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 last minute. Day surgery involved being booted out of the ward within an hour of coming around, and the aftercare has involved no contact with the actual surgeon, who I must point out has done an amazing job.
With my arm still in a sling my partner Cat and myself somehow managed a complete move to the Swiss Alps and within a few days of removing the sling I was in my new classroom teaching. Thankfully Swiss physiotherapists are in a different league to those from my UK experiences (although of course with private health insurance you pay for the privilege). I am happy to report I have nearly full strength and movement back, although there is a certain air of disappointment that the screws don’t set off the airport security alarm.
Living and working in a ski resort has made a return to training difficult, although I have been out on the trainer (I say out because the apartment is way too hot to train in so have been using the balcony) where the view on a clear day is of the beautiful Dents du Midi.
One way around the conditions was to put a bike in the car and drive down to the Rhone Valley and train on snow free roads, but the hassle factor has meant this has only happened once. The UCI velodrome is as yet an unexplored option, perhaps I’ll reserve that for next winter when I can afford a track bike! The only way forward has been to embrace the winter, and inspired by the cross-country events at the Vancouver Olympics Cat and I have made our first forays into classic skiing (think sliding on the kitchen floor in socks and you get the basics) including a fabulous two hours today away from the main ski area in a stunning area around the huts of Sololex.
As well as the XC the plan is to try ski mountaineering on normal alpine skis with a special binding. There is quite a big local race scene in this discipline although I’m sure most visitors to Villars would scratch their heads over the idea of an uphill ski race!
As for the cycling, there are no specific goals yet, and of course this removes a certain element of urgency and motivation compared to last year. The riding here will be nothing short of spectacular and I’m sure the urge to race will be a strong one, so I think a balanced schedule of XC skiing, touring and alpine skiing and a few trainer sessions a week will serve me well, with a view to getting specific in April when the snow starts to disappear. With a long summer holiday in July and August it makes sense to aim for a late racing season…
Hi Steven, I’ve just returned from Villars having spent the last 6 weeks riding at the velodrome in Aigle, my 3rd winter riding there. Please contact me – I spend about a 1/4 of the year cycling in Switzerland. I regularly do the SERRL series, and rode the SERRL race last Sept year that you won.
Hope to hear from you! Graham
Thanks for the message Graham, I’ve e-mailed you directly!