Hear From One of Our Athletes

At Topp Cycling, we believe great training is about more than just numbers on a screen. It is about understanding the athlete, building durability, and creating a system that fits real life. Tim has been racing for nearly a decade and has tried his hand at almost every discipline along the way. Since joining Topp, he has seen measurable gains in durability, power and consistency, all while balancing the demands of everyday life.

In this short interview, Tim shares how he discovered Topp Cycling, why he signed up, the features he values most, and the results he has achieved. If you are considering joining Topp, his experience offers an honest insight into what it is like to be part of the Topp Team.

Q: First off, tell us a little about yourself and your cycling background.

Cycling as a sport is something I discovered in my mid 20s. I have always been into sports and, strangely, I have done a lot of VO2 max lab tests as part of sports studies at university, so I had an early glimpse into what suffering on a bike felt like. Given all of that and my love for competing, training and science, it is a surprise it took me so long to start riding more and competing. For nearly a decade now I have been hooked on racing bikes and I have given most disciplines a go. These days I lean most towards gravel and crits.

Q: How did you first discover Topp Cycling?

Through Instagram! I was in the market for a new coach and had just moved to South Wales. The algorithm must have been working in overdrive that day, as the founder of Topp Cycling, Jake Hollins, popped up on my feed and I could tell he was riding the same roads I do. What he was developing and his approach sounded great, and obviously him being local helped too. The rest, as they say, is history.

Q: What made you sign up and what made you stick with it?

How complete the product is. I do not mean that the product was perfect at the start. What the product tries to achieve is a complete view of you as a Topp Cycling athlete. Everything is based around your capacity for work and, to determine that, it looks at a range of factors including fuelling, current training load, target events, availability and wellness. Because of this, the system and the coach know so much about where you are at, so everything you do seems to have a purpose and is achievable.

Every session is well designed too. When I coach myself, I do two hard sessions a week and the rest easy. With Topp it broadly follows that logic but often peppers in some tougher elements into the easier days, be it a few sprints or more time at fat max than I would have done previously.

Whilst using Topp I've always felt like I was making progress, and that is probably because I was.

Q: What is one feature you rely on the most, or your favourite feature?

I love the calibration tests. Having a sub maximal session that can assess your training progress every two weeks is really insightful. It also means you know what you are doing each session is just right for you. Topp does not shy away from maximal efforts over the course of a training block, but I no longer have to rely on the dreaded 20 minute test.

Q: Have you seen measurable improvements since using Topp Cycling?

Short answer, yes.

My durability has improved. I hit some massive PBs over longer power durations from 2 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, and my top end power was getting closer and closer to my all time PBs as well, which is remarkable as each prior season I had slowly been drifting away from my PBs and getting that little bit worse.

Likewise, my weight management improved. The season before using Topp I was letting my weight drift to around 85 kg, but with the help of Topp I was getting back to my race weight of around 82 kg.

Q: Have you talked to Jake one-to-one for explanations or clarity around training or nutrition?

Yes, especially with advice around racing. Both my prep for races and my execution on the day itself vastly improved. This is probably what helped me get my Cat 2 upgrade more than anything else!

Q: What has your experience been like as one of Topp Cycling’s MVP users?

Great. Sure, you bump into the odd issue here or there, but the app is constantly improving and it is fun to contribute to its development.

What really matters though is how Topp responds to my needs and goals, and in turn what it prescribes me to do. On that front it has rarely missed a beat.

Q: What would you say to someone considering becoming a Topp Cycling athlete?

Do it. If you want to put the work in, commit to your training and have fun at the same time, then this is the platform and community for you.

Q: What is next for you this season?

I am hoping to retain my Cat 2 licence and I might be able to sneak in a World Champs qualifier gravel race right at the end of the season. But I am not really putting any pressure on myself. My partner and I are expecting a child in June so my goals this season are built around that. Cycling can wait.

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Thanks Tim, for sharing your experience with us! We've loved working with you. From improved durability and power PBs, Tim's progress speaks for itself.

If you are ready to train with purpose, understand your capacity, and be part of a supportive and ambitious community, Topp Cycling could be the next step in your own journey. Create your free account today.