The Hamden-Cheshire Rail Trailers is a long-time CCAP team. The team rides in all three of the CCAP seasons: Mountain biking in the Spring, a road team in the summer, and cyclocross in the Autumn. We asked three of their newer assistant coaches about what it is like to coach a team. Michelle Matteo, rides MTB and CX with the team. Allen David rode as an Assistant Road Team coach for the first time in 2021. Daniel Flickinger rides MTB and CX.

What made you want to ride as a coach for the CCAP Rail Trailers?

Michelle - Our boys Adner and Reid joined CCAP this year to ride (MTB in the Spring and now CX) and it seemed like helping coach was a good fit. I can support the team and our boys in their interests, and coaching is fun! Coaching was also appealing as a way to get back into riding shape, as my riding over the 15 years was limited to pulling our 3 kids around in the bike trailer.

Dan - I've been an avid mountain biker since I was a young child, and I love sharing that with new generations. I brought my daughter into the sport when she was young too, and she's ridden with CCAP and raced for several seasons now. I started out going for rides during her team practices and helped out more and more until they convinced me to officially join as a coach.

Allen - Head Coach Hunter asked me if I would consider becoming an assistant coach. As a beginning cyclist, I was somewhat ambivalent as to what exactly I could offer. Being retired and with time on my hands, I agreed to give it a shot.

We are glad you did Allen! Did any of you have previous youth team sports coaching experience prior to riding with the CCAP?

Allen - I had no previous experience with coaching young people I did however have experience with managing 20 adults (who at times acted like children) for close to 40 years in a business run by my wife and myself.

LOL. We believe you, Allen. You are a very good example of “listen first, then speak” when you are with the kids.

Michelle - Yes, high-school soccer and track & field, and youth soccer for our boys from elementary school.

Dan - I have no previous coaching experience with any youth team sports.

Often, adults who want to coach say that they are concerned it will take too much time. How much time per week do you spend on coaching?

Michelle - Approx. 8 hours per week, but this includes the races. I travel for work quite a bit in the fall, so some weeks my time is limited to races on the weekends. Because I am one of a few assistant coaches, the team rolls on without me when I can’t make it to mid-week practices.

Dan - Typically about six hours a week, considering setting up and travel.

Allen - Time spent is 2-3 hours at most per week (for me). I live close to where we practice. I don’t go to all the races, but I was at Belltown CX and that was a lot of fun.

Is riding as a team coach difficult?

Dan - Compared to what I deal with during my day jobs, riding as a team coach isn't difficult at all. As far as technical skills are concerned, I can still keep up with aggressive teenage racers on a typical expert-level trail. So routine trail riding as a coach is well within my abilities.

Michelle - It has been a steep learning curve for CX. The most difficult parts are keeping up with the kids and learning how to use clipless pedals. That being said, it is a great learning experience and very enjoyable. I do crash sometimes, more frequently than most of the kids, you just have to laugh and pick yourself back up after!

Allen - Riding on the road with the team was not difficult for me. I enjoyed being the “Broom Wagon.” Last in line where I could see what was happening in front of me and help if needed or just offering encouragement. Riding cyclocross is a discipline where my fitness and bike skills limit my coaching to just providing encouragement. I’m pretty certain the kids appreciate that in itself.

What are some ways you are supported by the team and the CCAP?

Dan - There is a strong sense of community. Practice days and race days are a lot of fun, and everyone is helpful and supportive of everyone else. The riders are always encouraged to expand their skills, and the overall environment is relaxed, with all competitive aspects being totally friendly.

Michelle - The CCAP provides great support to coaches, including first aid/CPR training and coaching training. The other team coaches and team members have been supportive, helping me learn the sport.

What do you enjoy about riding as a coach of a youth team?

Allen - What I’ve enjoyed the most: seeing the kids outside, working hard, away from social media, laughing together, and devouring ice cream… Especially when Coach Hunter is paying!

Dan - I enjoy seeing all the riders progress in their skills. And of course, it's great to just get out and ride. I'd be out on the trail anyway, alone, but it's a lot more fun to ride with the team.

Michelle - The energy of the kids is great to be around. Positive athletic experiences are important when young, encompassing much more than just the actual skills of biking, such as good sportsmanship, support for their team members, and the joy of enjoying your sport.

Well said!
(We asked Head Coach Hunter Pronovost to chime in with a thought or two)
Hunter - It’s been phenomenal having Michelle, Allen, and Dan on the CX team. I think for anyone reading this, it shows that anyone can coach a youth team so long as they are excited about doing it. All three of these should be commended for their great attitudes. You can help coach even if you are not proficient at the discipline. Allen is a great example. He does not consider himself a ‘cross racer (YET!), but I would rather have coaches like Allen watching over the kids over experienced ‘crossers who may not bring the same willingness to help out as he has. During road season, he often helped the kids more from the very back, than I did at the front.

We thank all of you for doing just a terrific job with the Rail Trailers/RTX team. The size and success of the team speak for itself. We know that your examples will inspire others throughout Connecticut (and even beyond!)