If you’ve ever wondered how a Welsh endurance coach ended up running a coaching business from the Slovenian Alps, meet Coach Lawrence “Cronky” Cronk — the man behind Enduraprep.

He’s swapped the Ironman scene for mountains, trails, and mountain bikes, and now calls Luče in the Zgornja Savinjska Valley home.

From Wales to Slovenia

“My wife and I always knew we wanted to leave the UK, especially around the time of Brexit,” Lawrence says. “We used to joke about moving to Slovenia before we’d even been here — it just sounded perfect: mountains, lakes, warm summers, cold winters, and still a bit under the radar.”

One short trip turned into a permanent move. “We came for six months… that was nearly five years ago. Now we’ve got a business here, three kids, and it’s definitely home.”

From Triathlon to Two Wheels

Endurance has always been at the heart of what Lawrence does. For years he focused on Ironman and Half-Ironman triathlon, with running as his strongest discipline — including several ultramarathons along the way.

“When our first daughter was born, I realised it’d be tough to train properly for three sports,” he says. “So I chose the one I enjoyed most — cycling.”

That decision stuck. These days, he’s often found on the climbs above Luče, swapping aero helmets for mountain bike lids and chasing new summits.

First MTB Race, First Lesson Learned

“Yep, I sold my gravel bike and bought a mountain bike,” he laughs. “Kras Kros was my first proper MTB race — great fun! I usually prefer races longer than three hours, but this one taught me a lot. The course was technical enough to build some confidence and it’s got me thinking about trying XCO one day.”

Big Goals Ahead

It’s shaping up to be a huge season. “I still can’t quite believe I got a spot for Leadville 100,” he says. “That’s the big one for the year. I’ve also entered Salzkammergut Trophy — 200 km with 7,000 m of climbing — and I’ll definitely race Maraton Alpe, my favourite event in Slovenia.”

He’s also eyeing up an Everesting Roam Challenge — 400 km and 10,000 m of ascent in under 36 hours. “It’ll be tough on a mountain bike, but you ride through incredible places.”

Life in the Savinja Valley

“The riding here is unreal,” he says. “There are endless climbs — some take over an hour — and gravel or MTB routes everywhere. I’m still finding new trails. On the road, my favourite loop goes over Pavlič, Jezersko, Šenturska Gora, and Črnivec. Honestly, it’s one of the best routes anywhere in the world.”

And how does it compare to Wales?
“Wales is amazing too — fast coastal roads, big climbs inland. The difference is the weather! In Slovenia, people skip rides when it rains. In Wales, you don’t have a choice. You learn to love riding in bad weather — it makes the sunny days feel like a reward.”

Enduraprep Around the World

Lawrence still coaches athletes from the UK, Australia, the US, the Middle East, and Europe. “Everyone’s fascinated by Slovenia right now. They all want to know how such a small country produces world-class endurance athletes. I just tell them — come visit and find out for yourself!”

Quickfire with Coach Cronk

• Perfect day on the bike: “About four hours with one or two riders of similar fitness — pushing each other on the climbs, chatting on the flats, discovering new routes.”
• Perfect day off the bike: “Hiking in the mountains with family and friends, stopping at a mountain hut for food.”
• If bikes didn’t exist: “I’d probably be trail running.”
• Favourite bike: “A titanium road bike I had built in the UK — 1×11 gearing, perfect for long rides. It’s the bike you just want to ride all day.”
• First bike: “A blue Raleigh. Classic.”
• Dream ride partner: “My dad. He was a strong cyclist in the 1950s and held a few Welsh time-trial records. I’d love to ride with him in his prime.”
• Best advice: “Take time to do something you’re passionate about. It doesn’t have to be endurance sport or something extreme — just something that excites you.”
• Most memorable crash: “I crashed descending from Pokljuka just before a stage race in the Dolomites. Tore my leg open, got it stitched in Bohinjska Bistrica. The doctor said don’t race — a friend said I’d be fine. I raced… then removed the stitches myself after!”
• Trainer tunes: “Dark drum and bass — the UK scene is huge. It keeps me focused when I’m on the turbo.”

The Takeaway

Whether it’s Ironman, mountain biking, or coaching athletes around the world, Coach Cronk keeps coming back to one theme — consistency, curiosity, and doing what you love.

Slovenia’s mountains may now be home, but the endurance mindset that built Enduraprep is as strong as ever.

Originally published (in Slovene) on mtb.si. Translated and adapted by Enduraprep.