Cycling Coaching

Clayton helped coach me from a true novice to a cyclist. He was patient, knowledgeable, and available. He was a pleasure to work with as well.

Working with Jeana is amazing. She has been extremely helpful in setting and achieving my goals. She is always positive and transmits a “can do” attitude. She is also very flexible in changing/adapting my training and goals when life sends the inevitable curve ball or injury. She works with both my wife and me and coordinates our training while at the same time treating us like individual athletes. She also takes the time to meet up with us whenever possible for a ride, skiing, or just a social get together.

The two main factors that make a coach worth it are 1. they understand the science of foundational zone training and can proscribe an effective escalation of training load designed to help you meet your goals – 2. Your are accountable to someone else for your efforts – there are definitely times when you just do not want to get on the bike but knowing that coaching call is coming is a significant motivating factor.

Jim has been awesome. In the short time I have been training with him he has brought me to a level I have not been in a number of years. He is in tune with my health and the energy I have available to train. He communicates well. It has been great to have his guidance with the training plan. The direction and feedback I get with Training peaks is a great motivator. The detailed descriptions of his workouts are perfect and leaves zero possibility of error. I like Jim’s comments on how the training is going and that we get to talk most weeks even if no problems exist. The extra motivation, direction, and opinions are all greatly appreciated. I am hoping that my body will continue to handle the training as it has so far.
Thanks Jim

Max understands how to coach, and what a cyclist needs. He’s easy to work with and responsive anytime I have a question or want to chat. I couldn’t ask for a better coach.

He has adapted the workouts to my availability, this helped me to keep on track, I even had a minor injury but he adapted things so that we could make it recover very well.
Before I just trained as much as I could, now with his planning that includes increases in demand and enough rest periods I feel much better overall.

Coach Ruben has been the best thing for me as far as cycling and getting results from the sport I truly enjoy. Ruben really displays professionalism, concern and a passion as a coach. I am fortunate to have connected with him and being guided by him. Yes, indeed my game has changed. He has told me the steps we would be taking and how I would feel at the start of our program and sure enough it has been that very way. It’s amazing that he knows my body limits and I look forward every day to waking up and hitting the program he has layed out for me. He is a quality individual and I know he represents CTS in the highest degree. Can’t say enough good things about my coach….just super glad he’s my coach.

Andy is the coach I looked for, for five years. Of course he knows his technical stuff. Where he shines is both listening to what I know about myself and suggesting workouts that push my fitness and self concepts. I work harder when I don’t have complex workouts. He gives me blocks of intervals that don’t require much thinking, just time them and put in the effort. No complexity to trip me up. My recovery from heart-valve surgery accelerated with his thoughtful, challenging intervals and foundation work. I’m impressed that I’ve gained stamina even as I’ve gotten well past the 70 year mark with more than seven years of previous demanding training.

I will workout on my own, but I workout more often and more regularly when a coach posts workouts and gives me actionable feedback afterwards. I have lots of questions and he gives thoughtful answers, suggests reasons, and encourages experimentation. And what a bonus that he was a competitive tandem rider and understands the demands of a couple riding together as well as my miles on a single bike.

Coach Ruben has given me what I needed to achieve results and grow my cycling abilities to a level not even I thought I could achieve. He’s positive, accommodating, understands issues with training and family life and how it affects us. Very willing to adjust my schedule to keep me moving forward.

I wouldn’t want another Coach.

Dave

Renee is one of the most knowledgeable coaches on cycling, nutrition, and weight training. She easily explains complex ideas in ways that I can understand the science. She puts the the science behind the workouts, into words that I easily grasp. Her dry sense of humor is so helpful after a hard workout. When I feel like a failure when I can’t finish a workout, she makes me feel better about acknowledging the effort versus just looking at the results. I am just an average cyclist wanting to be the best I can, but I feel like I get coached by Renee like I am an elite cyclist preparing for an important race. There is not much more I can say that can describe how lucky I feel to be coached by her.

She is amazing!

I could not be happier!

I am stronger and faster while learning more about the techniques used for my improvement and how to process the variations that come over time!

In my short time working with Jason, I’ve completed workouts – getting up to 2x40min @ 90% of FTP – that I never previously thought I would be able to do. And we are working with a work to recovery ratio – 3 weeks on, 1 week recovery / max efforts – that seems to be a ratio I’m tolerating well, plus the CTS ramp rate so far has gotten me to an overall load / CTL that is the highest I’ve ever hit.

