I had a coach not long ago.. I decided to stop as I don’t think I was getting much value out of the $50/week.. partly because I hadn’t set up a specific goal with a specific time (event), but mainly due to life stuff getting in the way.. practically every week something would throw out a session.. now I just keep things simple. One long ride on the weekend, then two key sessions during the week (sweet spot/vo2max).. mix in resistance training and running.. I keep it very fluid and work around job/family stuff.
That’s interesting. Sounds like you need to be available/committed to getting the value. It is something I did wonder, is there a diminishing return on coaching. Maybe there are benefits that can be gained in up-levelling your training knowledge for a period of time.
I find it a bit of information overload looking for training info online sometimes.. one thing that has stuck with me i.e. the biggest mistake cyclists make is that their easy days aren’t easy enough and their hard days aren’t hard enough.. I’m just keeping it simple but trying to nail 3 key sessions per week and make sure I get good rest on the other days.. it makes me wonder how people fit in Zwift races and what their purpose is?
I really like the training plan marketplace on TrainingPeaks. There are some good choices in there. Well tried methods. I do agree that people under do it. The whole Zone 2 thing lures new riders into avoiding proper work. Interesting you mention Zwift racing. I have been think about a video on why I like it, how you go about it, etc. saving it for a raining weekend.
This hits home with me. I want the assistance of a coach but in reality.. the constant changing schedule between family and other responsibilities would ruin any plan created by the coach. The juggle is daily and it's better to just figure out how to modulate it and just do the best I can.
I think this is partial what I hope a coach would help with. My schedule is consistent, but balanced with home/work life. It would be good to have guidance on how to maximise the time available, and how to overcome lost time or deviations.
One thing you forgot to include in your milestones, get a bike fit asap! Very much half way through the course of progression as you beautifully panned here.
You are absolutely right. Bike Fit is so important. I try to get one every year. I talk about them in my 5 Learnings from 2023 video ua-cam.com/video/Irg521GDsqE/v-deo.htmlsi=UQLyt7CdpFg3BL5N
Can relate to your progression story. After my 3rd Peaks in 2024 and consuming many hours of training podcasts and videos also wondering about the coaching journey. Following with interest.
Yeah man, it is a bit mysterious. There is a lot you can do yourself, but it is very much trial and error. Interesting to try and understand your limits after the rate of improvement slows.
Have never had help with my cycling but have had help with strength training. Based on this, if you do get a coach, being able to communicate is vital. Stuff like being able to describe how you feel and what you can do. Currently, my only move towards becoming a better cyclist was deciding that I was sick of being overtaken on the commute to work. Now I am one of the people who does the overtaking. A fair effort on a heavy aluminium commuting road bike with a low end Shimano triple group set.
I haven't had a strength coach, but I have had plenty of physiotherapists and I can definitely relate to the difficulty of communicating and understanding movement and describing the way it feels. You decision to stop being passed on the commute is exactly the type of milestone I am discussing in the video. Good for you mate. Can't wait to hear what your next milestone is...
I can relate to this story. I think I can handle manage my own training up to a point after which I would be better off with a coach. For me the tipping point would be the Peaks challenge. I don't think I'd want to do that on my own. Try Steggles (David) at The Hurt Locker. I don't use him at the moment but he has advised me. He is Melbourne based but I believe he has interstate clients.
Thanks for the recommendation. I think you can make a lot of gains very quickly, but when it eventually plateaus we are all left wondering... I did Peaks this year off my own training plans (I did a video about it). I think you could too. Just plan for more volume and lots of climbing 😜.
Thanks. Did you do the Peaks ride by yourself? I’m likely to ride by myself but would like to know if that’s wise. Do most people ride in groups, trios, duos or solo?
Yes I rode solo. But picked up some new friends along the way. I initially had a buddy who was going to ride it with me, but he had to withdraw a week out. Absolutely nothing stopping you doing it on your own.
The question would be if you can achieve similar without one or do you feel you’ve reached your training ceiling? Suppose the next question after that is how much could a coach influence your goals and do you have the available training time to maximise the potential benefits? Completely agree regarding staging upgrades with progress, I’ve been riding for several years and still using a vintage 2011 Allez I got from eBay 😂 I’m finally consistent enough with my riding and have a solid base that I’m thinking about a new bike but at todays prices I’m in the “entry level” range, which isn’t going to yield what I’m looking for in a new bike 😢
That’s a good way of thinking about it. Definitely not at the ceiling, but I feel like I would benefit from some direction. I wonder if there are coaches out there that do consulting rather than subscription. Check out the secondary market. There are always good deals to be found. Last years models, or peoples upgrades. Definitely a lot of improvement from the 2011 model you could get for an entry price point.
