"If its Boring your doing it right"
Being up north for some time this winter meant it was time for cold training. Luckily my time home came during a major warm spell. With...
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About
My name is Malcolm Barton. I am 25 years old and am an elite XC Mtb and cyclocross racer from Uxbridge Ontario. I have been racing bikes at the highest level for over 10 years. As a kinesiology graduate from UWO, my academic background in exercise science paired with my expertise from years of racing equip me to help you achieve your fitness goals, whatever they may be!
Coaching
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Platinum - Coaching
Provides an in-depth personalized training program to help you achieve your highest level of performance! Daily contact with the coach, ride analysis, strength training, race day nutrition plan and feedback. Weekly phone call. Limited to 4 athletes at any given time. 225 per month, 175 for U23 and youth athletes.
The Executive Package
Looking to get the absolute most out of your performance? The Executive coaching package is for you. Our most in depth package for those who are leaving nothing to chance. Contact for pricing and details.
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Daily Training Analysis
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Daily Training Call
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Daily Nutrition Plan to Support Training and Goals
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50% off all branded gear
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Discount on all sponsored equipment
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50% off on training camps
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50% off on in-person coaching
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Limited to 3 athletes at any given time
Travel Insurance For Mountain Biking
Summer is upon us and lots of us cyclists are taking time to enjoy riding both in and outside of Canada. I wanted to take a quick moment to share some information I have learned about what you need to be adequately covered to ride your mountain bike outside of Canada in terms of emergency medical insurance.
I have travelled for years with numerous travel insurance companies and have recently learned that I may not have been covered while training and racing when I thought that I was!
Common Exclusions
Downhill MTB
While most of us may not be gravity athletes, insurance companies' view of mountain biking is far different from what many athletes view their discipline as. Downhill MTB exclusions are for riding “down mountain trails or rough mountain terrain (whether as part of a race or not) and often features jumps, drops, rock gardens or other obstacles.”
You will agree this definition of riding is very standard for all forms of mountain biking and can leave you with medical bills if you were to be injured while outside of Canada.
Professional sport & event exclusions
Most insurance policies have exclusions in place for “professional-level sports and or professional athletes competing and practicing their sport,” as well as exclusions “for competitions with cash prizes.” If you compete in a MTB stage race, gravel event, or UCI-level competition (all of which have cash prizes) you can be refused coverage in the event of injury whether you are professional or not.
From experience, every credit card and group travel insurance plan will not cover athletes or MTB enthusiasts to train and or race out of the country. While some are willing to take this risk, it is important to remember that the USA has the highest cost of health care in the world, with the average cost of a bed for the night reaching nearly $10,000. To see if your policy has you covered you should review the "exclusions" portion of your policy. If you have further questions feel free to reach out for assistance!
TuGo travel insurance is one of the few that offers a high-risk sports and activity rider! The cost of this ranges from $80 (1 week cycling trip) to $300 (unlimited days on the bike throughout the year). If you are someone who travels more than once a year for cycling, a multi-trip full year of coverage will be your best value. You can select trip durations all the way up to 60 days and are able to travel as much
as you would like over that year-long period.
If you are planning a trip with your family/friends, group rates are available for individual trips.
Feel free to email me with any questions or check out the link below to get an instant quote.
https://shop.tugo.com/store/IAJ18754
If you are someone who takes part in numerous outdoor adventure activities be sure to select them as well under the MTB coverage. Backcountry skiing/snowboarding, downhill freestyle skiing and snowboarding, ice climbing, rock climbing, and mountaineering up to 6000m) can all be added to your coverage for no additional fee as long as you remember to select them!
Training Plan Optimization
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Built your own training program but want it looked over to ensure all your hard work will have you flying on Race Day? Book a meeting to go over your goals and program to ensure you are on the right track!
$50 per hour, 1-hour minimum
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WheelHaus
Best bicycle repair shop in the GTA period. To schedule an appointment contact wheelhausbrooklin@gmail.com
Dr. Vi Tu Banh Optometrist
All Your Optometry Needs
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We are cutting tool specialists for the next generation of machining. We mix industry best practices with innovative solutions to provide profitable results for our customers. For more info check out their website - www.toolandcutter.com
Maxxis Tires
Maxxis' wide range of mountain bike tires covers all disciplines, race formats, and trail conditions. There's nothing better than mountain biking on Maxxis.
Archive
Training through COVID
The last 3 months have been super unique in many ways, training has been no exception. With no clear goal or target in the immediate future it is often difficult to find motivation and purpose in our days.
I have tried to use this time to address my weaknesses and do some rides that I would not usually be able to do during a race season. In doing so I have been able to maintain a high level of fitness and stay mentally fresh so that if/when races resume, I able to transition my fitness into race form relatively quick!
Weaknesses that I have focused on are strength training and descending. I have neglected the strength side of training and thought this was an appropriate time to ramp it back up. Descents are always able to be improved so I have been hitting the local jump lines, pushing some DH stravas, and experimenting with a dropper.
Below you can see my TSB over the last 90 day. Right when the pandemic hit I took a period of rest / easy rides to freshen up the legs and mind and give myself the opportunity to finish up my online classes.
As motivation built, I focused my energy on logging hours and on quality sub-threshold efforts with the goal of improving my aerobic fitness. This was appropriate for two reasons. First, racing cross throughout the winter minimized my “base” season. Secondly, long rides and less intense efforts are a far more sustainable way to train as opposed to hitting max efforts. I have continued this for the last 2 months and feel my fitness and head are in a great spot.
Looking ahead, I have another week and a half of endurance / base on the plan before a week off. At this time I hope to have a clearer picture of what the season may look like. The week off will allow me to mentally unwind. It will also shed fatigue and absorb the stress, allowing me to come into the race season fresh and ready to throw down!
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