On the pure coaching level, Jason clearly explains what we are doing, and why he’s chosen the specific workouts and the goal for the period we are in. And for me, working with a more data driven coach aligns more with how I think.

The only suggestion I have, and I think this is across CTS, would be to integrate strength sessions into coaching. Or have the ability to have a strength coaching & assessment done, and then a plan developed that would integrate well with the cycling plan.

Clayton listens and plans challenging yet attainable workouts. I would highly and enthusiastically recommend him to other mountain bikers who want to improve.

Excellent Coach!

Nina has been a tremendous aid to growing my strength and endurance on the bike. I like both MTB and gravel and she has convinced me the workouts are working to enable better cycling on all my bikes. I enjoy the explanations of what the goals of the workouts are. Before CTS I did not think I was data driven – and although I am probably still pretty low key on that compared to a lot of your athletes I like to understand the Why and then look at the results. But ultimately I get the results when out on the weekend rides.
Nina has also been a coach on the mental aspects when I struggle with feeling “good enough”. She is a great human and has an easy way of delivering advice and relating to me.

I look forward to continuing with her not only for a goal event but for year round growth.

The accountability has really helped, in addition to his wealth of knowledge. He’s very motivating and super helpful when we need to adapt.

I am trying Reid’s patience with electronics. We really haven’t progressed past getting TP & Garmin working. Hoping I am past that.
I am working the plans Reid has sent.
I do travel a bit which has also been a challenge also.
Feeling some benefit. Not as such value as I thought possible. Again it’s dealing with electronic hop up w/TP. Spending vast majority trying to figure out what isn’t happening electronically. Again I think we have a path that is working….not really sure yet

I have improved my training tremendously. I am encouraged to squeeze out more training time from my schedule. Clayton is realistic, and encouraging. I improved my time at my last event to the best I’ve done in about 5 years.

He has given me a training plan and held me accountable. He always comments on my training and gives me suggestions. I had no expectations on how much I would improve but knew if there was no one pushing me then I would not ride in the hot humid conditions here in Atlanta. For that reason, this has been a great approach and I hope to gain more insights into training and the use of a power meter in training.

I’ve been working with Josh for a couple months and found Josh is great about responding when I send a request for assistance. He is knowledgeable and friendly. The friendly part is important to me, but might not matter for a lot of people. Josh seems to genuinely care about my needs. His cycling knowledge and willingness to share has helped me a lot.

Extraordinary and very professional and knowleadble . Very happy working with her.

Maddison has made a positive impact in my overall health. I truly believe that having a coach to be accountable has added years on to my career as a surgeon. My biking performance has improved year to year. Below is a summary of positives and areas that could be improved upon for Maddison.

Positives.

1. Maddison is always responsive to emails. He will adjust my schedule based on my personal professional or travel obligations.
2. He will build a workout schedule that accommodates my work obligations.
3. He addresses non-workout issues such as bike set-up. Working around injuries.
4. Is honest about performance. Manages my expectations. Doesn’t tell me what I want to hear.
5. Takes my training seriously even though I am not a true high performing athlete.
6. He has not allowed personal issues such as deaths in the family or injuries to keep him from his coaching responsibilities.

Areas of improvement.

Being a older individual I have asked about other cross training exercises that can be done, such as weight lifting, lower body exercises or core workout to supplement my fitness and performance. There has not been follow through to add specific alternative exercises to the official workout schedule.

Working with Dave has expanded my expectations of the results of working with a coach. I expected to fundamentally be faster and have better endurance, what I did not expect is all the other areas that developed with the work such as on bike strength and agility, confidence (and calmness) in navigating unexpected situations approaching lengthy rides and difficult courses/terrain along with transforming my mental approach to a workout or race.

Through Dave’s guidance rather than participating in athletics, today I consider myself an endurance athlete

Thanks to Matt I now ride the whole spectrum of efforts, from low endurance up to anaerobic. Before coaching every ride was just a hammer fest and I found myself exhausted. My Indoor workouts were so difficult that I began to lose fitness. Now I ride a much greater volume and feel great. I now understand that easy is just as important as difficult.

