A good coach knows his athletes inner drivers and empowers them with an unwavering belief. Cycling is very hierarchal and predatory. A top rider has to understand the mechanics of the sport and be a notch better, always showing class and grace. I could always go toe to toe with riders in the field and take them mentally to places they never thought possible in terms of difficulty, quality, and execution. Most of all I could bring the best out in them while keeping it fun. It requires touch, experience, thought, and kindness. Cycle-Logic welcomes new riders at all levels and we work to focus on individual skills development while simultaneously fostering a dynamic community.
At Cycle-Logic we really do believe that everyone can benefit from having a coach. We all remember learning from coaches as kids, and usually being forced to do so by our parents. Now that we’re adults, we struggle with the vulnerability that is needed to learn something new. We must make that leap and push ourselves out of our comfort zone, in order to grow as athletes. Even though your first coaching experience might seem daunting, at Cycle-Logic we believe that; a good bike, with a great fit, along with a motivating community and a knowledgeable coach is the perfect mix for a healthy growth mind-set and positive ride. To start your coaching journey, meet with Rich for a consultation in order to pin-point what your needs are, Rich coaches in groups during spin class, or during club rides. He is there to give you tips, and encouragement to take your ride from consistently good, to overwhelmingly great. Join the Cycle-Logic community and see what we can achieve together.
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I have known Rich and his Cycle Logic operations for 5–6 years now. This is perhaps not as long as some other members of our club, but long enough to share many good stories about both Rich and our club. To keep it short though, there are not many clubs/bike stores out there that are like Cycle Logic. Walk into it, look around, talk to Rich or his team, go with the club for a ride or two, hang out around the shop for some time and you will know what I mean. It is a unique club and shop, period. As a member I get things that I can’t imagine getting anywhere else: professional advice and service, attention to detail, summer club rides, training tips and advice, winter spin classes, deep knowledge about not just bikes but anything that goes with cycling. And the spin classes are something else, really. All of us cycling nuts hate Edmonton long winters. Spinning at home on a trainer for six months is psychologically difficult and quite uninteresting, if not just boring—simply, not an option for most of us. Try Cycle Logic’s spin classes. Indoor training is much more effective in a crowd of familiar faces. Add to it the thought, planning and experience that Rich puts into each session and here, perhaps, is the best solution one can find in Edmonton to our cyclist-unfriendly-winters. (And the bonus is a free introduction to some important and mysterious cycling jargon such as periodization, aerobic capacity, lactate threshold etc., but only if you really care about it.) Overall, what I value the most about Cycle Logic is such intangibles as the passion, enthusiasm, love for the sport and the friendships. I liked the sport of cycling since I was a boy growing up in Poland but I never got on a road bike until a few years ago when I accidentally walked into Cycle Logic and talked to Rich for a few minutes. I got quickly hooked and I’m hooked for the rest of my life. My only regret is that I didn’t run into Rich 20 years earlier. Don’t make the same mistake.
I think that I was one of the original members of Rich’s club when he first opened his shop. I got to know the shop when I bought my first Trek racing bike and I don’t think that I have raced on anything but a bike from Cycle-Logic since. I started as a Cat. 5, racer and made the National Team within 2 years while racing for and with Cycle-Logic. I attended the World Championships twice, finishing 17th and 19th, and received a Silver Medal at the Commonwealth Games. I was active on the National Team for almost 5 years. It was Rich who was instrumental in my quick jump to that level of competition. We had a great bunch of new riders when I started and we were keen on doing amazing things. Rich provided an environment, equipment, and a winning attitude that stayed with me throughout my racing. We spent many hours training together, discussing the finer details of the sport, and how to win when coming from a relatively unknown geographic region for cycling. Rich was always available and ready to listen to my stories when I came home from long projects from around the world. He knew from his own experience what worked and has since coached and mentored many other athletes to reach their goals and potential. Cycle-Logic was always the place to hang out in order to get better, faster and more complete as not only a competitor but a person. I have realized many years later that the basics never change.
I had a season of 5 Ironman 70.3 races ahead, and I needed help from a business owner who had some faith in me. I met Rich and not only felt welcome by the community, but felt inspired by Rich’s attitude and trustworthy demeanor. He’s one of the few instructors I’ve come across, who can simultaneously provide a solid example of how to cycle properly and lead a cycling class clearly, so even beginners can benefit. I really didn’t expect less of him, though, as he is an accomplished cyclist and triathlete. Rich really does his research! Cycle-Logic is big on community, and some members of our community are outstanding riders and need to be recognized for their dedication to the sport. Alexandra Gordichuk is one such athlete. She began training in 2012, and it wasn’t long before she was consumed with triathlon. Here she discusses her training and outcomes with Cycle-Logic.
Coming into my first season as a professional triathlete, I happened to walk into Cycle-Logic. I wanted to invest in a good time-trial bike that would help me stay competitive with other professional athletes. I had a season of 5 Ironman 70.3 races ahead, and I needed help from a business owner who had some faith in me. I met Rich and not only felt welcome by the community, but felt inspired by Rich’s attitude and trustworthy demeanor. He immediately discussed with me, without question, how he could help me in making my season the best it could be! Rich also invited me to join his indoor cycling class. Saying yes to this, I had no idea how hard it actually would be! For the first class, he had set me up in a good spot among other people chatting and having good conversation before the class began. I’ve done a few other cycling classes as well as put myself through a few hard sets of my own, but the class Rich put me through was like no other. The class was challenging and the environment made me want to work even harder. Within one class, he called out cycling technique, lead the set, and motivated us enthusiastically while working his butt off with us! He’s one of the few instructors I’ve come across, who can simultaneously provide a solid example of how to cycle properly and lead a cycling class clearly, so even beginners can benefit. I really didn’t expect less of him, though, as he is an accomplished cyclist and triathlete. He is a solid work horse. I have to add, his music is great too, Rich really does his research! Alexandra now lives in Calgary and continues to compete. At Cycle-Logic we cheer on her passion and drive! |
Contributors: @jordain_darien @simon_on_and_on
Rich Schafenacker Archives
March 2017
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