Vito Valentini - Cycling Coach

We would typically begin with a phone call in order to help me understand what the students' current status/experience is as well as help me understand more about the students' goals.  Once we have an idea of where the student's starting point is and where they want to get to we schedule a first meeting/ride local to Fort Lee so that I can assess their staring point.  From there we develop a plan based on the students' needs, goals, and time availability.

I have students who are new to cycling and want to develop proper bike skills and the confidence that goes along with that.  I have other students who are interested in building their fitness levels.  I have also helped students prepare for events - specifically GFNY held each May.  

I teach "cycling as a practice" with the aspiration of helping the student improve their life through their involvement in a cycling practice.

I have been teaching cycling since approximately 2006.  I have several indoor certifications - Les Mills RPM and ICG, a certification in training with power given by the Saris Cycling Group, and I have been certified as a Level 3 Cycling Coach by the USAC for more than 5 years.

During my years as in indoor cycling teacher I trained 12 of my students to become teachers all of whom certified as Les Mills RPM teachers.

I am one of the original members of GS-GFNY, the 8 person training team for a 175km cycling race - GFNY - held each May in our local area.  My focus is primarily on beginner and intermediate cyclists.

Prices for lessons typically vary based on the students' time availability, frequency, and budget.  Single lessons vary between $75 and $150 per lesson, packages of lessons are available based on the students' need.  I also offer monthly training programs and plans that supports the students' own training at home on a SMART trainer or stationary bike.

I love teaching and helping people improve their lives.  I have always been a teacher, having taught accounting part time at the college level in 1982 for two years and then again in 2018 for a year.

In 2005 I built a health club and as part of the club development I licensed a program known as Les Mills RPM.  I certified to teach in order to help develop the program.  My thought was that to be a better teacher I ought to begin riding on the road so I bought a used road bike, started riding and fell in love with the sport of cycling.  I created a cycling club as part of the health club, began leading group rides, and over the years supported the growth of 12 of my students by helping them certify to become teachers as well.

I was fortunate to be asked to become one of the original members of GS-GFNY, the training team for participants in the event, where I help train participants to be prepare for the event held each May. 

I have worked with beginner and intermediate cyclists ranging in age from approximately 8 years old to 80 years young, whose levels ranged from absolute beginner to intermediate cyclists.  I have also worked with ex pro athletes who decided to participate in cycling in order to maintain their fitness subsequent to retiring from their sport.

My event is GFNY.  Each year on the third Sunday in May 5,000 cyclists from 93 countries particpate in a 175km race that encompasses approximately 2,800 meters of climbing.  The event begins on the GWB and moves through Bergen County up to the top of Bear Mountain then heads back through Rockland County with the finish line on Hudson Terrace in Fort Lee.  

Generally speaking students ought to speak with a few teachers until they find one that they feel a connection with.  At a miminum the teacher ought to embody the student's aspiration, by which I mean they ought to consider their current goals and see if the teacher is aligned with that goal via their own experiences and teaching philosophy.  For example, when I receive inquires from potential students who are interested simply in racing at the elite level I refer them to other coaches.  That type of racing is not with my experience and although on a technical level I can teach the skills I do not embody that type of riding or lifestyle.  On other hand I firmly believe that I can help beginner and intermediate cyclists improve their skills and help them participate in challenging events along with helping them become stronger, more fit and more confident through participation in the cycling lifestyle.  

Lastly, for those who want to become healthier and more fit, you should know that I was always overweight.  At my heaviest, at approximately 30 years old, I was 270 pounds with a 50" waist.  I began running and made that a significant part of my lifestyle.  Running for the sheer joy of participation I completed many races primarly in Central Park, ran several half-marathons as well as one ultra marathon (at age 40) finishing the 50km race in approximately 5 hours 25 minutes.  As much as I loved running I love cycling even more.  In cycling I can say "let's go out for a 3 hour ride today" - not so easy to do the same with running.  

Students should ask themselves what they are interested in accomplishing through their cycling participation.  If the students is new to the sport then the questions might not come so easily and might be as simple as "I would like to learn to ride" or "I would like to become a better cyclist" - how can you help me?  It might be "I bought my first road bike, now what do I do?"  

It is important to speak with potential teachers and gauge their level of experience and enthusiasm for TEACHING.  I emphasize the word "teaching" because our local area is full of cyclists and purported coaches however cycling enthusiasm alone does not make one a good and/or effective teacher/coach.  Find out their teaching experience, find out if they have a certification or two, and ask if you might be able to speak with one of their students or former students. 

Then go with your instinct.