WE DEVELOP RACING CYCLISTS

September is the month when the professionals change teams…how about YOU?

Do you want to learn racing skills that will make you faster? How about learning to be more competitive with team racing tactics? Race to win!

Do you want to join a team based upon racing as a TEAM? Instead of showing up at races in your kit with a bunch of other ‘teammates’ and racing by yourself, race in the team dynamics of CYCLING SYSTEMS.

CYCLING SYSTEMS is entering into its third racing season with our regional development racing team founded by Alan Atha of CYCLING SYSTEMS COACHING, USAC Level 1 coach and founder of fundamental: the training center based in Marin, CA. The team initiative is forming a squad of male and female racers as a development team. A primary focus for our squad is working on advancing skills, racing strategies, tactics and team camaraderie. We are using the latest in web technology to train and communicate including blogs, web sites, personalized and team coaching.

We have regularly scheduled training rides during the fall/winter, focusing on training specifics with the object of increasing each member’s fitness goals and racing tactical knowledge. Team members can participate in training camps and clinics to learn new trends in science, work on skills and learn from leaders in the athletic community. Team mates can also take advantage of our coach with his Small Group TRX Training for Cyclists, developed specifically to address imbalances, increase strength, speed and explosive power.He is also available to train you specifically for your racing needs on the bicycle. Our team functions throughout the NCNCA region.

To learn more about the team, the coaching process and the training center, click on these links:

Team Cycling Systems

Cycling Systems Coaching

fundamental: the training center

For more information or to process an application, please contact:

alan@cyclingsystems.com

CYCLING SYSTEMS SPRING HILL ROAD RACE RECON

A slightly overcast morning brought a good contingent of the team out for a recon of the Spring Hill Road Race course in Marin/Sonoma today. There were three start times depending on when you wanted to get out of the sack and ride. 7am, 8am and 9am were the starts for grouping on Chileno Road at the start of the old Marin Road Race course. Alan briefed the team about what to expect and comparisons from the 'old days' to what is now an attack on the first hill by the Spring Hill Dairy! One will definately want/need to be really warmed up for this course as it will put you into oxygen debt immediately. If you have not gotten a complete warmup...you might be off the back before your coffee hits!

Hey! Check out the new kits! With the returning sponsors of Cycling Systems Coaching, CamelbaK, Bici Sport, Williams Wheels and A Bicycle Odyssey, the team has also secured sponsorship from ipackmybags.com by Momo and the beautiful spa in San Anselmo, Yoga Garden.

We had a great time this morning with the category 4 race group learning the hills and giving a whipping (ha!) to our newest member Nate, the 18 year old baby of the group!

Cantua Creek Race Report

Teammates also present: Sara, and Aaron.
Category 3 women's: temp: cold but dry (maybe upper 40's to 50, at start). course: out and back twice, with hills at the end (and mid-point) my goals: drink every 20 min; dep. on the riders' strength; stay with the group; if with the pack, to initiate a move; make something happen.
This being my 1st cat. 3 road race, I had expectations of the pace being fast from the start (like the 4's last year). VERY not so....wasn't really in the mood to race this a.m...so a ridiculously easy pace, was great--at 1st! Only a total of 5 women (2 pairs of teammates, plus me), but all strong, and experienced wheels. the first 10 miles, we were all talking, about Valentine's day, where we we were from, etc. (I can hear all you guys saying "oh give me a break!"). but underneath was a no-nonsense competitiveness.
13 miles in, the 1st attack happened...and we slowly reeled her in, w/ o much effort. 2 velo bella's---1 attacked, then the other was blocking me---it took a minute for me to figure out what she was doing. The 2nd attack, me and 1 other immed jumped and caught her----we were away for a couple of minutes before the other 2 caught back on...other than that it was uneventful until about 5-6 mi. to go...
then 2 Reno teammates and I sensed the Velo Bella rider was going to try it again. I hung back and organized a move to prevent the teammate from blocking. Sure enough, it happened, and we followed as planned! that was so cool and that alone, I felt a sense of accomplishment. Then, the last 2 miles of flat before the final climb, I was thinking of attacking, until around the curve...and came on a headwind. I dissed that idea. Me and Reno let the attacker pull us to the hills.
I decided, after the 1st rise, I would see what would happen if I attacked (?me attacking on a hill---this'll be interesting)....my objective was to create a gap, and then try to stave offf whoever was with me. I attacked and 2 came with me. We dropped the other 2, and then I was stoked b/c I thought I would be at least 2nd! I pulled to the side, and Reno glued onto my wheel...I felt like those dudes in Tour, zig-zagging back and forth....it worked, and she finally came around. The 3rd came blowing by us both with the steepest hill....myself and Reno tried to go with her,,,,and I JUST couldn't hang with them. but we had clearly gapped the other 2. I came in 3rd....and was really happy with that result, and how my thinking was during the race. plus I rode with an awesome group of women. Sara did GREAT for her 1st race, placing! And Aaron also had an impressive race---we represented the team well---- Aaron--so glad you stayed safe amidst the crashes~~~ Joan

NEW CYCLING SYSTEMS TEAM KIT

Cycling Systems has a new look for the 2009 racing season. I hope you like the look! Ray Wenzel and I have worked really hard on the concept originally presented by Ray and Rudi Verhoeven. We are utilizing the same two beautiful blue colors with some 'euro' looking orange to tie it together.
You should be seeing this new team look in the near future in the Bay Area, as well as the rest of the NCNCA Region.

