🧭 Inside My Coaching:

How We Build Strong, Durable Riders All Winter

(Injury comebacks, Bulding on success, Body recomposition, and big goals ahead)

🎯 The Off-Season Reality

Off-season training looks a little different for everyone I coach.

Some riders are coming back from injuries.

Others are tapering for multi-day enduro races overseas.

Many are back for another season looking to build on their previous success.

A few are brand new to structured training — but not letting it stifle their ambition.

The programs vary, but the philosophy stays the same:

👉 Restore/reinforce movement. Build strength. Layer performance intentionally.

Here’s a look inside what some of my athletes are working on right now — and what it really takes to build strong, durable riders through the winter.

🚴‍♀️ The Cross-Canada Rider

One of my newest riders has set an incredible goal: ride 7,600 km across Canada next summer — averaging about 100 km per day for three months.

• Focus: foundational strength and endurance for longevity, not speed.

• Approach: low-impact strength sessions (quads, glutes, core), progressive Zone 2 rides, and mobility to stay comfortable in the saddle.

• Challenge: managing foot arthritis and mild knee irritation while steadily increasing training volume.

• Lesson: you don’t need elite fitness for big goals — just a smart plan and consistent effort.

💪 Post-Injury Rebuilds: Two Different Paths

I’m currently coaching two riders through back-related recoveries — both success stories in progress, but at very different stages.

Rider A is wrapping up a year-long rehab and shifting into a body-recomposition and performance phase.

• Focus: posterior-chain strength, symmetrical hinging, and controlled power development.

• Approach: higher-intensity compound lifts reintroduced under strict tempo and positional control.

• Lesson: when rehab is done right, performance isn’t far behind.

Rider B is started their journey later, still in the confidence-building stage of nerve-related back pain.

• Focus: re-establishing trust in movement through short-range stability work and controlled reloading.

• Approach: anti-rotation drills, supported hinging, and gradual reintroduction of bike-specific movement.

• Lesson: recovery isn’t linear — but awareness and patience always win.

🦵 The Freerider — ACL Surgery Rehab

One of my freeride athletes is recovering from a ruptured ACL and is currently ahead of schedule — which is both exciting and dangerous.

• Focus: controlled quadriceps and hamstring strength, symmetry, and gradual reloading.

• Approach: tempo-based lower-body work, controlled balance training, and low-impact aerobic conditioning.

• Challenge: resisting the urge to rush the comeback — the last ACL injury likely came from doing too much, too soon after a previous injury.

• Lesson: progress is earned by respecting recovery, not skipping steps.

✈️ Enduro Racers Abroad

Two riders just wrapped up tapering for overseas multi-day enduro races — one in Europe, one in South America.

• Focus: maintaining strength and aerobic repeatability while reducing fatigue.

• Approach: contrast strength work (power + control), short high intensity spins, and mobility “flush” sessions.

• Lesson: tapering isn’t about rest — it’s about precision. The goal is to arrive sharp, not stale.

🎿 The Ski-Prep Block

Another athlete’s winter is centred on a major backcountry ski expedition coming up soon.

• Focus: long-range aerobic base, knee and hip resilience, and trunk stability for heavy pack days.

• Approach: front-loaded lower body work, hinge isometrics, and longer-duration aerobic sessions.

• Lesson: ski-touring success starts months before the snow falls — in the gym.

🔄 Riders Returning After Summer Breaks

Several riders took a well-earned August reset and are now back in training — recharged and motivated.

• Focus: rebuilding strength, cleaning up movement quality, and setting goals for next spring’s enduro races.

• Structure: 2 strength sessions / 2 rides / 1 mobility day.

• Emphasis: a quick block of VO₂max to boost power and unilateral leg work to fix lingering imbalances.

• Lesson: autumn is for recalibration — small, consistent efforts now pay off huge when race season returns.

🔸 Wrap-Up

Whether it’s a full comeback from injury, prepping for an expedition, or fine-tuning for racing — the same principles apply:

✅ Restore what’s broken or unbalanced.

✅ Rebuild strength and control.

✅ Layer performance when the body’s ready.

That’s what off-season training is about — using downtime to future-proof your body so you can ride harder, longer, and pain-free when spring hits.

📣 Ready to Make Your Off-Season Count?

Whether you’re chasing a big goal, coming back from injury, or simply want to feel stronger next season — I’ll design a plan around your needs, schedule, and equipment.

👉 Book your Launch Call