Blog
Why You Need a Coach
Do you ever wonder if you’re doing it right? Does your fitness feel like a luck of the draw, an enigmatic triumph you can’t seem to pin down? Do you lose motivation as the season progresses? Do you feel unable to balance all of life’s priorities? Do you need a reminder that you have what it takes?
Pre-Race Breakfast
Macro nutrients (carbs, protein & fats) and micro nutrients (minerals, vitamins and electrolytes) are sources of energy needed to do the work that stresses your body. If you don’t have the correct amount, and taken at the right time, then it’s impossible to achieve your maximum performance.
The Importance of Heat Acclimation
Heat acclimation allows your body to better tolerate exercise in high temperatures and maximize performance. The adaptations that occur with heat acclimation allow your body to off-load heat more easily, resulting in improved performance and off-setting time to the performance sapping effects of dehydration and overheating.
Our Recipe for a Killer Training Plan
As an athlete, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day training rides and focus on the next big event (“Why was my power so low today?!” you might say). As a coach, however, one of our biggest jobs is to keep things in perspective, to look at the big picture and ensure that we are properly developing the athlete to reach their potential.
Foam Rolling for Cyclists
For most cyclists, the foam roller is an essential tool for optimizing performance. No matter how much we love to hate it, the benefits of foam rolling are undeniable. In this blog, we’ll offer up tips on proper foam rolling technique, what muscles to target, and what to avoid.
VLOG - Bike Fit Essentials
Bodies change throughout the year, so it’s important to consistently review your position on the bike. Ensure your setup is targeted to you and your body, and not just a copy of what everyone else is doing.
How to Prepare for your First Gravel Event
If you’re new to the gravel scene and want to give gravel racing a try, this blog is for you! We spoke with seasoned Achieve gravel racers and coaches to get their top tips to prepare you for your first gravel event. Included at tips on equipment, tire choice, gear selection, nutrition and hydration.
Performance Testing: Does it Make a Difference?
“Everybody wants to gain an edge over their competition, but in order to do so, you must first discover where that edge is.”
VLOG: Preparing for Endurance Events and Staying Motivated During Difficult Times
Endurance training and events can be difficult, especially during a pandemic. Listen to this video blog/vlog as two AchievePTC athletes share how they stay motivated during difficult times.
The Alps Challenge
“The first ascent, over 25km, was the highlight of the trip. It was just me and my mountains, I felt almost emotional at some point when the first lights started unveiling the surroundings. We started the ride at altitude 0 to reach 2800m after only 100km. I didn’t believe altitude would be a concern and that was the case, my heart rate stayed stable.”
Creedub & Coach Sofi talk Representation & Inclusivity in Cycling
The interview focuses on how can we begin to do the work to better represent, include and support black folks and people of color in cycling.
An Athlete’s Guide to Coping with COVID-19
An Athlete’s Guide to Coping with COVID-19: Keep a routine, Set Process-Based Fitness Goals, Make friends with your trainer, Create an Inviting Home-exercise Space, Join Zwift, Ride with Pros, Try to have fun, Join Virtual Strength & Yoga Classes, Work on your Weaknesses.
Supporting Junior Racing
AchievePTC is proud to continue supporting the NCNCA Junior Race Series. This wouldn’t be possible without the continue support of our athletes and supporters. Here’s how we support this integral part of our local cycling association.
Celebrating the 2019 Season
It’s hard to believe the 2019 season is coming to a close for many of our athletes. We wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past year and recognize all of the incredible accomplishments our athletes have achieved.
Athlete Feature: 16-year old MTB Standout Haley Randel
At just 16 years old, Haley Randel is making her mark in the mountain biking world. In 2019 alone, she’s racked up an impressive number of victories and podiums, including selection to the 2019 MTB World Championships Team for the United States, a gold medal at USA National MTB Championships in the Team Relay, and international success at several UCI Junior MTB cross country and short track races.
VLOG: Fueling for Your Ride with Coach Sofi
Do you switch up what you eat during workouts depending on your ride goals, duration and intensity? If not, it's time to start! Conscious hydration is necessary to efficiently replenish body water & salt losses to keep the body cool and functioning optimally.
10 Tips to Beat the Heat
How can you keep your body hydrated, cool and performing well in hot weather? Think about what you have control over and take action. Here are a few tips to beat the heat:
VLOG: Learn Team Tactics with TMB-Equator Team Captain Roman Kilun
On the heels of Chico Stage Race, we interview former pro cyclist and captain of Team Mike’s Bikes p/b Equator Elite P/1/2 squad Roman Kilun. Roman and AchievePTC Coach Ryan discuss the advantages of working as a team, preparation, creating a race plan, establishing rider roles, plan execution, and many more valuable tips on how to race cohesively as a team!
Interactive Coaching - Helping you Achieve your Best
When you think of receiving cycle coaching, what comes to mind? What do you expect from your coach and what kind of relationship do you envision? There is more to cycling performance than just completing workouts and improving fitness. Here’s what you get from your cycling coach as an AchievePTC athlete.
INSCYD Test Case Study: Marco Lei
Marco is a full-time architect and father with very little time to train. During the work week, he fits in his training in the evenings spending 1.5-2 hours on the trainer. His weekends are spent racing local crits or fitting in a longer 3-hour ride. Such limited time means training must be efficient and specific.