What is great, even beyond my expectations: Coach Max is able to find a sweetspot between hard training and keeping me motivated, hungry for more. Working without a coach I had a typical problem of pushing too hard too often and now it is solved. I am still on a learning curve and feel my fitness is improving a lot – but the starting point was not that high. Coach is listening to my feedback and adjusts program according to it. I am still before first races after starting work with CTS, but I have gained a lot of confidence in my fitness and development.

What is not perfect for me (I haven’t talked about it with Coach yet) – strenght training program seems to be a little bit too sophisticated for me. Probably it is a bit too structured and complicated and as I don’t have much experience and skills with this type of work, I don’t have much fun doing it. And not always comply with it as well.

My coach has improved my strength and really has me focussed on my areas of weakness. He is very responsive and helpful, answering any question quickly and clearly.

Matthew and I have been working together since Spring of 2017.

The carefully planned workouts are at the core of what I have gotten from Matthew. But honestly, sometimes his comments and phone calls have been even more important. He has been steady when I have been working hard toward an event, and when I have been allergic to my bike after months of training. He has been there when I was trying to make sense of a power meter for the first time, and when I had to take a long break to recover from a non-bike injury.

He has become ever more attuned to my need for rest. Pouring on hard workouts is EASY. Balancing hard workouts with adequate rest (especially as I get older) is much more challenging. Often he detects my need for more rest BEFORE I DO!

Our pre-event planning phone calls have been GOLD. Going into events with a clear plan and a back-up plan has been tremendously helpful. Of course, being able to de-brief my big events with Matthew is equally valuable.

Thank you, Matthew!

My objective has markedly changed several times over the past few years. Jane has adapted my program to these changes in ways that have rapidly produced tangible improvements in the different performance elements that contribute to success in the new paradigms. She is also fun to work with.

1. Keeps me focused and challenged.
2. Rational and effective training plan
3. Never been fitter
4. Creative workouts keep me interested in training.

Andy keeps me on track and motivated even through this past year without the motivation of events t look forward to. He works with my always changing busy retail executive schedule and is flexible to make changes whenever I ask. He is a pleasure to work with to say the least

Began working with Maddison at the Select Training level on October 1, 2020, after two seasons with a local coach. I’m a 60-year old male, who began cycling in 2015, and hadn’t been on a bike since childhood. Maddison provides a very organized and tactical training approach, and understands the science of challenging athletes to fit their body’s ability to adapt through training stress loads and recovery. Maddison is very effective with our weekly training call and helps me logically understand training plans and gravel-race strategies, and has guided me through Field and INSCYD testing, and the quantified metrics. After 10-months, Maddison has helped me achieve a 20w increase in Field Test power (+8%), 27w FTP increase (+11%), 36w, 90-minute power increase (+18%), 24w, 60-minute power (+12%), and 48w, 20-minute power increase (+20%). I’ve signed up in advance for another year with Coach Maddison, and am excited for additive challenge, adaptation, and improvement!

I really enjoy working with Max! Max has provided me with the level of structure to my cycling that I needed. He has been encouraging and punctual in responding to questions when I have them. If there is anything missing, it is my inclination to ask questions and request phone meetings more often. Max has incredible knowledge and I need to access it more than I do now. I get so wrapped up in execution that I neglect the “why” of what I’m doing. Now hat I am coaching a NICA team locally, I intend to have more discussions with Max.

I have been working with Allen since 2019. He really improved my power output and endurance during 2019, and then helped me continue to stay in shape and remain motivated all through the crappy lockdown months and through a couple of injuries that I sustained during that time. Now, he is ramping me back up again and I am feeling much more confident in my riding. He is super understanding and patient too. And, he has also helped me with getting over my fear of mountain biking, a sport which I now love doing.

Clayton is the best coach I have worked with – not that the others were bad, but I find he motivates and communicates very well. I never feel like I’m overwhelmed or too pushed – although I do get a decent workout! He adapts my training to my goals and abilities. I’m not training for the Olympic Games- I’m just a guy trying to maintain a reasonable level of fitness at 50 whilst juggling family life, work, etc. and doing the odd mountain bike race. I feel like Clayton really gets that. I really enjoy working with him. I wish him and Caroline well with the imminent arrival of their second child.

