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Writer's pictureAlex Ackerley

Grip Strength, Knee Pain, DH Races & Little rippers

Hey Bikers,


Another week in the books, and boy, was it a rollercoaster of wins, learnings, and heart-pounding moments. I'm thrilled to share the highs and the hiccups with you all. So, buckle up and let's dive into the action-packed ride that was this week!


First off, let me just say, I'm beaming with pride after receiving a slew of incredible testimonials from my clients. Your words of encouragement and appreciation fuel my passion for helping you all reach your peak performance on the trails. Thank you for trusting me with your journey!


And speaking of victories, a massive shoutout to one of my racing clients who crushed it with two wins in her first outing of the season! Talk about starting on the right pedal stroke, there are bigger challenges to come this season. But it doesn't get much better than that. It's moments like these that remind me why I do what I do – to witness your triumphs and vicariously share in your successes lol


But it's not just about the podium finishes and race wins. This week, I had the absolute joy of hitting the trails with my family, including my fearless 4-year-old, Jonah. Watching him tackle obstacles with bravery and skill never fails to leave me in awe. It's time in the forest with the people I care about that made me fall in love with mountain biking in the first place - and the occasional sick wheelie!



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This week I also upped my mileage - gotta be ready for those epic rides and fun races later this spring. I had a little unexpected knee pain - something I hadn't had on the bike before. My gut told me it was just tightness and luckily 2 minutes of trailside stretching got rid of it. Here's my reminder to stay on top of the mobility work!

I'll be throwing in a few bouts of couch stretch this coming week to get ahead of this happening again.




The second misadventure came when I mistimed a ride and had to hustle back to make it for Daycare pick-up. It wasn't pretty, but I made it back through some of the techier Alice Lake trails in good time. Unscathed. Maybe this winter's strength training is going to pay off!


Speaking of going fast downhill, I was at the gym chatting to one of our local World Cup Downhill racers who says he's riding faster than ever this spring - watch this space. He was seeking some advice on grip strength as he's been feeling like he's fatiguing on longer courses and he's having to hold back. I gave him a simple drill that a lot of my athletes are using this time of year. It's simple and effective


-Farmers Carry for Grip Strength-


It's moments like these that truly validate the expertise and knowledge I bring to the table. To know that I can help elite athletes like him overcome challenges and perform at their best is beyond rewarding. Watch out for our Squamish-based riders at this year's World Cup Downhill series – they're going to be climbing the leaderboard.


So, why am I sharing all this with you? Well, because I want you to know that when you choose me as your online coach, you're not just getting a trainer – you're getting someone who understands where you're coming from. . Whether you're aiming for podium finishes or simply looking to level up your skills and endurance, I've got your back every step of the way.


If you are interested in getting started, please note that I can now only take on a small number of new athletes per month. So if you're planning to get going in the future, contact me and we can get a start date set up.


Until next time, keep shredding and keep smiling!



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Remarkable timing on this Alex. During this week's work I was thinking "man, my grip strength holds me back from heavier loads"... did I say it was during the Farmer's Carry? Question answered! Thanks reading my mind.

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