Testimonials

 JOHN HARLEY – age 72 GB Age Group Triathlete

I met Paul in February 2021 while out cycling when he stopped to assist me with a puncture. During the conversation he mentioned he was a cycling coach and two months later started training with Merlin Cycle Coaching.

Almost immediately  I saw dramatic improvements in performance which have continued and I have since represented Team GB eight times with two Podiums in European competitions and a number of Top Ten finishes in World events.

Beverley Osbourne - Leisure cyclist and hill specialist!

Having been a keen cyclist since 2015, I began training “online” with Merlin Cycle Coaching back in January 2020. I’d put on weight, was out of shape and also needed something to motivate me and give me focus during a tricky period.

It’s now 7 months on and I’m not just a better cyclist, I’m stronger, fitter and leaner (5kg lighter than I was in Jan, without any dieting at all). An extra bonus is that Merlin Cycle Coaching’s training stopped me from going mad during the Covid Lockdown; Paul sent me personalised programmes each week which I was able to do on my indoor trainer and, as lockdown eased, on my road bike too.

Merlin Cycle Coaching is also flexible: if the weather looks good, I’m sent outdoor rides to do; if it looks bad, then Paul sends me workouts which I can do on my indoor bike.

Merlin Cycle Coaching’s approach has been fantastic, friendly and professional, making slight tweaks each week to push my training forward with an easier week every 6 weeks. No two days are the same (which, on an indoor trainer, is welcome – no more boring monotony!) and the “baby steps” approach has helped me to build fitness safely and gradually.

2020 has been a challenging year on several fronts for me, but the number one thing that’s kept me going is Merlin Cycle Coaching’s weekly programmes – plus the fact that Paul’s always at the end of an email if you need advice or help.

I must add that the fact that Merlin Cycle Coaching is based hundreds of miles away from me hasn’t made the slightest difference. Forget the gym – I can honestly say that this is the best fitness investment I’ve ever made.

Feature 2

John Morton - Endurance Cyclist

“Paul's insightful coaching helped me to achieve more than I thought I had in me. Positively encouraging, pushing achievement, but never pushing too hard, listening and adapting when needed. Took me from back of the team to up front lead in a few months. Thank you!”

Feature 3

Peter Bedingfield - Comeback King

“After 45 years out of cycling I wondered if my ultra-modest achievements would  improve with a more committed approach?

Merlin Cycle Coaching agreed to help me find out. Wattbike assessment, realistic goal setting, and a progressive training programme followed with guidance on equipment, bike fitting, and pacing strategy.

Within a few weeks I was posting Strava PR’s on hills and had the satisfaction of dishing out the pain to my brother after some years of clinging to his back wheel.

Thanks Paul and all at Merlin. More, much more than a training plan….it was fun too!”