Taylor leaving the country
New Zealand's biggest cycling coaching company announced today that their head coach, and business co-founder Amy Taylor is leaving New Zealand. Taylor, 30 has decided to take the opportunity to work and travel in the UK.
"When I left University [after a lifetime of studying] I started Kinetic Edge with Peter McLeay. I did a short stint of travel in 2005, and that didn't quench my thirst for it. I want more! Under the UK's Youth Mobility scheme you can work and travel for two years but you have apply before 31. It's always been something I was intending to do, and then woowha, I'm nearly 31, how did that happen?! So it's time to take the plunge and go for it."
Taylor will still be involved in the highly successful coaching business, but will no longer take a day to day role.
"We have an amazing team with Peter McLeay, Aaron Strong, Ali Kimber-Bate, and Richard Speer to take the helm, and we will keep getting stronger and stronger."
Kinetic Edge have coached New Zealand representatives but many deals with recreational and club riders, and is the coaching provider for the nationwide Avanti Plus chain.
"We have worked hard to ensure we provide the best service possible for our athletes. This isn't just a sideline for our own riding, but our full time profession, and with it, it must be of a high standard," says perfectionist Taylor.
Kinetic Edge have a very systematic way of helping their athletes, always striving for more innovative ways. They are one of the few companies in New Zealand that provide coaching support for riders with power meters.
"Power is definitely the best way to train. It provides the most accurate measure of workload, or intensity, and we thoroughly analysis every file, every week for our power athletes."
"Power used to be just a professional tool for pro riders but now more and more people have it at recreational, club, or national level, which is great. The main problem though is that most people don't know how to interpret the masses amount of information that comes with it, so this is what we specialize in."
Taylor is the author of the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Guide released last November at the Taupo event, and was cycling coach of the year in 2007. She credits her success and the success of Kinetic Edge to the team environment.
"Every successful person is surrounded by a team, and as a coach that is no different. When athletes come to us they are coached by all of us, not just one person. One person certainly takes the lead role, but we share our knowledge of each athlete, and aim to use all of our combined 60 years experience, and education to maximise the potential of every athlete we deal with. I see it as the best way to achieve results. No one can do it alone."
"While it isn't the best timing to hit the UK with the recession, I have to do it now, or I never will! I always tell my athletes that to improve their performance they need to get out of their comfort zone, so now it is time to practise what I preach! I am looking forward to getting out there, and learning new things that I can bring to Kinetic Edge when I return, be it in two months, two years or more."