Riding rolling hills on a bicycle can be a thrill, especially when they are short and continuous. Because of this, they translate beautifully into indoor cycling classes. But teaching rolling hills is more than just alternating a climb with a “downhill.” To coach them in an authentic way, it’s important to understand how a cyclist would approach them, how gravity will affect your speed of ascent, and how cyclists take the descent. Then you need to know how to use the energy of the music to define your ups and downs. They are so much fun that your riders will be asking for them by name!Read more…

In part 1, I provided 6 general tips for teaching switchbacks, including how many, how often, how long, and how to use the music. In part 2, you will find 5 different scenarios for designing and cueing your switchbacks to make your classes more exciting and engaging, increasing your coaching repertoire and improving your visualization and motivation skills.
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Obsessed with Cycling Drills: Paceline drills are a fantastic way to simulate a group ride or racing scenario such as a Tour de France stage. They are also a fun way to do intervals. You can design an entire profile around this drill, or simply insert a paceline into any profile. You will be surprised how quickly the time passes when you keep your riders engaged in this manner!Read more…