For the past nine years avid Aspen cyclists have been able to beat the challenging mountain weather and train through the winter at the Aspen Cycling Center located in the Aspen Club in Colorado. More and more organizations like the ACC are incorporating advanced cycling coaching and training into their athletic programs in order to prepare clients for the increasing number of events catered to treat the everday cyclist to a professional race-like experience. Classes like the ACC’s PowerTap focus on the use of special PowerTap meters designed to allow riders to monitor their wattage output as well as cycling cadence in a series of planned workouts designed to increase power output over time.
The ACC originally started through the Carmichael Training Systems Performance Center based in the Aspen Club. After four years CTS closed its doors, but Operations Manager and USA Cycling Level 1 Coach Mark Alderdice took his experience and knowledge and focused on the exisisting PowerTap program buiding it into the success that it is today. Alderdice along with his main coaches Scott Kasin, Limor Wertz and Chip Chilson continue to instruct groups of athletes through three separate eight week programs.
“The vast majority of participants will agree that the classes themselves while challenging, are also fun and motivating, and furthermore provide an opportunity to become educated and informed in the many other aspects that contribute to overall cycling performance and enjoyment – including skill, technique, training methodolog, equipment choices and more. The classes also provide a close link to experienced coaches who are available to mentor them and provide further guidance and instruction out on the roads and trails during the warmer months.” explains Alderdice.
In addition to the ACC classes, Alderdice and Chilson have independent coaching programs designed to get their athletes out on the road after training all winter and often collaborate on numerous projects. Chilson (who served originally as the main CTS Premier Coach & handled the bulk of the CTS Internet Training) founded the Aspen Performance Center designed to race with and training athletes from all over the country for events like the Leadville 100, Iron Horse and taking elite athletes to the Tour of the Gila.
Alternatively Alderdice through Aspen Cycling takes a group of athletes to London for the London – Paris 2012 ride rated one of the top 25 cycling partiticpation events. He also offers day sessions over the spring and summer season allowing riders to trace the route of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, as well as assist in preparation for local registered riders to take part in Carmichael Training Center’s Ultimate Cycling Experience which will parallel the USA Cycling Challenge. “With the altitude and the length of the climbs in Colorado, this promises to be the hardest race experience to date,” explains CTS founder Chris Carmichael. “The USA Pro Cycling Challenge has been instrumental in helping us create a truly unique experience for devoted amateur cyclists. It’s an insider’s view of what it’s like to live and work as a professional cyclist.”
Always wanted to be a professional cyclist? No more excuses with training like PowerTap and events listed above you too can be part of the peleton. For more information click here and here.
