Ride to Race Coaching

Recent feedback received

“I promised some feedback from Saturday now the dust has settled.

Not much I can say other than the changes were almost unbelievable to think possible. I had very little pain or discomfort across the whole ride other than expected aches and pains from 9hrs+ in the saddle. Completed the ride and honestly could have carried on riding for longer (although my power on the climbs was down - which was an objective of this ride to learn the numbers I can put out comfortably after a serious day in the saddle)

Managed all climbs no bother. Even the lecht as painfully slow as it was, I was able to find my rhythm and keep going, never dabbed my foot once and kept going.

Only thing I learned was to remember an electrolyte tablet in my bidon before the later climbs, I did start to cramp in my thighs at the top of the 20% gradient of the lecht, but I rode it out and settled in for the last push. Ended up riding all the way beyond Lecht through tomintoul and all the way to the Glenlivet MTB trail center. Total for the day was 210km and 3265m climbing. Biggest day on bike I’ve ridden and surprisingly, I managed to ride the 20km enduro the next morning with my son.

Comparison from previous 100km rides in recent weeks, night and day in terms of my body (aches and pains).

Mate, you’ve transformed that bike for me. Absolutely cannot state how grateful and appreciative I am of your service.”

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed a resurgence in cycling and cyclists?
Maybe it could be the weather? Out with a wee group yesterday and there were many others out for a spin too.
Bike fitting appointments seem to support this hypothesis too (sample size of 1). Year 11 and it’s busier than it’s ever been, meeting lots of new and returning cyclists. As of today (25 May) the first available appointment is 1 August. I’m not complaining at all but my other half is getting weary of my answer in the affirmative to the question “Do you have a bike fit booked in on…?” every Saturday afternoon for the next couple of months .
Anyway, let’s hope this is a good sign, the wider bike industry could do with that.
Happy cycling
JB

Bike fitting appointments 2026
Due to a number of competing demands on my time this year, bike fitting appointments will be trimmed back a little compared to the last 10 years.
There will be one evening appointment, either a Tuesday or Thursday at 6:30 and one weekend appointment on a Saturday afternoon at 2:30 on a typical week.
Once the Tuesday or Thursday has been booked the other becomes unavailable.
Any agreed short follow up to an earlier fitting will be arranged at a mutually suitable time and day.
Many thanks for your understanding.

JB

Merry Christmas to you and yours and thank you for a busy 2025.

It's been a while since I've posted here, I've had partially completed drafts on common bike fitting issues (10 years in and I reckon I've completed over 1000 fittings now), chain waxing (time consuming, satisfying, well worth the effort but it's not for the CX bikes!) and ultra processed food (that actually isn't food) why do we eat it? the potential effects on health and well being and my own experience since trying to minimise UPF in my daily diet since the summer but I've never found the time to finish them off.

That's me closed now for a wee break (once I finish the final part of the admin backlog) back in 2026.

All the best, see you next year.

PS If anyone pops one of those protein bars off the telly in your stocking don't eat it!

I concur. It can be complicated, with much trial and error, that's one of the reasons I have many female saddle choices to try out on the wall, some find a 'unisex' saddle just fine, others not so much.
It depends (the coaches favourite phrase :-)

Cycling's most sensitive issue - Why saddle discomfort is one of the most pressing, and silent, barriers to entry for female cyclists 'Even amongst my fevered googlings late at night, I hadn’t come across anything that had explained the types of pain I might be facing'

More sound and simple advice from Fast Talk Labs on keeping knees pain free

Workout of the Week: Knee Stability for Cyclists Knee pain is usually the result of an imbalance somewhere else in the body. Use these exercises to stave off knee pain and stay in the saddle longer.

Merry Christmas to all.
It's fair to say that 2024 has been one of my busiest years and it's flown by. Is that an age thing too? It feels like it.

We are now coming to that time of year where it can be tough to keep on top of your fitness and training goals for next year.
Rest assured you will not adversely affect your spring and summer race and event goals by letting go of some structure for the one week of the year where you should be prioritising spending and enjoying time with family and friends.
Make things mentally easier for yourself by setting a simple outline for the festive week - have 1 or 2 key sessions that you fit in when you can, they don't need to be long, a few short high intensity efforts thrown in will give some training load and help maintain where you are. Alternatively simply commit to riding easy and make this a mini training camp (with chocolate and maybe a wee dram).
Something is better than nothing although nothing will not have you lose much condition at all if you have been doing the work you need up to that point.

Have a fantastic Christmas and I hope to see you out and about sometime in 2025.
JB

Saddles
Nothing will spoil your enjoyment of riding your bike quicker than an uncomfy saddle (potholes, punctures and impatient drivers notwithstanding of course).
Many think they have to stick with the saddle that came with their bike.
Back in the day if you were like me saddles were bought, tried out for a time then usually thrown in a box on the shed.
Over the last few years of fitting I’ve built up a wee modern saddle library - different widths, shapes and padding density, male, female specific and unspecified designs Along with a Selle Italia ID Match calliper I can get an indication on what width and shape might just suit. Then using a Bikefit saddle changer on the Wattbike try a few saddle options, adjusting height, setback and tilt or swapping out in seconds.
The benefit of a ‘library’ is that the saddles are available to try out over 2 or 3 weeks in the real world before you buy (or not). I don’t sell saddles but a rider now buys with confidence.
If you think that this is something that could improve your time on your bike get in touch for a chat.
Keep in mind that many other factors beyond saddle design can affect saddle comfort and I’ve had good results in improving comfort by getting a rider in a balanced and efficient position on their bike.
The pic is just the current selection on the wall. I need more hooks.
JB

That's me closed now for a wee festive break from bike fitting appointments, back to business from 8 January 2024.

I'd like to wish all coached athletes and friends of this page a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Many thanks once again for a busy year, I'm grateful for your support.
JB

Well done Sam, all those full gas, repeat effort sessions over the past few months and the hours of easy riding in between seem to have worked for you. Season goal achieved and surpassed! Training smart works 👊

Legends at the Monument

It was a dreich day in the metaphorical shadow of Stirling’s Wallace Monument – in reality you could just about make it out from the startline – as some of Scotland’s best climbers prepared themselves for an all-out effort to the top.

Ultimately four worthy winners would come out on top, and they were Arianne Holland, Samuel Carrotte, Beatrix Kiehlmann and Jake Speed.

Full report here: https://scottishcycling.org.uk/news/carrotte-and-holland-conquer-wallace-monument/