Off-Road Coaching for Athletes Who Want More

“ I worked with Jason Shearer while I was in 8th to 11th grade. I’ve been racing bikes since I was in my early years of elementary school, starting with BMX and slowly moving to mountain bikes. When I started getting coached by Mr. Jason is when I really started to appreciate how much work it takes to be a strong cyclist. I started racing mountain bikes in 6th grade for the Mississippi Blues, where we raced in the Alabama NICA league. I instantly fell in love with the sport and started to really train for it. I was training hard, or what I thought was hard, and just wasn’t having the results I wanted. A teammate of mine, Wyatt Hicks, who seemed to be getting stronger every race, was getting coached by Mr. Jason and is how I made the connection to start getting professional coaching. He immediately got me a training plan where I learned FTP, VO2 max, and intervals. He also had me doing core strengthening and yoga exercises, which to this day I regret not taking more seriously. At the time, me and my dad had no idea about how much went into cycling. He was great with explaining and teaching us everything we needed to know to take my racing to the level I wanted it. We learned about national rankings, races with the best points, and how much was expected out of me training-wise to accomplish these goals. He was always available to talk about bikes and anything I didn’t understand. He and his plan gave me the structure I needed throughout high school to not only be successful in racing, but also in life. I slowly started riding more miles, doing harder workouts with more power, and eventually started competing in races and having results I always wanted for years. Because of Mr. Jason and his coaching, I was able to travel all over the country to compete in national races, and although I might not have been on the podium at all these races, I was able to be in the mix and feel like I was actually competing, which is all I ever wanted from racing. I felt accomplished. The training was hard, and some days I didn’t have the energy to get up and do it, but I always had the plan and Mr. Jason to help me go do that workout or hard ride. With his training, I felt I had purpose within cycling and started to do some really hard and long rides and races I didn’t even think my body was capable of. I really hated to hear that Mr. Jason wasn’t putting on any more races. The Gravel Cup and Delta Epic are some of my favorite racing memories. I’m currently a freshman at the University of Arkansas and maybe ride once a week. I look back on my time with Mr. Jason fondly and wish I still had that structure in my life and dedication. I often think about the early morning rides with The Bike Crossing crew, the Delta Epic, the yoga, and the enduring workouts after school. All this was because of Mr. Jason, and I’m forever grateful for all those memories he gave me from taking biking to the next level for me. ”

“I am really not an athlete but rather an aging poultry farmer that loves to ride a bicycle. Poultry farming is a seven day a week job, with lots of lifting and carrying but very little cardio. In 2022 I came to the conclusion that I need help sorting through all the different training plans and contacted John Karrasch for help. We discussed my goals and the amount of time I had to train and started working away. Then came heart palpations that needed to be checked out. The came prostate cancer treatment, several Rheumatoid Arthritis flairs and reactions to Arthritis drugs......ALL of Which have knocked me out of my plans, leaving me with the start over syndromes. Through it all John has worked with me, patiently adapting plans, encouraging me to keep moving forward and being that coach/friend who listens. My current goals are to have both knees replaced in 2026 and looking for the Skyway Epic in April of 2027 the Unbound 100 in 2027. One of these days, I am gonna climb that mountain ”

“I started working with John in July of 2024. I told him up front I didn't know what to expect I just knew I wanted to be healthier and in better shape and that I really enjoyed cycling. I had also just bought my first gravel bike and gotten an interest in xc and gravel racing. He and I discussed short and long term goals and came up with a plan that worked with my everyday schedule. John's hands on, patient approach and constant support made what I knew was going to be a challenge seem much more attainable. Since then I've hit many milestones I didn't know that I would ever be able to including losing 30 pounds, drastically increasing my endurance and riding diatances, and participating in my first mountain bike race. This May I'll be returning to Sylacauga to tackle the Skyway 40 again. This kind of thing was way out of my comfort zone but with the confidence I got from training and working with John I am looking forward to this race and setting more goals for 2026. Ordinary Epics has made a huge difference in my health and my life and I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to achieve their cycling and fitness goals!”