Nestled in the heart of the Bow Valley and surrounded by the Rockies’ majestic peaks, the small town of Canmore, Alberta is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and countless ski and bike trails. A true outdoor mecca, it attracts people from all over, including Parmi ambassador Raphaël Couturier.
A native Quebecer and one-time member of Canada’s cross-country ski team, Raphaël settled in Canmore in 2019 so he could fully immerse himself in his favourite sport. But once there, the veteran cross-country skier discovered a new passion: mountain biking, especially its endurance events. It was on Canmore’s trails where he reconnected with the thrills and adrenaline rush that competition provides, combining his high-level sporting activities with his responsibilities as a father and a real estate agent.
Raphaël’s goal this winter is to increase his training volume to see just how far he’ll be able to push his limits when on his bike. He plans to participate in two events this spring: the Traka 360, a 360 km gravel bike race in Spain in early May, and the Salty Dog, a six-hour mountain bike marathon in British Columbia, also held in May. How does he go about preparing for these sorts of challenges? Here are five tips that he uses himself and can be helpful for anyone who’s in training for mountain bike season.
- Stay active during the winter
“Although rest and downtime are important, winter is still a great time to practise activities that are beyond your competitive sport,” Raph said. That is why he still continues to cross-country ski, which is an all-encompassing sport that works the entire body and builds a solid foundation while minimizing injury risk.
- Use a bike trainer
Even though he’s mainly gliding outdoors on cross-country ski trails in winter, Raphaël still cycles twice a week using a bike trainer. “While my volume training is centred on cross-country skiing, I do interval workouts using my bike trainer.”
- Smartly plan your competition schedule
Planning his schedule in advance enables Raphaël to have sufficient time to rest as well as being able to ride for pleasure between each competition. Other smart-planning benefits are: Scheduling workouts in order to be at the top of your game when you want to be; and making it easier (and often more cost-efficient) to book accommodations pertaining to competitions – especially those held in small towns with few good options – when done ahead of time.
- Get your equipment ready
“Very cold days are great opportunities to get my equipment ready for racing season,” Raphaël said. This ensures all his bike’s components are clean and in good condition before the start of the season. “I like to plan ahead and have all the necessary parts on-hand so that I don’t stress out a few days before a race.”
- Make a list of tangible goals
Whether it be performance- or technique-related, goals help an athlete determine what needs to be worked on. “I think it’s important to be able to recognize your weaknesses,” Raphaël said, “as this is often where precious minutes can be gained in races.” The list of goals can then serve as the basis for an action plan to be implemented during training.
Canmore’s gigantic playground provides Raphaël with all the space he needs to prepare, especially during shoulder seasons when – in the Rockies – it’s quite possible to both ski and cycle in the same day. In addition to benefiting from an ideal environment, Raphaël is also able to count upon motivated and innovative partners such as Parmi. The world-class athlete proudly associated himself with the Parmi brand after trying its products and determining that they met his needs in every way.
“I’m always looking out for the best products and when I tested Parmi’s clothing and accessories, I immediately knew they would have a positive impact on my performance,” he said. “In addition to being perfect from a technical point of view, Parmi products look good and feel good. They’re efficient, stylish and comfortable. No compromises are being made.”
Another thing about Parmi’s clothing line that Raph appreciates is its versatility. To maintain his active lifestyle, he requires clothing that can keep pace with him, from morning to night, from a picnic with friends in the valley to a ski excursion on a snow-capped mountain.
“It’s super-important for me to not have to overcomplicate my life when it comes to getting dressed,” he said. “I could even go on a trip with a suitcase filled only with Parmi clothing and I’d know I’d have everything I needed.”
Besides, the Quebecer in Raph is always proud to talk about Parmi, showing everyone he crosses paths with – whether they’re from Canmore or from elsewhere – how the brand is ideal for those who enjoy life in the great outdoors.
Raphaël's Favourite
When competing:
“Light and comfortable. I can always count on this winning combination.”
For everything else:
“Casual and easy to put on, this is my “go-to” outfit after a long run or an intense workout.”
Check out Raphaël Couturier on Instagram.