I have had the privilege of working with Jason since January 2011. I was training for Leadville, and given the race demands, I needed a structured training plan and an accountability partner to see me through the race and beyond. Working with Jason I completed the 2011 Leadville in 10 hours and then again in 2015 with a 9 1/2 hour result. Jason always has me race-ready and riding at my best with confidence and consistency, often when I was living abroad in Perth, Australia. Jason ensured he was always available for our coaching calls regardless time of day.

Jason is technically solid, but what I also like about him is his added value in providing timely advice on not only training and schedule issues, but also on equipment, nutrition and hydration products and approaches.

CTS is very lucky to have Jason as a valued member of the CTS Team. He adds value to his athletes in so many varied and important ways. I for one am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Jason over the last 10 years. A heartfelt Thank You Jason!

Matt has helped with motivation, analysis of workouts and equipment choices. But the real thing I love about Matt: he’s very human. He gets that much as we’d like it to be true, most of us have to fit cycling around life instead of the reverse. Matt has continued to coach me to better riding on physical, emotional and mental levels. So much of his instruction and advice have become part of my cycling psyche. And he and his wife had a baby recently. Congrats Matt!

Since commencing my program with Clayton in October I have clearly become a stronger rider. That is the bottom line. I have accomplished a number of my cycling goals for 2021 and a few others I believe are within reach I just need to pick the day to go out and make it happen.

As a “mature” rider it is very gratifying to be in a strong group ride doing my share of the work and being one of the riders still there at the end.

Andy and I started working together in 2007 when I was at a low level of performance, slightly above a recreational cyclist level. He has turned me into an international masters level cyclist. We are still together. I could not be at this level without him.

He has been there when I needed to know if what I was experiencing was expected. I think that I am a bit of an anomaly as I assume not many 85 year old biker are trying to maintain some semblance of prior fitness. I would be pleased to find that this assumption is in error. I bike mainly because I enjoy the activity and I wish to be able to continue at a level that is enjoyable. I have a heart rate that seems to be a bit fickle in that load and heart rate does not always keep up. Max has been able to guide me through the problems this has caused. To better monitor my progress might be switch to watts vs heart rate, but I haven’t opted for the cost of watts meters. That may come.
Max has been good at explaining what I need to do next and keeping me on track. There are days that getting on the bike is not my first priority, but I get on the bike or trainer and attempt to make the time spent productive.

Having worked with numerous coaches thru the years as an athlete, I can say without reservation that Coach Renee is the best. Not only does she provide personalized training programs that have increased my technic and wattage on the bike, she has over the years given me nutritional and strength programs that have benefited me immensely. Moreover, during our weekly calls she provides insightful advice to the numerous questions that I ask as a senior athlete new to cycling. But, I must say that her encouragement and support during my recent medical treatments went beyond just doing her job as a coach. She was patient and understanding through the lows and highs which made me want to work harder for her through the ordeal. She’s my coach until I can’t turn the chain ring another rotation!

Clayton is a patient teacher while excellent at challenging you to exceed your own expectations.

He has kept me focused and has created a great balance between training and recovery.

Less stress deciding what, when, and how to train.

Helping me understand what we are doing and how it effects my performance.

Helping me put my race results in perspective. It’s good to have a neutral third party to discuss races with.

I have confidence in his prescriptions. He has trained and is training older athletes.

I have discovered I can do more than I thought I could.

It’s unfortunate he lives so far away. Adding skills coaching to the package would be very beneficial.

Nina has really helped me take my fitness to the next level! She has been great at making sure I don’t over train and get worn out but also keep it at a good pace to improve. I’ve really enjoyed working with a coach that is also a woman. She understands women specific issues and also helped me work through some health issues that were affecting my performance. Nina also started helping me work through some confidence issues by assigning self-compassion exercises for me. Nina has really done an amazing job at coaching me and I love working with her!!

If you are going to make “the big” effort, do it well. And for that you need the best; you need Charlie.

He has been very good about giving me detailed information on what to do and what to expect, and we have had some very good improvements over the years. Also he has a very good understanding about all aspects of training which helps greatly, highly recommend him!

Clayton is great coach. He is so supportive and encouraging in working around life and work. I definitely have seen improvements on all levels through the prescribed workouts once things cleared up. I appreciate his patience and perseverance in making this student reach new heights! Clayton is truly an exceptional coach, and congrats to CTS for having him as your coach.

