JAMES KNOX
Well it’s not exactly been the most entertaining nor memorable month stuck inside my apartment in Andorra. I rented the apartment with pure cycling gains in mind, with it being up at 2,000m above sea level. I didn’t think the lack of an outdoor space would come back to haunt me so much.
Thankfully I wasn’t alone, and had fellow Cumbrian of the WorldTour, Mark Donovan (of Team Sunweb), to share the experience with. We’ve been checking the news, playing video games, ploughing through TV series and avoiding the turbo at all cost. So far I’ve been outside of the new craze of virtual racing, but it’s looming ever larger as more and more race organisers and teams look to create interest during this time.
Seeing as I’m living at 2,000m and knowing the harsh reality that Zwift racing is more intense than normal racing, I thought I’d save myself more torture and steer clear for now. It is not always easy to remain motivated, but especially in times like this, with no certainty of racing coming up, motivation is incredibly difficult.
The thought of the open road and fresh air is much more appealing than training indoors. In the last couple of weeks we’ve been allowed to get outside for an hour a day on alternate days in Andorra, so I’ve been making the most of that freedom with some running and hiking. Needless to say, the fact that I’m staying up in the mountains means some of the hikes are pretty fantastic straight out of the front door.
Unfortunately, from a cycling point of view, it is the uncertainty which still looms large. Despite things heading in the right direction by and large it is impossible to know what’s coming. The talk of the altered racing calendar for the end of the year is hopeful, but there’s still a long way to go there. Teams, of course, are feeling the effect of everything that’s happening and the economic downturn has taken its toll, rumours of pay cuts are rife and for some teams even rumours of collapse. I guess we can only hope for the best for now and see what comes. One thing is for certain, I’m sure everyone in the peloton will be ready to race whenever they get the chance.
I’m living at 2,000m and knowing the harsh reality that Zwift racing is more intense than normal racing, I thought I’d save myself more torture and steer clear for now