The Coach
“When I am asked to share my coaching philosophy, more often than not I just say tough love without the love” - Coach Ed Veal
About the coach
Ed Veal is a Canadian cyclist who continues to represented Canada at highest level all over the world. Ed has been a Canadian national team member since 2011 when he attended the Pan-Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico winning, gold, silver and two bronze medals while also breaking the Canadian individual pursuit record with his tandem partner Daniel Chalifour on the tandem. After that incredible experience Ed was compelled to train specifically for track cycling and tried out for the Canadian Men’s Track Endurance Program in preparation for the Toronto 2015 Pan-Am games. Ed made that team at 37 years of age and quickly got to work with his 5 team pursuit team mates so that together they could meet the selection criteria for the Commonwealth games being held in Glasgow, Scotland in 2014.
How did you get into cycling?
It wasn’t by choice. I had a relentless neighbour who was adamant that I needed to go mountain biking with him. After continuous offers and always letting him down uninterested, I finally gave in and joined him at a local trail head for a weekly race series on his wife’s mountain bike wearing a hockey helmet. Luckily when we got there the race organizer saved me from embarrassment and had an extra helmet for me to borrow. From the very first pedal stroke I was absolutely in love with the speed and being on the verge of death navigating through the trees going way to fast for my skill level both up and down steep pitches. I thanked him profusely and I continue to be thankful everyday for the introduction to this incredible sport.
How did you become a coach?
Once again it wasn’t by choice. After working my way up to pro-elite mountain biking I was told to get faster on a mountain biking that I needed to train on the road. When I moved to the road bike I fell in love. There was no going back. After a few years of playing hard in the forest I went all-in on the road and really started to become a student of the sport. Everything I did on the bike was to find more speed, up hill, down hill and improving my sprint. It was all about trying to win bike races. As I got faster people started to take notice and ask questions about my training. Local average joe, dad with a full-time job, was now climbing the ranks as a Cat 1 road racer. Getting attention and having people ask for tips or advice was one thing but it was an absolute shock when that first person asked me if I could help them. If I could take them on and possibly coach them. It kind of just happened, I didn’t see it coming in anyway but WOW once again am I thankful as it is so what I was meant to do.
Why did you become a coach?
Is is hard to put into words but I’ll try my best. The sport of cycling has changed my life. It showed up when I needed it the most and it provides me with an outlet, purpose and it continues to push and challenge me everyday. I want to share my passion for the sport. The amount of time and effort I have put into sport and continue to put into sport is enormous but I truly believe it is giving me back more than I have ever put in. Everyday I follow a habitual routine that serves me so well and it is a system that I can teach. It is tried and true and has evolved from getting to train with, work with and live with some of the worlds most talented and dedicated athletes and our coaching staff. This continues to work for me today and works for the many athletes I have been privileged to guide the past 10 plus years I have been coaching. With so many things out of our control in this world, I like to teach that your daily routine is very much yours to refine and take full ownership of. If you build it to serve you correctly there is no reason why you or anyone else cannot reach the highest levels in sport or anything else in your life for that matter. It is extremely rewarding to share everything I have learned so far while always learning from the high performing people I surround myself with. This is why I am so selective with who I decide to work with.
More to come…
What is it like to be coached by you?
What is the RealDeal training system all about?
What is your proudest coaching moment?
What is your proudest athletic achievement?
Do I have to ride my bike 7 days a week?
