Tag Archive for: Houshang Amiri

February camp held in cold conditions

PCC held its pre-season training camp last weekend in Victoria in unseasonably cold, wintery weather. But it proved to be perfect mental and physical preparation for the spring race season.

Snow arrived on the first day of the camp and so instead of an endurance ride, Coach Houshang Amiri changed it to a trainer session. “This was going to help us build our aerobic capacity, as well as our attacking intensity and sustained power that could closely simulate some of the energy systems we’ll be using in our spring opening races in March.” said PCC athlete Amiel Flett-Brown.

The second day was in the saddle with a focus on endurance and climbing techniques. This was done on some of the hills at the Metchosin road race course. “We had a few steady laps, feeling the steeper gradients and working on pedaling technique as well as descending skills,” said Flett-Brown.

The last two days featured long endurance rides that included sprints and pace line work. “We maximized volume as well as touched on the energy systems that we’ll be leaning on come race day with a few two-up team time trials,” added Flett-Brown.

The cold weather offered up some challenges for the riders and with the intensity of the endurance rides it was important to be well fuelled. Sponsor Gruppo Nutrition provided some Ride formula for the camp which kept the riders’ energy levels topped up. “The 65 grams of carbohydrates coming from a mix of maltodextrin, fructose and dextrose gives us the perfect ratios for long days when we mix in intensity to our training. The formula also contains electrolytes and a small amount of protein to help us stay hydrated and hit our macronutrient goals throughout the day,” said Flett-Brown.

PCC athletes will be competing in some spring races starting with the Thunderbird Road Race on March 5 and the Wix Brown Circuit Race on March 11, both in Langley, BC. Five PCC athletes will also be racing in Tucson, AZ.

Registration open for Pre-season Training Camp

Pacific Cycling Centre will host a pre-season training camp from February 23 -26, 2023. The camp will be held in Victoria, BC and led by Head Coach Houshang Amiri.

The focus will be to prepare athletes for the upcoming season in a vibrant, stimulating group training setting. The camp will further identify athlete goals for the 2023 season and will include endurance rides where you will be evaluated on your aerobic base and power.

The four-day camp will feature daily rides from four-five hours in duration. The rides will include hill climbs and a time trial with a focus on technique and sharpening cycling skills. The camp will also include two training presentations.

All levels of riders are welcome from different cycling disciplines. Depending on the size of the camp riders will be divided into groups according to their level and ability.

Cost for the camp is $750+ GST. The deadline to apply is February 15.

Information and Registration

PCC January Camp a Success

 

Last weekend PCC completed its second pre-season camp in Victoria. The camp was planned and structured to provide on opportunity for benchmarking the participants current aerobic fitness in a group training setting. This enabled each athlete and the head coach to better prepare and plan the next block of training.

The first day on the road included speed assessments with 10 and 20 minute sprint efforts. That evening was an education session where coach Houshang Amiri talked about the major points of the Key Performance Factors based on season and race demands. This was followed by a group workshop, discussing the KPF topics.

Day two was a climbing day, with a focus on short 1 – 5 minute climbs around Victoria.

The third and final day was focused on technical skills including lead out and sprinting skills and speed. An easy 20 km was then followed by TTT and pace line skills.

Amiri was pleased with the camp results. “Based on the feedback from the athletes and my observation we achieved the camp goal and objectives.”

Amiel Flett-Brown attended the camp and concurred.

“This January’s camp was a perfect loading block for everyone who came out. With the racing season fast approaching, we all needed to get in a mix of climbing, speed, endurance and technical tune ups to get ready for the next phase of winter training. Coach Houshang’s expert guidance and planning helped us navigate 360 km of riding in 13.5 hours with a 3,133 m of elevation gain over the three days. The group’s morale was high and the positive energy kept us going through some challenging weather. Thanks to Coach Houshang’s expert planning and on road decision making, riders of all ability levels were performing at their best.”

The next camp will be from February 23 – 26. Registration will open in a few days.

Registration open for January camp

Pacific Cycling Centre will host its second training camp of the season from January 20 -22, 2023. The camp will be held in Victoria, BC and led by Head Coach Houshang Amiri.

The focus will be building on the skills and endurance learnt from the December camp in a vibrant, stimulating group training setting. The camp will further identify athlete goals for the 2023 season and the long rides will boost aerobic capacity for cycling disciplines such as road, track, MTB, and triathlon.

The three-day camp will feature daily rides from three-four hours in duration. The rides will include hill climbs and a time trial with a focus on technique and sharpening cycling skills. The camp will also include a training presentation.

