Tim Could it be possible to have a road racing alternative as well? I know for sure I won't be doing cross.

Tim,
      The CX season can last from the first week in September through the third week of December.  

     The NY State championship is typically mid to late october.  Our big cx event is usually the third week of november.

     A potential difficulty of designing something is that I think most of the most cherished races happen between late September and early November.  

     While I have not had a cx season I've been happy with for a number of years, and have tried a number of different things with the same seeming result, my primary focus is paved events and figure I'll be racing them into October.

Hi Tim, we're very fortunate, living "centrally" in New York City, to have access to many, many top-tier cyclocross events. There are basically three series that most Kissena's participate.

Here's the short answer:

Sept 12/13--Nov 21/22

OR

Sept 12/13--Dec 12/13-ish

The longer answer...

The MAC series boasts a fairly wide range of events. From UCI C2s that attract enormous fields (100+) across all categories, to much smaller races that have a local feel and registration numbers.

http://www.midatlanticcross.com/

Within this series, has been the traditional kick-off for the CX season. This year Nittany Lion CX is on the weekend of Sept 12/13. I expect most KCC crossers will start their season on this weekend.

However, there is a pretty big deal C1/C2 series in Rochester, NY the previous weekend.  Ellison Park CX on Sept 5/6 is infamous for a climbing heavy course. I can't recall any KCC ever going to this weekend though. And this year it conflicts with the Green Mountain Stage Race, which has been a moderately popular road event with the club.

The other series, routinely drawing the biggest and most competitive fields is the Verge New England CX series. In general there's not too much conflict between the MAC and Verge series, freeing up riders to compete in both if they want.

http://cycle-smart.com/necxs

And finally, the New Jersey races. Smaller, but some solid courses, offers racers an opportunity to NOT start on like the 8th row and see if they've got what it takes to race at the front with dealing with too much "hole shot hell." Also gives riders a chance to "race up" a category if they want. For example, a good mid-pack cat 3 finisher in the Verge Series, might easily chose to race a NJBA "A" (typically Cat 1/2/3) race where he/she will face one, maybe two genuine UCI Elite riders like Dan Chabanov or Cameron Dodge, but still have a shot at a top 10.

http://www.njbikeracing.com/wp/cx-cup/

And then there are the assorted independent races, interspersed throughout the season including our own club's Supercross C2/C2 weekend in November 21/22 this year.

This date for some also marks the end of CX season. Others however compete to the bitter end, typically the second weekend of December.

And of course there's Master's Nationals. I haven't talked to too many on the club to gauge interest, but that's it's own thing in terms of training, being so far from the end of the primary CX season. Plus I don't think many will attend.

just joined Kissena, wanted to dig a bit further into Peaks.  Who can I speak with about it?  I watched the .ppt presentation last night which was given in April I think.  Thanks!

Sorry, forgot to attach Kathy email

Tim Cusick
Peaks Coaching Group
717.515.5382
Sent from my iPhone

Traveling today but if interested in coaching Kathy Watts can help if want to follow the plan all you need to do is sign up. The plan is one team plan shared.

Tim Cusick
Peaks Coaching Group
717.515.5382
Sent from my iPhone

Scott - this is the introductory presentation that should explain the whole training philosophy for the Peaks program. http://youtu.be/2qFd-hgNW8E 

Then just send me and Jules a message and we'll help you get set up on the program.

Hi All,

What's the next renewal period for Training Peaks?  Does the prior three month period end in June or July? Thanks

Dale Suttle said:

Hi All,

What's the next renewal period for Training Peaks?  Does the prior three month period end in June or July? Thanks

Nice catch Dale

I'll put up a new signup this week.

Best,

J

Here you go guys, signup for your next 3 (and a half) months of training.

Team,

I am working on the next cycle of plans now, let me know if any big events looming. I want to post Wedneday night for review. I am also going to add a transition and prep for CX season for those that are highly focused on CX and want to get an early start.



Timothy Cusick
President | Peaks Coaching Group
O 717.467.5078 C. 717.515.5382
www.peakscoachinggroup.com

Thanks Tim; the transition to CX is the big change I think.

Agreed,

Will need to do a little write up for short video as there are some decisions to be made.

