Scott Saifer, M.S., Head Coach, CEO:

Home: Walnut Creek, California (East Bay Area)

Specialties: All levels Road Racing, Cyclo-Cross, Ultra Endurance events, Elite Development both road and mountain bike, Older Athletes, Athletes with Special Needs, Triathlon (Sprint, Olympic, Ironman), Cross Country Skiing, Bike Fit, Inline Skating, Preparation for Adventures

Available to take on all levels of athletes both racing and non-racing

Client levels accepted: Individual, SemiCustom, Custom, Consultation. Head Coach pricing.
Available for seminars, camps, clinics, and team direction on a contractual basis.

Scott Saifer, M.S. has been with Wenzel Coaching since 1995. He has helped road cyclists, triathletes, MTB and cyclocross racers, XC skiers and in-line skaters to win numerous World, National, State and District medals. He has helped athletes achieve upgrades, body-weight goals and personal bests. Scott has guided athletes through from the beginner ranks to professional status and enjoys working with athletes with all levels of talent and commitment.

Scott holds a Masters Degree in Kinesiology from California State University, Hayward where his course of study included exercise physiology, sports psychology, nutrition, sports medicine and biomechanics of cadence and bike fit. He is well informed in the latest scientific training techniques and sports nutrition and how they apply to endurance athletes. In Wenzel Coaching program preparation and the day-to-day coaching of athletes, Scott combines his education, the experience of his fifteen years racing and 20 years coaching and analysis of the individual athlete to identify the most productive areas for attention in each client's program.

Through his work with a health related charity, Scott has also helped several hundred beginning athletes prepare for their first century rides, endurance and competitive MTB events and cross country ski marathons. He has trained and managed six teams for the 24-hour MTB relay races and helped more than 50 riders to complete all five passes at the 129 mile, 16,000 foot Markleeville Death Ride. He has also coached riders through Paris-Brest-Paris, double-centuries and other ultra-distance events.

Scott has worked with numerous older athletes, very busy athletes and athletes with health issues, injuries and other special needs. He believes that with commitment and hard work, athletes can achieve amazing or even seemingly impossible things.

As an athlete himself, Scott successfully raced bicycles on the road, mountain, and track in the U.S, competing in over 300 events. He has completed an unsupported transcontinental bike tour, the 24 Hours of Moab, Tough Mudder, the Anchorage Ski Marathon, the Markleeville Death Ride and Tour de Tucson as well as numerous other competitive and non-competitive events. As a coach and scientist, he has been instrumental in the addition of general fitness programs to Wenzel Coaching and has had particular success in improving the time trial and triathlon abilities of many Wenzel Coaching clients and helping many athletes reach their weight loss goals.

Scott is available for custom program development, seminars and clinics as well as individual consultation and coaching. He can provide guidance in planning an athlete's season as well as conduct anaerobic threshold testing and bike fittings. Scott is a contributing author of Bike Racing 101 and has a regular column in ROAD Magazine. He has had several articles published by VeloNews and Divine Caroline and is source for articles in Bicycling magazine. Scott no longer races but keeps fit with occasional bike rides, hiking, running, rock climbing, back-packing, strength training and swimming.

He lives in Walnut Creek, California with his wife and son.

To inquire about working with Scott Saifer, please click here! >>>

"Thanks much Gotta tell you, this is by far the most thorough, comprehensive and intelligent coaching experience I’ve had in 25 years I’m really grateful for your efforts, energized by process—sincere thanks." ~Tom Krummel

"Hey Scott, Back from the cycling trip now, and it could not have gone better, really. Especially on the climbs, your advice and guidance were indispensible. For Ventoux, l'izoard and Galibier, your coaching made the climbs easier, for l'Alpe it made the climb possible. I only saw another rider or two who didn't have to stop, and I passed dozens on all the climbs who weren't in as good shape or who had gone out too fast and had no idea of what their sustaining pace was. I did the work, but you sure helped make it pay off." ~Andrew O.

