I don’t really like to look back too often. Whilst we all tend to love a good remenisce, I try to focus on the future. Last year at this time, I was coming to the conclusion that I just needed to get on with the things I like doing – to walk the talk – to enter races, and do races. Racing has been my mantra, really, when it comes to bikes. I mean, I do like a good bike ride, but I need to know what it’s ‘for’.
In my mid 50s, I can also feel the clock ticking on being able to compete, generally. Niggles become more frequent, and whilst I am thankful to be in such good health relative to many people, I realise that this can’t be sustained forever, and my health and strength will decline over the coming years. (Depressing, but let’s not beat about the bush!)
Sixty flipping three
So this year was the year of the race. 63 of them, to be precise.
- 23 road races
- 29 ‘cross races
- 2 gravel races
- 2 open time trials (and a handful of club / inter-club ones)
- 7 mountain bike races
The numbers are large, the thought of entry fees makes me cringe, and the prize money is virtually nonexistent, but the level of pride is high. On a number of ‘cross races, and a few road circuit races, I doubled-up, riding my cat (or age cat) then riding up in the ‘well, at least it’s good training‘ cat.
Highs. Lows, and lessons.
Highs are measured in best feeling, not best result. (*This is possibly because I didn’t cross any finish line with my hands in the air ??)
- Returning to the 3 Peaks after having to miss it in 2023. It is and always has been a very, very special race to me.
- Re-learning the art of the crit. To finish in the Colne GP in the vastly depleted bunch was a huge achievement to me. I don’t think I have ever worked so hard for a 20th position, and hope to never have to do again.
- My first national MTB top 10
Lows come to mind fairly easily.
- An abrupt end to my British Gravel Champs race, first on the scene to a fellow competitor’s nasty crash (spinal injury), and helping him until medical help came. I finished pretty much last in the whole world in that one.
- The Gralloch, where I was probably at my leanest and fittest for a few years, and suffered dreafully at the mercy of punctures
The lessons are always nuanced, and vast in their numbers, and you tend to lear from your mistakes, but here’s a few that come to mind:
- Secure your AXS batteries.
- Don’t look at the entry fee or bank balance – just enter, then deal with it.
- Whilst your mind has a special way of erasing painful memories, don’t ever underestimate how hard Simon Fell is. Ever.
Happy 2025, everyone. I’ll see you on a start line or sixty. Here’s a few of my year’s fave pics.