Timothy Cusick
President | Peaks Coaching Group
O 717.467.5078 C. 717.515.5382
www.peakscoachinggroup.com

If we just joined peaks (for example, I just joined last week, perhaps others joined only recently), we'll we be pro-rated on the next three months?

Just signed up for some Peaks goodness in anticipation of peaking for cross season. 

I'm a little confused about the timing of the billing. Since the first 3 month period started on February 15, shouldnt the renewals be at May 15 and August 15? It's not a big deal, and clearly a good deal regardless, but I was also confused by the current renewal going to August 31 and not September 15. I understand that the board members have lives and these details are not crucial - just asking for some clarification. 

My reason for bringing it up had less to do with money or timing and more to do with the original description that said the plans would take place 9 months out of the year. I was wondering how the break from plans would overlap with CX season. 

Thanks Patrick; blame me, it should read "September 15th" on the form.
June => July
July => Aug
Aug => September

I've updated it, and the link too

https://kissenacycling.wufoo.com/forms/peaks-coaching-june-15-through-september-15-2015/

Scott Kuhlke said:

If we just joined peaks (for example, I just joined last week, perhaps others joined only recently), we'll we be pro-rated on the next three months?

Scott, all new members get their first three months free. You won't need to pay until the September cycle.

Team - All new plans posted and ready to roll (think i posted them on Friday).  I want to kick off CX plans a week from today but need to know WHO is wants the CX plan.  I can load 2 plans into your account, but gets confusing.  So to focus on one plan, I need to delete the old one.  Another challenge is starting dates.  Assuming everyone has been working this summer to generally follow the plans posted,  I would suggest RESTING the last week of July and starting CX training in Aug.  This might seem a tad late but, again assuming you are basically following the plan, will work fine.  If you are starting new, the first plan I will put out will be a two week transition plan / get ready for CX training plan

Thoughts?

Tim, I've been busy with capital-L Life events so far this year and am horribly out of shape due to lack of riding.  In the off chance I can fit in a cross race or two (specifically our club's own Supercross which is usually end of November), is there a "start from complete scratch" program that you can load up for riders like me?

Tim

I want the CX plan. I am not clear from your post whether the timing (i.e. the rest week) needs to be the same for everyone or if plans can be uploaded to varying days for different athletes. I will be traveling the first week in August, so that would be my preference for a rest week, but will make do if the timing needs to be the same for everyone.

Having said that, you were probably asking when the season starts in order to time the rest weeks. The first CX race in the area is scheduled for the weekend of September 5th although I suspect many will start their season the following weekend. 

Thanks

Patrick 

Hi,

I too want the CX plan. 

Happy to take a rest week, but was having a few issues with my knee so took it easy last week (just rode, no workouts) perhaps another week at the end of the next cycle could be good.

Tim, if you scroll up, you'll find a fair description of the CX races we'll target.

First real race is likely to be Nittany on Sept 12 & 13.

Team,

The hard part is when to rest.  With the base training you have, 8 weeks to good CX form is a good target.  Assuming first race is Nittany, that would give 6 weeks from Aug 1 kick off and put you on form by late Sept and the bulk of season.  I think this is the best target.  IF that makes sense, the rest week should be last week of July, start CX specific training in August.  That being said, their might be a few of you really ready to go, so can build a plan that starts next Monday July 20th but then you should rest next week.

Make any sense?

Tim,
     It makes sense to me.  

     But, I want to focus on the road until late September.  I understand there are those who want to start CX at the beginning of the season, though, and I can figure out my own way based on the early starters if need be.

Tim, I'm loving the coaching. I'm going to focus on racing road well into October. No cross for me.

I'm in for road racing until October as well. 

So here is what I am going to do.  I am writing an 8 Week Build CX plan that I will start when you request it.  You tell me and I will load.  This will mean you will all be on the team plan but with your specific starting date.  I REALLY suggest you plan to take a full week OFF the bike before you start.

Does that work?

Tim - For me, this is perfect. I'll be racing CX for sure, but haven't yet determined how deep I'll go with the road season and have been going back and forth on it. 

Tim no CX for me as well please

Tim,
     That works for me.