In the first of a series of meet the LincsQuad coaches, our Coaching Secretary Catherine Butterill asks Jane Taylor, Steve Cannings and Drew Hobley a few questions to find out a bit more about the person standing giving you instructions week in week out..
Jane Taylor, Level 1 BTF Coach
Why did you decide to be a coach?
To give something back; for love of the sport; and to try to help others.
Have you a favourite discipline? If so which?
I really enjoy having the combination of disciplines
Have you a favourite event?
That is tricky. Bowood Sprint is a favourite of mine – fabulous setting and can stay with my mother.
Chantilly was a fantastic experience in an amazing place. Ripon is a great race and I have not managed to return there yet.
What’s the best words of advice you’d give to a our members?
“Do as I say and not as I do” – particularly over swimming. Seriously – Remember to enjoy the sport.
What’s the best thing about LincsQuad?
The people and the people and the people. I love the support and fellowship the club offers.
Steve Cannings & Head Coach BC
Why did you decide to be a coach?
To try and help other people discover something of the passion I have for cycling. It’s the greatest sport there is and I’d just love others to get even a small fraction of the pleasure it’s given me far waaaay too many years now!
Seeing people improve at cycling and being part of that is fantastic, that smile you get from someone when they’ve gone and applied something you’ve explained to them and felt it “click” is priceless. Being a coach is a privilege and something I’m always very grateful for.
Have you a favourite discipline? If so which?
Whilst I love road cycling the velodrome and track cycling is my real love, a properly drilled team pursuit is a thing of real beauty, contrast that to the complete chaos and total madness of a Madison, (especially a 6 Day) and you’ve covered everything anyone should ever need from sport!
Have you a favourite event?
Gent 6 is simply brilliant, exciting, crazy, noisy and just bonkers, every sports fan let alone cyclist should try and go once. However I also love the long drama that plays out in a three week Grand Tour and Le Tour is still the grandest of them all. Also you struggle to beat the intensity of a Spring Classic and The Tour Of Flanders is the greatest of them all for me. SO yes I do have a favorite event – three of them 😊
What’s the best words of advice you’d give to a our members?
Technique not speed – learn to be efficient first then build power and you’ll beat a whole bunch of people who on paper are stronger than you.
What’s the best thing about LincsQuad?
The support from other members, especially at a race weekend away somewhere!
Drew Hobley, Level 1 BTF Coach
Why did you decide to be a coach?
I have always enjoyed imparting the knowledge I’ve have gleaned throughout various activities I’ve taken part in to other participants, trying to make their progress a little easier.
Have you a favourite discipline? If so which?
Since I began running in my 30’s (and found it incredibly challenging) I would now have to say its my preferred discipline. The ease of being able to put on some trainers and just go for a run edges out the faffing about of cycling and swimming.
Have you a favourite event?
There aren’t too many events I’ve done more than once. The best races are those where your friends and team mates are there to support you, competing alongside or as spectators, and if you get a photo you’re happy with from the run, then all the better.
What’s the best words of advice you’d give to a our members?
Stick with it. The payoff for all of the hard work is coming and if you stop now, you might never experience it….. 😀
What’s the best thing about LincsQuad?
Being part of a team, to train and race, and in club kit, provides an enormous sense of drive to compete and show the club off to potential new members.