Comments on: Do What Works To Win http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/ Cycling Tips, Hints, and Tricks Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:08:40 +0300 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: MtbSkillsCoachPat http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9194 MtbSkillsCoachPat Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:30:24 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9194 Justin.<br><br>Super piece of advice and very nicely linked to the examples from our two Pro's.<br><br>Thanks for contributing to CT and providing inspiration.<br><br>Testing the legs and tuning up the ski technique in Champery Switzerland, will try to ski into France today, 650km of ski trail to go at here ;-) Justin.

Super piece of advice and very nicely linked to the examples from our two Pro's.

Thanks for contributing to CT and providing inspiration.

Testing the legs and tuning up the ski technique in Champery Switzerland, will try to ski into France today, 650km of ski trail to go at here ;-)

]]> By: kylieonwheels http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9168 kylieonwheels Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:25:50 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9168 That's really inspiring and timely for me too, Justin, thanks. That's really inspiring and timely for me too, Justin, thanks.

]]> By: Justin Coulson http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9165 Justin Coulson Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:51:03 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9165 Mike you make an important point, and it's one I've tried not to gloss over in the article. <br><br>We can't ignore our weaknesses. <br><br>But so long as our weaknesses are "strong enough" to get us through, we can then utilise our strengths to get great results. The guy I train with most is a sprinter, like you. He manages his weakness (climbing) by making sure he works on it just enough to stay with the bunch on hills. But he doesn't spend long hours going through what he calls "mountain goat" territory. He still focuses on sprints. It's his strength. And if he's in the bunch at the end, he'll roll most guys. <br><br>Personally, I'm strongest on hills and endurance type riding. So I work really hard on them (I also enjoy them more than sprinting). My goal is to get away from guys like you and my mate Dave so you can't destroy me in the sprint = )<br><br>But in this article, there is much more to it than that. I have chosen two races in the coming three months, and then another one in September. These races are specifically suited to someone with my abilities. They're long and/or they're hilly. And in those races I'm planning on making it count. In all the other races I know I'm very likely to be there at the end but in all likelihood, unless I can get away with another couple of guys like me, I'll be racing for 10th! So by knowing my strengths and utilising them I can then dream, design, and then deliver the outcomes I'm looking for. Mike you make an important point, and it's one I've tried not to gloss over in the article.

We can't ignore our weaknesses.

But so long as our weaknesses are “strong enough” to get us through, we can then utilise our strengths to get great results. The guy I train with most is a sprinter, like you. He manages his weakness (climbing) by making sure he works on it just enough to stay with the bunch on hills. But he doesn't spend long hours going through what he calls “mountain goat” territory. He still focuses on sprints. It's his strength. And if he's in the bunch at the end, he'll roll most guys.

Personally, I'm strongest on hills and endurance type riding. So I work really hard on them (I also enjoy them more than sprinting). My goal is to get away from guys like you and my mate Dave so you can't destroy me in the sprint = )

But in this article, there is much more to it than that. I have chosen two races in the coming three months, and then another one in September. These races are specifically suited to someone with my abilities. They're long and/or they're hilly. And in those races I'm planning on making it count. In all the other races I know I'm very likely to be there at the end but in all likelihood, unless I can get away with another couple of guys like me, I'll be racing for 10th! So by knowing my strengths and utilising them I can then dream, design, and then deliver the outcomes I'm looking for.

]]> By: JC http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9164 JC Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:39:26 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9164 Yeah it's all relative. Roger Federer's "weakness" is his backhand. It's good when your weakness is still world class and then some!! Yeah it's all relative. Roger Federer's “weakness” is his backhand. It's good when your weakness is still world class and then some!!

]]> By: Mike Hayward http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9163 Mike Hayward Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:15:47 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9163 Great Tip for the start of the season Justin!! <br><br>As a hack rider, I feel I need to work on my weakness (climbing) in order to be around at the end of a race to take advantage of my strength (sprinting). A PRO, who's 'weakness' is climbing, is still a phenominal climber ( I have heard plenty of stories of guys who go out on hilly rides with Robbie Mc in the hope of some bragging rights, only to find that he is awesome in the hills). <br>But you cover this in the title - "Do What works to Win". Great Tip for the start of the season Justin!!

As a hack rider, I feel I need to work on my weakness (climbing) in order to be around at the end of a race to take advantage of my strength (sprinting). A PRO, who's 'weakness' is climbing, is still a phenominal climber ( I have heard plenty of stories of guys who go out on hilly rides with Robbie Mc in the hope of some bragging rights, only to find that he is awesome in the hills).
But you cover this in the title – “Do What works to Win”.

]]> By: priestie http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9162 priestie Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:35:24 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9162 I like this tip ... focus on base, build on weaknesses, maximise strengths, know your limits. I like this tip … focus on base, build on weaknesses, maximise strengths, know your limits.

]]> By: JC http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9159 JC Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:54:32 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9159 For me it's more about working on what I'm less bad at. If I only worked on what I'm good at I'd never do anything!! For me it's more about working on what I'm less bad at. If I only worked on what I'm good at I'd never do anything!!

]]> By: cyclingTips http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9158 cyclingTips Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:48:51 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9158 It takes a while to work out what you're good at and what you're not so good at as you develop as a rider. These things sometimes change as well. I never used to be a good climber but I started riding in the hills more just because I enjoyed getting out of the city. After many smashfests up in the Dandenongs I started to be able hold my own in the climbs. Now I consider climbing one of my strengths. I never would have thought... It takes a while to work out what you're good at and what you're not so good at as you develop as a rider. These things sometimes change as well. I never used to be a good climber but I started riding in the hills more just because I enjoyed getting out of the city. After many smashfests up in the Dandenongs I started to be able hold my own in the climbs. Now I consider climbing one of my strengths. I never would have thought…

]]> By: Tim http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/do-what-works-to-win/comment-page-1/#comment-9153 Tim Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:35:42 +0000 http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/?p=8851#comment-9153 This is a fantastic and timely post for me.<br><br>I know I can ride hills (when healthy), and I have notched up a few road wins with sprint finishes (albeit slight inclines, which finds people out)...<br><br>My weaknesses are riding into the wind. A 62-65kg frame does not make it easy to work up the road in a small bunch on a breakaway.<br>Also terrible in a TT. So clearly not GC (?).<br><br>I've just engaged a coach (hat tip: thanks James Foran) for this Combine season and beyond, so it will be interesting to see what he concentrates on...stronger legs for hills, endurance, I'm clueless. Also will be interesting to see what his approach is.<br><br>Given that I can sprint a little and climb, I'll be interested to see how this can be applied.<br><br>Thanks again WW.<br><br>Word to the Wade.<br><br>tim This is a fantastic and timely post for me.

I know I can ride hills (when healthy), and I have notched up a few road wins with sprint finishes (albeit slight inclines, which finds people out)…

My weaknesses are riding into the wind. A 62-65kg frame does not make it easy to work up the road in a small bunch on a breakaway.
Also terrible in a TT. So clearly not GC (?).

I've just engaged a coach (hat tip: thanks James Foran) for this Combine season and beyond, so it will be interesting to see what he concentrates on…stronger legs for hills, endurance, I'm clueless. Also will be interesting to see what his approach is.

Given that I can sprint a little and climb, I'll be interested to see how this can be applied.

Thanks again WW.

Word to the Wade.

tim

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