From DNF to Conquering the Etape du Tour at 50+
With Njinga’s 1-1 coaching, Simon went from a RideLondon finisher to smashing PBs, completing the Etape du Tour, and tackling multi-day epics like London to Lyon - gaining over 30 watts FTP.
- +31 watts (271 → 302W), joining the 300 club
- Completed 800km charity ride from London to Lyon
- RideLondon PB: 4h15 for 100 miles (37.6 km/h avg)
- Elevate
From RideLondon to Epic Races
Simon rediscovered cycling in his 40s, with his first big goal being the RideLondon 100. At first, just completing it for charity was the aim. But as his confidence grew, so did his ambitions.
By the time he hit 50, Simon had dropped nearly 10kg and managed a sub-5-hour RideLondon in brutal weather. Next up was the Etape du Tour – 166km with 4,500m of climbing. But coached only by YouTube and an algorithm, he didn’t make the cut-off.
"That’s when I realised I needed a coach."
The Njinga Difference
Simon signed up to Elevate 1-1 coaching with Togo. Straight-talking and data-driven, Togo brought structure, insight, and accountability to Simon’s training.
- Nutrition and fuelling strategies tested and refined in training.
- Structured programmes focusing on base, strength, and speed.
- Conditioning off the bike — core strength and mobility to aid recovery.
- Coaching that helped Simon understand his body and numbers.
"Being told what not to do is sometimes more valuable than being told what to do."
The Results
Over three years, Simon’s progress was dramatic:
- RideLondon PB: 4h15 for 100 miles (37.6 km/h avg).
- Etape du Tour: Finished strong, conquering Alpe d’Huez.
- FTP gain: +31 watts (271 → 302W), joining the 300 club.
- Tour of Cambridgeshire: Strongest he’d ever been - smashing all his power PBs despite a crash mid-race.
- Multi-day endurance: Completed King Alfred’s Way (360km off-road, 3 days) and London to Lyon (800km in 5 days) with Geraint Thomas joining for the final stage.
"I was the strongest I’d ever been, my FTP was over 300 watts and I was smashing everyone on the club ride."
Even setbacks, like the TOC crash, became a measure of his progress. His physical resilience and mental toughness kept him riding stronger than ever.
What’s Next
Simon has joined us on 3 Njinga Challenge Rides, ticked off sportives, alpine climbs, and multi-day epics. Now he’s looking ahead to new challenges with the full 21 stages of the Tour de France on his bucket list.
"It has been an incredible few years working with Njinga. With Togo’s coaching and support, I know I have it in me to achieve even more."