Cycling is often seen as a sport for individuals. It is one of the reasons I was drawn to cycling as a sport in my youth.
I didn’t like and wasn’t particularly good at team games. I preferred sports like cycling and swimming where the outcome relied solely on my effort and I didn’t feel the pressure of performing for someone else. It was all about me.
This attitude stemmed from an introverted perspective that I didn’t want to be the one that let the team down. I can now see that a lot of that mind-set came from a lack of self-belief in my own abilities.
It is something that I can still come up against today, but now older and wiser I have the necessary mechanisms to deal with it.
It soon became apparent to me that at a professional level, road racing, at least, was actually a team sport. That facet of cycle sport takes an alternative view of how a team works compared to most other sports. In a road race up to eight other riders can work selflessly to support their team leader, who, if they are successful will take all the glory.
There are opportunities for individuals to shine, but ultimately the goal of that team is the individual glory of one rider.
Of course not all riders have the support of a team of cyclists around them to fetch them water and food, lead them out in a sprint and protect them from head-winds. Many bike races come down to an individual’s effort, whether that is in a velodrome, on a cross-country track (XC) or whilst hurtling down a rocky downhill course (DH). However these riders will still benefit from a huge network of support behind the scenes. From coaches to nutritionists; to doctors and physiotherapists; psychologists and sponsors, there is a long list.
The unsung heroes behind any great champion are the parents. From the first wobbly pedal strokes a young rider will take, through the highs and lows of crashes, competitions, tears and joy to the moment they reach the top step of a podium, parents are there every step of the way.
They provide the support selflessly; getting up at 3am to drive down to Wales for a national series race, or just tending to bleeding knees, tears and runny noses in the pouring rain at a small event in Fife. Week in and week out they are there standing in the pouring rain cheering their kids along.
They provide financial support, often into the thousands; they remain positive and keep things on track when the young person believes the whole world is up against them. Parents are mechanics, chauffeurs, coaches, psychologists and nutritionists all rolled into one and without them there would be no champions.
If you are a young rider reading this, then give your parents a big thank you, you won’t get far without them. If you are a parent, then, as they say in cycling parlance, “chapeau”; you are doing a great job.
| Where to ride: | Glen Fruin – Garelochhead |
| Suitable for: | Road cycling |
| Distance: | 20 miles |
| Start: | OS Landranger 1;50,000 Map 56 NS249895 |
| Description: | This little road loop is nestled in between Gare Loch and Loch Lomond. It follows an undulating low and high road through scenic countryside with two short linking sections at either end on the A82 Loch Lomond Road and A814 Helensburgh road. One highlight of this route (when done anti-clockwise is the climb from Garelochhead to Strone House. It rises steeply and will have you searching for your lowest gear. The return journey will also see you climbing steeply from Loch Lomond on the shoulder of Shantron Hill |