Adventures in Briones

In being the organizer for this ride, I'll admit there were times when I thought "what was I thinking?" (but didn't dare share this), especially as we headed out of nice, warm Peet's coffee in Orinda. I knew the "Bears"/Briones would be colder than where we started. Cold, raw fog---but we all bucked up and chatted up until the bottom of "Papa Bear"...any comments of "I want to warm up...where is the hill" went away abruptly. This was a new route for most of us, and we soon found out it would be challenging enough!
After a nice long climb---at a pace faster than I'd anticipated, we welcomed the descent, and shorter climbs. Briones is always gorgeous, and this was no exception. We all did a great job of regrouping/staying together, throughout.
We then hit the rollers on the back side/Alhambra Valley---and swung into the beginning of El Sobrante for a quick break, then back to the rollers. I could sense people had Pig Farm Hill on their thoughts,,,with people wondering where and when the hill would appear. We all knew in due time. Generally no one feels stellar when getting to the "summit" of Pig Farm, and this proved true once again.
After a descent down the Martinez hills and then into Reliez Valley,,,,we had one more challenging climb up, over, and down into Lafayette. Traffic greeted us and was especially noticeable after being in the hills for a couple of hours. The relative flat terrain was a welcome relief, through Lafayette and into Moraga. One more slight grade, and we then had a nice descent back into Orinda.
After our good-by's, a few of us had an uplanned brief regrouping at Peet's again---well-deserved hot cocoas and coffees were especially good!

NEW SPONSORS FOR 2009

Team Cycling Systems has just secured two new sponsors for 2009. We are proud to announce:

Use the latest internet marketing strategies to Build Traffic, as well as, develop Authority and Domination Status on Major Search Engines and Web 2.0 Sites. It is a simple internet marketing system that even your grandmother could implement and drive traffic to your website!

http://e-volvenow.com/.

Momo Haas, Internet Marketing Ambassador

Welcome to our sanctuary! Our beautiful, peaceful space is a sweet refuge from the busyness of the holiday season, an opportunity to collect and gather your energy and nourish your body, mind and heart. http://www.yogagardenstudio.com/. T H E Y O G A G A R D E N 412 Red Hill Ave. #12San Anselmo, CA 94960 415.485-5800

Team Cycling Systems Winter Training Rides

These winter training rides will take us right into racing season in the very early Spring. December will be a build month and then continue into the Early Birds racing clinics each Sunday in January where you will learn, not only the necessary racing skills but I will also be giving tactical games to each of the team members in their particular categories that can be worked out during these sessions. The EB's are a great way to learn how to be a team, without the stresses of needing to win one for the Gipper!

All rides designated as TBD: Stay tuned to the blog for information!

All training rides are open to guests as well! If you are interested in coming out for a learning experience, please contact Coach Alan: alan@cyclingsystems.com. We usually work on specific skills and training methodologies, etc. In other words, these are not group hammer-fests where you get a good workout but not much in the adaptive way. I'm not saying they aren't hard, however!

12/06: TBD

12/07: Orinda! Joan Case is the ride leader for this one. Meet in Orinda, CA (East Bay) for some reverse climbing up the Bear's Back! Link for parking at the start: http://tinyurl.com/69w798.

Don't go out too fast and hard on this one as you might not have enough to finish. We don't have any sag so you will most likely have to find your own way home!

After meeting at the start, we can go to Peet's for a coffee and then head into the hills. Expect around 3+ hours. Carpool Baby!

12/13: TBD

12/20: Pt. Reyes Lighthouse. Meet at the Coffee Roasters in San Anselmo ('cause it's warm and friendly) for a 75+ miles out to the lighthouse and return. Bring extra food, spares, etc., as we will be all alone out there! Dress for success too! Bring layers as we won't have any idea how it will be out there. You will be able to re-load your CamelbaK water bottles at the lighthouse.

Meet for coffee: 8am

Roll-out: 9am SHARP!

RAIN CANCELS THIS ONE - YOU WON'T WANT TO BE OUT THERE IN THE ELEMENTS!

12/21: TBD

12/27: Post-Christmas Show Off Your Stocking Stuffer Ride: TBD

12/28: TBD

01/03: Saturday Tactical Practice: Meet in Petaluma at this link: http://tinyurl.com/6259ls. I will have a plan for you to try and execute during your race after your racing skills clinic. We will get in a short warm-up at 9am and then work on specific tactical maneouvers at 9:30 for approximately 1 hour. If you want to ride longer...it's up to you. Same scenario each Saturday before the EB's.

01/04: Early Birds in Fremont

01/10: Saturday easy endurance...TBD

01/11: Early Birds in Fremont

01/17: TBD

01/18: Early Birds in Fremont

01/24: TBD

01/25: Early Birds Road Race: http://www.velopromo.com/. For those of you so inclined...yes there is an incline.

01/31: TBD

02/01: Early Birds in Fremont