"Just wanted to vouch for Scott's nutritional advice. Those of you who remember me from BBC days know I always had trouble and was never able to lose those last 10 lbs. Since I started working with Scott I have lost those and then some. I really haven't eaten less, just totally different using his guidelines." Lorie H

"In January 1979, I had the privilege to be fitted to my bike by Eddy Borysewicz. At the time, Eddy was new to this country (he had been a national champion in Poland), and he was soon seen as the best coach that the USA had ever had. ... it was clear that I was in the hands of a genius. ... I have always felt comfortable with my fit, and with two minor exceptions, I hadn't changed it since 1979. I long took solace that I had been in the hands of a true master, and if it ain't broke, why 'fix' it? Thirty-one years later, I still perceived no fit-related issues, but with time, our bodies change, as does the knowledge of cycling physiology. Yes, I can put out plenty of horsepower while staying smooth at 120 RPM, so what is there to improve? I knew Scott Saifer to be a smart cookie on a variety of issues, I asked him to have a go at my fit, and I soon had my answer. Scott showed that he is a smart cookie on the issue of fit as well. While he didn't make any major changes, there were several minor ones that he did most purposefully. In a few cases, there was some back and forth, but in all cases, he not only told me what he was doing, but he also showed me why he was doing it. I enjoyed a series of small revelations. For example, he observed that when I would go from the hoods to the drops, one part of my hand would always touch the bar before the rest of my hand. No big deal, right? But by making a small adjustment, those two surfaces are much more parallel just before they touch, with the net result that the loading that occurs is much more even, decreasing the likeliness and severity of numbness during the heat of battle. I could bore you with more, but that is pointless as everyone will have their own unique experience when getting fit by someone as talented as Scott." ~ Mark W

"Just a short note to thank you for the training program you've put together for me. I think it's what I've been looking for and needed for a long time. April marked the fourth anniversary of my getting back on a bicycle. During that time, never before today have I ever ridden for three hours and not finished with legs wobbly with lactic acid - until today when I did the Push Basic drill for the first time. I think it's the combination of targets (power, HR, cadence) you give me that are responsible for this trick. I've read lots about how you're supposed to train and feel, but this is the first time it's ever happened." ~James Good

"I nominate Scott Saifer for Coach of the Month for giving the science behind why you should do things the way he suggests without being servile or talking down to his clients. Great support!" ~ Steve

What I like is his approach. He does not flower things, giving you sound coaching, and ties this in with your age. He responds so fast that it catches me off guard! Service has become a lost art and I'm glad Scott offers not only good service but great coaching skills. ~Joe

"Thanks for the fitting ... feels pretty good after several long rides -- definitely more power, no adverse handling, and less foot numbness surprisingly. Thanks again!" ~ John K.

"The classroom clinic was outstanding! Scott Saifer is energetic, upbeat and incredibly knowledgeable. He supported his talk with first hand observations of his athletes as well as cited research done by physiologists in the field. A representative slice of the club was there -- fresh newbies, to experienced racers -- and we all went away having learned something new. He totally pumped me up for the season. I can't wait to get out there this Saturday!"
~Chris Lambert, SF Triathlon Club President

"Knee pain is gone. Good job. Thanks." ~ Chris Baker

"Scott gave an excellent presentation to our team covering exercise physiology, training strategies, peaking, and other topics of interest to our athletes. The kids loved it, and learned lots from Scott. I would recommend Scott's help for anyone who is trying to be fitter and faster!"
~Steve Kraft, Assistant Coach, Albany High School Cross Country Team

Last Saturday I did the moderate climbing interval alternating standing/seated climbing as per the instructions. I've definitely made a big improvement in my standing climbing: its was easy to control my hr and my legs don't burn like the used to. Practicing the technique you showed me during the standing intervals (base hr) has helped a lot. Going into the Ultimate Endurance workout with 8-9 lbs less weight and two months of base training is making a huge difference too (duh!)
~John Bernstein, CA

The diet guidelines are also a huge benefit - I tried working with a nutritionist before but this is the first time that I've gotten realistic guidelines that work for both high and low activity days. ~Michelle Gross