Core Cycling

27/08/2023

Not at all the morning I had hoped for but this lad made his coach very proud and made up for my person disappointment today. In awful condition .ng completed La Marmotte Pyrenees with over 100 miles and over 5500 meters of vertical ascent in a cracking time of under 9 hours riding time. The weather as you can see from the pictures was biblical all day.
Well done Chris. 2 months of coaching and you have already done this epic ride.
Proud coach moment.

31/03/2023

Sunday is the best day of the year.
Will you be watching and who do you want to win?
I will be watching from start to finish and I would love to see Wout win. I think the podium will be Wout, van der Poel & Laporte. Tadej in 4th.


Coaching enquiries [email protected] 07912 065481

27/03/2023

Thanks to a superb video by with the legendary I have been trying to get to grips with Z2 training for my clients for well over 9 months.
It’s taken trying to convince myself that riding steady was a good idea and then convincing my clients. But through those months they have become converts to it.
A few weeks ago it all totally proved how effective it really is. was my very first clients from just over 10 years ago. He however moved from the UK to Quillan in the Pyrenees and sadly we had to stop the coaching. Back at the start of 2021 Steve came back onboard as he wanted to start racing again. Sadly it didn’t go well as Steve had to stop due to Heart issues. These have now been sorted and Steve started training again, properly, about 5 months ago. We had to take it really steady to make sure his health was ok. Lots and lots of Zone 2 was done. Steve started doing efforts only about 2 months ago. Last week Steve set his 2nd best even 5 minute power and he is only at the start of his season.
I have never been more convinced that Z2 does work.
Peter and Inigo, thank you so very very much for helping me improve my coaching so so much.

Coaching enquiries [email protected] 07912 065481

07/03/2023

With no more, CycloCross, racing now there haven’t been many results to write about. However I’ve been working hard on editing plans for people who don’t want the expense of 1-2-1 coaching. All the guys and girls have either had a little break to reset the mind and legs before other racing disciplines start or their other events or have pressed onto building a solid foundation for there upcoming events.
Summer is on its way and I for one am really looking forward to warmer days and beautiful scenery and riding with great friends. A bit more time off the bike for me first but already starting to get the desire to get training again.

22/02/2023

Been holding off announcing this for a short while as I wanted Andy Fountain to get back to racing and enjoying his riding again first. I have just received this lovely message from him this afternoon though, after an exchange on the Core Cycling WhatsApp group about family support.
In Andy’s own words.

Hi mate, firstly I want to say a huge thank you for taking me back, getting me to races and more importantly falling in love with all forms of cycling again. Secondly I want to say thank you for being understanding with regards to training and family life. Far to many coaches are all about the watts and results, and they have no idea of how as coached riders we are feeling inside, and what we are going through day to day. You have a great understanding of this, and your holistic approach to training is perfect for me. I now enjoy my training; nervously look forward to races; and can’t wait to see how I progress through the year. Happy to post this on social media)

Great to have you back onboard my friend.

14/02/2023

There has never been a better video to show why at Core Cycling I get clients to have recovery weeks regularly and we do lots of steady riding. The first two minutes of this video show it perfectly. Thanks, Andy, for the reminder of this video. You’re a great mate.

So you want to be a National Champion?Here is what it takes…This was a long time in the making but it feels right to have done it and go the national champs ...

01/02/2023

A huge well done to Danny Preece who won his age category at the Army Cycling Cyclocross championship a week ago today.
2nd overall to Simon after a close fought battle until he crashed on the final corner with 2 laps to go. Danny lost about 5 seconds due to the crash and never regained the lead also having to change his bike with a lap to go. He came in less than 10 seconds behind. This result set him up superbly for his 5th place on Sunday at Eastern Cross.

01/02/2023

An absolutely massive welcome back to the hardest working woman, that I know, in cycling. An awful injury to both legs has had our Sarah Kelman out of the sport for well over 2 months. I’m delighted that you have been given the go ahead to resume light training, the best to build your base, from today. You have been so very patient, especially in the last month. Let’s enjoy this process together of getting you back to where you belong.
I’m so very pleased that you’re back. See you Friday for a coffee (not for me) and cake!!

30/01/2023

It was also great to catch up with really good friends from Eastern. Ollie Maynard Nick Hall and especially my old protege Sean Purser
I’ve not seen Sean for a while but every few months we message to see how each of us are doing. I’m so proud of you for everything you’ve done educationally since you cut back on the riding. It was also lovely to meet Gege?!?! (Sorry if I spelt her name wrong) and Mum and Dad of course.

30/01/2023

The last week including last weekend have been a great step forward for all clients. We have had podiums in Eastern twice by Charlie and two top 6 places for Danny at
We have also had some real improvements in places from Samuel and Ethan too.
Ian has also made a marked improvement with two top 30 placings at Eastern too. This is especially pleasing due to his inability to race regularly due to is work in the Police force.
A big well done to all involved.
📸 by Glidergoth Photography (only the good ones though) thank you Sarah.

23/01/2023

What does coaching mean to me.
In one word, care.
Care for your protégés and show it all the time and they give you that care back.
It is by no luck that so many of my coaching clients have become my best friends. Steve, Mark, Gareth & my little brother Jamie are just the first 4. I showed them I cared about more than just their performances and they saw something different in me. They may have been coached elsewhere or gone elsewhere but they came back or they stayed until they had finished with any coach.
I’m very proud of that.
I talk to my clients but I mainly listen. It’s not about just giving a plan and feeding back. In some instances it’s a very simple plan and more helping them to feel valued and not go on about the result. They come with this philosophy anyway.
Yesterday showed exactly what the Core Cycling family is.
At Eastern Cross yesterday Samuel was on for his best result but crashed with 2 laps to go. He wasn’t able to continue and was both in pain and gutted because he wasn’t going to finish in the top 15. The Eastern family was straight to him so I could gently run over to him knowing he was in good hands. Sadly we had to leave the venue so Samuel could rest for the day.
For me it was a bitter sweet day as all my clients had their best days in the races (some amazing results too) and I wasn’t there. Did my family of clients care that I wasn’t there?! No. They were to concerned for Samuel who is also part of their family.
I’m not sure if there is any parent figure to this wonderful family but from big Brother, thank you so much to you all and thank you to the eastern family also.
If you want to be part of this family contact [email protected]
📸Basil Thornton