Testimonials
Coach Brian has had success with many athletes over the years of coaching, and a client testimonial is a wonderful compliment. I work hard to keep everyone healthy, progressing, succeeding, and smiling!
Additional referrals are available on request.
Additional referrals are available on request.
Eric A., Cat 2 Mountain Bike Racer after Four Hour Mountain Bike Race:
Brian,
Despite the heat and humidity, I was able to compete a 4 hour+ endurance mountain bike race on the Lewis Morris Park trails (The Lewis Morris Challenge). Hard to imagine it was just a few years ago I got back into riding after many years off the bike. Your BJL Coaching Program and coaching rides bike built the endurance and skills I needed to pull this off and aim for bigger goals. Among many benefits, the endurance to withstand the heat was essential and the improvement in my riding skills really came into play over the roots and rocks for this race. Excited to keep building my foundation for the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race in August. Thanks,
Eric.
Brian,
Despite the heat and humidity, I was able to compete a 4 hour+ endurance mountain bike race on the Lewis Morris Park trails (The Lewis Morris Challenge). Hard to imagine it was just a few years ago I got back into riding after many years off the bike. Your BJL Coaching Program and coaching rides bike built the endurance and skills I needed to pull this off and aim for bigger goals. Among many benefits, the endurance to withstand the heat was essential and the improvement in my riding skills really came into play over the roots and rocks for this race. Excited to keep building my foundation for the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike race in August. Thanks,
Eric.
Johnathan R., Cat 2 Road Racer, 2 Time National Champion
Coach Brian was my cycling coach for over 2 years and did a phenomenal job in the time that we worked together. As someone who works in the trades and had a physically demanding job as well a first child on the way I had a few obstacles in my in figuring out how to train effectively and race at the highest levels locally and regionally.
What I loved about Brian was his ability to help me navigate the unique circumstances that I was trying to perform under as a elite amateur cyclist. There are many canned training programs out there that anyone can sign up for, but they fail to take into consideration the idiosyncrasies that come with living a life filled with a lot of responsibilities beyond cycling. Brian helped me develop workouts and a training regimen that allowed me to carefully balance of life and cycling at the highest level.
Brian knows his stuff, being a lifetime cyclist he has seen what works and what doesn’t and is not only concerned with short term success, but developing a lifetime love of cycling. Brian is well versed in everything that goes into making you perform at your greatest, from workouts, both on and off the bike, to nutritional needs as well as the mental side of what it takes he has the experience that can really allow you to excel.
If you’re looking for that extra boost to make reach your fitness or racing goals, having Brian on your team will go much further than the next generation of lightweight carbon wheels and for a fraction of the price.
Jonathan Royal
-2 Time National Cycling Champion
-Cat 2 Road racer
-tradesman and dad
-lifetime cyclist
Coach Brian was my cycling coach for over 2 years and did a phenomenal job in the time that we worked together. As someone who works in the trades and had a physically demanding job as well a first child on the way I had a few obstacles in my in figuring out how to train effectively and race at the highest levels locally and regionally.
What I loved about Brian was his ability to help me navigate the unique circumstances that I was trying to perform under as a elite amateur cyclist. There are many canned training programs out there that anyone can sign up for, but they fail to take into consideration the idiosyncrasies that come with living a life filled with a lot of responsibilities beyond cycling. Brian helped me develop workouts and a training regimen that allowed me to carefully balance of life and cycling at the highest level.
Brian knows his stuff, being a lifetime cyclist he has seen what works and what doesn’t and is not only concerned with short term success, but developing a lifetime love of cycling. Brian is well versed in everything that goes into making you perform at your greatest, from workouts, both on and off the bike, to nutritional needs as well as the mental side of what it takes he has the experience that can really allow you to excel.
If you’re looking for that extra boost to make reach your fitness or racing goals, having Brian on your team will go much further than the next generation of lightweight carbon wheels and for a fraction of the price.
Jonathan Royal
-2 Time National Cycling Champion
-Cat 2 Road racer
-tradesman and dad
-lifetime cyclist
Brian S., Cat 1 Mountain Bike Racer after 2nd Place Open Men at Stewart Six Pack 6-Hour MTB Race:
I know I had probably half the hours on my bike each week compared to the other racers in the top ten, but because of structured, meaningful workouts, I came out on the podium
When working with Coach Brian, he makes me feel like I'm the only client he has. His great "customer service" makes for a wonderful experience.
