An Off-Season Like No Other

 

The “off” season heading into 2021 had a different feel than years past.  Sometimes, it was hard to tell if it was the pandemic or being a first-time parent that had the bigger influence but combining them means that October-January looked much different from previous years.

Fortunately, we were still able to travel back to our USA home in Asheville. Now that Waylon is mobile and wanting to see, touch, and taste everything, the trip was exhausting.  I can’t believe that I used to complain and dread the travel days where I could put on headphones, zone out, and watch a movie or take a nap.   

Before Jamie and I were parents, just about every off-season for the past decade has included a fun and often adventurous trip where I left the bike at home and we explored a new corner of the country or world.  With Covid safety in mind and the added challenge of traveling with a nearly 1-year-old, we had no visions of pulling off a bonus trip. We were quite happy to stay put and enjoy our Asheville home and people in the area, as well as some visits from grandma and grandpa to see Waylon.

Even when we were in Asheville, it was obviously difficult to see even nearby family and friends. We tried to safely see immediate family and briefly catch up with friends, but navigating safe distancing, outside hangs with winter temps and short daylight hours, and Waylon’s sleep schedule really limited us, and this year was less social.

Looking Back at 2020

Without a doubt, the highlight of 2020 was the birth of Waylon and beginning the journey as parents alongside Jamie.  The days, weeks, and months brought new and often overwhelming challenges, especially when navigated during the ever-changing pandemic, but Waylon puts everything in perspective and it is a new journey unlike any other.

Another major 2020 highlight was still pulling off (with some adjustments) the Binge. We pivoted and gave the event a new feel that adapted to the ever-changing restrictions and guidelines and ensured everyone was safe. The Pop Up Binge (PUB) was a nice success and we had a good crew over a two-day weekend enjoying our Blue Ridge playground on bikes in a creative way. 

I enjoyed riding my mountain bike AND road bike on PUB Day 1. Jamie took the reins on Day 2 with a MTB ride.  Overall, we had great reviews with people saying they appreciated riding some new roads and terrain whether it was on road, gravel, or MTB, and our checkpoint competition proved a success in sending people home with some awesome gear from Binge sponsors. Our goal of the Binge is always to showcase some beautiful and often hidden key points in the surrounding area and I feel we were pretty successful in achieving this, even with the restrictions.  The Old Fort Ride House was a perfect venue, and we are already working on what we can make happen in 2021 as Covid continues evolving.

In terms of racing, I also had some nice moments.  Looking way back to February 2020, I was pleased with my start at Ruta del Sol.  Through the summer, I was proud of how I persevered through the racing calendar’s instability mixed with pay cuts and not knowing what the future would bring.  I anchored myself into my joy and love for purely riding and it was encouraging to realize I still loved riding as much as ever, even if we had no idea when we would race again. 

When I returned to racing in August at Strade Bianca, I had no idea what my form was going to be like…. And to then uncork an inspired ride under extreme conditions and against the world’s best while out on a course that I found the most interesting since my debut a decade ago was really gratifying.  Hearing how others, near and far, were inspired by this performance during an otherwise uncertain and tumultuous year added an extra layer of appreciation and value. It left me feeling that it was more than just pedaling or a result, but about truly performing and persevering.   

While we didn’t have many race days, another highlight was helping my teammate Simon Yates win Tirreno Adriatico.  Physically, I felt strong and it was gratifying being able to apply myself within that specific squad and having an impact on the result. I truly felt that day was a product of teamwork and everyone coming together.  

Healing Up

And then my 2020 season ended with two vertebra fractures during the October edition of the Giro d’Italia.  Initially, this injury appeared to be healing pretty quickly and didn’t seem like it would impact my off-season much. But as we see time and time again with injuries, it is the peripheral and collateral damage that leaves the most impact.  The fractures were healing well, but the instability in my back from these fractures caused some older injuries to rear their ugly head. I quickly realized the recovery was going to be a much more arduous process than I hoped.  It was a long few months of working with the physical therapist, but eventually, I began to improve. By the time I was back on the bike for pre-season training, I was just a little behind my normal schedule. 

At this point, the back is still a work in progress and it’s something that I have to continue to work with and through, but I am grateful to be back to some solid training ahead of the 2021 races. I just am focused on being vigilant with core work, stability, and physical therapy to keep my body working.  I think this most likely the reality of many pro athletes once they hit the ripe age of 37! 

2021: Same Team, New Name

While the name is now Team BikeExchange, the core and culture of the team hasn’t changed much. There are some shifts within management and most visibly our shiny celeste Bianchi Bicycles.  We have a few riders who have moved across to other teams and some new guys coming in.  Overall, the feeling is very much the same. Right now the biggest adjustment is navigating the changes in bike and saddle, which always take some transition time.  For me, the transition to Bianchi feels much easier than the bike change when I joined the team a few years ago.  Perhaps that is because everyone is making the change, but also likely because the Bianchi is simply a sweet ride! 

I’ve learned at this point in my career to avoid getting caught up in direct year-over-year comparisons. As I head into the racing season and still recovering from the back injury, I know to keep my body, mind, and world open and not get too sidetracked about timelines and progression. Originally, I thought I’d kick off the season at Ruta del Sol, but after that race was postponed, I shifted focus to March.  Right now, I am at an altitude camp with a squad of guys.  We are spending around two weeks in Sierra Nevada (not the brewery!), a big mountain in southern Spain where we see people skiing down the mountain next to us as we ride up and down every day honing our bodies into race shape for the coming weeks. 

With everything in the world right now, obviously my schedule could still change, but for the moment it looks like I will start in Italy at Strade Bianca and then head to the Volta Catalunya as my first stage race