Category Archives: Motivation

No faking it

Lets do the excuses first: no racing for nearly a year; long recovery from major shoulder surgery; moved to a ski resort where winter riding doesn’t exist; less training time due to new job; long car journey from Switzerland; tired … Continue reading

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Winter in the Alps

Three months ago I underwent major shoulder stabilisation surgery (Bristow-Laterjet procedure for those interested). The NHS were predictably poor in terms of communication; firstly a last minute deferral of the operation then opting for a more extreme procedure at the … Continue reading

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Four times the fun

Since puncturing out of the Surrey League race at Bletchingly a couple of weeks back, I’ve now done four races (five if you count club 10TT’s!). I’ll try and deal with them in order… Surrey League Handicap, Ottershaw I’ve been … Continue reading

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A familiar pain

Apologies for any typos: I’m having to type this one-handed. I dislocated my left shoulder last night, which I think makes either seven or eight times over the last twelve years, and this is the second dislocation after having had … Continue reading

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Just let me ride!

I write this feeling a little frustrated about riding. In spite of racing the BEC last weekend, my lower back pain from the “dooring” incident is not fully at bay, and if anything is feeling a little worse. I’m unsure … Continue reading

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Entertainment

Having knocked out some good mileage over the Christmas break I eased off the gas a little last week to avoid a January burn out, and consequently felt fresh and strong over the weekend. Saturday saw temperatures of -5 in … Continue reading

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Winter training

Being an amateur racer one of my biggest issues is how best to train in the winter, often tossing up whether to brave it in the dark in suburban London or just grind it out on the turbo. Luckily, being … Continue reading

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UK public gets it right!

I’ve just watched British Cycling dominate proceedings at the BBC Sports Personality of The Year awards. Chris Hoy won the main event, and it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving winner; indeed compared to the seeming arrogance of fellow … Continue reading

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On your knees

I never expected to end up as a teacher, or indeed as a competitive cyclist. My childhood and early adult life were dominated by the lure of the armed forces, and with my formative years being spent in the West … Continue reading

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Infectious

Sadly a return to work has led to a typical Autumn bout of ‘man-flu’.  I felt it coming on last week but foolishly thought I could manage it and still race at the weekend.  Although I felt fine in the … Continue reading

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