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Aidan has been a featured contributor to articles in Bicycling Magazine, National Geographic, and a variety of publications. He is also a regularly featured panelist/speaker regarding training techniques, nutrition, and coaching for endurance athletes and youth development in the sport of cycling.Aidan is a 2006 Graduate of Mary Washington University, with a B.S. in Biology with concentrations in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. He is an active category one road cyclist, a former Under-23 USA Cycling National Team member, and he raced professionally for the Nerac Cycling Team. Aidan enjoys helping all levels of athletes, from the beginner to the professional level, in a variety of endurance sports, including cycling, triathlon, duathlon, running, and rowing.Additionally, Aidan is the founder of the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program, and he continues to serve as an advisory council and board member for the non-profit which provides youth across the state of Connecticut access to the sport of cycling. He is the recipient of Hartford Business Journal’s 2015 40 Under 40 award and the 2013 MCSAAC Harry E. Burr Award.Email this coach","_id":"acfd3e1"},{"tab_title":"Ben Wolfe","tab_content":"Ben Wolfe is a certified USA Cycling Coach and has been a CCNS athlete since he first started cycling. Since then, he has competed at both a National and International Professional level of racing over the last 10 years, racing for teams such as California Giant p/b Specialized, USA U23 National Team, Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis, Hincapie Racing p/b BMC, Best Buddies Racing Team, and American Cycling Team. Besides over 40 race victories in cycling events throughout the country, Ben’s top results include a USPRO Team Time Trial Championship Title, Top-10 in the USPRO National Championship TT, and two top-10 placings in the U23 National TT Championships – including a 3rd place finish in 2014. Coach Ben has spent seasons in Europe and competed in World-tour level races such as the Tour of California (2x) and Tour of Utah (2x). He was also the first alternate for the UCI U23 World Championships in 2014 and 2015.Coach Ben’s extensive racing experience and genuine approachability help him connect with athletes, understand their physical and mental challenges, and provide the keen advice they need to reach new levels of success in their training and racing. Ben is full of enthusiasm and is currently accepting athletes.Email this coach","_id":"59b6501"},{"tab_title":"Hunter Pronovost","tab_content":"HUNTER PRONOVOST is a highly experienced coach at CCNS, where he has been working full-time for the past eight years. He is also the provider of physiological tests for CCNS, with few others in the Northeast having administered and studied as many performance tests as Hunter. With hundreds of tests under his belt, Coach Hunter has unique insight into what makes athletes faster. Witnessing the improvements that CCNS athletes make gives him an incredible sense of satisfaction and drives him to continually improve his coaching skills. Hunter believes that with the right training and guidance, anyone can achieve their goals and reach their full potential as an athlete.Hunter has been a competitive cyclist since his teenage years, winning his first championship at the age of 16 when he unexpectedly won a NEBRA junior road racing championship. He has since competed at the Pro/Amateur level in road, cyclocross, gravel, and XC mountain bike for nearly 20 years, demonstrating remarkable consistency and longevity. Hunter has won multiple age-group titles in road, cyclocross, and XC mountain biking, racing at the Category 1/2 level and achieving a top-20 finish at the Rasputitsa Gravel Grinder. He is a Level 3 USA Cycling Coach and continues to race in 25-35 events per year.In addition to his cycling expertise, Hunter is also a top-ten finisher at the 2000 North American Orienteering Championships. This experience allows him to guide and support athletes in a diverse range of endurance sports. He is currently the coach of the CCAP Hamden/Cheshire Rail Trailers youth road and cyclocross teams and an active promoter of cyclocross races in the state. Hunter has also led numerous clinics for both experienced and beginner riders. Handling the majority of the in-office services and testing at CCNS, Hunter is committed to providing exceptional coaching and testing services to athletes of all abilities and ages.Email this coach","_id":"1161b7f"},{"tab_title":"Vivien Rindisbacher","tab_content":"Vivien Rindisbacher has deep roots in cycling. With relatives of European descent and an Uncle who was a World Champion, cycling has always been a family affair. He started racing at the age of 14, through a local club and has been an elite level cyclist ever since. Along the way, he has spent time racing for National Team Programs, along with a year at the professional level with H&R Block Pro Cycling. After a year off the bike, Vivien has rebuilt his focus around the development of cycling in the Northeast, as director of the New England Development’s Elite U23 team. Now in school at Boston University, pursuing a B.S. in Human Physiology, his racing experience and academic interest bring a professional level of expertise to CCNS clients.Email