Pioneer Turns Virtual Coach, Sally Edwards Continues To Push The Envelope

Sept. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- Those involved with triathlons in the U.S. know the name of the legendary Sally Edwards.  She is to the field of women’s triathlons what Chris Carmichael is to men’s cycling; seldom can the subject of training come up in those disciplines without these great coaches and motivators being mentioned.

Well, now over 60, you might think that Sally would slow down just a bit and smell the roses.  To the contrary, she’s still running, riding, and doing “swimmingly”.  She’s breaking new ground in power based training with Gene Nacey’s Cycling Fusion project, has just completed leading a new triathlon series for Trek and with today’s release, provides the featured coaching track for virtual cycling DVD producers Global Ride Productions.  

In the magazine Inside Triathlon, Timothy Carlson said “If you ever were reading the complete history of triathlon's 30 years, it would be hard to comprehend just how many important roles Sally Edwards has played. One of the sport's most prolific authors and inspirational speakers, she's known for her unfailing generosity and a passionate devotion to getting people off of their couches and in to a transition area.”  May, 2006 Issue

Fast forward to 2009, and you will find Sally Edwards continuing to pursue the latest technology for training cyclists and helping to re-invent indoor cycling.  The release of Climbing Sufferage in Italy is the second virtual cycling DVD in the Italy series from Global Ride.  This takes a very different approach to indoor cycling training by putting the cyclist on a stationary bike (or a regular road bike with trainer) and a DVD player positioned in front of the bike.  Position a fan or two to create outdoor type airflow, crank up the music, and you’re transported to another world for a virtual ride.

These virtual cycling DVDs are also making their way into fitness facilities and indoor cycling studios for group classes as well.  Last winter, a local TV station covered one such event in Denver as they rode in Hawaii while it the snow pounded outside… nice touch.  In the last two years, this genre of video for cycling training has exploded with a dozen new titles from just a handful of companies  

“Especially when it gets into the winter months, you need something like these virtual cycling DVDs to keep you from going crazy.  We do a lot of aerobic base building, and without the ability to “ride around the world”, we would have trouble keeping our clients coming back week after week”  Nina Wilczek, Indoor Cycling Instructor

While triathlon legend and expert Sally Edwards is the featured coach on this DVD, there are also 3 other audio tracks for coaches from the UK and New Zealand, as well as one Live Recording (at an indoor cycling studio).  One can only wonder what the next project Sally Edwards will find to extend her legacy yet again.

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Global Ride Productions produces virtual cycling training DVDs for both the home and group indoor cycling or Spinning® environment. The company based out of Global Ride Training Center in Lower Burrell, PA. The indoor cycling studio boasts two digital projectors and two 11 foot screens to provide a perfect test environment for the video footage shot all over the world from Global Ride’s filming crew.

The Sally Edwards Company is dedicated to uncommonly vibrant lifestyles. Sally is a world-class and professional athlete, best-selling author, and inspirational speaker, Sally is the CEO of Heart Zones, USA, a training, education, health club programming, and coaching company. She is the National Spokeswoman for the Trek Women Triathlon Series™ volunteering to finish last in each of the 8 races in 2009 so that no other woman has to. This 61-year old motivational speaker gets audiences to jump to their feet with their hearts pumping with laughter and energy.