REAL RIDER A honeymoon in India gorging on curry prompted to transform his life – with a little help from his bike
Leach Marcus
My story begins 20,000 feet above the Indian Ocean, where I decided it was time for a change. As my wife and I returned from five weeks of gorging on curry in India on our honeymoon, I made a vow to get into shape and become physically fit. Little did I know that the decision would change the course of my life.
What followed can best be described as 11 months of blood, sweat and (no) beers. At the end of it all, though, I had achieved my goal: I’d not only transformed my physique, I’d changed my entire lifestyle into the bargain.
But that was simply the prelude to a far greater story that continues to unfold. It was one thing to look good with my top off, but it was now time to set new goals to see how far I could push myself, both physically and mentally. Which is where cycling comes into the story. As a young boy I dreamed of riding up the iconic Alpe d’Huez with its 21 switchbacks, so this seemed like the perfect challenge to aim for. And so off to the Alps I went, on a snowy day in the middle of December – which, it’s fair to say, isn’t quite how I’d imagined it as a boy. As I hit the bottom of Alpe d’Huez, I was that little boy again living out my dream. I was riding – in my mind at least – in the and it was a race to the summit for ultimate glory. Ninety minutes later, with no feeling in my hands or feet and having fought off my rivals (all imaginary of course, seeing as I was the only one crazy enough to attempt the climb at this time of year), I crossed the finish line utterly exhausted, yet filled with a warmth that stemmed from the discovery of a new love.
What followed can best be described as 11 months of blood, sweat and (no) beers