To go fast you have to start slow.
We aim to enhance your cycling experience, whether navigating the daily commute, relishing leisure rides, embarking on a cycling holiday, road racing, pacing a time trial, or preparing for events like RideLondon and London to Paris. Our coaching sessions are crafted to elevate your cycling skills, ensuring you ride with enhanced technique, heightened safety, and increased confidence, It is perfect for those looking to join a club or group rides.
Our curriculum includes core skills such as precise cornering, steady descending, and harmonious group riding. We cater to various cycling enthusiasts, from weekend warriors to seasoned amateur and professional race team members. We provide bespoke individual coaching and tailor-made sessions for small and large groups. Our large group sessions, particularly, focus on the joy of cycling, incorporating fun, skill-based games and exercises to develop your abilities in an enjoyable, collaborative environment.
Whether you're pursuing personal growth or training for a sportive, charity ride, or even a grand cycling challenge, our seasoned coaches support your progression at every stage.
With a solid history of partnerships with various cycling clubs, race organisers, and venues, we're known for delivering sessions that meet the diverse goals of our riders.
Explore the sections below for a detailed overview of each session type, where you'll find information on what to expect, the duration of sessions, associated costs, and potential venues. Choose your session today if you're eager to enhance your cycling skills.
Session Coaching for Individuals
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Our coaching sessions are designed to enhance key cycling skills, helping you gain confidence, efficiency, and expertise on the bike. Here's a glimpse of what we cover:
Climbing & Descending: Discover the optimal body positions and gear usage for effective climbing and descending. These techniques are crucial whether you're aiming for a personal best or simply staying comfortable in a group.
Cornering & Braking Techniques: Transform your riding with efficient cornering. We teach you how to corner safely and smoothly, conserving energy and maintaining your position in the group.
Fundamentals of Bike Handling:
We focus on the fundamentals of bike handling, slowing things down to ensure mastery of the basics. This includes practical skills like taking water while riding, adjusting clothing, and maintaining balance and control in various situations.Group Riding Dynamics:
Master the nuances of riding with others, from drafting and spacing to communication and etiquette. We emphasize the importance of trust and safety while ensuring you reap the benefits of riding in a group.Pedalling & Gear Selection:
Learn to select the right gear at the right time. Effective gear selection is critical to maintaining momentum, whether it's during a sudden acceleration or on a challenging climb.Pacing Strategies:
We can help develop pacing strategies and optimise bike positions for both disciplines. Our services include on-road testing and closed-circuit testing to refine these strategies. Additionally, we offer field-based lactate testing to monitor and enhance your performance during training and competition. -
Our coaching sessions are priced at £75 per 90-minute session.
To ensure a comprehensive and fulfilling experience, we recommend that most sessions be 1.5 hours long. This duration allows sufficient time to cover various skills thoroughly and provide personalised feedback.
Please note that the length of a session can be adjusted according to your specific needs and goals. We believe in flexibility and will work with you to schedule sessions that fit your availability and requirements.
You are also able to book 4 sessions at a reduced price of £270 (regular price £300)
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We use local parks and open spaces, offering a safe and adaptable environment. We are also able to join you for a ride.
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To make the most of your coaching session, it's important to come well-prepared. Here's a guide on the equipment you'll need:
Bicycle: Bring a road or gravel bike that you're comfortable with. Ensure it's in good working condition before the session.
Helmet: A properly fitting helmet is mandatory for all participants. This is a stipulation of insurance.
Appropriate Clothing: Wear suitable cycling attire for comfort and safety. This includes padded shorts, a breathable jersey, and gloves. Be prepared for weather changes with a waterproof jacket or layers.
Footwear: Ensure you have comfortable and appropriate cycling shoes. If you use clipless pedals, ensure your cleats are compatible.
Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial. Bring one or two water bottles, especially for longer sessions.
Snacks: Bring some energy bars or snacks for extended sessions to keep your energy levels up.
