Keith Nelson

Background

I have always ridden a bike and in fact, I have ridden a bike a lot. I’ve completed numerous 100-mile and 100-kilometer rides in my lifetime, but I didn’t become a “cyclist” until 2016.

That all changed when a famous Texas cyclist opened a bike store in Fort Worth Texas, and I went for the grand opening ride. I was able to keep up with the group for several miles, thanks to all the red lights and the group obeying of the traffic laws. Eventually, I was dropped and returned the bike store to wait for the other riders to return. While waiting, one of the clerks noticed my displeasure and suggested that I needed to train upstairs with Rickey Wray Wilson (RWW) and the rest is history. 

I began working with RWW and in 2.5 years my FTP increased by 50%, my overall fitness increased, and cycling was more fun at 17-18 mph rather than the 13 mph that I was doing before. From there, I joined a Multiple Sclerosis cycling team (Health’s Angels) and began having my best 100-mile and 100-km rides.  It is really rewarding to set personal records (PR) frequently. Improvement is so motivating.

I can’t help myself in that I look at everything for improvement. If it’s driving on vacation, I find the fastest way possible and when it takes longer, I try figure out why and change the plan for the next time. I’m an engineer by degree and expert in business process improvement.  At work, I was given the moniker of “Metric Man” because I like to break things down to a definable, measurable amount and then see how it improves over time. “What you measure they will treasure” is a phrase that I love (not sure where it came from) and I like this quote from business guru Peter Drucker, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.”

Before RWW, I used to train for cycling in “No Man’s Land” meaning that I never rode slow enough to build a good base and never rode fast enough to build any speed so each year I just rode as hard as I could for as long as I could. 

When I began training with RWW and the Peaks Coaching Group methods, I focused my interval training throughout the week and longer endurance rides on weekends. Of course, I do a Sunday “Recovery” ride too. I began reading everything that I could about cycling training so in essence, I became a student of cycling improvement. Then I went to Peaks Spring Camp and was thoroughly humbled by the other cyclists, but I learned a great deal. I began to think about everything involving cycling. Eventually I went to another Peaks Power Camp and attended one of Hunter’s seminars at the local bike store. That inspired me to take “Introduction to Training with Power” taught by Hunter—and soon I was hooked. I got my USA Cycling Level 3 coaching certification and began helping others on our local rides. It’s amazing the little things that you learn through the years that can really help others. It’s fun to coach others.

My Evidence

After my first Peaks camp, I did the craziest, hardest, and coolest thing that I have ever done. As part of the Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser, Cykelnerven (www.cykelnerveninternational.org). I rode 4 stages of the 2019 Tour de France.  Hunter and RWW convinced me that if I stayed in Zone 3, I could complete the 200 miles with 4 miles of elevation change over 4 days. I was respectfully in the Lanterne Rouge (back of the race). If you are looking for a true challenge, look up Cykelnverven or give me a shout.  Training with Power was the difference in my epic cycling adventure.

Training Focus

Now, I focus on cycling training for myself and anyone that will listen. I organize rides on weekends that always have some fun things like hill repeats or sprint zones. I don’t race in events, but I have been known to throw a few high watt sprints here and there. I try to teach others about the fun, the facts, and the fascination that I have about cycling that I have developed through the years of cycling, reading, thinking and yes, watching the cycling.

My coaching niche is helping the bicyclist become a cyclist and the cyclist to become a faster cyclist.