Athlete's Journey...
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Sarah Atmore, Ultra-endurance Cyclist, Cape Town, South Africa
“I really can't find the words to express how much working with a coach has changed my life. Rafeeq made me realise anything, not just finishing an ultra-endurance mountain bike race is attainable. Without his help I would not be the person I am today. My goal event was the Munga, an ultra endurance mountain bike race across a semi desert located in South Africa in the midst of summer. For 12 months I trained with Rafeeq from RIDEANDRACE and this is the first time in my life that I used a structured training plan and worked with a coach. Each session had a specific aim in preparing me for the race. I went into the event mentally and physically prepared for everything and despite it being a challenging event I felt strong throughout.​"
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Mark Derecourt, Road Cyclist, Perth, Western Australia
“Thank you, Rafeeq, for your cycle training programs coupled with regular positive feedback provided with my road cycling training plans over the last 3 months. The improvement in power, lower heart rate, and general wellbeing are a direct result of your easy and simple to follow plans accessible on my TrainingPeaks. I am proud to be a RIDEANDRACE athlete at the youthful age of 56 years, I am looking forward to continued improvements with guidance from you."
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Ivan Doncaster, Ultra-endurance Cyclist, Nelspruit, South Africa
"I can highly recommend Rafeeq as an endurance cycling coach. He assisted me with preparation for The Munga 2022. Rafeeq's training plans were tailored to my goals and work/life schedule. The workouts were easy to understand, adaptable (life happens) and uploaded via TrainingPeaks. Training with a power meter and keeping to specified zones helped me to gradually increase my training load without fear of injury or illness. He shared ideas and advice ranging from training, mental aspects of endurance cycling, equipment and racing strategy (he even contacted me via WhatsApp at every race village to touch base and motivate me). The journey towards my first Munga with Rafeeq was as enjoyable as reaching the finish line!"
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Bohumil Brhel, XCM Mountain Biker, Prague, Czechia
"After five years of racing in an amateur mountain bike competition, my performance had stagnated for a long time, so I started thinking about what I could change to improve. On the Internet, I found a training application for athletes TrainingPeaks. Its training plan library and various coach profiles immediately caught my attention. Quite quickly, and according to my preferences, I found a suitable coach profile. After a short consultation with Rafeeq from RIDEANDRACE, we agreed and planned the entire winter training season. I can confirm that choosing RIDEANDRACE was the best decision I made to prepare for Czechia mountain bike racing in the summer. Rafeeq created a great plan based on my training history, fitness level, travel schedule, training time available and goals. When needed, he adjusted the training according to my training response, increased fatigue, work stress and changes in scheduled travel plans. Based on my experience, I will recommend it to any cyclist who wants to take their cycling performance to a level higher over winter or in a short period."
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Tom Richardson, Audax, Sydney, Australia
"I highly recommend Rafeeq's training plans. I'm a 61-year-old cyclist who rides road, mountain and gravel, and I enjoy the Audax format - long distance cycling ride or race, and a personal challenge that tests my endurance, stamina and mental strength. Rafeeq kindly did one round of tailoring for me for my goals for the year. Following the plan as best as time and other commitments allow, I've improved my fitness considerably, and my ability to ride multiple days of 3-5 hours back to back and complete longer mountain bike rides has improved. His plans are great; they work! My tailored plan included sufficient intensity, duration and recovery time. As well as stretching and strength work. I recommend giving Rafeeq and his plans a go - I think they are among the best out there for gravel and mountain bike."
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Eric Siebert, Stage Racing Mountain Biker, Canada
"Over my 4 Cape Epic starts, I’ve had a number of training plans and one-on-one coaches. Each one prepared me for the gruelling 8 days that is the Epic, however, each one still had limitations. Of all the plans I’ve been put through, Rafeeq's was without a doubt, the most balanced and easily executed. What I appreciated most about his plan was the practical nature of workouts. I’ve had plans in the past that, when trying to ride the structure on open roads, is impossible, insanely short intervals, sporadic timing of efforts, etc. The structure of his plan as a whole, and each workout individually, was clear and executable on a turbo trainer, or the open road. Progress was easily measured quantitatively through the pedals, but also in how each effort felt before, during and after the workout. The work done and fitness gained as a result of following his Cape Epic plan had me at the starting line fit, mentally prepared, and more excited than ever to race the Cape Epic. I’ve now completed my 3 Cape Epic race and have earned the title of Amabubesi. I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to him again should I ever have the privilege of racing the Cape Epic again, or any Epic Series race. Equally, I will happily pass along his contact info to any friends I know looking for success at the world’s greatest MTB race."
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