this coach","_id":"ae4290f"},{"tab_title":"Owen Wright","tab_content":"Coach Owen Wright embraced cycling in 2017, following his collegiate running career at St. Olaf College, MN. His love for road racing quickly blossomed, leading to significant achievements, including winning the overall classification at the Green Mountain Stage Race and the Queen stage atop Appalachian Gap in 2023. His victories extend to the Pacific Northwest, claiming GC and stage wins at events like the Baker City Cycling Classic and Tour de Bloom. Alongside competing, Owen dedicates himself to coaching, and in 2024, he will race for the CS Velo Racing Domestic Elite team while being a proud CCNS athlete.His athletic journey isn't confined to cycling. Owen remains an active runner, participating in trail races and triathlons across varied terrains from Colorado to Alaska, with a notable marathon personal best of 2:35:18 at the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon and a half-Ironman personal best of 4:03:03 at the 2023 Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells.Owen's diverse sports background underlines his coaching philosophy. He emphasizes mastering fundamentals and believes in steady, incremental progress, a testament to his athletic evolution. 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His return to competitive racing, fueled by the support and guidance of CCNS coaches, was nothing short of remarkable. As a CCNS athlete, he experienced firsthand the transformative power of dedicated coaching and community support.Now, Coach Bill is committed to paying forward the guidance he received. His coaching philosophy is anchored in the belief that it's never too late for a new beginning or to rediscover a lost passion. He is dedicated to helping his athletes realize their untapped potential, not just in cycling but in all life's facets. His personal journey from a promising young cyclist to overcoming adversity and returning to the sport he loves is a testament to the power of perseverance and the never-say-die attitude he instills in his athletes.","_id":"bc9ed13"},{"tab_title":"Matan Sopher","tab_content":"Matan Sopher has been immersed in endurance sports since a young age. He began racing triathlons early on, finding success in the sport and competing nationally. 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He has since raced at the UCI level and gathered podiums at races across the country, all while growing holistically as an athlete.He currently resides in Tucson, AZ, pursuing a degree in psychology at the University of Arizona while balancing racing for the school cycling team and the domestic elite team, Landis/Trek Cycling Team.Matan's combination of approachability, athletic insight, and a steadfast growth mindset positions him uniquely to help athletes of various levels achieve their goals.","_id":"d1aa10c"},{"tab_title":"Nick Lando","tab_content":"Nick Lando is a USA Cycling-certified coach whose coaching philosophy blends modern science and physiology with firsthand racing experience. Nick is a true jack-of-all-trades cyclist, having competed at a high level in disciplines ranging from BMX to road and everything in between. 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Wright\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBill Strebel\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatan Sopher\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNick Lando\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAidan Charles\n\t\t\t\t\tAidan Charles is the owner and Head Coach of Charles Coaching & Nutrition Services. Aidan regularly works with athletes and his fellow coaches to help support endurance athletes of all levels achieve their goals. Aidan has coached athletes ranging in age from 14 to 75 years old to numerous athletic accomplishments, including multiple world championship titles, over ten national championship titles, and Race Across America event records. In addition to being the coach of the Yale Cycling Team, he has consulted with various collegiate athletic programs (including Mary Washington, Yale, and Wesleyan Universities) on training program periodization and methodology. Aidan has been a featured contributor to articles in Bicycling Magazine, National Geographic, and a variety of publications. He is also a regularly featured panelist/speaker regarding training techniques, nutrition, and coaching for endurance athletes and youth development in the sport of cycling.Aidan is a 2006 Graduate of Mary Washington University, with a B.S. in Biology with concentrations in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. He is an active category one road cyclist, a former Under-23 USA Cycling National Team member, and he raced professionally for the Nerac Cycling Team. Aidan enjoys helping all levels of athletes, from the beginner to the professional level, in a variety of endurance sports, including cycling, triathlon, duathlon, running, and rowing.Additionally, Aidan is the founder of the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program, and he continues to serve as an advisory council and board member for the non-profit which provides youth across the state of Connecticut access to the sport of cycling. He is the recipient of Hartford Business Journal’s 2015 40 Under 40 award and the 2013 MCSAAC Harry E. Burr Award.Email this