BJ Basham

I have been riding and racing in the mid-Atlantic area since 1984. What started as a cheap way to get to school and work has grown into a healthy lifestyle based around cycling. A second-place podium in my first road race hooked me, and I have never looked back. I truly love riding my bike and would probably still ride every week even if I weren't racing!

Coaching is my full-time job--and over the years, I've how to get the most out of my racing and coaching. In my years as a full-time coach, I have learned that everything that you do--from working, training, and eating right to getting enough rest, and even the people that you interact with--can affect your results and even your entire season.

Hopefully you will be able to benefit from the lessons I've learned!

To me, coaching is based on flexibility and communication. I believe that every training planshould be written in pencil. Very few people can control everything that may come up in their lives or know exactly how they will respond to a given training load or personal event. By keeping you involved in the formulation of your training program, together we can do what it takes to allow you to reach your goals with the time and resources available.

My primary goal is to get you to the point where you enjoy the time you spend cycling. I can teach you the importance of balancing work, training, and rest, how to take care of your equipment, and even how to juggle, if you like. I can work with riders at all levels from beginner to professional racers trying to making a living in the saddle.

Coaching

I have been a long time PRO and was looking for a new coach after getting a bit too comfortable doing the same thing for a year or two too long.  Once I got in touch with BJ he spent a considerable amount of time going over what got me to my current level, what he felt needed improvements--and how to fill those holes, as well as coming up with a strategy to incorporate those things into my training without making extreme changes as we were mid- season already.  His biggest strength as a coach is his willingness to learn along the way and his ability to incorporate this new knowledge into his coaching to help you meet your own individualized goals.  BJ is extremely thorough. You can be sure you are getting the most out of your investment, time, and effort--so you can go into your event comfortable without any 'what if's' in the back of your mind. - Stephano Barberi, professional MTB

Last season was my first one working with BJ and I rode faster and stronger than I have ever done. While that was truly fantastic, I think what I like most is how responsive he is to all emails and comments in Training Peaks, and how generous he is with his knowledge. BJ is super quick to respond, and answers all questions with an impressive level of detail. His depth of knowledge and experience continually shine through. Whenever I have needed changes to my training plan, he is quick to make those adjustments. Unfortunately, I also had some set-backs last season, but BJ knows when to push his athletes and when to give them space – it’s a fine line that he walks very well. We’ve already discussed my A races for next May and September, and I know if I follow his program he will have me flying on the bike for those races and will set me up for success. If you’re looking for a great coach, look no further.-Alan Ganly

I am sure this will not come as news to you, but BJ is outstanding. I cannot say enough about how fortunate I feel for the opportunity to work with BJ and PCG. BJ went above and beyond in our coach-athlete relationship. Beyond his obvious expertise and experience, he was demonstrably invested in my peculiar situation He could not have been more engaged and supportive. Lastly, you should know that BJ is an exemplary ambassador for PCG. BJ's embodies the business ethos I believe you have work so hard to achieve. For that matter, your entire team have been wonderful to work with. I remain a big fan of BJ’s and PCG, and I want to thank you both for what you do for the sport of cycling.- Carr Trevillian

It's only been 4 weeks working with BJ but this guy is AWESOME. I think he's from another planet or something. The structure that BJ has on his training workouts is unbelievable. Communication is so easy. My biggest concern when we first started this journey was communication, me being from PR, and how I will communicate with my coach. I wanted to be sure that if I had any questions regarding a specific work out I was going to be able to reach my coach and receive and answer in a fast/easy manner. I can tell you today that BJ has exceed this and more. Not only he answers my emails fast, the detailed info that's on his answers is absurd. Many times I just shoot him a yes or no question and I receive an email with 4-5 paragraphs, graphics and more explaining why we're doing what we're doing, the benefits of what we're doing, how to do the work out correctly, etc. RIDICULOUS!! The experience that this guys has on training methods, power, and race situations are off the charts!! On just 4 weeks I already feel the difference in power, not only I feel it, It shows on the different graphics and analysis that BJ shares with me. Another thing is how BJ adjusts to my schedule. Between work, a newborn baby girl and other things sometimes I have to change or skip a work out with no advanced notice and BJ reacts accordingly and readjust everything so we stay on track as to what we want to accomplish. I wanted to have a coach for the long term, I have no doubt I've found it!!  -Nelson Rosa 

Excellent, I cannot compliment BJ enough. He makes feedback comments on my comments and share far more things with me than i expected. He is able to delve in to many years of experience and has no issue sharing these with me. I really enjoy working with him. “I am finding that this relationship is a perfect match in terms of what I put in I get x 4 back. BJ is one of those rare people that use stories to relay experiences. By doing this it engages me and I feel part of those experiences. 

I am really happy happy with my coach. i think he thinks I'm ok too ;) - Keith Hamilton

BJ has done an outstanding job. I cannot give him a high enough recommendation. I have been more than satisfied with the service provided and am already making referrals. In fact, I think the team will be looking for team coaching next year.  -Jared Nieters

A good coach is constantly riding the dividing line between being too hard or too easy, between being a controlling force or a guiding influence, between being a dictator or your best friend. So it is with BJ and me. He realizes that training, while important to me, is not the most important thing in my life. He understands when higher priority demands on my time are exercised. We simply look at our schedule and dynamically figure out the options available to still meet our goals. I have confidence in his coaching ability to complete any given workout without the fear that I'm not going to ever recover. He has pushed me farther than I ever would have advanced on my own. He has convinced me that I have untapped potential, and he backs this realization with data and trend analysis.  -Jeffrey Schnur

