Some Random Bits and Pieces · Roadman Cycling Collective +

Some Random Bits and Pieces

Hi guys, just few random bits from me today.

Ended up writing a lot about the EF thing later in this. It’s more of a diary for me nearly but happy to share it here - no pressure to read it 😆 It’s quite long ☠️

Been a busy week with all of the new people coming on board! Looking forward to working with you all.

If anybody hasn’t replied to my messages about attaching to the trainingpeaks account and/or completing the onboarding and availability docs then please let me know so we can get started on training. We won’t upload any training if we don’t know anything about your schedule or your life!

Also if you didn’t see the post the other day about the 1 on 1 calls then please reach out. I’ve been finding it tricky trying to remember everybody’s names and it is hard when I’m just reading documents and looking at training without really knowing anything about the person. It’s been really beneficial speaking to people and seeing what motivates them, what their challenges are, health issues, what works for them, what makes them tick etc. Even putting a face to the name is really nice. So please reach out and let me know a time that suits. Trying to familiarise myself with everybody but I feel like I have a better sense of some people more than others from attending the weekly meetings etc.

I know Anthony said this the other day but please try and ask questions to the group instead of privately when possible. Issues like hexis, fuelling/eating, syncing rides, erg mode, turbo trainer questions and so on.

Coaching chat. I’ll probably put something up here in the classroom at some point as it may be beneficial. But one assumption I work under as a coach is that if I don’t hear anything from the athlete then I believe that everything is fine. I’m assuming that you’re happy with training and all is going to plan. If you’re completing all the workouts as planned and to the best of your ability then there isn't much feedback to give. You have to present any issues or concerns to me and then we will figure it out and do what needs to be done. But otherwise I assume that everything is good. Especially with so many people on erg/ turbo at the moment - it’s easier to complete the sessions exactly like they were planned once you hop on the bike (certain sessions we expect drop offs in power of course eg. Tabatta, sprint sessions etc. but youve essentially followed it perfectly in my books)

EF Training Camp Diaries: Not had as much content from my girlfriend yet from team camp but will share some small things that may be interesting to some. Nothing too revolutionary in this.

1. The cannondale is really nice. Not a massive cannondale fanboy but it’s a good bike. Looks like a new handlebar to me too which is lovely and very easy to hold the aero hoods position. The new sram red is so nice (released in 2024 or whenever it was but the latest version of sram). I used the previous generation of sram but the new leavers are so much nicer, braking is unreal and it’s so light. Bike feels like it’s on the UCI weight limit even with the training wheels and slower tyres.

2. Assos kit is nice. 8 pairs each of jerseys and shorts. 10 pairs of gloves. 5 roadsuits. Tonnes of winter stuff and all the rest of it. Too many pairs of socks to count. We have looked up some of the prices and one of the jackets was 600$ - to me that’s mental but it’s a serious bit of kit so it’s well for some who can afford to buy it or can be sponsored it. I was looking forward more to Rapha instead of Assos but seems really good so far.

3.The team is fully based in Girona so it’s quite ideal for us. Their gym is opposite the other side of our building so it’s super close. Less than a minute walk. Service course is 2km out the road so pretty handy to get any bike work done, pick up any equipment, bike nutrition etc. Handy to be based in Girona to avail of all these things. Theyre staying just outside the airport for the team camp so it’s all fairly close.

4.Not sure of the number but it seems like there’s 150 ish staff members. To me that sounds like a lot (too much). 10 nutrionists seemingly too which is mental to me. 45 riders across the men’s and women’s teams. And the riders all use hexis so it’s not like they all need individualised food plans for every day. Big operation. She said for yesterday’s ride there was about 15 staff members following her group across 3 vehicles.

5. Vibes have all been positive so far which is surprising. I was trying to prepare her for some difficult conversations or some frosty interactions as she got the contract late in December after a rider suddenly retired but everybody has been very respectful and welcoming so far. Not just saying this to hype the team up but that’s been the experience for now. That might change as soon as the first big f¥ck up happens in a race but for now it’s been good 😆

6. They had testing on Tuesday. 5 min max and then 12 min max. Caoimhe is a more sprinty/punchy rider so she was told before it to not worry too much about the 12 min which was nice. The coaches seemed really chill about it and didn’t have any expectations. I don’t think that that’s the case but I think it’s better for them to project that to the riders, especially the girls, just to minimise stress and any anxiety around it all. It is hard as a pro having your numbers tested as they do kind of have to be pretty up there to be deserving of a world tour spot. Coaches seemed happy enough so it was good. Ideally they’d be higher of course but it was nice for the first time meeting with the team that it was a positive experience and not a case of starting off on the back foot with some bad numbers. 341 for 5 mins @60kg.

7. Race simulations yesterday. 8 riders are there at the camp. They had 4 small races and one bigger one to finish. For the small races they were divided into 2 teams of 4 riders. Each race they had a different leader and they had to try and help their leader to win against the other group. So the leader had to propose a set of tactics for their race and the other 3 would implement them as best as possible. Eg. Some wanted a lead out for the sprint, some wanted to go solo, some wanted to go for a long one etc. So it was quite an interesting idea from the DS. Seeing if each rider was competent enough to come up with their own tactics and if they had the ability to execute their plan. And if the other riders were able to do the roles that the leader wanted. So every rider got a chance to lead which was cool. Not a bad way to get a sense of who you can trust and who needs to be directed a lot from the teams perspective. My girlfriend went for the sprint option in her race as leader and she was paired against the best sprinter on the entire team. The sprinter was a bit arrogant and tried to go solo but they kept it together. Caoimhe ended up beating her in the sprint which was funny - she wouldn’t have beaten her if Babette hadn’t attacked earlier but bike racing isn’t always about being the strongest on paper, it’s analysing the race and doing what you need to do to win. It was only a small race so it’s not too meaningful but for Caoimhe there is a bit of confidence to take away from the first two days. It is intimidating going into the world tour so if the first few things go well then that’s a help. It’s a nice feeling that you’re not miles off and can justify being there if that makes sense. Then the final race was every man for themselves to finish it off. They had some 200/300 meter climbs (in terms of vertical elevation so they were a few km long climbs) but they weren’t steep enough for the climbers to drop anyone. Everybody ended up smashing themselves and the results weren’t too meaningful. Like Cedrine who was 7th GC or something in the tour last year ended up getting dropped first I think. Caoimhe ended up 4th in the sprint but there wasn’t too much to learn from that race. I think the teammates component of the first 4 races made it a more interesting dynamic compared to 8 people looking at each other to make the first move in the final race. So that’s the crack from the camp so far. Bit long apologies 🤓😎 This is probably more for myself and caoimhe as I said above but you are welcome to read it. Hope somebody enjoyed it 😆

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