Finding Flow: The Coaching Philosophy of Alex Howes
From the mountain trails of Colorado to the cobbles of the Champs-Élysées Alex Howes has lived nearly every version of life on two wheels.
A long-time EF Pro Cycling rider and former U.S. National Champion, he spent more than a decade in the WorldTour, racing six world championships, five grand tours, and over a thousand race days across five continents. His career included a stage win at the USA Pro Challenge, the 2019 national road title, and countless days spent animating races for the team. Through it all, curiosity was his compass. Cycling, for Alex, was never something to master completely — it was something to explore.
That same curiosity defines how he approaches coaching today. After years spent navigating the relentless pace of the WorldTour, he understands the importance of balance. He knows what it feels like to chase results until joy fades, and how quickly pressure can replace purpose. His coaching is grounded in consistency, curiosity, and a deep respect for the process. He helps athletes stay connected to why they ride, guiding them toward sustainable progress rather than short-term gains.
Alex’s story began in Golden, Colorado, where his parents taught him the value of independence and hard work. His dad raced locally while his mom ran a daycare and later went back to school, showing by example that resilience is built, not inherited. Family vacations often revolved around small races, pumping up tires and handing out bottles. By fifteen, Alex was flying to Belgium to race cyclocross, a crash course in travel, problem-solving, and perseverance. The independence his parents encouraged shaped how he learned, trained, and ultimately raced.
Those lessons carried him through the highs and lows of a long professional career. There were breakthrough moments, a stage win in his home state, pulling on the stars-and-stripes jersey, the pride of leading teammates through grand tours. But there were also stretches that tested his resolve: long months away from home, injuries, missed selections, and the realization that effort alone does not always equal success. Each setback taught him to refocus on the things that mattered most — the ride, the rhythm, and the people around him.
“Consistency beats intensity, and finding joy on the bike is not a luxury — it’s a skill.”
Alex has always viewed cycling as a puzzle. Every season, every race, every training block brings new challenges to solve. That curiosity led him from road racing into gravel and mountain bike adventures after leaving the WorldTour, a shift he describes as “opening Pandora’s box” of new experiences. The terrain changed, but the lessons didn’t. The same patience, focus, and adaptability that carried him through the WorldTour now guide his coaching philosophy.
For Alex, resilience is not something you either have or don’t, it is a skill that can be practiced. He teaches athletes to focus on small, steady habits: rest well, fuel properly, and train with intention. He reminds riders that growth rarely follows a straight line and that chasing perfection often means missing progress. His message is simple: consistency beats intensity, and finding joy on the bike is not a luxury, it is a skill.
When motivation dips, he encourages athletes to reconnect with what first brought them to cycling, the sense of freedom, exploration, and curiosity that started it all. Sometimes that means leaving the power meter at home or skipping the structured workout to ride with friends. He believes that performance grows best when it is rooted in enjoyment, not obligation.
“Performance grows best when it’s rooted in enjoyment, not obligation.”
After more than fifteen years in professional cycling, Alex now channels his experience into helping others find their own version of flow. Beyond his work with individual athletes, he’s played an important role in shaping Team EF Coaching’s philosophy, collaborating closely with the team to ensure the coaching program reflects the same care, curiosity, and balance that defined his own career. He believes that no matter your level, there is always room to learn, improve, and enjoy the process. “We can always find a way to make today better than yesterday,” he says, a mindset he brings to every athlete he coaches.
Away from training plans and race tactics, Alex still finds balance on the roads and trails near his home in Nederland, Colorado. Becoming a father has added perspective and purpose, shifting his definition of success from podiums to presence. Whether he is exploring gravel roads, teaching athletes how to build sustainable habits, or spending time with his young daughter, the same principle applies: be patient, stay curious, and find joy in the work.
Cycling has taught Alex patience, awareness, and humility, lessons he now passes on to his athletes. His coaching is about perspective as much as performance, helping riders not just get faster but feel more connected to why they ride.
Whether you are training for your first gravel race or chasing your best season yet, Alex Howes brings a lifetime of racing experience, reflection, and curiosity to help you build something that lasts.