Stewart S. after completing a 350 mile ride across Israel:
My plan was to prepare for a 350-mile bike ride over five days…Strength, Stamina, and Endurance training was required. I was a B- rider and needed to up my game. I took one of Brian Lariviere’s indoor training classes at Cycle Craft and was really impressed with his style and my results. We discussed what was needed to successfully achieve my goal and he designed a training schedule to get me there. As we went through the intervals, I began to climb better, ride longer, and best of all I didn’t get dropped anymore. The best result was that when I rode in that 350-mile tour I was at the front of the pack. I’d say that I’ve improved to a B+/A- rider. Now it’s time to get to the next level and BJL Coaching is gonna get me there: Cyclocross this coming summer.
Kelly S., Amateur bicyclist yet RAAM Finisher:
When I decided after my very first full century that I was going to join an 8 person RAAM team, I went straight to the fantastic people at Cycle Craft in Parsippany for a coach recommendation. I am so grateful they recommended Coach Brian. He trained me for nearly a year and I finished RAAM! Brian set up a great training program to improve both my endurance and my power to help me get through 6 days 19 hours and 22 minutes with enough juice left to beat my own power records ON THE FINAL DAY!! Thank you thank you thank you Brian.
Thx again.
Best,
Kelly
Cheryl K., IRON-WOMAN! Lake Placid IronMan LPIM 2017 Finisher:
Hi Brian,
I want to thank you for helping me successfully complete my Ironman goal. It definitely tops my athletic history as being the most incredible, memorable experience, based on challenge level, event organization and wonderful supportive community people and all in a beautiful venue that kept you motivated.
Thanks again for all you did creating special rides for me, schedule changes, etc. and motivation. I really appreciated the help. I hope to see you some time in person to thank you with a hug!
Cheryl
Greg S., Cat 1 Masters Mountain Bike Racer, after working with BJL Coaching for 3 months:
Hi Brian,
I did my first real mountain bike ride in wildcat ridge on Saturday. Nothing long but the place can throw challenging terrain at you real quick and I know exactly where to find that. Honestly there are places that always gave me trouble and one rock garden that owned me. Well I cleaned it Saturday as well as other cleaned areas that I'm 50% make-able on. I mean cleaned the stuff real solid. Felt real good and confident. As you saw I'm not fast on the long grinds, that's an area to work. But starting the year off riding well, being healthy and feeling confident is huge for me and I do believe is attributed to your help with conditioning. Thanks and I will keep working on improving.
Pete S., Ultra-Endurance Mountain Bike Racer:
Hey Brian,
Great workouts this week! The program is technically excellent, adaptive and customized to my progress, and keeps me very motivated. I'm getting better and more fit every week. Thanks for keeping me on track and fired up for the season's goals. I highly recommend you as a coach.
Chip Q., Avid Cyclist:
Hi Brian,
On today's A terrain ride with the Morris Area Freewheelers, five out of the 6 riders were indoor trainer class alumni (Andy, Mady, Brian, Andrew and me). All those climbing drills were paying off!
Good luck with your TT season! See you next fall.....
CQ
Greg S., Cat 1 Masters Mountain Bike Racer, after Trainer Session #6 at Cycle Craft:
Brian,
Realy good workout last night. It is amazing how hard it can be if
done correctly. I noticed there wasn't much chatter during the class
last night as we all gasped for air. Im still amazed how you can talk
(instruct) as well as you do when im (we're) all barely able to
breathe. Well done - I feel like im really getting good work out of
the sessions.
Greg
Jan S., Lake Placid Ironman 2013:
"I came out of the winter with a significant advantage and better prepared for his specific spring training thanks to the trainer sessions. This allowed me to be properly trained for Ironman Lake Placid!"
Craig B., Avid Cyclist:
"Hopefully you got out riding today. Just wanted to pass on a kudos to you, I did about 50 miles today and felt strong. Thanks to your classes my "stroke" felt great and complete- I'm using more of my hamstrings (one leggers in class).
Thanks again, and see on Wed."
