The short answer: polarised training works very well for some cyclists, but it isn’t superior to other methods. The often-quoted 80:20 rule doesn’t hold up for elite riders, and it breaks down at the volumes most amateurs train. I’ve seen riders thrive on polarised training, on threshold work and on sweet spot, so I build each
Polarised training for cyclists: what 20 years of coaching has taught me Read More »
Read my quick guide to cycling threshold training to understand how I, as a cycling coach, use this popular technique. In my last post I wrote about my approach to polarized training, having used this method for twenty years. However, I did point out that, although polarization works for most people, it isn’t suited to
When I started out as a cycling coach it is fair to say hardly any cyclists knew about polarization. But did you know highly decorated British cyclists Nicole Cooke followed a polarized plan? Now it is a hot topic with whole websites devoted to the principles of polarization. But what is it? And is it
Polarized training secrets- a cycling coach reveals all! Read More »
I recently received a couple of enquiries from people nervous about cycle coaching. I think this is a pity as cycle coaching should be for all. There really shouldn’t be barriers preventing people from improving their cycling and gaining more enjoyment. I’ll describe in this post five reasons why I think cycle coaching should be
Five reasons why cycle coaching shouldn’t make you nervous Read More »
A question I often get asked is, “Do I need to include running in my cyclocross training? After all, if cyclocross races involve an element of running surely it must be useful to practice this in training. The majority of cyclocross races are mostly ridden on the bike with relatively short periods where the rider dismounts to
Do I need to include running in my cyclocross training? Read More »
If you are thinking about how to transition between road and cyclocross racing you are not alone. Hopefully this post will give you some ideas to think about when planning your training. Many riders race cyclocross as well as road with a number of riders having done this very successfully. For example Marianne Vos, Mathieu van
If you are training for a sportive these tips will help you to achieve your goal. Novice or expert, knowing how to train for a sportive will make the experience much more enjoyable. Choose your sportive wisely Your first task is to choose a suitable event. If you are an inexperienced rider or haven’t previously
Paying for coaching might initially seem like a big outlay with no tangible benefit. As a coach myself, if someone asks, “Do I need a cycling coach?” the obvious answer would be that of course you should get a coach. However, I do always bear in mind that not everybody is at the stage in