Spoke and Stone

Twelve weeks.
Today I had my latest X-rays, and the news was exactly what I was hoping for. Everything has healed well, and I've been cleared to start rebuilding. Big sigh of relief when it come to spines!

Not riding just yet. But easy indoor training is on the cards. Eight weeks in a brace and 12 total weeks of repairs has taken its toll, and there's a lot of strength and core stability to get back before I throw a leg over a bike again.

Now it's time for physio, patience, and doing the small things well.

I've also been cleared for limited work, which feels like another big step towards normal life.

Progress isn't made in giant leaps. It's built one session, one exercise, one good decision at a time.

The rebuild starts today. Looking forward to seeing where it leads.

And the best part, I can start thinking about the cycling gear I need to be comfortable.

New bibs and tops are needed. Is it overkill to be full aero on the indoor trainer? 😆

Ever thought about giving a local cycling event a go, but talked yourself out of it because you don't think you're fit enough, or it looks a bit intimidating?

Don't.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you'll be thrown in the deep end.
But clubs run graded events, so you're riding with people around your own ability and fitness level.

Here in Otago, Cycling Otago does a great job of running winter events on courses that are beginner-friendly. There are no massive climbs to worry about, and if you do get a puncture or have a mechanical, you're never too far from your car. The traffic management helps create a safer environment, and you'll find plenty of riders happy to offer advice on bunch riding, race etiquette and staying safe.

The same goes for gravel events. Sure, there might be a few more hills. People ride at their own pace, enjoy the quiet roads, challenge themselves, and soak up the atmosphere. It's as much about the adventure and the people as it is about the finish line. I

If you've been thinking about meeting new people, building your confidence, or simply enjoying your bike a little more, the winter events run by clubs around New Zealand are the perfect place to dip your toes in.

You might just discover your new favourite way to spend a weekend.

Ride more. Meet great people. Have fun.

Here's my completely random Tour de France wrap-up now it's done for another year...because sitting on a couch for the last couple of months gave me plenty of time to watch stages. Lol

Everyone's scared of Pogi. Dont blame them, he's just on another level. The racing for yellow has almost become a case of "who can hang onto his wheel the longest" to decide second and third. Don't get me wrong, what he's doing is unbelievable. We're watching one of the greatest to ever ride a bike. But I cant recall anyone actually attacking him once Vingegaard was injured.

The green jersey competition was outstanding. I reckon the most deserving bloke won it. Getting himself over that cat 1 climb was legendary.

The polka dot jersey was just as good. So much guts and determination from the winner. You couldn't help but get behind him. Going up climbs faster than most rider go on the flat. Lol

Stage 21 finale, finally the break wins the tight one rather than being swamped. So good. There's hope for breakaway riders everywhere. Keep attacking, it'll stick eventually.

The crowds, something has to change. The atmosphere is incredible and it's part of what makes the Tour special, but it's only a matter of time before one overexcited muppet has a real impact on the race. Nobody wants to see the biggest bike race in the world decided by a spectator falling over in front of the yellow jersey.

Anyway, that's another Tour done and dusted.
Roll on 2027.

Hope everyone's training for that break away.

Funny how a major event changes the way you think.

People keep asking what ride I'm looking forward to most when I'm finally back on the bike.

And at the moment it's not about racing. It's not about chasing PBs or worrying about average speed.
I just want to get back out there.

Fresh air. Big views. Getting to the top of some hill in the middle of nowhere, taking a minute to look around, then heading even further into the back blocks.

There's something about being out there that resets your head. The only sounds are your tyres, a few birds, and the odd sheep wondering what you're up to. The legs are working, the endorphins are flowing, and for a while the rest of life just disappears.

It's funny, because every time I start thinking about goals for when I'm back riding, they all seem to involve the gravel bike.

I'm thinking about getting fit enough for Dunedin to Queenstown.
The Clutha Gold Trail up to Alexandra..
Through the Gorge to Cromwell.
Then carrying on to Queenstown via the soon-to-open Kawarau Gorge Trail.
That keeps popping into my head.

No rush. No stopwatch. Just good days on the bike, seeing places you can't appreciate from behind a windscreen.

What's the ride that's sitting on your bucket list?

Spring is slowly getting closer and with it comes some of the best riding and events of the year. So good to see it getting a little lighter in the evenings.

The big events will soon be filling the calendar, weekend adventures will get a little longer.

So what are you doing now to get yourself ready?