coach\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBen Wolfe\n\t\t\t\t\tBen Wolfe is a certified USA Cycling Coach and has been a CCNS athlete since he first started cycling. Since then, he has competed at both a National and International Professional level of racing over the last 10 years, racing for teams such as California Giant p/b Specialized, USA U23 National Team, Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis, Hincapie Racing p/b BMC, Best Buddies Racing Team, and American Cycling Team. Besides over 40 race victories in cycling events throughout the country, Ben’s top results include a USPRO Team Time Trial Championship Title, Top-10 in the USPRO National Championship TT, and two top-10 placings in the U23 National TT Championships – including a 3rd place finish in 2014. Coach Ben has spent seasons in Europe and competed in World-tour level races such as the Tour of California (2x) and Tour of Utah (2x). He was also the first alternate for the UCI U23 World Championships in 2014 and 2015.Coach Ben’s extensive racing experience and genuine approachability help him connect with athletes, understand their physical and mental challenges, and provide the keen advice they need to reach new levels of success in their training and racing. Ben is full of enthusiasm and is currently accepting athletes.Email this coach\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHunter Pronovost\n\t\t\t\t\tHUNTER PRONOVOST is a highly experienced coach at CCNS, where he has been working full-time for the past eight years. He is also the provider of physiological tests for CCNS, with few others in the Northeast having administered and studied as many performance tests as Hunter. With hundreds of tests under his belt, Coach Hunter has unique insight into what makes athletes faster. Witnessing the improvements that CCNS athletes make gives him an incredible sense of satisfaction and drives him to continually improve his coaching skills. Hunter believes that with the right training and guidance, anyone can achieve their goals and reach their full potential as an athlete.Hunter has been a competitive cyclist since his teenage years, winning his first championship at the age of 16 when he unexpectedly won a NEBRA junior road racing championship. He has since competed at the Pro/Amateur level in road, cyclocross, gravel, and XC mountain bike for nearly 20 years, demonstrating remarkable consistency and longevity. Hunter has won multiple age-group titles in road, cyclocross, and XC mountain biking, racing at the Category 1/2 level and achieving a top-20 finish at the Rasputitsa Gravel Grinder. He is a Level 3 USA Cycling Coach and continues to race in 25-35 events per year.In addition to his cycling expertise, Hunter is also a top-ten finisher at the 2000 North American Orienteering Championships. This experience allows him to guide and support athletes in a diverse range of endurance sports. He is currently the coach of the CCAP Hamden/Cheshire Rail Trailers youth road and cyclocross teams and an active promoter of cyclocross races in the state. Hunter has also led numerous clinics for both experienced and beginner riders. Handling the majority of the in-office services and testing at CCNS, Hunter is committed to providing exceptional coaching and testing services to athletes of all abilities and ages.Email this coach\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVivien Rindisbacher\n\t\t\t\t\tVivien Rindisbacher has deep roots in cycling. With relatives of European descent and an Uncle who was a World Champion, cycling has always been a family affair. He started racing at the age of 14, through a local club and has been an elite level cyclist ever since. Along the way, he has spent time racing for National Team Programs, along with a year at the professional level with H&R Block Pro Cycling. After a year off the bike, Vivien has rebuilt his focus around the development of cycling in the Northeast, as director of the New England Development’s Elite U23 team. Now in school at Boston University, pursuing a B.S. in Human Physiology, his racing experience and academic interest bring a professional level of expertise to CCNS clients.Email this coach\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOwen Wright\n\t\t\t\t\tCoach Owen Wright embraced cycling in 2017, following his collegiate running career at St. Olaf College, MN. His love for road racing quickly blossomed, leading to significant achievements, including winning the overall classification at the Green Mountain Stage Race and the Queen stage atop Appalachian Gap in 2023. His victories extend to the Pacific Northwest, claiming GC and stage wins at events like the Baker City Cycling Classic and Tour de Bloom. Alongside competing, Owen dedicates himself to coaching, and in 2024, he will race for the CS Velo Racing Domestic Elite team while being a proud CCNS athlete.His athletic journey isn’t confined to cycling. Owen remains an active runner, participating in trail races and triathlons across varied terrains from Colorado to Alaska, with a notable marathon personal best of 2:35:18 at the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon and a half-Ironman personal best of 4:03:03 at the 2023 Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells.Owen’s diverse sports background underlines his coaching philosophy. He emphasizes mastering fundamentals and believes in steady, incremental progress, a testament to his athletic evolution. As a CCNS athlete, Owen uniquely blends his personal experiences with a professional approach, aiming to ignite a similar passion for endurance sports in his clients.