All levels of riders are welcome from different cycling disciplines. Depending on the size of the camp riders will be divided into groups according to their level and ability.

Cost for the camp is $570 + GST. The deadline to apply is January 6. A 10% discount will be given if full payment is made by the deadline date.

Information and Registration

Registration open for December Camp

Pacific Cycling Centre will host a Base Endurance Camp as a kick-off to its 2022-2023 season in December.  The camp will be held from December 2 -4 in Victoria, BC and led by Head Coach Houshang Amiri.

The focus will be on building endurance and fitness in a vibrant, stimulating group training setting. The camp will identify athlete goals for the 2023 season and the long rides will boost aerobic capacity for cycling disciplines such as road, track, MTB, and triathlon.

The three-day camp will feature daily rides from three-four hours in duration. The rides will include hill climbs and a time trial with a focus on technique and sharpening cycling skills. The camp will also include a training presentation.

All levels of riders are welcome from different cycling disciplines. Depending on the size of the camp riders will be divided into groups according to their level and ability.

Cost for the camp is $570 + GST. The deadline to apply is November 22.

Register and more information

World Champion title for Renate Walton

On the podium. Photo: PCC

PCC Masters athlete Renate Walton recently won the Individual Pursuit at the 2022 World Championships in Los Angeles making her a new 70-74 age group World Champion. A few days later she won a silver medal in the 500m ITT. Here is her story.

My journey started four years ago when I froze doing the I.P.in L.A. Returning home, I got hit by a car getting a fractured collar bone and a dislocated AC joint. Then of course it was COVID. The comeback trail seemed to take forever. I told my coach Houshang Amiri that I wanted to try again. The road had a rocky start as I ended up with COVID earlier this year, then got Shingles. Once again Houshang had to keep changing training plans to accommodate my fitness.

The World Championships returned to Los Angeles, and we finally put our plan into place, and we drove to L.A. We arrived early for me to get accredited on the track so I could ride in “open track” sessions, which of course started early in the morning. Everything was going great until the one two second brain fog hit, and I apparently slowed down going around the corner and fell down the banking like a sack of potatoes – lol. My leg swelled up immediately. I landed on my left side and ended up with a fracture and torn rotator cuff and a black and blue swollen leg. Thankfully, I still had a few days to train for the IP and had to adapt to riding in the indoor velodrome. Again, Houshang had more adjusting to do.

When the day of the race came, I misjudged the timing in the gate and fell very gracefully, again on my sore shoulder. I felt good during the race, focusing on my lines and Houshang’s encouragement on each lap. Like everyone else I thought that maybe I could have gone just a bit faster. I found out after the race that my competitor Mary Ellen Allen was the current record holder for the IP which she got in August in Aguascaliente, Mexico. So, I was very excited when I won the Gold Medal and finally got my jersey that I have been dreaming of. The women that I competed against were lovely, funny, and competitive. I have made new friends.

After several more days of training, it was time for the 500m TT. I have to admit that my shoulder was sore and during the warmup I felt like I had re-injured it. Anyway, no excuses but I had a horrible start which cost me first place, but still managed a second-place finish.

It was nice to have athletes there that I knew like Heather and Eric Simonson, Keith Bruneur and John Mayer, to support and cheer me on as I did for them when they raced. There were also other Canadians that I met while we were there. It was a such a special feeling that I will cherish.

Finally, to the most important person who made all of this possible, my coach Houshang. A man who I truly respect and admire. Without his commitment and encouragement to my training and forever changing my plans, I would not be able to ride at this level. Just being at World’s is an accomplishment, but realizing all the hours he puts in, and forever ending encouragement and definitely a kick in the butt when I needed it, made me want to work a little bit harder despite my injuries. I cannot thank him enough for what he has done for me. I am looking forward to discussing my goals for next season.

Renate with Coach Houshang Amiri. Photo: PCC

Houshang Amiri featured on Fast Talk Podcast

Houshang with Erinne Willock at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. PCC photo.

PCC Head Coach has been featured on Fast Talk Laboratories latest podcast. Fast Talk is hosted by Trevor Connor, who Houshang coached at Victoria’s National Cycling Centre. He discusses Gran Fondo pacing, how steady state riders can build anaerobic power, training juniors, and how to pace 5×5 interval workouts. Listen to it here:

Q & A with Houshang Amiri

Successful 94 Forward U23 Endurance Camp

Pacific Cycling Centre recently completed a successful training / education U23 road endurance base camp with one day sessions held on three consecutive weekends – February 26, March 6, and 12.

The camp was a pilot project with the objective of introducing elite level programming coaching services to U23 athletes, while exploring opportunities on how to work with local organizations within the community.