Hello CTS:

Happy to add my comments for Clay! I’m having a great experience with CTS and in particular with Clay. We started in November/December of 2020 and I chose him because he immediately impressed me as having a very calm demeanor and level headed approach to coaching and training. Clay has provided me with stability, knowledge and the ability to bring me along through training with a consistent approach. As well, we have a very open line of communication about how I’m responding and feeling physically. That’s extremely valuable to me as I try to get better and learn along the way. Clay is also great about responding to all my questions and he overdelivers on the answers.

I’m super excited to be working with him! I’m glad I found CTS and I’m thankful to Clay for the experience thus far!

Working with Coach Feldman has helped me achieve my athletic goals. I continue to move forward in increasing my strength and endurance despite the pandemic, extreme weather and what ever life is throwing at me. Training with Coach Feldman keeps me motivated to continue training to reach my goals which are important to me. I know he may work with athletes that have more aggressive trainings schedules, but he works with my abilities to bring out the best in my performance.

I wish I had known about CTS years ago.

Reid is engaging , positive and flexible. I have been riding for approx 25 years and Reid has been excellent at understanding my lack of technology skills and my old school training habits. It has been extremely easy to create our plan of course but also to change midstream if needed. Great experience.

I simply don’t write reviews for anything… Andy is the rare exception.

Working with Andy has truly been a life altering experience. Having been a runner and cyclist throughout my youth and into college and graduate school, the majority of my 30s were spent doing a whole lot of nothing athletically. By the time my 40s hit, I was completely out of shape, overweight, and on a path of potential long term health problems. About two years ago, I decided to make dramatic lifestyle changes with the primary goal of restoring a healthy balance to my life, but also to begin competing again in the endurance sports that I loved in my youth.

I first became aware of Andy and his coaching ability while racing bikes in graduate school many years ago– Andy coached a couple of athletes I knew well, and they always seemed to be winning races and doing amazing things.

Even though I was a middle-aged, out of shape guy with no real athletic accomplishments since the late 1990s, Andy took me on and began working with me to outline a series of goals and a plan to accomplish them.

Andy is an exceptionally knowledgeable coach — both on the bike and in endurance running. I continue to learn a tremendous amount from him. He is very patient, easy going and has an amazing ability to handle what I have viewed as setbacks (injury, illness, work/life/travel, etc) as no big deal. I’m continually impressed with how he tailors and adapts my workout schedules to meet my insanely busy schedule.

About a year ago, I told Andy I wanted to not only run my first competitive marathon (I’ve run the distance as part of ultras in the past but never raced it), and wanted to do so in a Boston Qualifying time. Most people who know me thought I was entirely detached from reality… not Andy. He let me know that it was certainly a do-able goal, but would require a lot of hard work and some luck (no injuries, etc.). Sign me up!

Andy has been an instrumental and vital partner in helping me train and accomplish all these goals. I got my BQ (by 3+ minutes), broke a 20+ year old PR in the half marathon (by 6 minutes), and set all-time PRs in every distance from 10K to the Marathon. I am in the best shape of my life — both running and on the bike. Had anyone told me two years ago that I would have accomplished all this, I would’ve laughed. Andy deserves way more credit than I can write in a review.

Many thanks and cheers!

I have been with Max almost 2 1/2 years. He is very patient, understanding, and knowledgeable. My fitness has improved 1000% even though I felt quite fit to begin with. He applies training stress methodically and I have benefited significantly from his approach. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a structured approach to improving their cycling.

The most important aspects of working with Noah has been the encouragement and accountability he has added to my workouts.

Working with Noah has been great. I made some great progress in my ability to sustain power for much longer durations. I was doing really well then I fell during a gravel bike race and broke my hip. That put me out for a while and Noah has just about gotten me back to where I was before I fell. He is doing a great job with me and I look forward to continuing to work with him for a long time.

Tracey has increased my OVERALL HEALTH. That is mental, physical, and overall health. My goals of getting faster, and improving group riding skills, have improved. She is more than that, as she really is interested in me as a HEALTHY PERSON! She has communicated with my Physical Trainer in order to stay in “sync” in what we are trying to accomplish in “different blocks”. She is very encouraging,, knowledgeable, and goal oriented as far as having “fun bicycle goals” like traveling and trying other bicycle activities. . I feel VERY LUCKY to have her as a Coach.

