Since I began cycling, I’ve always embraced multiple disciplines, which is now common among many cyclists. From young children just starting out, to the latest Olympic and world champions, pursuing multiple disciplines has become an increasingly popular trend. This has led to some of the most successful athletes cycling has ever seen, such as Lotte Kopecky and Marianna Vos.
I began competing at the young age of 7 through my local cycling club, Wolverhampton Wheelers. I often spent my wintry Sunday mornings racing in muddy fields at cyclo-cross races. I would also be out on my road bike with my dad and brother on family holidays and track training sessions at Aldersley Velodrome, Wolverhampton. I would also ride a mountain bike just for fun. At age 10, as soon as I was old enough, I hopped on a track bike at the indoor velodrome at Derby Arena. Put simply, I was always motivated to try out a different type of bike and this in turn, developed my love of the sport.
I am now fortunate enough to have turned my hobby into my profession, with my focus being on the road and track. There are some professional cyclists who balance more disciplines, but these two are just enough for me and are what I enjoy the most. Personally, I find road and track compliment each other the best. I ride on the road with Hess Cycling Team and as a track rider with the Great Britain Cycling Team (GBCT).
During the winter, I make sure that I include endurance rides each week to prepare for the upcoming season. I include a fair amount of intensity, whether this be in the form of track camps with GBCT or track races that are spread out through the winter. The long training rides and intense racing I have completed with Hess Cycling Team this year have really strengthened me as an athlete. As I am writing this, I have just returned home from 4 Jours de Geneva (elite track racing) and prior to that, I spent a week in Girona doing long endurance rides in a warmer climate. I am currently in the middle of a 4-day block of endurance riding before heading up to Manchester for a 4-day track camp. This includes track sessions, road rides, gym sessions and lab testing.
Having such varied training throughout the winter months, prevents it from becoming boring and repetitive. It also helps with motivation when the weather becomes tough to train in. Track training is also great for speed and cadence work. Bunch racing helps massively when it comes to positioning on the road and vice versa. Both disciplines provide a rider with skills that are transferable to each other, creating a well-rounded athlete.
There are challenges to competing in more than one discipline, but most can be resolved with careful planning. Logistics can be quite difficult when getting from one place to the next, especially when different bikes and kit are required. There is lots of travel involved, which is one of the best parts of the job, however with all the training and racing, it can be exhausting and catch up with you if you are not carefully planned and organised. When dates and disciplines clash, I have to prioritise what is most important and what is going to be most beneficial to me. Recovery and rest days are essential!
Riding different disciplines means that I am racing all year round which I enjoy. It helps with motivation by allowing me to set both short and long-term goals throughout the year, while carefully managing my efforts to avoid becoming too fatigued, both physically and mentally. To ensure this, like most professional athletes, I take an ‘off season’ that’s around 2-3 weeks long in October. For me, I like to completely put the bike away, take the opportunity to fully recover and spend time away from the sport doing things I enjoy with my close family and friends.
If you have an interest in cycling and wish to explore different disciplines, cost can be a concern. My suggestion would be to join a local cycling club, who can often support with equipment, and to try taster sessions at a velodrome where the equipment can be hired. Above all, have fun!
