You never stop learning… CPD, rollers and taking a leap of faith

Two reasons for this brief blog, first, a couple of thoughts on the value of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and secondly, a confession…

If you are involved in any of the ‘professions’ you’ll be familiar with the term Continuing Professional Development, it’s often a requirement of membership of a professional body regulating the activity of its members (lawyers, accountants, surveyors etc) that they carry out several hours of development study every year. Often they need to provide evidence of this structured learning to prove their skills remain sharp and they are up to date with current legal, professional and ethical practice. I’m kind of hoping doctors must do this too. All sounds very serious, doesn’t it?

British Cycling encourages its coaches to undertake further learning post qualification but it’s not compulsory – there is an argument to say that it should be and that this principle should be extended to those coaching any sport – particularly if those under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults are involved.

‘Top blathering, but what has this got to do with cycling’ I hear you ask? Good question: que spurious link…

I’ve been using rollers as part of my training for a few years although it fair to say I’m a later convert. A couple of weeks ago I did the British Cycling online CPD ‘Using rollers in your Coaching’ course and whilst sitting there half expecting to be told what I already knew, I discovered a whole load of useful things I’d either forgotten or didn't knew in the first place. See, you never, ever stop learning.

Using rollers provides some great variety (and sometimes sheer terror) in to what can be a boring period of indoor winter training and, with a bit of imagination, you can incorporate all sorts of useful core work it’s difficult to get anywhere else. For many, it’s a new challenge and keeping your training progressive and interesting is vital for motivation. For the beginner, just balancing on the things is difficult enough but with a bit of perseverance and guidance, you can add a whole new dimension to your training and warm up routines. Anything that provides an alternative to the turbo trainer has to be a good thing, right?
   
The confession? I’d never ridden no handed on rollers before, I have now. Why would I want to well? Well, it’s the starting point for some great core exercise sessions (it certainly tighten my butt muscles on the first few attempts) and, last but not least, you get that ‘weeeeeeeeee’ feeling you did when you first learn to ride a bike!

Some of my riders will be looking forward to getting that feeling really soon… 

Cheers for now!
Rich