"I originally asked Ann to help me with my bike training in the lead up to the Granite Man triathlon 2008 and she helped me beat my target time by 13 minutes, all on the bike time.
Ann advised me through the winter of 2008/09 which lead to a successful 2009 season of triathlon and Velo Club racing. I am now looking ahead to a breakthrough season in 2010 and completion of my first full ironman triathlon with a super fast 112 mile bike leg.
Ann's strong points are that she knows how to prepare you for your best performances at key points of your racing season. She understands how to fit training around normal life and approaches the training sessions with a strong and intelligent technical background. Ann is not a great believer in junk miles and every session has a purpose, which means that some are quite hard! If you are a Triathlete wanting to post some of the fastest bike times in the race, you need to get some sensible advice and I would recommend Ann to help you out."
RS
"Ann, through the Polka Dot coaching package, has been a breath of fresh air and an answer to my wanting for a credible source of information to programme and shape my training within the constraints of my life. Of course the added bonus with Ann is that she meets all of my expectations and more in a coach, as after a relatively short time we have laid the foundation of a partnership that has a shared vision about what I want to achieve with a realistic time scales for this.
So, do I have any measurable successes to share with you now? The answer to this of course would be premature as the forthcoming racing season will be the true test of this, but indications are good as I placed in the top 6% of a tough sportive last week where previously I’ve placed well below this. I can certainly tell you that I have enjoyed the 3 months to date with Ann and the combination of my personal improvements and this recent indicator have fuelled an appetite to want more, indeed, I’m now starting the Yellow Jersey package with Ann.
Thanks for your commitment Ann; it’s been a pleasure working with you!"
"If you want to get the most out of your cycling, then you need to make the best use of your time. This is especially important if you have to fit your training around a job and other pesky commitments.
Knowing what you need to do each time you get on your bike allows you to just get on with it, knowing that what you're doing is the best way for you to achieve your goals. This peace of mind only comes from trusting that your coach knows what they're doing, and Ann has consistently shown that she does - peaking my form towards target events whilst also allowing me to race the whole season.
During the winter, having faith in your programme is a really good motivator when the weather is against you and if you're doing everything you can, there's no reason not to spend more money on your bikes!!"
JO
"After getting into cycling as a result of not being able to train for badminton, I soon got hooked and wanted to progress further so I contacted Ann.
Ann provided a very structured programme for me each month which was easy to follow and offered a great change of training on the bike, which is something I didn't have before I received any coaching. It also gave me the confidence of knowing that as long as I follow the schedule I am doing everything possible to progress my cycling ability and hopefully win some races.
If I ever had any problems in my training Ann was on the other end of an email or the phone giving me the advice needed. The greatest part of my coaching experience with Ann is that she understood that I also lead another life away from cycling [badminton] and this was also considered in making my schedule each month, this made it easy for me to stick to the schedule and put 100% into each session."
KA
"I can't tell you how pleased I am with AB Cycle Coaching!
Ann has provided me with schedules that fit in superbly with my shift work and young family. She has kept my performance consistent and gave me the best season in cycling I have ever had.
I find Ann's extremely positive outlook, attitude and performances an inspiration. I am very excited about my future with AB Cycle Coaching."
JB
"Ann has been my coach for several years, and I have always felt that my coaching is tuned individually just for me. She strikes the right balance between pushing me when I need to be pushed, and backing off when I need to be left. She takes a holistic approach to training – not just the hours spent riding but nutrition, mental approach and wellbeing. Because of these things I consider that she deserves more of the credit for my successes than I do."
NM
"I have been coached by Ann for the past two seasons and have been very satisfied with both the training and the success I have achieved as a result of that training – to quote a phrase I’ve read somewhere “medals are won in the Winter, they’re only picked up in the Summer!"
I have found the training varied and thorough, working on all aspects needed to be a competitive rider. Ann has a great ability to peak my training for target events so I can get the best possible result. This was more than proved in my performance at the National 25m TT in the years 2005/6. In 2005 I managed a pretty poor 109th (this was the spur I needed to consider getting a coach), whereas the following year I achieved a respectable 58th.
There is flexibility too – my social life is also important to me and it is taken into consideration when training schedules are planned.
Employing the services of a coach is a commitment both financially and from a time point of view, but if you are serious about your cycling and are prepared to work to achieve your goals, for the price of a decent set of wheels you’ll be going faster, harder and for longer than any piece of equipment would make you go.
With Ann you also know that you are dealing with someone who “walks the walk” as well as “talks the talk” – she knows from personal experience what it takes to achieve targets and goals and the amount of commitment needed on both the part of the coach and athlete."
DM
"With the coaching Ann set me, I improved my PB for a 25mTT from 1 hr 18 minutes to 59 minutes in just over a year. Every training ride was a piece of the overall jigsaw which contributed to my improvements.
As my cycling improved so did my own self confidence and belief. Ann's coaching changed my life for the better in ways far beyond cycling."
MB
