I lost 9kg and gained 79 watts!

Paul had always been a keen rider, but after years spent repeating the same local routes, he became bored. His motivation dipped and before he knew it, his bike had been hanging in the garage for over a year and Paul had become unfit.

Unhappy with the person he had become, Paul wanted to get back on the bike, but he needed something to train for.

 “I missed it. My fitness slipped, the scales crept up, and I needed a big goal to spark the fire again.” 

He set his sights on the legendary Maratona dles Dolomites – a 138km single-day road race through seven mountain passes in the Dolomite mountain range in Italy.

There was just one pretty major problem: Maratona dles Dolomites is regarded as one of the toughest cycling events you can do because of the gruelling climbs – and Paul had no mountains near his home in Canada to train on.

He needed a training plan that would build peak strength and stamina – mountain peaks, that is.

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Training with Njinga

Paul faced three big hurdles: finding enough time on the bike to fit training into his busy life, rebuilding his motivation after a year away from riding, and finding a way to prepare for those mountains.

He initially looked into AI coaching but found it too impersonal. Individual coaching solved that problem, but it was too expensive. Then, someone recommended Njinga.

“It felt like the perfect middle ground,” he says.

After chatting with Togo and Leigh, it just clicked for Paul. He signed up for Accelerate and immediately loved the small, supportive team vibe and the way the programme kept pushing him forward without ever overwhelming him. 

Find out more about Accelerate.

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The transformation

Once Paul committed, the progress came fast. His weight dropped by 9kg, his power numbers soared, and he rediscovered his love of cycling again.

And then came the events:

1. The Maratona dles Dolomites – conquered.
2. Multiple Dolomite climbs ticked off.
3. A PB 140km ride at the Tour de Victoria.
4. Preparing for the Whistler Forte 160 km.

 “I’m riding 300–400km a week, feeling amazing, and already dreaming about my next European challenge.”

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Rating the Njinga experience

Paul describes Accelerate in one word: terrific. What made the difference?

• The structure
• The spreadsheet! "I’m a numbers guy, so tracking progress  was tremendous."
• The motivation of receiving regular feedback and encouragement.
• Feeling part of the Njinga family, supported every step of the way despite living thousands of miles away

What’s next?

Paul’s excited about the next big challenge for 2026 and has just signed up to Accelerate 2.0.

"Njinga Cycling is truly special. Leigh and Togo are both incredible – supportive, inspiring, and genuinely lovely people. I can’t wait to sign up again. Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I only wish I lived in the UK to join the group rides in person.”

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This could be you!

Your bike may be hanging in the garage right now. Your fitness may have slipped. You may be dreaming of challenges that feel impossible from where you're sitting.

 Paul's journey shows that the gap between where you are and where you want to be isn't as wide as it seems. Sometimes you just need the right programme, the right support, and the courage to begin. 

Sign up now! Find out more about Accelerate - group coaching.

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