From Training Rides to Training Space: Groundwork Athletics × Velosophy
Cycling has a funny way of bringing the right people together, usually through shared suffering, questionable fashion choices, and an unhealthy enthusiasm for riding up hills as fast as possible.
Paul Moffat and I met almost a decade ago on a Fulgas training ride. I remember thinking, “Who is this long-haired guy?” He was strong on the bike, attacked every small rise in the road, and looked more like a skateboarder than a road racer. Then he spoke, an unmistakable New Zealand accent. I thought he was a great guy from the start, despite his questionable bike attire.
At the time, we were both relatively new to racing and had a lot to learn. Paul came from a BMX background and was already an exceptional bike handler and very strong. I was a mountain bike first, but found more racing success on the road after discovering a talent for sprinting. Different styles, same obsession: riding, racing, and getting better.
Those early Fulgas years turned into five seasons racing together on Pender Racing, and eventually into something new. True Grit Racing, a team I started three years ago to reflect how most of us actually live and ride. We take our racing seriously, but we’re not pros. We have jobs, families, and responsibilities. We race road, gravel, and mountain bikes. We value commitment, community, and showing up prepared, without taking ourselves too seriously.
That shared mindset has always defined my friendship with Paul.
On the bike, Paul is relentlessly disciplined. He sticks to a training plan. I’ve always admired that. I’m more intuitive, riding by feel, adjusting on the fly. Over the years, we’ve influenced each other. Paul pushed me toward more structure; I helped him understand that racing, especially sprinting, is about more than just raw power.
I still remember teaching Paul how to sprint properly. He thought he could go fast, but after getting dropped behind my lead-out, he realized there was more to it. Credit to him: he committed to learning, and today he’s a genuinely strong all-around racer, sprints included.
Off the bike, that same dynamic played out in business.
Paul built Velosophy with an incredible focus on community and athlete development. His philosophy has always been simple: check your ego at the door. Whether someone is training for their first fondo, a long-distance event, or chasing personal bests, Velosophy meets athletes where they are, and helps them move forward with purpose.
At the same time, Paul and I have learned from each other as business owners. I’ve helped him think more about working on his business, not just in it. He’s reminded me, constantly, that consistency and structure matter, whether you’re training or building something bigger.
In December 2024, those parallel paths finally converged when Paul moved Velosophy into Groundwork Athletics.
Groundwork Athletics has always been about expert-led training, community, and helping people unlock their potential, especially working professionals who want high-quality coaching without the noise. Bringing Velosophy into the space felt natural. Not just because we’re friends and teammates, but because our values align.
Today, we collaborate during the cycling offseason with cyclist-specific, program-based strength training designed to support real riders with real lives. Limited spots, focused coaching, and a clear purpose: helping cyclists stay strong, resilient, and ready for the season ahead.
Masters racing remains the perfect outlet for both of us. We still love training, riding, and competing. We still believe in the team aspect of road racing. And we still believe that the best results, in sport and in business, come from showing up consistently, supporting each other, and enjoying the process.
This collaboration isn’t about a single program or season. It’s about a shared history, a shared philosophy, and building something meaningful for the cycling community, together.
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