Adam Bly the
The former British national champion and winner of the RideLondon Classic waxes lyrical on retiring from the pro circuit, family rides and guilty refuelling pleasures…
PLEASURE RIDES
“I retired at the end of 2019 and have since been riding a variety of different loops on the roads near my home in Cheshire. These days, I don’t ride anywhere near as much as I did as a pro. I can pick and choose when I want to go. I’ve ridden with the odd local group, but that can mean someone trying to challenge me, just to prove a point, which takes away the fun for me.”
BIKE SWAPS
“Another joy of not having to train for a specific discipline is that I can ride all types of terrain now using the range of bikes I have. Today I was out on the roads on the Genesis Zero Disc, but I’ve also got gravel bikes – a Genesis Fugio and a Datum, plus a Genesis Mantle mountain bike and a Smithfield, which is a little towncruiser bike, as well as Saracen Aerial MTB. I like to mix and match!”
CLEAR ROADS
“Lockdown has had its ups and downs on the cycling front. It’s a bonus that you get more time to get out on your bike, the roads have been clear and the weather good.
But a drawback can be having to ride on your own. For those with targets they’ve wanted to dial in to while not being at work, it’s been fantastic. But I’ve missed riding with the likes of Ian Stannard and Ben Swift, who don’t live too far away. I often join them on their recovery rides.”
FUEL STOPS
“I’m fortunate that I get to eat and drink what I want now I’m not racing, but I still like to keep fit and keep the weight off. I used to take the protein gels with me on training rides, but now if I’m blowing out, I might stop at a petrol station for a Mars bar and can of Coke!”
FAMILY AFFAIR
“Getting out and exploring new disciplines and different aspects of the bike has been a bonus since retiring. I’m having a bash at gravel racing and mountain biking, and I’d love to do the Three Peaks Challenge. There’s a lot to enjoy, especially with my son and our twin girls. Once a week, we get out and ride along a disused railway, which is now a bridle path. Cycling really is about pleasure for me now.”