Jessi K., Cat 1 Mountain Bike Racer:
"Today was the 2014 national championships, and I could not have asked for a better race. Going in I was super apprehensive, I injured my knee pretty badly a few weeks ago and knew going in I was still definitely not 100%. Luckily, my knee felt superb (as did the rest of my body) and I was able to finish 5th in the Cat 1 17-18! Huge thanks to BJL Coaching, LLC for getting me back into race ready shape so quickly after the injury, Cycle Craft for all the bike parts and technical support, my parents, for providing me with moral and feedzone support, and the countless others who have helped me realize my dreams as a mountain bike racer. Best of luck to everybody racing at Bear Creek in the coming days!"
Chip Q., Avid Cyclist:
"Thanks for the email! As an avid recreational cyclist, I try to ride outdoors year-round, but things always drop off in the winter. I've found the indoor trainer sessions to be a great way to maintain fitness over the winter. Having the structure (and camraderie) of the class is about the only way I'd ever do two hours on the trainer! And they've definitely helped my riding. My riding buddies have noticed! (Joy, Joe, Mady and Andy are some of those buddies that noticed enough to start coming themselves!)"
Cindy S., Avid Cyclist:
"Very cool! I love this class."
Gili T., Mountain Bike Racer, Triathlete, and Adventurer:
“After one of the harshest and coldest winters ever, dozens of early morning workouts, following a strict unforgiving training schedule and regiment set by the fantastic and dedicated coach Brian Lariviere from BJL Coaching, it’s time for the first race of the 2014 season: the Xterra Jersey Devil Sprint Off-Road Triathlon. As in 2013, I use the Jersey Devil Triathlon to gauge my fitness levels after the off-season. It was my chance to “break in” the brandnew SOURCE Bike Kit.While a sprint triathlon course is relatively short, the two-hours-event still involves two transitions (swim to bike and bike to run), it features sandy terrain, cold water – and a highly competitive field. Coach Brian prepared me to pace myself wisely in order to leave enough “gas in the tank” for the run at the end, but still to push it on the last 4 miles of the bike and on the last 2 miles of the run.
Similar to the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France, wearing a Source kit at the race was a great honor and pride – but it also brings along an extra responsibility to over-perform. And it helps! I finished 8 minutes faster this year, winning 6 minutes during the bike course alone, compared to last year’s event.
Thanks to Johnny and everybody at Source for supporting me with products and allowing me to be part of their Source Ambassador Team who spread the word! And thanks to Tracy for the amazing pictures, coach Brian and Eric for introducing me to the dark side of mountain biking.
Till the next race, enjoy life,
Gili Torovezky”
Posted in: SOURCE Athletes, SOURCE Hydration, SOURCE News
Johan N., Mountain Bike Racer:
"Thanks so much for yesterday’s (personalized training) session. I definitely picked up a few things and will practice them when I get a change, hopefully at least once a week. The session was more informative and fun than I imagined."
Gili T., Mountain Bike Racer, Triathlete, and Adventurer:
"I receive assistance from an excellent pro bike racer, Brian L, who understands my duties (family, work, hobbies) and adjusts the schedule accordingly. Brian keeps reminding me to stick to my own plan, my own goals, my own schedule, and that we all have our unique goals and qualities."
Winter Trainer Session Participant:
"I love the classes, it makes spinning on a trainer fun and different. my normal training sessions are dull in comparison due to zone training. This class allows you to participate to your level. Instruction is clear, the 2 hours fly by, and it is a highlight of my week (training wise of course). I can not wait to see how these sessions translate to the road!!! Thanks Brian!!"
Gili T., Mountain Bike Racer, Triathlete, and Adventurer:
"Hi coach from the holy land and 70th degrees.
I had a blast ride: total 11h ride time and total of close to 200km (from thursday at 1pm to Friday at 5am)with 3 stops, one for 30 min and two of one hour long each.
Mostly flat ride on mostly gravel / dirt road. I did it effortlessly keeping max z2 and even at this had to wait for the rest. Only another guy finished the whole course but i had to wait for him to a point that I could have shaved an hour at least.
Salsa spearfish turned to be a hack of a bike!!
Fast, convenience, superb geometry and handling.
Want to thank you for a good training year with many milestones and achievements.