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBill Strebel\n\t\t\t\t\tCertified USA Cycling Coach Bill Strebel’s journey with cycling spans over three decades, marked by both early success and resilient comebacks. Starting his cycling career in 1985 at 14, initially to augment his alpine skiing training, Bill quickly ascended the junior ranks, achieving a category 2 classification in his first senior year. He rode for the regional team Douglas Auctioneers/Yankee Candle, demonstrating early his passion and talent for the sport. However, a significant back injury at 23 necessitated surgery, leading to what he believed was the end of his cycling career.Years later, in 2020, after overcoming numerous personal challenges, Bill rediscovered his love for cycling. His return to competitive racing, fueled by the support and guidance of CCNS coaches, was nothing short of remarkable. As a CCNS athlete, he experienced firsthand the transformative power of dedicated coaching and community support.Now, Coach Bill is committed to paying forward the guidance he received. His coaching philosophy is anchored in the belief that it’s never too late for a new beginning or to rediscover a lost passion. He is dedicated to helping his athletes realize their untapped potential, not just in cycling but in all life’s facets. His personal journey from a promising young cyclist to overcoming adversity and returning to the sport he loves is a testament to the power of perseverance and the never-say-die attitude he instills in his athletes.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMatan Sopher\n\t\t\t\t\tMatan Sopher has been immersed in endurance sports since a young age. He began racing triathlons early on, finding success in the sport and competing nationally. He ran at a varsity level for three years throughout high school, helping his team toward a county title. Despite his love of running, recurring injuries forced him to change gears.An endurance junkie at heart, his intense desire to constantly push himself drove him toward cycling. In 2021, he began working with CCNS, where the value of structured training and the benefits of working with a professional cycling coach became all too clear. He has since raced at the UCI level and gathered podiums at races across the country, all while growing holistically as an athlete.He currently resides in Tucson, AZ, pursuing a degree in psychology at the University of Arizona while balancing racing for the school cycling team and the domestic elite team, Landis/Trek Cycling Team.Matan’s combination of approachability, athletic insight, and a steadfast growth mindset positions him uniquely to help athletes of various levels achieve their goals.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNick Lando\n\t\t\t\t\tNick Lando is a USA Cycling-certified coach whose coaching philosophy blends modern science and physiology with firsthand racing experience. Nick is a true jack-of-all-trades cyclist, having competed at a high level in disciplines ranging from BMX to road and everything in between. For the last 10 years, Nick has been racing XC mountain bikes and cyclocross professionally for teams such as UVM Cycling, Bear Pro Team, US U23 National Team, and Competitive Edge Racing.Along with Nick’s numerous UCI elite podium finishes, Nick’s most proud cycling accomplishments include a 2018 Individual Omnium Mountain Bike National Championship, a 2019 Canada Cup XCO win, and being selected to represent Team USA in several World Cups in both XCO and CX.In addition to his cycling experience, Nick brings excellent people skills to the table. His ability to break down and explain complex topics in a simple and easy-to-understand way helps to make him one of the most approachable coaches around. Nick is very good at figuring out an athlete’s motivation and helping them stay consistent with all aspects of their training, from conditioning to bike skills and the little things in between.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t"}]}](https://www.charlescoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/img-Ben-Wolfe-CCNS-R1-806x1024.jpg)
Follow the line of helmets in a Connecticut pace line and you will see one blip, a data point well above the others. Behold the feature of this week’s coaches highlight, “Big” Ben Wolfe.
A gentle giant who spent 15 years racing internationally. Ben is a mentor to many of the CCAP riders and coaches as well as a friend to the New England cycling community. Born and raised to working-class parents in Old Lyme, Connecticut, Ben viewed bikes mainly as a way to get to a friend’s house, the beach, and places in between. He could be found on the soccer pitch in the fall, ski mountains in the winter, and baseball diamond in the spring. Cycling as a sport seemed a distant thought. During his middle school years, Ben started to ride a mountain bike to school. An after-school bike club got him out of doing homework and into exploration and friendly battles with his classmates on trails. Courtney Harris, Ben’s seventh-grade science teacher, pressed Ben to try the Winding Trails Mountain Bike Race.