Charlie , with humor but firmness, gets me to ride out of my comfort zone. He understands which of my systems need to be worked on and prescribes good workouts

My coach gives me workouts that are challenging and fun and encourages a proper amount of rest/recovery time as well. His workouts are easy to follow and understand. I’ve been able to achieve a high level of fitness and am able to ride in fast group rides with riders half my age. My primary goal is to be fit and healthy for an overall balanced life. Max encourages and promotes a balanced approach to cycling and other life activities. He is very responsive to any questions I have and frequently comments on my ride reports. I’m very happy and fortunate to have him as my coach.

Charlie and I have been working together for nearly a year. Charlie is very professional and has helped me a lot. I look forward to continuing my progress and hopefully climbing in Europe next summer.

Jason is very mellow and easy to work with. He is extremely knowledgeable as a coach and he continually pushes me to reach new heights in my training. My power has improved dramatically since I began working with CTS, and Jason. Jason has pushed me in the best training blocks to prepare me for my races, and my success in these races is largely due to his exact training, that dials me in. Jason has done wonders for my cycling and is a fantastic representation of Carmichael Training.

Max helps on several levels: First by creating a training plan based on my fitness level and goals, then by constantly tweaking it based on my progress and life realities. Secondly, he gets the mental/emotional/intangible aspects and is a very steady hand and good listener as I roller coaster a bit mentally and emotionally. He is patient and positive, but also persistent. The end result is I have what I would call positive accountability. I have achieved the overall fitness level I wanted and can easily ride with the strongest riders in my two groups. My climbing is way better and I can put the hammer down to close gaps or drag everyone along at a brisk pace for long stretches. I now have the confidence that I can take it to the next level because sticking with it has shown that it really does work. I am very grateful that Max is there for me.

Jeanna has been great! She is very thorough, always taking the time to explain everything. She follows up during the week and always touches base with me prior to and after an event. She is definitely in my corner.

Working with Matthew has been great. He is accessible and responsive. He challenges me and is still very understanding that “life happens”. I’m very happy that I’m working with Matthew and look forward to the future training, goals, and events with his help.

Understanding my limits and pushing me towards them and understands how to get me there! Truly understand how to train a cyclist!

I have known Tracey for years. I have had some very challenging months taking care of my elderly parents. Father passed and now 91 year old mother is having health issues. Through all this Tracey has been very understanding and patient. As a coach, I know there are some great coaches in the CTS system but I prefer Tracey. She has been a great coach and friend.

Clayton has been an excellent coach! He reaches out frequently and is an excellent communicator and a supportive coach for the hard workouts. He responds to texts and emails promptly and frequently offers encouraging words.

I have improved my fitness tremendously with Maddison. He is always prompt with questions and is always available when I need him. He has taught me the importance of accountability. He has also stressed the need for rest/recovery. We are both enjoying the process of helping me to perform at my best.

I have become much more knowledgeable regarding how to train correctly. I am more disciplined and structured with my training. I have seen consistent power, maintained and improved my FTP. I enjoy have a structured training plan and a schedule weekly and monthly. Maddison keeps me focused on the goals.

He is an inspiration. He will be back on his bike soon just needs to get better.

I have made excellent progress in my first year with Coach Paul. He has a great attitude and deep knowledge. He also respects my goals and work constraints. I am making good progress on my goals, which is to continue to learn, improve, and stay injury free. My thanks to Paul!

John has tailored a workout plan that covered a blood clot in my leg and me getting covid. John gave me good advice for buying wheels, shoes and a new Modone. He is easy to talk with. We discuss a wide range of cycling topics. I would be happy to recommend John.

He has pushed me way beyond anything I have done in the past. He is also very good at working with my schedule and making the best use of my time. I am a busy lawyer and we have been very successful in making the schedule work. I have certainly improved since starting this program and really enjoy it.

Ivana is great! She really knows what she is doing and she goes beyond the coaching helping with nutrition, and health issues in general.
She is very organized but at the same time adapts to the athlete’s needs. I saw my times improving in all three sports and feel that I’m training much more efficient than before.

Jane turned me from a strong 12 hour rider to someone who managed to finish RAW solo. I’m 57 and I’ve never been faster on a bike. I couldn’t do it without her