Coach Profile

About Aaron

Aaron Oakes has over 10 years racing experience, currently competing as a Pro mountain biker and UCI Elite cyclocrosser. Aaron also works full time in the food science industry, having earned his Masters Degree in Food Science from North Carolina State University. He additionally holds a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts with an additional concentration in food science, and he also holds a USA Cycling coaching license.

Aaron has experience balancing roles as a racer and a full-time student or full-time scientist in the food industry and excels in teaching his clients the balance of the unique requirements of training, school and working while racing at a competitive level. His specialties include racing on the dirt and teaching off-road and cyclocross bike handling skills, and his clients have achieved top podium placings in local, regional and national mountain bike and cyclocross races of various distances and abilities in a variety of age groups.

As president of the UMass cycling club he enjoyed racing on the road, especially planning and executing road racing strategies and tactics. Ultimately he fell in love with mountain bike and cyclocross racing. On the mountain bike Aaron has familiarity with nearly every race course in New England and New Jersey. He has also raced most higher profile races on the East Coast, including Windham Mountain, NY; Seven Springs, PA; Greenbrier Challenge in Maryland; Snowshoe, WV; Mt. Snow, VT; and Banner Elk, NC.

Aaron's love of mountain biking has also taken him into ultra-endurance territory. In 2009 he raced the National Ultra Endurance 100 miler series and has top 20 finishes in the Fool's Gold, Shenandoah, Cohutta, and Mohican 100 mile mountain bike races. Aaron has intimate knowledge of the specific physical and mental requirements of 100 mile and marathon distance mountain bike racing.

In the cyclocross arena, Aaron is a two-time New Jersey Cyclocross Cup Champion in the Elite category as well as the 2007 State Champion. He has raced most high profile US Grand Prix of Cyclocross races in the Northeast, including Gloucester, MA and Mercer, NJ, and has also raced in the Verge New England series, the Mid Atlantic series, and the National Championships in Kansas and Oregon.

In addition to racing and coaching Aaron has extensive knowledge of the science of food and holds a graduate minor in nutrition. In his spare time he enjoys traditional black and white photography, fountain pens, craft beer, and keeping current in the scientific literature.

Testimonials

"I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me one on one to work on 'cross skills. Following a training plan is something I can do independently, but your ability to quickly identify the subtle tweaks I need to make to my 'cross skills is exactly the expertise I need to take my abilities to the next level. I look forward to seeing you at the races." ~ Diane

"After numerous disappointing finishes in previous years of racing, I had my first win in a Cat. 2 race after just 4 months on my training plan. I felt strong and focused during my race and kept a positive attitude even in the adverse conditions, all of which I'm certain would not have happened without my training plan and coaching. Aaron's support and encouragement has motivated me to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of and I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season holds. " Alyssa M.

"Just a quick update after this morning's ride. As you may remember, about 8 weeks ago I did a 40 mile group ride and struggled to keep up with the group, even having to be pulled back up while the group slowed down and waited for me. I got completely blown out the back on the last half of the ride and wound up limping home, thoroughly exhausted. 8 weeks of Wenzel Coaching later, I tried the ride again. This time, I averaged 19.1 mph over the 48.5 miles of the ride, took my turn pulling at the front of the fast group (averaging about 21 mph during the pulls) and, although pleasantly tired after the ride, felt I held my own throughout the ride... I felt strong throughout the ride and quickly recovered once back in the pace line." Thanks, Bill M