CycoActive - Professional Endurance Cycle Coaching
  • CycoActive Coaching
  • Your Coach
  • Pricing
  • Mallorca Guiding
  • Contact Me
  • Going Solo Blog
  • Backroads Blog
  • MarathonMTB
  • Mallorca - Sian & Mark

Saudi Arabia - A New Frontier for Cycling - Part 2

6/8/2017

2 Comments

 

Ramo Pro Cycling Training Camp

Contributing to a Cycling Revolution in Saudi Arabia

Picture

Mission Statement

To lead the current and younger generation into the future by helping to create significant changes in infrastructure and awareness in cycling in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

It is hoped that the Ramo Pro Cycling Training Camp can help to inspire Saudi's in the field of cycling, by introducing new experiences and expanding knowledge, leaving its fingerprint wherever the training camp goes. Like a pebble dropped into a lake, it is hoped the cycling message will spread from its source to other areas in Saudi and beyond.

The Company

In August 2013, ex professional Syrian Sprinter, Omar Hamad, created Ramo Pro Cycling in his hometown of Famagusta in Cyprus, with his business dealing in cycle rental and tours. Omar later developed a wish to bring cycling to schools and inspire future generations of cyclists and his desire to coach and educate has now been brought to faraway Saudi Arabia.
Picture

The Team

An international team of specialists was brought to Saudi Arabia. The team consisted of Omar Hamad (Director / Event Organiser / Head Coach); Ameer Alrimawi (Logistics Coordinator / Public Speaker / Team Motivator); Phil Welch and James Novak (Cycle Coaches); Constantinos Demosthenous (Head Mechanic) and Dr Rayan Karkadan (Health and Fitness Coach).

Standard of Equipment

Picture
With the exception of a couple of specially imported road bikes (Merida and Specialised) the majority of bikes were Trek or Performer and were mainly heavy hybrid and mountain bikes. On our first day, we were confronted with bikes with baskets, bells and horns and the majority had flat pedals, the riders flat shoes.

Level of Knowledge

Several of the riders told us they were 'pros' but it appears that the use of this word merely meant that the cyclists here rode regularly and had more advanced equipment than their peers - not that they were being paid to cycle!
Picture

Cycle Coaching

Coaching took place on the first five days and concentrated on improving bike handling, core cycling and group riding techniques by improving bike handling skills, balance and coordination, developing rider awareness of others around them, signalling and the ability to select the appropriate gearing and cadence for the chosen terrain. The riders were divided into three groups (beginner, intermediate and advanced), each group coached by a member of the Ramo team. While riding on public roads the cyclists would be led and protected by the local police and ambulance service, support cars, a mobile mechanic and recorded by a professional film crew.
Picture

Cycle Touring

Two days were devoted to Cycle Touring, where the group would ride together as a peloton, again supported and protected by a team of vehicles. Local areas and places of interest were visited, providing the opportunity for the group to socialise, drink tea and eat local specialities, sing, dance and generally enjoy the beauty of the mountain surroundings.
Picture

Strength and Conditioning

Five evenings a week, the riders would be engaged in exercises to develop their strength and conditioning for cycling. Nowadays,it is well known that cyclists need to work on their strength, particularly their core and lower body, but also their upper body strength. Cycling is a non-weight bearing activity and strength training will help build bone density while building stability and power. Stretching, understanding and experiencing how to use foam rollers and trigger- release balls for myo-facia release will help protect the riders from injury, reduce pain and increase flexibility.

Cycle Education

Evening seminars were given in the History of Cycling, Cycle Safety, Mechanics and Nutrition to help educate the riders in these four crucial areas.

The Future

Ramo Pro Cycling hopes to help increase knowledge and awareness in cycling in the Al-Bahah region and for this to spread across the country and beyond. Ramo represents an important link in the chain, driving the wheels of change and bringing knowledge and awareness to future cycling generations.
Picture
2 Comments
Brenda Taylor
4/9/2017 17:14:20

Very interesting Phil. Well done.

Reply
Mark Whitehair
8/9/2017 05:04:33

Fantastic, well done once again

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Author


    ​Level 3 Road & Time Trial Cycle Coach with British Cycling (BC) & the Association of British Cyclists (ABBC)

    National Master Wattbike Instructor


    Cycle Strength & Conditioning Coach 

    ​Cycle Trip Leader

    Sports Scientist (Honours degree in PE & Sports Science - Loughborough University)

    Postgraduate Teaching degree in PE & History (Loughborough University)


    Silver Medalist in WEMBO's World MTB 24 hour 40-44 solo at Finale Ligure, Italy, 2012 

    Silver Medalist at the Australian National MTB 24 hour 40-44 solo, 2012 & 2013

    I have completed several of the World's biggest stage races, including the Crocodile Trophy in Australia, the Mongolia Bike Challenge, the Sudety in Poland and the Andalucia Bike Race

    Categories

    All
    12 Hour Races
    Andalucia Bike Race
    Asthma
    Coaching
    Commuting
    Crocodile Trophy
    Cycle Tourism
    Diet & Exercise
    Dragon Devil
    Indoor Cycling
    LEJOG
    Majorca 312
    Mallorca
    Marathon Races / 100 Km
    Mongolia Bike Challenge
    Most Popular
    Obesity
    Passion & Goals
    Philosophy Of Life
    Port To Port
    Principles Of Training
    Prudential 100
    Ramo Pro Cycling
    Rocky Trail
    Ronde Picarde
    Sportives
    Stage Racing
    STM Chocolate Foot
    Strava
    Sudety
    Sufferfest
    Teaching
    Team Races
    Tour Of Wessex
    Training Rides
    Travel
    Ventoux
    Watt Bike / Power Training
    WEMBO / 24 Hour Races
    WSMTB



    Significant Results

    Stage Races
    • Crocodile Trophy 2013, Australia - 5th
    • Port 2 Port 2014, Australia - 4th
    • Sudety MTB Challenge 2014, Poland / Czech Republic - 15th
    • Mongolia Bike Challenge 2014 - 6th

    24 Hours
    • WEMBO World 24 hour Solo, Italy, 2012 - 2nd
    • Australian National 24 hour Solo, 2013 - 2nd
    • Australian National 24 hour Solo, 2012 - 2nd
    • Scott 24 hour Solo, 2012 - 1st
    • Sydney 24 hour, 2011    - 1st

    7 hour Enduro Series
    • Rocky Trail 7 hour Series, 2013 - 1st
    • Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2013 - 3rd
    • Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2012 - 3rd
    • Chocolate Foot STM 7 hour Series, 2011 - 1st

    12 hour Enduros
    • Sydney 12 hr, 2014 - 1st
    • Sydney 12 hr, 2013 - 1st
    • Sydney 12 hr, 2012 - 1st

    6+6 hour Enduros
    • National 6+6, 2014 - 1st
    • Sydney 6+6, 2013 -    1st
    • Sydney 6+6, 2010 -    1st

    Archives

    August 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.