Spare Tubes and Basic Tools: It's wise to carry spare tubes, a mini pump, and essential tools in case of a puncture or minor mechanical issues.
Sun Protection: Don't forget your sunglasses and sunscreen on sunny days.
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To book your session, you can add to the cart below; we will then be in touch to organise a time and date if we still need to organise it.
Otherwise, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us using the form below or email ride@saddleupcycling.co.uk
Session Coaching for Small Groups and Teams
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Our small group coaching is a unique blend of personal attention and team synergy, tailored for groups of up to 8 cyclists. You'll refine individual skills in these sessions while adapting to and embracing group cycling dynamics. Perfect for friends, cycling clubs, or corporate teams preparing for team cycling events like RideLondon or amateur racing. Expect to cover:
Racing Dynamics: Engage in the tactics of racing as a team, including sprinting, attacking, and executing through-and-off manoeuvres. This is ideal for groups interested in competitive cycling or enhancing race-day strategies.
Coordinated Climbing & Descending: We'll tackle group strategies for navigating elevation changes effectively, boosting efficiency and teamwork.
Synchronised Cornering & Braking: Develop group cornering techniques to maintain formation and momentum, vital in conserving energy during group rides or events.
Group Bike Handling: We focus on safe and efficient bike handling within a group, practising riding in close proximity and mastering group-specific manoeuvres.
Effective Group Riding Dynamics: Delve into the intricacies of drafting, spacing, and rotating leadership to maximise the group's energy conservation and collective speed.
By engaging in our small group sessions, you'll improve your cycling skills and learn how to function as part of a cohesive cycling unit, ready to take on team events and races with confidence.
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£150 per hour for up to 8 cyclists.
For a comprehensive learning experience, we suggest 1.5 hours per session.
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We carefully select venues that complement the group cycling dynamics, offering the perfect setting for our training sessions. Our team can suggest locations that have proven conducive to the type of training and skills development you want.
For those who prefer purpose-built venues, these can offer enhanced safety features, making them ideal for race-specific group skills. Such venues are particularly recommended when focusing on more complex or technical racing dynamics. While we encourage groups to arrange these venues to suit their specific needs, we are flexible and happy to join you at any venue you organise. Our priority is to facilitate group learning in a safe, controlled riding environment that aligns with the goals of your session.
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To make the most of your coaching session, it's important to come well-prepared. Here's a guide on the equipment you'll need:
Bicycle: Bring a road or gravel bike that you're comfortable with. Ensure it's in good working condition before the session.
Helmet: A properly fitting helmet is mandatory for all participants. This is a stipulation of insurance.
Appropriate Clothing: Wear suitable cycling attire for comfort and safety. This includes padded shorts, a breathable jersey, and gloves. Be prepared for weather changes with a waterproof jacket or layers.
Footwear: Ensure you have comfortable and appropriate cycling shoes. If you use clipless pedals, ensure your cleats are compatible.
Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial. Bring one or two water bottles, especially for longer sessions.
Snacks: Bring some energy bars or snacks for extended sessions to keep your energy levels up.
Spare Tubes and Basic Tools: It's wise to carry spare tubes, a mini pump, and essential tools in case of a puncture or minor mechanical issues.
Sun Protection: Don't forget your sunglasses and sunscreen on sunny days.
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To book your session, you can add to the cart below; we will then be in touch to organise a time and date if we still need to organise it.
Otherwise, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us using the form below or email ride@saddleupcycling.co.uk
Large Group Skills Sessions
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Our group sessions cater to up to 16 cyclists and are designed to be fun and engaging, focusing on building confidence and comfort on the bike in a social setting. They are perfect for corporate teams, charity groups, and social clubs. Here's what to expect:
Skill-Based Games: Enjoy a variety of cycling games that are fun and improve your bike handling and confidence.
Balance and Coordination Drills: Participate in group activities that enhance your balance and coordination on the bike.
Confidence-Building Exercises: Through group activities, we aim to increase your comfort levels while riding, making the cycling experience more enjoyable.