Talk soon,
Gili"
I know I had probably half the hours on my bike each week compared to the other racers in the top ten, but because of structured, meaningful workouts, I came out on the podium
When working with Coach Brian, he makes me feel like I'm the only client he has. His great "customer service" makes for a wonderful experience.
Stewart S. after completing a 350 mile ride across Israel:
My plan was to prepare for a 350-mile bike ride over five days…Strength, Stamina, and Endurance training was required. I was a B- rider and needed to up my game. I took one of Brian Lariviere’s indoor training classes at Cycle Craft and was really impressed with his style and my results. We discussed what was needed to successfully achieve my goal and he designed a training schedule to get me there. As we went through the intervals, I began to climb better, ride longer, and best of all I didn’t get dropped anymore. The best result was that when I rode in that 350-mile tour I was at the front of the pack. I’d say that I’ve improved to a B+/A- rider. Now it’s time to get to the next level and BJL Coaching is gonna get me there: Cyclocross this coming summer.
Kelly S., Amateur bicyclist yet RAAM Finisher:
When I decided after my very first full century that I was going to join an 8 person RAAM team, I went straight to the fantastic people at Cycle Craft in Parsippany for a coach recommendation. I am so grateful they recommended Coach Brian. He trained me for nearly a year and I finished RAAM! Brian set up a great training program to improve both my endurance and my power to help me get through 6 days 19 hours and 22 minutes with enough juice left to beat my own power records ON THE FINAL DAY!! Thank you thank you thank you Brian.
Thx again.
Best,
Kelly
Cheryl K., IRON-WOMAN! Lake Placid IronMan LPIM 2017 Finisher:
Hi Brian,
I want to thank you for helping me successfully complete my Ironman goal. It definitely tops my athletic history as being the most incredible, memorable experience, based on challenge level, event organization and wonderful supportive community people and all in a beautiful venue that kept you motivated.
Thanks again for all you did creating special rides for me, schedule changes, etc. and motivation. I really appreciated the help. I hope to see you some time in person to thank you with a hug!
Cheryl
Greg S., Cat 1 Masters Mountain Bike Racer, after working with BJL Coaching for 3 months:
Hi Brian,
I did my first real mountain bike ride in wildcat ridge on Saturday. Nothing long but the place can throw challenging terrain at you real quick and I know exactly where to find that. Honestly there are places that always gave me trouble and one rock garden that owned me. Well I cleaned it Saturday as well as other cleaned areas that I'm 50% make-able on. I mean cleaned the stuff real solid. Felt real good and confident. As you saw I'm not fast on the long grinds, that's an area to work. But starting the year off riding well, being healthy and feeling confident is huge for me and I do believe is attributed to your help with conditioning. Thanks and I will keep working on improving.
Pete S., Ultra-Endurance Mountain Bike Racer:
Hey Brian,
Great workouts this week! The program is technically excellent, adaptive and customized to my progress, and keeps me very motivated. I'm getting better and more fit every week. Thanks for keeping me on track and fired up for the season's goals. I highly recommend you as a coach.
Chip Q., Avid Cyclist:
Hi Brian,
On today's A terrain ride with the Morris Area Freewheelers, five out of the 6 riders were indoor trainer class alumni (Andy, Mady, Brian, Andrew and me). All those climbing drills were paying off!
Good luck with your TT season! See you next fall.....
CQ
Greg S., Cat 1 Masters Mountain Bike Racer, after Trainer Session #6 at Cycle Craft:
Brian,
Realy good workout last night. It is amazing how hard it can be if
done correctly. I noticed there wasn't much chatter during the class
last night as we all gasped for air. Im still amazed how you can talk
(instruct) as well as you do when im (we're) all barely able to
breathe. Well done - I feel like im really getting good work out of
the sessions.
Greg
Jan S., Lake Placid Ironman 2013:
"I came out of the winter with a significant advantage and better prepared for his specific spring training thanks to the trainer sessions. This allowed me to be properly trained for Ironman Lake Placid!"
Craig B., Avid Cyclist:
"Hopefully you got out riding today. Just wanted to pass on a kudos to you, I did about 50 miles today and felt strong. Thanks to your classes my "stroke" felt great and complete- I'm using more of my hamstrings (one leggers in class).
Thanks again, and see on Wed."
