Ride to Race Coaching

27/01/2026

Bike fitting appointments 2026
Due to a number of competing demands on my time this year, bike fitting appointments will be trimmed back a little compared to the last 10 years.
There will be one evening appointment, either a Tuesday or Thursday at 6:30 and one weekend appointment on a Saturday afternoon at 2:30 on a typical week.
Once the Tuesday or Thursday has been booked the other becomes unavailable.
Any agreed short follow up to an earlier fitting will be arranged at a mutually suitable time and day.
Many thanks for your understanding.

JB

23/12/2025

Merry Christmas to you and yours and thank you for a busy 2025.

It's been a while since I've posted here, I've had partially completed drafts on common bike fitting issues (10 years in and I reckon I've completed over 1000 fittings now), chain waxing (time consuming, satisfying, well worth the effort but it's not for the CX bikes!) and ultra processed food (that actually isn't food) why do we eat it? the potential effects on health and well being and my own experience since trying to minimise UPF in my daily diet since the summer but I've never found the time to finish them off.

That's me closed now for a wee break (once I finish the final part of the admin backlog) back in 2026.

All the best, see you next year.

PS If anyone pops one of those protein bars off the telly in your stocking don't eat it!

14/02/2025

I concur. It can be complicated, with much trial and error, that's one of the reasons I have many female saddle choices to try out on the wall, some find a 'unisex' saddle just fine, others not so much.
It depends (the coaches favourite phrase :-)

'Even amongst my fevered googlings late at night, I hadn’t come across anything that had explained the types of pain I might be facing'

06/02/2025

More sound and simple advice from Fast Talk Labs on keeping knees pain free

Knee pain is usually the result of an imbalance somewhere else in the body. Use these exercises to stave off knee pain and stay in the saddle longer.

22/12/2024

Merry Christmas to all.
It's fair to say that 2024 has been one of my busiest years and it's flown by. Is that an age thing too? It feels like it.

We are now coming to that time of year where it can be tough to keep on top of your fitness and training goals for next year.
Rest assured you will not adversely affect your spring and summer race and event goals by letting go of some structure for the one week of the year where you should be prioritising spending and enjoying time with family and friends.
Make things mentally easier for yourself by setting a simple outline for the festive week - have 1 or 2 key sessions that you fit in when you can, they don't need to be long, a few short high intensity efforts thrown in will give some training load and help maintain where you are. Alternatively simply commit to riding easy and make this a mini training camp (with chocolate and maybe a wee dram).
Something is better than nothing although nothing will not have you lose much condition at all if you have been doing the work you need up to that point.

Have a fantastic Christmas and I hope to see you out and about sometime in 2025.
JB

20/01/2024

Saddles
Nothing will spoil your enjoyment of riding your bike quicker than an uncomfy saddle (potholes, punctures and impatient drivers notwithstanding of course).
Many think they have to stick with the saddle that came with their bike.
Back in the day if you were like me saddles were bought, tried out for a time then usually thrown in a box on the shed.
Over the last few years of fitting I’ve built up a wee modern saddle library - different widths, shapes and padding density, male, female specific and unspecified designs Along with a Selle Italia ID Match calliper I can get an indication on what width and shape might just suit. Then using a Bikefit saddle changer on the Wattbike try a few saddle options, adjusting height, setback and tilt or swapping out in seconds.
The benefit of a ‘library’ is that the saddles are available to try out over 2 or 3 weeks in the real world before you buy (or not). I don’t sell saddles but a rider now buys with confidence.
If you think that this is something that could improve your time on your bike get in touch for a chat.
Keep in mind that many other factors beyond saddle design can affect saddle comfort and I’ve had good results in improving comfort by getting a rider in a balanced and efficient position on their bike.
The pic is just the current selection on the wall. I need more hooks.
JB

18/12/2023

That's me closed now for a wee festive break from bike fitting appointments, back to business from 8 January 2024.

I'd like to wish all coached athletes and friends of this page a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Many thanks once again for a busy year, I'm grateful for your support.
JB

20/11/2023

Well done Sam, all those full gas, repeat effort sessions over the past few months and the hours of easy riding in between seem to have worked for you. Season goal achieved and surpassed! Training smart works 👊

Legends at the Monument

It was a dreich day in the metaphorical shadow of Stirling’s Wallace Monument – in reality you could just about make it out from the startline – as some of Scotland’s best climbers prepared themselves for an all-out effort to the top.

Ultimately four worthy winners would come out on top, and they were Arianne Holland, Samuel Carrotte, Beatrix Kiehlmann and Jake Speed.

Full report here: https://scottishcycling.org.uk/news/carrotte-and-holland-conquer-wallace-monument/

26/09/2023

A very good article highlighting some of the increasingly more common issues I have experienced in fitting bikes.
If adjustments are required it’s then off to the mechanic for brake hoses to be cut. Sourcing alternative sizes? Can be a challenge and bespoke expensive can be expensive. Don’t get me started on bespoke headset spacers…
At least the Cannondale Knot system in the photo can separate stem from the bars to change the length.
JB

I used to be a humble bike mechanic, and I loved it. Taking something that was broken and repairing it

04/08/2023

Wheels for todays Gran Fondo RR and in UCI red the wheels for the next 8 days.
What no Skoda? Nope. Still a decent motor.

02/08/2023

Bike fitting feedback
I'm closed for a couple of weeks now to work at the Cycling World Championships, bike fitting appointments restart Thursday 17 August.
I'm grateful for the continued support since 2016 and for clients taking the time to send me feedback, here is a selection received in the last few weeks.

"I went on a 100 mile ride with (my club) two sundays ago and it went great. Also various other long-ish and shorter rides. No problems whatsoever!
I also believe to see improvement on my cycling performance.
I'm literally just off the wattbike after cycling almost 2.5 hrs on Zwift with 1,249m elevation and the saddle is splendid!
Many thanks again 😊" T.B. July 2023

"I have been out on the bike a few times after changes have been made and it definitely felt more comfortable than before. I have also rode it in two TT events (10 and 25 miles) and managed to beat my PBs on both courses, respectively. My position on the bike doesn't only feel better but looks better 😊
Thanks again for your help and professional service and advice" S.L. June 2023 (TT Bike fitting)

"Hi John thank u for the bike fitting last night. Been on bike this morning and a much comfortable ride even knee was not so sore" A.A. July 2023

"I’m really pleased with the adjustments so far, I’ve commuted to work twice (23 mile round trip) and completed two 50+ mile rides and can honestly say the difference is amazing.
The tightness and pain in the back, hips and groins is gone, and I feel a lot more power in the legs and found the longer rides relatively easy, my fitness even feels better" J.S. July 2023

"Many thanks for your time last week. A very enjoyable and fascinating experience. Now that I know I am in a more comfortable position - the bug is back. I did a 10 miles loop on Thursday night and then 42 yesterday morning - all really good. No niggles, the saddle feels firmer but not uncomfortable, uphills now feels rewarding and overall (excuse the cliche) - more connected" E.J. July 2023

"I've done a good number of rides now, some faster, some longer, some hillier, and I don't feel the need to change anything. It definitely works better for me than before. Shifting to a higher cadence has made a real difference too.
In terms of your service, I couldn't fault it. It's not just that it's very detailed and efficient, it was obvious (from our conversation) how much research and experience-acquired knowledge underpins what you do, and that you keep up to date with developments in the field. As much as the detailed fit itself, I think getting that sense of depth behind the technical process must give any client a lot of confidence" E.M. July 2023