This camp was fully funded by 94 Forward with Tripleshot Cycling handling the administration and inviting riders to the camp.

The day-to-day management, training, and programs were led and delivered by Houshang Amiri, Pacific Cycling Centre Head Coach, assisted by Olympian Peter Disera 

Nine riders attended the camp, which created an opportunity and knowledge base for U23 cyclists with goals of attaining national team status. Participants were provided with basic tools which were utilized with the objective of improving their overall performance.

Key road cycling race skills were covered including climbing, individual time trial, team time trial, pace line technique, and sprinting and sprint lead out. These skills were explained and practised during the road training (practical) sessions. The sessions were fully supported with nutrition supplied by Gruppo Nutrition.

The riders met at Commonwealth Pool in Victoria, the home of 94 Forward and Pacific Cycling Centre. A three-four-hour training ride was preceded by a short presentation and then followed by lunch at Kattia’s Kitchen Café at Saanich Commonwealth Place.

In the afternoon there was a training, endurance knowledge presentation by Houshang Amiri, including guest speakers Olympians Peter Disera, Jay Lamoureux and John McMillan President of 94 Forward.

“This was a great opportunity for the athletes not only to experience an elite level of coaching, but also to collaborate with community organizations, “says, Houshang Amiri.

Pacific Cycling Centre (PCC) was established in 2009 after the disestablishment of the National Cycling Centre (1998-2009), which was a legacy of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games. PCC offers many elite, performance-based programs as well as development and training camps working in and for our community. We work Canada-wide assisting with coach education / athlete development, and since 2010 have introduced an online coaching system working globally with athletes. We have advanced many athletes to National and professional teams many of whom now work as community leaders and coaches.

Skills Development Clinic Announced

Photo by Jay Wallace

Tripleshot Cycling in partnership with 94Forward invite applications from U23 / development level road riders to attend a three-session coached clinic focused on developing road skills and fitness in advance of the upcoming road season. The clinic days are part of a pilot project for services and programs for u23 / development level riders aiming for national teams. The sessions will be held in the Victoria area.

Dates: February 26, March 5 & March 12 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM). There will be morning and afternoon sessions on road skills and presentations. Lunch is included.

In addition to great coaching from former National Team coach Houshang Amiri and Pete Disera, Olympian, each selected athlete will receive a $500 honorarium from 94Forward.

Up to 5 male and 5 female developmental athletes may be selected.

How to Apply: Apply by sending a cover letter (email) setting out how such a clinic could assist you with your 2022 goals and confirming that your current coach and/or club is supportive of your attendance. Please note that in light of the current public health emergency only fully vaccinated athletes will be able to participate.

Applications will be accepted by email to development.tripleshot@gmail.com until 4:00 PM on Friday, February 18th.

Selected athletes will be notified by email and by notice published on the Tripleshot website.


PCC accepting new athletes for 2022 season

Pacific Cycling Centre (PCC) is excited to announce that new applications are now being accepted for online and Victoria based athletes for the new cycling season in the Pacific Cycling Centre coaching program and support system.

Despite COVID-19, last season was a success for PCC coached athletes, many achieving high-end personal bests resulting in podium performances, and signed contracts with trade and professional teams.

The new 2021-2022 program will identify a group of athletes who are committed to hard work, and who are willing to develop their potential to progress to the next level and eventually to elite status through PCC’s training system.

“Our goal at PCC is to create a stress free and balanced environment where athletes can enjoy riding as they learn all the necessary skills both on and off the bike while improving their fitness,” said PCC Head Coach, Houshang Amiri.  “Our high-performance training program will challenge our athletes and create an opportunity for them to learn and progress in a group setting which will stimulate them to improve. This creates a very exciting opportunity for the next generation of upcoming cyclists.”

The athletes training will be based on Cycling Canada’s Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) model at the Train-to-Train, Train-to-Compete, Learn-To-Win and Train-To-Win levels.  Athletes from road, track and mountain bike will be accepted into the program, and will have access to the highest quality professional coaching and training in a peer group setting, training camps, regular physiological testing, mentorship opportunities with Olympians and pros

PCC is following the guidelines on COVOD-19 as outlined by the BC Provincial Health Office, ViaSport and Cycling BC.

Interested athletes can send a race CV and cover letter to info@pacificcyclingcentre.ca

 

Pacific Cycling Centre

Pacific Cycling Centre (PCC) provides coaching and training services for Elite, Masters, and Junior athletes in road, mountain bike, track, and cyclo-cross.

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100, 4636 Elk Lane Drive
Victoria, BC V8Z 5M1

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