Written by Nick Knight. . . .   Why Choose Coaching ?   If its about the numbers then does an 83W FTP improvement in 18 months tick all the boxes you have as a recreational, or competitive cyclist. What about a reduction in weight of 4 KG meaning a 1.4 w/per KG improvement – surely this will make you faster and better at climbing the dreaded hills, right ?. Or is there more to it than just this ? – I think it is time to recognise that although the numbers are important there is a lot more to

I didn’t quite appreciate how divisive the ERG subject was when posting previously. I wrote how I disliked ERG on the basis that it took control from you as a rider and prevented riders from learning key skills they need to achieve their real life goals. I have since received a number of messages and emails. I now want to talk about the practical training side. This Thursday the HPC coached athletes have the privilege of a racing simulation session. I did this last night to demonstrate the difference with ERG. The main part of the session are two inverted

The question I get asked more than any other… ERG mode or not? ERG is short for ergometer and it’s when your smart trainer regulates your effort for you. I never use ERG. Ever. Why? 1. Unrealistic. Everyone I coach has real life goals. Having your effort regulated for you is completely unrealistic and is essentially removing important skills you require for your goal, which is the ability to regulate your own effort. 2. Reduces skill. Regulating your own effort is a skill. Changing your cadence, changing gear if required, or simply having to stay in the moment and focus

My 12 hour TT Race on Sunday 2nd August 2020: How deep can you dig? – 246.5 miles by Lisa Hurrell   ****************************   I always wanted to complete a 12 hour time trial before reaching 40. Being married to someone who has done 14 of them in his lifetime, I have always been in awe and not being able to comprehend how someone could actually ride their bike for a whole 12 hours and achieve a distance of 238 miles. Graham would talk about experiencing every sort of emotion you could possibly imagine during a 12; anxiety, hope, happiness,

I decided to attack the KOM on the Watopia Hilly Route on Monday as part of my anaerobic interval training. It’s a tough little climb but its a good length and gradient. I thought it would suit me so I attacked it. I got the KOM jersey and rode around Watopia proudly showing off my polka dot jersey. I did 1min43, which took 516watts / 523NP. Whilst I appreciate these numbers aren’t the best in the world, they are pretty good. I’m quite pleased with them. I’ve achieved higher on the road but this is on a turbo, and I