Cycling is a spectrum sport. There is a huge range of cyclists, encompassing many walks of life. Those who ride for transport, for fun, for fitness, or to race. Even racing itself holds many different motivations within it. Weekend warriors, casual racers, professionals. While they all may show up for a weekend of racing, each holds different ambitions. The most masochistic of all these groups are the pros. Now I’m no pro, but I’m aspiring to be. I’ve seen how hard amateurs train and I can’t imagine the level that domestic or Worldtour level professionals push themselves. Tens of thousands of kilometers a year, and an off-season of just a few weeks. Cycling demands complete focus and attention. Few other sports require training hours that rival the hours of a full-time job. I had my first taste of this last spring. After being offered a spot on Ride with Rendall, I knew I had to step it up a few notches from previous years. This was no easy feat, with university in the mix and cold weather descending on Squamish. I spent a week of January in California, with lots of riding and knowledge gained. After that it was back to reality, back to a wintery Lethbridge. 5 hours of riding in the Santa Monica mountains feels far easier than 5 hours on an indoor trainer. I’ve always ridden the trainer, but nothing like last winter. When temperatures dip consistently below -15 C, it’s the trainer or nothing for me. It may not be ideal, but I think it’s helped me push myself harder than ever before. When I returned to Quest University in February I found it difficult to push more than 18-20 hours on the bike without compromising my academics. I could certainly let my grades slip and up my training, but that’s just not me. I found the best balance that I could. I finished my school year at the end of March, went home for a few days, and then drove to Penticton. The Okanagan area is a favourite for Canadians looking for a warm-weather cycling spot, without having to cross any borders. I found a motel room for $28 a night, with 2 beds and a kitchen. Why not. I cooked for myself, shopped for groceries and rode my bike as much as I could. The weather was good, and I rode a few times with the Lead Out Project, who were also in town for a team camp. It was a good first taste of how pro cyclists live, and it reinforced my belief that this was something worth fighting for. Bike racing is a beautiful, painful, incredible sport. I am doing everything I can to fulfill my potential and reach the highest level I can. I think that’s all anyone can hope for. Riding in California with new friends Sara Bergen and Tristen Chernove. Photo: Wes Ochitwa
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Christian GomesI'm a bike racer Archives
February 2018
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