Master Every Aspect of Climbing Performance
Stop climbing the way you've always climbed.
At CINCH Tour de Form: Climbing Camp, we're teaching you the cutting-edge techniques and strategies that top riders use to dominate on climbs. They say immersion is the fastest and most natural way to learn a new skill, so I am going to bring you to my climbing stomping grounds to teach you everything I know to improve your climbing. The best part of this camp is you will be one of the first to experience my new TTM (To The Moon) coaching methodology and practice the concepts on the climbs that inspired them.
Camp runs during Tour de France week and every day aligns with a TdF stage and a high level climbing concept. Each morning we ride. Each afternoon we watch the race together. And each day I'll break down what the pros are doing on those climbs and connect it directly to what you just practiced on the bike. Get ready to watch the race, hear my commentary, and get fired up.
What You'll Learn
Overall Climbing Concepts
How to categorize a climb. How to plan your effort based on the category. How to ride steep climbs vs. gradual climbs. How to climb with others. How to ride switchbacks. How to stand on climbs effectively. How to choose the right gearing while climbing. How to be comfortable while climbing. How to optimize your bike and equipment for climbing.
The Science of Your Power
Understand the new metrics that measure your performance in VO2, threshold, and endurance. Track exactly where you stand and how to improve.
The Technique That Changes Everything
The new pedaling technique that increases your power. How to anchor on the bike to create more leverage. How to use different cadences to optimize your climbing performance.
Power Management for Any Climb
How to sustain power over long climbs and long efforts. How to generate maximum power for shorter attacks. How to keep your power up on endurance rides.
The Breathing Game
Breathing technique for climbing that opens your chest, delivers oxygen, and lets you push harder.
The Mental Edge
Climbing mindsets and the specific ways to arrive in them when the gradient gets steep.
Bulletproof Your Body
Specific strength training exercises to prevent cramping. How to stop back, neck, and shoulder pain. How to eliminate numb hands.
The Complete System
Descending technique to increase speed and control. Create your optimal nutrition plan pre, during, and post ride.
The Result
You'll leave with a complete climbing system. Not just technique. Not just fitness. The entire game.
The Schedule
Day 1 — July 6th
Le Col de Sommerset — Explosive Climbing (PF / 5 Minute VO2)
View on Strava
We will kick the camp off with a nice easy ride around the flat terrain surrounding Niwot and then finishing with one of Tom's favorite training climbs, the Col de Sommerset, a 5-7 minute climb similar to what you would find in the ardennes classics. Here Tom will work with you on your explosive climbing technique and strategy as well as introduce his new concept of the Potency Factor.
Tom will also instruct you out on the road on:
- Technique to hit and hold high power for shorter climbs (durations of 1-8 mins)
- Breathing techniques for VO2 efforts
- Transitions in and out of the saddle to hit peak powers
- Long standing high power efforts
Day 2 — July 7th
La Vallée de Neva, Le Passage de Jamestown, Le Sentier de Cerf — Endurance Climbing (F2F / 40 min)
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The camp gets climbing with everyone's favorite climb up to the town of Jamestown. We will focus this day on medium zone climbing and Tom will introduce his new concept of the Fall to Factor. We will ride most of the day in groups of similar ability working on drills. For those who are looking for some bonus climbing you will have the option to take on the super steep Deer Trail ascent and for those who would like an easier day there will be the option to head back.
Tom will also instruct you out on the road on:
- High cadence climbing
- Pogacar pedaling technique
- Working with others in a paceline to save energy on climbs
- Eating and drinking on climbs
- How to do a lot of climbing without back and neck pain
Day 3 — July 8th
Le Super Hampe — Flagstaff (TF / 20 min Low Threshold)
View on Strava
We head right to one of Tom's favorite climbs on Day 3, Flagstaff. On this day Tom will introduce his new concept of Threshold Factor and work with you on your steep and intense climbing ability. You will have the option to summit SuperFlag or turn around halfway up. Both are great and the ride out there and back will be rolling so no matter what you do everyone will get the perfect ride in.
Tom will also instruct you out on the road on:
- Technique to hold threshold power for durations of 8-30 mins
- Breathing techniques to avoid fading as the climb goes on
- Negative split the most challenging climbs
- Surfing the terrain on the changing gradients
Day 4 — July 9th
Recovery Day Coffee Ride
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We are going to enjoy an easier day to let the hard days of work really absorb and get ready for the next days ahead. The ride will be a fun ride out on Tom's favorite bike path on the Lobo trail out to Babettes, a top pasty and coffee destination. After the ride Tom will introduce his new Performance Score in the TTM process and detail out how it can guide you to your next goals.
Day 5 — July 10th
Le Grande Ward (F2F / 60 mins)
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Next up we have the legendary climb up to Ward. This hour long climb for most will take you up to the highest point of the camp. Here the focus will be pacing yourself at your F2F and managing your nutrition during the effort. You will love this ride as the climb is just the right gradient to work on all the concepts you have learned during the week.
Day 6 — July 11th
L'Alp du Linden — Tom's Favorite (TF / 12 mins)
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On the penultimate day Tom will take you to his favorite climb, Linden! This will be a short but very challenging climb where you will be able to really practice your steep climbing and surfing the terrain techniques. This climb packs every high performance climbing challenge possible but is short enough where you can really give it your all and not worry about getting in trouble as the day is short and the climb has lots of sections to regroup and reset.
Day 7 — July 12th
Le Champ de Old Stage (TF / 8 min efforts)
View on Strava
For the final day we put together a fun mix of rolling terrain with three short climbs. The goal here is to really ride together as a group for the rolling sections and then have some fun practicing our Potency Factor zones and techniques on the short climbs. This will be a celebration of all the hard work you have done during the week and the goal is really to have fun.
Cost: $1,650
Includes:
- Arrival and farewell dinner
- Post-ride lunches
- Daily ride sag support
- On-bike nutrition
- In depth, detailed, and personal coaching from Tom Danielson during and post ride
Base Camp
Niwot, Colorado. Ten minutes north of Boulder. Our HQ is Niwot Wheel House, a cyclist owned bar, restaurant, and bike shop. Watch parties, meals, and evening hangs all happen here. Accommodations at Niwot Inn and Spa — book directly with Carissa at info@niwotinn.com. Hotels in Boulder, Gunbarrel, and Longmont work too.
Questions? Email kourtney@cinchcycling.com
