Do I need a cycling coach?
With the cyclocross season coming to a close it is usually a time for reflection, thinking about what went well and what went not so well. There may be things that you want improve for next season. As part of...
Mark Walker Cycle Coaching Blog
Promoting recovery after training
Promoting recovery after training is very important as it ensures that your training is as effective as possible. Recovery allows your body to return to a physiological steady state and also allows some adaptations to occur. When planning your training...
Clothing for cycling in autumn
It can sometimes be difficult to decide on clothing for cycling in autumn; one day might be pouring with rain and the next can be blazing sunshine. It’s often too early for winter tights and jackets but you probably need...
Choosing the right tyres for cyclocross: A beginner’s guide
For those new to the sport of cyclocross, the subject of tyres, treads and pressures is pretty mysterious. For those who have been riding for some time it becomes a subject of obsessive proportions! Choosing the right tyres for cyclocross...
Eastern Cyclocross League kicks off in spectacular fashion
The cyclocross season is here! It really doesn’t seem that long ago that I was in cold and snowy Italy for the Fiuggi round of the Cyclocross World Cup with the Italian Cycling Federation. In the blink of an eye...
Rating of Perceived Exertion: What it is and how to use it in training
One tool for improving cycling performance which not every rider knows is Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). This is an easy method of assessing training load which can be used to plan your training. Heart rate monitors power meters and...
Why you should incorporate running into your training for cyclocross
A question I often get asked is, “Do I need to include running as part of my training for cyclocross?” because, after all, if cyclocross races involve an element of running surely it must be useful to practice this skill...
How to transition between road and cyclocross racing
If you are thinking about how to transition between road and cyclocross racing you are not alone and hopefully this post will give you some ideas to think about when planning your training. Many riders race cyclocross as well as...
Coaching Alex Dowsett to the hour record
What an amazing six days I spent in Manchester last week coaching Alex Dowsett in the build-up to the hour record. The Movistar team were a pleasure to work with as we carried out the final preparations and testing for...
Interview with Road Cycling UK
I was honoured to be interviewed by Road Cycling UK a few weeks ago about the work I have been doing with Alex Dowsett as he trains for his hour record attempt. Although I couldn’t go into too much detail on...