Sounds like you’re heading in the coach direction, even if for just an assessment of what you’re doing and what you could add… good on you. I’ve been looking second hand too, probably not in the right places though as all I’ve found is similarly expensive. Hopefully see you out around Akuna one day, I’ll be the one working [really] hard climbing at a slow pace claiming my bike is the problem 😂
Not one word in your whole video about any intention to race bicycles. I was at a bike club meeting once and someone asked "what do you call someone who rides around in bike racing gear but doesn't actually race?" The answer was "competitive tourist" Since you seem to be a competitive tourist, I don't see the point of hiring a coach.
Hey, thanks for watching. I might not have made a big emphasis on it in the video, but feel free to check out some of my other videos. I just finished a season of Cat A Zwift Racing, I have been focused on Gran Fondo events, and my goals this year include either/or West Head monthly road race, or some local Crit racing. My big question for a coach when it comes to racing is learning more about race craft and preparation from events.
@@ModerateCyclist I’ve had dan as a coach on and off for a number of years. Dan and Jesse are people like others but yes they run a business but they are educated and care to do their training well. I’d would hope they have time to discuss your training plan options.
Haha, I am a few subscribers short of YT buying me a coffee, but I have wondered this more broadly. Event entries, travel, bikes… surely something is tax deductible right 😜.
I had a coach not long ago.. I decided to stop as I don’t think I was getting much value out of the $50/week.. partly because I hadn’t set up a specific goal with a specific time (event), but mainly due to life stuff getting in the way.. practically every week something would throw out a session.. now I just keep things simple. One long ride on the weekend, then two key sessions during the week (sweet spot/vo2max).. mix in resistance training and running.. I keep it very fluid and work around job/family stuff.
That’s interesting. Sounds like you need to be available/committed to getting the value. It is something I did wonder, is there a diminishing return on coaching. Maybe there are benefits that can be gained in up-levelling your training knowledge for a period of time.
I find it a bit of information overload looking for training info online sometimes.. one thing that has stuck with me i.e. the biggest mistake cyclists make is that their easy days aren’t easy enough and their hard days aren’t hard enough.. I’m just keeping it simple but trying to nail 3 key sessions per week and make sure I get good rest on the other days.. it makes me wonder how people fit in Zwift races and what their purpose is?
I really like the training plan marketplace on TrainingPeaks. There are some good choices in there. Well tried methods. I do agree that people under do it. The whole Zone 2 thing lures new riders into avoiding proper work.
Interesting you mention Zwift racing. I have been think about a video on why I like it, how you go about it, etc. saving it for a raining weekend.
This hits home with me. I want the assistance of a coach but in reality.. the constant changing schedule between family and other responsibilities would ruin any plan created by the coach. The juggle is daily and it's better to just figure out how to modulate it and just do the best I can.
I think this is partial what I hope a coach would help with. My schedule is consistent, but balanced with home/work life. It would be good to have guidance on how to maximise the time available, and how to overcome lost time or deviations.
One thing you forgot to include in your milestones, get a bike fit asap! Very much half way through the course of progression as you beautifully panned here.
You are absolutely right. Bike Fit is so important. I try to get one every year. I talk about them in my 5 Learnings from 2023 video ua-cam.com/video/Irg521GDsqE/v-deo.htmlsi=UQLyt7CdpFg3BL5N
@@ModerateCyclist Thanks mate. I am also on the path to become a moderate cyclist and learning a lot from folks like you 🙏
Awesome dude. I am always amazed what we are all capable of with some focused effort.
Can relate to your progression story. After my 3rd Peaks in 2024 and consuming many hours of training podcasts and videos also wondering about the coaching journey. Following with interest.
Yeah man, it is a bit mysterious. There is a lot you can do yourself, but it is very much trial and error. Interesting to try and understand your limits after the rate of improvement slows.
+1
(oh and thanks for your work at Atlassian 😉👍🏻)
I am going to have to track a coach down for some answers. LOL, you are welcome Miguel, thank you for watching.
