches out there, obviously. But there aren't a lot of coaches (even those professional coaches I have worked with locally - Wenzel, Endurance) who have the ultra-LD experience I do. And there's plenty about LD riding that can be done remotely, via phone and internet.

So, short answer, yes.

[Starfish]

So, short answer, yes.

Yay! Yay! (And, of course, I was talking about true coaching, implying professional payment, etc.) I will PM you!

[aka_kim]

With a badge, we can call you sheriff. Or maybe "The Sheriff" if you prefer. But "Coach" works too. Congrats!