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 seasoned Canadian cyclist who has represented Canada at the highest levels of international competition for over a decade. A member of the Canadian National Team since 2011, Ed’s career is marked by remarkable achievements, including competing at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he earned gold, silver, and two bronze medals. He also set a Canadian record in the individual pursuit alongside his tandem partner, Daniel Chalifour.

That pivotal experience ignited Ed’s passion for track cycling, leading him to focus on the discipline and pursue a spot on the Canadian Men’s Track Endurance Program in preparation for the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. At the age of 37, Ed achieved that goal and quickly integrated into a highly competitive team. Together with his teammates, he worked tirelessly to meet the selection criteria for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Today, 14 years later Ed still remains a proud member of the national team racing as a tandem pilot alongside his stoker, Lowell Taylor. They are eagerly anticipating the 2025 World Cup schedule, where they’ll continue to push the boundaries of performance and strive for new successes.

Ed’s career is a testament to his unwavering commitment, resilience, and belief that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Whether on the track or as a coach, he continues to inspire others with his experience, dedication, and mental toughness.

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?

It’s hard to put into words, but I’ll do my best. Cycling has transformed my life. It showed up at a time when I needed it most, providing me with purpose, an outlet, and a constant challenge. Every day, cycling continues to push me to grow — physically, mentally, and emotionally. I want to share that passion with others.

The time and effort I’ve dedicated to this sport are immense, but I believe the rewards have far surpassed what I’ve put in. Over the years, I’ve developed a routine that serves me well — a system I’ve fine-tuned through years of training, working alongside, and learning from some of the world’s most talented athletes and coaches.

What I’ve learned is that success in cycling (and in life) comes from owning your daily routine. With so much in the world beyond our control, this is one thing we can refine and take full ownership of. If you build a routine that serves you and aligns with your goals, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Coaching is incredibly rewarding because it allows me to pass on what I’ve learned while continuing to learn from the high-performing people around me. It’s why I’m so selective about the athletes I work with — I want to ensure that I’m working with those who are committed to growth and ready to put in the work.

What is it like to be coached by you?

Being coached by me means working with someone who’s genuinely invested in your success—whether you’re a weekend warrior, a mom/dad balancing a full-time job, or someone chasing the podium. I take a highly personalized approach with each athlete I work with. We don’t just focus on generic training plans; instead, we create a system tailored to your strengths, goals, and lifestyle. I’m all about long-term results, so my coaching is built on consistency, discipline, and strategy. But don’t mistake my thoroughness for a lack of fun. We get to work, but we also celebrate every milestone, big or small.

I’m always available for questions, and I keep communication open to ensure we’re on the same page throughout your journey. But here’s the thing: I’m not just a coach—I’m a partner in your progress. You’ll never feel alone in your goals because I’m right there with you, still very much in the game. Whether we’re breaking through a training plateaus or chasing a new race goal, we’ll do it together.

What is the RealDeal training system all about?

The RealDeal training system is about finding a balanced approach to performance and life. It’s built around consistency and smart, purposeful work that serves you—not just in cycling but in all areas of your life. I’ve honed this system over years of personal experience and training with top-tier athletes, adapting it to suit athletes of all levels. It’s about being efficient, not just working harder.

The key to RealDeal is understanding the value of every workout and why it’s important to the bigger picture. It’s structured, but flexible enough to adapt to your individual needs. The system emphasizes three main areas: performance, recovery, and mindset. Without those three in balance, your progress can plateau.

We break it down into manageable chunks that fit into your lifestyle. You won’t be overwhelmed by your training schedule, and you won’t have to sacrifice your social life or family time. This system will help you focus on building strength both on and off the bike, developing speed, and most importantly, nurturing a winning mindset.

At the end of the day, the RealDeal system is about making sure that everything you do serves your goals, helps you grow as an athlete, and most importantly, keeps you motivated to keep going.

What is your proudest coaching moment?

With 15 years of coaching experience, it's tough to pick just one proudest moment — there have been so many! But if I had to choose, it would be those instances where I’ve helped athletes juggle the demands of a busy life — work, family, and personal commitments — and still find the time and energy to train and perform.

What inspires me most are the athletes who manage to push through these challenges, finding even small windows of time to train and showing up with dedication and perseverance. When they finally cross that finish line, not just with a sense of accomplishment but with a smile of pure joy and pride, that’s what makes all the effort worthwhile.

It’s not about podiums or awards for me — it’s about seeing people push past their limits, overcome obstacles, and achieve things they never thought possible. Those moments of growth and breakthrough, when an athlete realizes their true potential, are what I’m most proud of. That’s the real victory — and it’s what makes coaching so rewarding.

What is your proudest athletic achievement?

It's hard to pinpoint just one moment, but a few stand out. I’ll never forget the feeling of winning my first Cat 1 road race at the K-W Classic. After years of hard work and being on the verge of the podium, that win was a powerful reminder of the value of persistence and patience.

Another standout achievement was earning a spot on the Canadian National Track Endurance program. The effort and focus it took to make that team was the hardest thing I’ve ever worked for. Throwing on the maple leaf and representing Canada on the world stage was an incredible sense of accomplishment, a true testament to all the hours of sacrifice and training.

But what I’m most proud of is the personal transformation that came along with those victories — the mindset shift and the understanding that success isn’t just about the result. It’s about the mental toughness to keep working toward a goal, even when it seems out of reach. That’s the real achievement for me: the growth, the process, and the ability to persevere through challenges.

Do I have to ride my bike 7 days a week?

No, not at all. Cycling is about quality over quantity, and training isn’t about riding every single day. A balanced approach is key to sustainable performance. I tailor training plans to fit your goals, schedule, and lifestyle, making sure we’re maximizing your time on the bike while also allowing your body the recovery it needs.

That said, consistency is important, but it’s also crucial that you take rest days and give your body the time it needs to adapt. The goal is to be fit, not fatigued. Whether you're training for a big event or just improving your overall fitness, you don’t need to be on the bike every day to make progress. In fact, rest is when the real work happens. I focus on keeping your training plan efficient, so you get the most out of your rides, and we prioritize recovery just as much as the hard work.