Maybe your goal is to be at the front of the bunch. Maybe it's simply to be fit enough to enjoy the day without suffering too much. Or maybe your favourite part is being out there with an awesome community of riders who love getting outdoors as much as you do.
Whatever your goal, now's the time to start preparing.

We all think about our bikes and making sure they're ready. Tyres, chains, brakes, fresh kit but don't forget the most important piece of equipment, you.

Your rides each week now will make a huge difference when spring arrives.

And don't let winter put you off. Wrapped up in the right gear, this can be one of the best times to ride. Crisp mornings, often calm conditions, quiet roads, and that feeling of earning your hot coffee afterwards.
Being warm is often the difference between enjoying the ride and counting the kilometres until it's over.

What's your riding look like at this time of year? Are you already building towards a big event, or are you enjoying getting out whenever you can?

We'd love to hear what riding your doing over the colder months.

What's in your jersey pockets on a long ride?

Every cyclist has their own little system.
Some are all about being prepared for anything. Others head out with the bare minimum and hope for the best!

So, what's always in your jersey pockets on a long ride?
Mine would usually be: Spare tube or 2, tyre levers, mini pump, enough snacks for eating every 45mins ish, phone, bank card for coffee

What's your must-have that never leaves your pockets? Is there something a new cyclist should always carry?

Drop your list below, you might even give someone else a great idea for their next ride.

Here's something important for anybody who rides a bike out there.

You may know by now that just over 2 months ago i was involved in a serious cycling accident. It was a freak accident and I was lucky that I was riding with someone at the time who played a significant part in saving my life and was able to get the communication to my family. But it took longer than it should because they had to do some detective work first to find the phone numbers.

I could have easily have been riding alone which would have had a very different outcome.

One of the things that has come out of the incident is making sure your prepared for people to be able to contact your emergency numbers, or first responders to know some very basic medical information that might be important.

Thats why I have put together this free download. Its really simple, download the template, fill out whatever information you think is important. Put the card part back to back to form a credit card sized card. Laminate it, and carry it with your spares or puncture kit.

Help yourself and enjoy your riding.

A really good short read, and any stressed rider would be able to relate to this.

https://www.facebook.com/share/18kTJ4yXU2/

Your Sunday group ride is probably doing more for men’s mental health than most corporate wellness programmes & therapy combined.

Nobody calls it therapy.
That is why it works.

A group of men meet in a car park at 8am.
They insult & abuse each other’s equipment.
Argue about tyre pressure.
Pretend not to be cold.

Ride side by side for three hours.
And somewhere between the first climb and the coffee stop, actual life gets discussed.

The business that is struggling.
The parent who is sick.
The relationship that is falling apart.
The anxiety nobody mentioned in the office.
The fear of getting older.

There is no circle of chairs.
Nobody is asked to “share.”
No wellness consultant is taking notes.

They are just moving forward together.

A lot of men communicate better shoulder to shoulder than face to face.

Give them a difficult road, a shared destination and enough time, and the conversation eventually becomes honest.

Modern life has removed many of the places where this used to happen.

The factory floor.
The local club.
The pub where everyone knew your name.
The community organisation.
The football team you stopped playing for at 32.

Work replaced most of it.
Then remote work replaced the people at work.

Now a man can spend five days moving between a laptop, a car and a television without having one meaningful conversation.
We call this efficient.

It is also incredibly lonely!

Cycling accidentally solves part of the problem.

It creates routine.
Shared suffering.
Responsibility.
Belonging.

A reason to show up when you would rather stay in bed.

The group notices when you disappear.
They notice when you are unusually quiet.
They notice when you are riding badly.

They may not ask if you are okay in those exact words.
They might ask why “you’re glued to the road today”?

But the question is still there.

This is why local cycling clubs matter.

Not because the world needs more people chasing Strava segments.
Because adults need somewhere they are expected to appear.

Community is not a WhatsApp group.
It is someone noticing you were not there.

Protect your group ride.
Invite the rider who is drifting away.

Wait at the top of the climb.

The coffee stop might be doing more good than anyone realises.

Quick question.

I'm working on some bib shorts options coming into spring.

Absolute premium fabrics and pads. Italian chamious rated for 7 to 8 hr rides. Lazer cut legs, seamless aero construction.

Looking at the colours people would like.

Have a quick vote. Put a ❤️ for good old black, a 😁 for dark navy blue or write the colour as a comment if you'd like something else.

Images show my sample pair in the Navy blue