Gravel as a discipline has seen huge growth in the UK over the past few years, following in the footsteps of the US where the scene is already well established. The exact direction the sport will ultimately go here remains to be seen – will it become fully race orientated, or will it largely go the direction of becoming something akin to an off road sportive? Gravel bikepacking also seems to be fast overtaking its road-based alternative adding another option for the gravel fan. Whichever direction gravel ultimately takes, there is going to be a need for high quality gravel coaching focused on the exact demands placed on riders.
On the racing side we have been hard at work reviewing race footage and rider’s power files to learn about the sport, ensuring we are ahead of the curve and can provide science backed training programmes to all levels of gravel racer.
On the slightly less competitive side of things, we have already been helping riders work towards their gravel aims for a number of years now. Looking at things physiologically, gravel is best viewed as an ultra-endurance activity, with similar physical demands and workload to well-known road events, such as the Etape du Tour or Majorca 312. Training for this kind of event around a full-time job effectively requires a carefully thought out training programme to help you get the most of your time on the bike.
Gravel also requires a certain amount of knowledge regarding equipment and fuelling; what tyres to use, what size gears will be required for the course, how much food and drink to carry and when to consume it – these are all elements of gravel we can help with.
Unsure about how to go about training for your first gravel events, or want to improve your performance? Get in contact today to arrange a consultation. Prices start from as little as £90pm.
How our Cycling Coaching works
Initial Consultation
From your initial enquiry with us, our Head Coach, Jake Hales will contact you and arrange a phone appointment. We like to get a good understanding of your current situation, goals, style and general cycling history. Jake will then recommend the best RideRevolution coach for your needs, all are skilled and experienced.
Where are you at?
Your new coach will have a second, more in depth consultation and will analyse past data and training in depth as well as conducting tests to assess your current fitness level, strengths and weaknesses. This will then form a baseline to create a plan unique to your needs to maximise your potential development.
And so it begins..
Your coach will create a personalised training plan for you, using TrainingPeaks software to set and record your sessions. After each training session, you will upload your ride data. Your coach will review your training, provide feedback and set your next block of training. All training is bespoke to each rider.
Ongoing Development
Your coach will provide regular feedback and analysis based on your training results via phone, WhatsApp & TrainingPeaks, helping you continue to progress your goals and improve performance. Training will be constantly adjusted to suit your needs and maximise your performance for your current goals.