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Coach Kathy Watts

Kathy Watts, BaseCamp cycling coach
Kathy Watts, BaseCamp cycling coach
Kathy Watts, BaseCamp cycling coach

Location:

Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Years training:

45

Years coaching:

14

Cycling disciplines:

Road, gravel, mountain bike, multi-day, time trial, cyclocross

I truly enjoy helping my athletes achieve their goals. Whether it's a simple request like "I want to get stronger and faster" or a more complex one like "I want to win or podium," it's exciting to watch your progress, both through data and tracking and also through careful listening and understanding each athlete. As Tim says, mixing the science with the art is what makes the magic.


Cycling has been in my blood since I was a little girl. My first two-wheeler was a used blue bike with fenders and fat tires (this was before mountain bikes!). Little did I know I would be a cat 1 mountain bike racer in my 30s and 40s! My first ten-speed bike in eighth grade was an orange Schwinn Varsity that my parents got me for Christmas. That bike took me everywhere and set the stage for my lifetime love of cycling, exploring, and adventure.


Before working with BaseCamp as a coach, guide, and athlete coordinator, I owned an outdoor retail chain of stores for 23 years, selling clothing and gear, as well as guiding backpacking, canoe, and cross-country ski trips for my customers. I have always enjoyed my work; I love talking with people and helping them find what they need for success and happiness.


I am a jack of all trades. There is always something to do in my world! Besides cycling, I love to garden, paint, cook, walk the dog, swim, play, read, and create. I love to travel, too; being able to see different customs, cultures, and landscapes has been an amazing gift and a huge part of me. 

Personal victories and highlights:

  • State time trial champion

  • Elite mountain bike racer and state champion

  • Multiple cyclocross podiums

  • Nationals top 7 TT

  • Summited Mt. Rainier

  • Flat water canoe racer

  • Led multiple backpacking, cross-country ski, and multi-day canoe trips

  • Coached the 1-hour world record for 90-94 age category


Events I've coached:

  • State, national, and world road and time trial

  • Rebecca's Private Idaho

  • Leadville Trail

  • Steamboat Gravel

  • Unbound Gravel

  • Hotter'n Hell Hundred

  • Gold Rush Gravel Grinder

  • The Crusher

  • Marji Gesick

  • Gran fondos

  • Ultra events

  • Road races and events

  • Mountain bike races and events

  • Gravel races and events

Athlete Testimonials

Coaching with Kathy has brought me to greater levels of riding then I ever could have achieved on my own. Doing the work is important, even more important is doing the right work and Kathy has a consistently created the right work for my goals.   - Ken C.

Recent Athlete Achievements
  • Andrea Wells finished 3rd in her age group at the 2024 Bike the Bridges Special Olympics fundraiser Queen of the Mountain challenge

  • Lisa Dattilo finished 1st place in the 50+ age group and 3rd woman overall at the 2024 Meramec Gravel 50-mile event

  • Lisa Dattilo finished 1st place overall woman at the 2024 Equalizer 50k

  • Cindy Guy earned 1st place in her age group at the 2024 Leadville Stage Race

  • Lisa Dattilo earned 2nd place in her age group at the 2024 Dirty South Roubaix

  • Lisa Dattilo placed 2nd in the 2024 Missouri Cyclocross Championships and first in the Series

  • Lisa Datillo earned 1st place in her age group and 4th place overall woman at the 2023 Meramec Gravel 50

  • Ken Carl completed the 2023 Tour de France tour

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