Have never had help with my cycling but have had help with strength training. Based on this, if you do get a coach, being able to communicate is vital. Stuff like being able to describe how you feel and what you can do.
Currently, my only move towards becoming a better cyclist was deciding that I was sick of being overtaken on the commute to work. Now I am one of the people who does the overtaking. A fair effort on a heavy aluminium commuting road bike with a low end Shimano triple group set.
I haven't had a strength coach, but I have had plenty of physiotherapists and I can definitely relate to the difficulty of communicating and understanding movement and describing the way it feels. You decision to stop being passed on the commute is exactly the type of milestone I am discussing in the video. Good for you mate. Can't wait to hear what your next milestone is...
I can relate to this story. I think I can handle manage my own training up to a point after which I would be better off with a coach. For me the tipping point would be the Peaks challenge. I don't think I'd want to do that on my own. Try Steggles (David) at The Hurt Locker. I don't use him at the moment but he has advised me. He is Melbourne based but I believe he has interstate clients.
Thanks for the recommendation. I think you can make a lot of gains very quickly, but when it eventually plateaus we are all left wondering... I did Peaks this year off my own training plans (I did a video about it). I think you could too. Just plan for more volume and lots of climbing 😜.
Thanks. Did you do the Peaks ride by yourself? I’m likely to ride by myself but would like to know if that’s wise. Do most people ride in groups, trios, duos or solo?
Yes I rode solo. But picked up some new friends along the way. I initially had a buddy who was going to ride it with me, but he had to withdraw a week out. Absolutely nothing stopping you doing it on your own.
The question would be if you can achieve similar without one or do you feel you’ve reached your training ceiling?
Suppose the next question after that is how much could a coach influence your goals and do you have the available training time to maximise the potential benefits?
Completely agree regarding staging upgrades with progress, I’ve been riding for several years and still using a vintage 2011 Allez I got from eBay 😂 I’m finally consistent enough with my riding and have a solid base that I’m thinking about a new bike but at todays prices I’m in the “entry level” range, which isn’t going to yield what I’m looking for in a new bike 😢
That’s a good way of thinking about it. Definitely not at the ceiling, but I feel like I would benefit from some direction. I wonder if there are coaches out there that do consulting rather than subscription.
Check out the secondary market. There are always good deals to be found. Last years models, or peoples upgrades. Definitely a lot of improvement from the 2011 model you could get for an entry price point.
Sounds like you’re heading in the coach direction, even if for just an assessment of what you’re doing and what you could add… good on you.
I’ve been looking second hand too, probably not in the right places though as all I’ve found is similarly expensive. Hopefully see you out around Akuna one day, I’ll be the one working [really] hard climbing at a slow pace claiming my bike is the problem 😂
Keep looking, the right deal will pop-up. Say hello if you see me, always keen for a chat.
Empirical cycling (Insta and podcast) talk about consulting as well as more conventional coaching
Insta looks like cycling memes. I will checkout there podcast.
Not one word in your whole video about any intention to race bicycles. I was at a bike club meeting once and someone asked "what do you call someone who rides around in bike racing gear but doesn't actually race?" The answer was "competitive tourist" Since you seem to be a competitive tourist, I don't see the point of hiring a coach.
Hey, thanks for watching. I might not have made a big emphasis on it in the video, but feel free to check out some of my other videos. I just finished a season of Cat A Zwift Racing, I have been focused on Gran Fondo events, and my goals this year include either/or West Head monthly road race, or some local Crit racing. My big question for a coach when it comes to racing is learning more about race craft and preparation from events.
Have a talk to Jesse coyle or Daniel vanderlaan at Nero coaching.
I’m sure they can help you out.
Haha, certainly an option. One on the short list. Although I am not sure I would get a casual chat.
@@ModerateCyclist I’ve had dan as a coach on and off for a number of years. Dan and Jesse are people like others but yes they run a business but they are educated and care to do their training well. I’d would hope they have time to discuss your training plan options.
Good feedback Nick. Thank you.
Do you have disposable income? Yes. Are you poor? No.
Taking up cycling is probably the most financially irresponsible decision I have made... 😜
would coaching $$ be tax deductible for your youtube income?
Haha, I am a few subscribers short of YT buying me a coffee, but I have wondered this more broadly. Event entries, travel, bikes… surely something is tax deductible right 😜.