Jessi K., Cat 1 Mountain Bike Racer:
"Today was the 2014 national championships, and I could not have asked for a better race. Going in I was super apprehensive, I injured my knee pretty badly a few weeks ago and knew going in I was still definitely not 100%. Luckily, my knee felt superb (as did the rest of my body) and I was able to finish 5th in the Cat 1 17-18! Huge thanks to BJL Coaching, LLC for getting me back into race ready shape so quickly after the injury, Cycle Craft for all the bike parts and technical support, my parents, for providing me with moral and feedzone support, and the countless others who have helped me realize my dreams as a mountain bike racer. Best of luck to everybody racing at Bear Creek in the coming days!"
Chip Q., Avid Cyclist:
"Thanks for the email! As an avid recreational cyclist, I try to ride outdoors year-round, but things always drop off in the winter. I've found the indoor trainer sessions to be a great way to maintain fitness over the winter. Having the structure (and camraderie) of the class is about the only way I'd ever do two hours on the trainer! And they've definitely helped my riding. My riding buddies have noticed! (Joy, Joe, Mady and Andy are some of those buddies that noticed enough to start coming themselves!)"
Cindy S., Avid Cyclist:
"Very cool! I love this class."
Gili T., Mountain Bike Racer, Triathlete, and Adventurer:
“After one of the harshest and coldest winters ever, dozens of early morning workouts, following a strict unforgiving training schedule and regiment set by the fantastic and dedicated coach Brian Lariviere from BJL Coaching, it’s time for the first race of the 2014 season: the Xterra Jersey Devil Sprint Off-Road Triathlon. As in 2013, I use the Jersey Devil Triathlon to gauge my fitness levels after the off-season. It was my chance to “break in” the brandnew SOURCE Bike Kit.While a sprint triathlon course is relatively short, the two-hours-event still involves two transitions (swim to bike and bike to run), it features sandy terrain, cold water – and a highly competitive field. Coach Brian prepared me to pace myself wisely in order to leave enough “gas in the tank” for the run at the end, but still to push it on the last 4 miles of the bike and on the last 2 miles of the run.
Similar to the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France, wearing a Source kit at the race was a great honor and pride – but it also brings along an extra responsibility to over-perform. And it helps! I finished 8 minutes faster this year, winning 6 minutes during the bike course alone, compared to last year’s event.
Thanks to Johnny and everybody at Source for supporting me with products and allowing me to be part of their Source Ambassador Team who spread the word! And thanks to Tracy for the amazing pictures, coach Brian and Eric for introducing me to the dark side of mountain biking.
Till the next race, enjoy life,
Gili Torovezky”
Posted in: SOURCE Athletes, SOURCE Hydration, SOURCE News
Johan N., Mountain Bike Racer:
"Thanks so much for yesterday’s (personalized training) session. I definitely picked up a few things and will practice them when I get a change, hopefully at least once a week. The session was more informative and fun than I imagined."
Gili T., Mountain Bike Racer, Triathlete, and Adventurer:
"I receive assistance from an excellent pro bike racer, Brian L, who understands my duties (family, work, hobbies) and adjusts the schedule accordingly. Brian keeps reminding me to stick to my own plan, my own goals, my own schedule, and that we all have our unique goals and qualities."
Winter Trainer Session Participant:
"I love the classes, it makes spinning on a trainer fun and different. my normal training sessions are dull in comparison due to zone training. This class allows you to participate to your level. Instruction is clear, the 2 hours fly by, and it is a highlight of my week (training wise of course). I can not wait to see how these sessions translate to the road!!! Thanks Brian!!"
Gili T., Mountain Bike Racer, Triathlete, and Adventurer:
"Hi coach from the holy land and 70th degrees.
I had a blast ride: total 11h ride time and total of close to 200km (from thursday at 1pm to Friday at 5am)with 3 stops, one for 30 min and two of one hour long each.
Mostly flat ride on mostly gravel / dirt road. I did it effortlessly keeping max z2 and even at this had to wait for the rest. Only another guy finished the whole course but i had to wait for him to a point that I could have shaved an hour at least.
Salsa spearfish turned to be a hack of a bike!!
Fast, convenience, superb geometry and handling.
Want to thank you for a good training year with many milestones and achievements.
Talk soon,
Gili"