Navigational Challenges: Improve your ability to navigate as part of a group with practical, real-world cycling scenarios.
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£240 for a group of up to 16.
1.5 hours is the sweet spot for our group sessions, striking the perfect balance between fun, skill development, and time efficiency. This duration allows for various activities, ensuring each participant benefits fully from the experience.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any special requests or additional requirements for your session. We are here to accommodate your needs and ensure your group session is successful.
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For group sessions, we recommend spacious outdoor areas or purpose-built venues ideal for more significant numbers, ensuring safety and ample space for engaging activities. If you have a specific venue, we're happy to accommodate and can assist with setting up there.
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Each participant should bring their bike, helmet, and personal gear outlined in the individual sessions.
We may provide additional materials for group activities, but if there's anything specific you'd like to use or try, feel free to bring it along.
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To schedule your session, don't hesitate to get in touch with us using the form below or email ride@saddleupcycling.co.uk
FAQs
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"Slow skills" in cycling encompass fundamental group and solo riding techniques. These skills include precise cornering, navigating safely at lower speeds, maintaining control, and effectively communicating with fellow riders in a group. However, they are equally valuable when cycling solo, enhancing your ability to safely handle the bike, navigate corners, and maintain control in various riding situations. Whether riding with others or alone, mastering these skills promotes safety, confidence, and an improved overall cycling experience.
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Skills and tactics sessions are vital for competitive cyclists, focusing on bunch riding safety, comfort, and confidence. These sessions cover slow skills for group riding, ensuring riders can navigate tight situations and maintain their position. There is a racing benefit from strategies like drafting, positioning, and sprinting within a bunch, gaining the confidence to adapt to different race dynamics. Ultimately, these sessions empower riders to race safely, efficiently, and competitively, enhancing their overall bunch riding skills.
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Skills and tactics sessions enhance comfort by teaching cyclists group dynamics. They learn to maintain a comfortable position, communicate effectively, and navigate tight spaces confidently, ensuring a smoother and less stressful bunch riding experience.
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Absolutely! These sessions focus on drafting techniques and teamwork, enabling riders to go faster as a cohesive group. They learn to conserve energy, optimize positioning, and improve overall speed, essential skills for bunch racing competitiveness.
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Session coaching for your race team includes tailored training sessions, race strategy workshops, performance analysis, team bonding, and race simulations. These sessions enhance your team's skills, teamwork, and competitive edge in races. Our coaching is designed to provide the guidance and support needed for your team's success on the road.
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Skills and tactics sessions can still benefit you even if you're not thinking about racing or group riding. They provide essential cycling skills that enhance safety, such as bike handling and awareness of your surroundings. These skills make your solo rides more enjoyable and safer. Learning about drafting and efficiency can also help you conserve energy during longer rides, improving your overall cycling experience. So, whether you ride solo or in a group, these sessions can make you a more confident and skilled cyclist.
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Certainly, we can assist with time trialling and triathlon. We can help develop pacing strategies and optimize bike positions for both disciplines. Our services include on-road testing and closed-circuit testing to refine these strategies. Additionally, we offer field-based lactate testing to monitor and enhance your performance during training and competition.
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Skills and tactics sessions can be fun for several reasons. They allow you to challenge yourself and improve your cycling abilities, making each ride more exciting. Learning new skills and strategies can be engaging and rewarding. Additionally, these sessions often involve group activities, creating a social and supportive atmosphere where you can connect with fellow cyclists, share experiences, and enjoy the camaraderie of the cycling community. Overall, the sense of achievement, the thrill of progress, and the social aspect make these sessions a fun and enriching experience for cyclists of all levels.
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These sessions are inclusive and suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels, encouraging a diverse cycling community.
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We can help you with bicycle control and safety fundamentals, but we cannot offer guidance on cycling in traffic. For that, there are other services available. For example, TFL (Transport for London) offers free cycling sessions, as do many local councils. You can find more cycling skills and safety information on the TFL website here.