With BJ's guidance I've gotten results, continued to improve and get stronger, and pushed myself beyond where I thought I could go. I'm in the best total shape of my life, not just on the bike. But what really sets BJ apart is the personal attention I receive from him. When I finish a workout and upload my data, I often get an email back from him in minutes addressing any concerns I may have raised in my comments and simply letting me know if I've done a killer job. And on really hard days, even if you know you've nailed it, nothing feels better than that simple "attaboy." BJ is flexible and works with my schedule. And there's no agenda with BJ. He listens to my ambitions and embraces them, writing a program to help me achieve what I want to achieve. Although I know BJ has 20 athletes, I always feel like I'm the only guy he coaches. If you want a coach who will challenge you, embrace your goals, work with your schedule, and fill you with positive energy, you need to train with BJ.  -Brian Sacawa

I've been racing bikes for the last seven years, and each year I struggled to improve to be competitive with the other racers in my category. I finally decided to invest in a coach to help guide my training. This was my special treat for me! For my race training BJ uses information gathered from my power meter, as well as how I feel during training rides. From this he structures my training plan to work on areas that need improvement. Certain things he has me doing on the bike are things I would never have thought of doing on my own as I didn't understand how they fit into making me a better racer. However, I trust that as a racer himself he knows what skills are needed to race effectively and how to achieve or improve those skills. Since working with BJ, I admit I haven't won any races, but I've truly been IN the races, from start to finish.  -Diane Harris

Here is my story and I think it may help you in the end. I was a full time pro triathlete flying all over the world and racing the world’s best. After a 4 month training block in Australia I came back to the US with high hopes and all kinds of confidence that I would hit the big time. I had those dreams dashed when I injured my knee for what would be the last time. This had been the upteenth time my legs had been injured from running and I had had enough. I rehabbed for one month and switched to cycling.  I found my way on to the LSV/Kelly Benefits Strategies Elite Team and was introduced to BJ Basham who I was told was my new coach. If he was supposedly the expert I would do what he said to the "T." And I did. I followed his workouts exactly as they were written and after only one month and half I won two stages and the overall at the Tour of Ohio. I went on to have a great season and even one offer to race as a pro. I declined and stayed with LSV/Kelly and BJ for another season.  To prepare for 2006 I spent the winter months in Tucson, Arizona. This place was great for training and even better when you actually have a plan. BJ gave me awesome workouts that worked perfectly with my surrounding geography. Again I did his workouts exactly as BJ prescribed and again the results were amazing. On a whim I did a road race in Phoenix. I won and I beat a many pros whose names would shock you. I next went down to a UCI stage race in Mexico. Again I was the highest placed amateur and got 5th on the longest and hardest stage.  Once back in DC, BJ worked on a plan that would get me in peak for our main goal, Elite National Championships. Guess what happened, I won. I won the one race that we had been planning on since the previous November. Getting your peak just right is probably the single hardest thing to do in the sport and BJ did it for me.  I went on to have more success this season. Winning a stage and the overall at the Green Mtn. Stage Race and then having an incredible ride at the Univest GP. To top off it all off I have signed with the Navigators Insurance Professional Cycling Team for next year.  I have been doing this sport for less than two years and next season I will be on a UCI Division 2 pro team. I have had one coach since I became a cyclist and that coach is BJ Basham.  - Matt Cooke, 2006 USA Cycling Elite Road Race Champion

BJ and I have worked together since 2006. I was an inexperienced category 2 racer with very little base and not much of a clue. We set goals so that I would have something to work towards, concentrating not only on my training but my entire approach to the sport and what I wanted to get out of it. As a result I finished the season off with a win at the Phillipsburg criterium and improved my climbing to take top five at the Bear Mountain road race.  Building off of our first year together we lead into 2007 with the goal of catting to 1 in route to securing a professional contract. BJ would remind me that I tended to ride too hard too early when I raced. Following this advice I made the winning break at my first NRC race of the season, letting things play out and committing at the hardest part of the race. I learned to keep myself out of trouble by reading races corner by corner, where I could move up and where I needed to be on a wheel. It was all put to use at the National Criterium Championships where I placed third. I went on to sign a 1 year contract with TIME PROCYCLING for 2008.  2008 was a year of team work and top 10's. BJ brought up all of my power numbers and truly made me an all-around rider. I went on to make the winning break in two of the countries largest criteriums, I placed top 10 in a UCI road race, won a field sprint in an NRC event, and brought teammates to the base of climbs and final corners all-year.  BJ has always been easy to work with. He has successfully and consistently made training programs that fit my schedule and my goals. When we are working on something new he explains why that is and how it will affect everything else. If I need something changed, taken out or added, BJ is right there to customize my plan. He keeps things simple for me but most importantly he makes me want to be a better cyclist.  I have signed with UCI Continental Team Mountain Khaki for the 2009 season.  -Tom Soladay , 2008 6th USA Crits series overall , 2007 MABRA Senior Road Race Champion

Bike fitting

I would not be riding today if not for BJ's fitting services. Road cycling hooked me in 2004, but I quickly developed knee problems, and joint pain prevented me from working hard enough to make significant progress. In early 2007 walking became misery, and I was nearly ready to quit. I tried many remedies and had been fitted several times, but they did nothing. Finally I was advised to try Wobble Naught. After measuring and having nearly every setting adjusted, I left the session with hope. Getting back on the bike was starting from scratch; all the right muscles were neglected in my prior position. Another two months and I could finally ride without knee pain! I took a long off-season and hit the next year with renewed determination. Prior races had always ended with drops or field finishes, but I pulled fifth place at my first event. Nearly every competition since has put me within the top ten. In late summer I joined the Category 4 ranks, and in the fall my team recognized me as the most improved rider. Thank you, BJ, for helping keep me on the bike and making all this possible!  -Michael Ahlers