DAVE PETTITT, 50 HOW CYCLING CHANGED MY LIFE...
A passion for pedalling saw Dave Pettitt’s ballooning weight pop
WHAT WAS YOUR LIFE LIKE BEFORE THE BIKE?
An attempt, in my early 30s, to lose weight through mountain biking left me with a broken collar bone and led to an 18-month lay-off.
HOW DID YOU GET BACK ON THE BIKE?
A pal, Paul Greer, had switched from mountain bikes to road and was heading out regularly with Southborough and District Wheelers. He suggested I come along. I started going in March 2016 and I signed up for an 80-mile sportive in the June. That was tough.
HOW DID YOU CHANGE YOUR DIET?
I found if I was riding on a Saturday or Sunday morning, which I was most weeks, I was less likely to have a drink or takeaway. I also switched to a more healthy eating routine, which coincided with my wife starting at Slimming World. It allowed us to eat healthy food but still have treats.
HOW HAS YOUR RIDING CHANGED?
I ride a Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Pro and an Argon 18 Electron track bike. I ride three to four times a week and my target this year is 6000km. I qualified for the UCI World Grand Fondo Champs in France. I’m hoping for the additional six points that I need to move up from Cat 4 before the end of the year. I am also relishing the Full Gas winter track season at Lee Valley velodrome.
ANY OTHER BENEFITS?
Physically I’m fit and healthy. Mentally, I have a pretty stressful job and the great thing about cycling is that it allows you to empty your mind, especially if you’re racing or doing a tough session.
TOP TIP
Weigh yourself every day. I’ve conflicting information as to whether this is good or bad. It doesn’t help me lose any more weight but it helps to stop me putting it on!