Where Endurance and power meet!

Whether you’re looking to compete in your first fondo, tackle a sizeable Long distance competition or simply improve your best time at your favourite event, you’ve come to the right place!

Velosophy 'Fondo Development’ classes are curated to meet the demands of those looking to train for ‘mass start’ long distance events with sizeable elevation gains. As the name suggests, we train clients primarily for fondos - our 1st edition of this class focussed on meeting the demands of the Whistler Gran Fondo, Vancouver’s ‘Queen Stage’ of the fondos boasting 120kms of beautiful Sea To Sky highway delivering 2700m of elevation gain. Getting riders ready for the demands of an event of that scale has remained at the core of our program ever since but surprisingly we found that in preparing riders for this event we were able to help riders with many different goals as there is tons of overlap between these epic rides. Whether you are looking to do your first fondo or hoping to improve on previous results, we have a group for you within this program that caters to your needs and abilities. Our weekend classes are very different to weekday offerings and much lengthier running up to 4 hours. The program is progressive and builds as you go so we can ensure you are ready for game day. What sets our program apart is that we use a science based approach to help you train using power meters starting with a baseline fitness test known as an FTP test. This helps create custom training zones for each rider and measures your fitness gains ensuring you are getting the most effective training for your goals! We use these power zones from our test to curate epic workouts that utilize power based interval training that ensures to make you stronger and faster! Our rides are diverse small group affairs (max 15 participants per coach), 3-4 hours long each week meaning that not only is there time for our intervals there is time for building volume and skills. Despite how it sounds, we’re not short on fun and adventure either - each package includes an adventure ride or event simulator at the end where we explore how far your fitness has come adventuring our backyard in Vancouver , e.g, our Bowen Island and Belcarra rides are favourites just to name a few.

Our weekend program fosters confident riders with strong bike handling and excellent pack skills - all the essential elements for becoming a great fondo or mass start endurance competitor.

SPECIFIC FONDO DEVELOPMENT PREREQUISITES (MANDATORY):

1. Power Meter & Head Unit

2. Attendance of class 1 (The FTP test where we establish your zones)

Requirements For all classes:

• Road specific bike with gears

• Certified 'road specific' helmet

• Clip in pedals and shoes

*Note: If you are still learning to clip in, a 1st time rider in, or have no experience riding on the road, or riding bikes in general then we suggest arranging private sessions with one of our coaches before signing up to our group classes.

NEW FEature: TRAINING PEAKS SUPPORT

We provide Training Peaks support to accentuate the effectiveness of your workouts and give you workout previews with your custom zones before you get to class, meaning when we start the workout you will know accurately what custom power you personally should target and for how long, if you forget you just open the phone app and voila! - your personal training targets are there for you anytime.

An added benefit is that this smart app helps you stay on track when you can’t attend classes eg, public holidays/rain outs - you’ll still get a TP workout sent to you that you can load into an indoor trainer or be done outside at your leisure helping you stay on track and continuing to progress even if you’re away.

If this is unfamiliar territory don’t worry, part of our job is to teach you what this all means and how to use it.

After you register we'll send you instructions on how to create a free Training Peaks account and add us as your coach to support you through the season. Here a sample of what a training peaks calendar and workout looks like:
 

2024 Velosophy WeekEND Classes:

Package Dates: May 11th - June 22nd (Package 2 starts in July)

• NOTE: No classes on public holidays ( i.e. May Long Weekend on May 18th)

Package Length: 6 Weeks

Day & Start Time: Saturdays 7aM

Start Locations: This vary weekly but we mostly use Stanley Park, Science World and Locarno. These are Included in weekly emails!! You have to be registered to receive these.

Class Length: 3-4hrs

Cost*:

• Full 6 Pack: $400 gst included

• 4 Pack: $310 gst included

• NO DROP-IN options for weekend packages.

  • Payments are by E-Transfer, instructions are in registration below

  • SEATS ARE LIMITED, once we hit capacity, registration will close. To give you some insight, we take max 15 riders per coach and we have a max of 3 coaches per year (sometimes less).

NB****You must complete your package within it's package dates, there are no carry over or credits for unused classes so please purchase appropriately.

PReREQUISITE reminder:

• ***You must have a power meter; no exceptions; which connects to a head unit (like a wahoo, garmin or karoo)

• ***Be able to attend class 1 on July 15th

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER REGISTRATION:

Once registered and FULLY paid, you will go into a private email list specifically for this class. You will also receive a welcome email with house keeping and tips on how to use your rider emails.

Every class is preceded by a rider info email, usually sent the Thursday evening before class (to registered athletes only). Every week this email contains the following:

• That weeks meeting location - the image is a link that when clicked on will create a google pindrop in google maps to the exact meeting location for your class

• A weather report - also an image that links to the weather so you can see what to expect for that day

• Strava Map of the workout - again ,this is a link which when opened using a desktop gives you information of our intended route and workout area (sometimes you can even figure out approximately how many laps or repeats we intend to do that week).

To register click the link below, this will lead you to a waiver, every rider must sign this waiver and follow the payment instructions included.