He finished second. Cycling immediately became an obsession.
The following year, at age 15, he boarded a steel-frame road bike with downtube shifters for his debut in road racing on a challenging course in Stonington, Connecticut. He finished third in his age group and won $20. He went all in. Ben pushed through school to graduate early so he could train in Southern California from his grandmother’s home to prepare for Battenkill, a junior national team selection race. This would be the first of many winters away from home.
After winning the Tour of Battenkill, Ben packed off for Europe. Dropped from most races, barely finishing in the grupetto, Ben came home shattered…but not defeated.
Aidan Charles convinced this raging bull to employ a power meter to refine his training for the 2012 season. Working and training under the CCNS way, it all came together for Ben. Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team noted his results and gave Ben a chance to turn pro. He couldn’t believe it, he had a chance to turn professional as a teenager. Before he could sign the contract, however, Ben broke his pelvis in a crash. Luckily, the team believed in him. On a career that spanned 2013 through 2021, Ben enjoyed triumphs, endured hardships, and overcame setbacks and injuries. Like an accomplished studio musician, Ben contributed to countless wins for his teams. Insiders came to recognize Ben’s self-less style of riding. He earned spots on Team USA for several campaigns abroad, served as an alternate on UCI World Championship teams, posted podium results at national championships, and earned a USA Cycling pro-national title, and two Most Courageous jerseys as the Amgen Tour of California.
For Ben, the lessons learned in sport – be it logistics, travel, nutrition, planning, or racing – translate to real life. His attention to detail, incredible depth of experience in racing, and turning power into speed are leavened with a light-hearted manner make him a cornerstone CCNS coach and an unparalleled mentor for the young riders in the CCAP.
CCNS: You’ve been a CCNS coach since you were 18 and throughout your whole racing career. What brought you into the CCNS Family?
Ben: It really all started back in 2009, I found CCNS and Aidan. When I graduated from High School early, Aidan really helped me reach my goal for that spring of winning Battenkill and going to Europe with the National Team. In the fall of 2011, I started working for Aidan at the office, helping out with things and it grew from there. Over my whole racing career, Aidan always kept me on as a coach and kept me involved in the community. I honestly don’t know where I would be without CCNS and Aidan’s guidance throughout it all.
CCNS: Sounds like the CCNS kool-aid is a good one! What is your favorite part of working with athletes?
Ben: There is so much I love about being a coach. Cycling is a difficult sport and being able to pass on my tricks and tips in both training and racing, but also lifestyle to help athletes jump through the learning curve as quickly as possible to achieve their goals is probably my favorite part. I have found a lot of aspects of cycling, and sport in general, translate into day-to-day real life. We often try to compartmentalize aspects of our life, but in reality, it all goes hand in hand and the process practiced in training transcends to all aspects of our life. Just like in training, balance is key to happiness and happy riders go faster!
CCNS: What about your training and racing? What keeps you motivated and getting out the door? We know you tried to retire from racing, but that didn’t last too long!
Ben: Ha! Yeah. I guess I can’t stay away. Cycling has always been a focal point in my life. As the saying goes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. For me, training and racing help give me focus and structure on a daily basis. It’s the one thing I know I can control. It’s a type of meditation for me. My goals in racing have changed though, I go to races to help others, whether that’s delivering teammates to results or helping CCNS athletes, my reason to race is to be a resource to learn racecraft from.
CCNS: We love that! Any other words of wisdom for athletes?
Ben: Be patient. I have done over 1000 races and events, and every single one I learn something new. Focus on being consistent, and controlling the controllable (ie, your training, the way you ride an event) and soak in the little wins along the way.
CCNS: Thanks, Ben! Now a few “rapid-fire” questions for you…
- What would 10-year-old you think about the current you? I still feel like a 10-year-old! I don’t think I could have even imagined where the last 18 years would have taken me. I just took every opportunity presented to me and gave it my best. I think the younger Ben would be proud.
- Favorite food? Burgers and fries.
- Non-cycling hobby? Long Hikes, and being in nature. Nature is Neat!
- Favorite Music? I’ve been playing a lot of country music recently, but it changes on a weekly basis.
CCNS: Thanks, Ben! It’s been fun to watch your development over the last decade. We can’t wait to see where it goes!
If you have any more questions for Coach Ben (like that time he beat Peter Sagan in a wheelie contest), just shoot him an email here.
