Features / cycling
How do you reach the ‘super-human’ level of pro cyclists?
The Tour de France, which finishes in Paris on Sunday, attracts more than 10 million spectators to line its 2,000-odd mile race course and an online viewership reportedly to be in the billions.
Some 176 super-human cyclists in 22 teams of eight battle it out each year across the Alps and Pyrenees in what is universally regarded as the World Cup of bicycle racing.
Despite its astounding global audience, just a tiny fraction of the world have any idea as to what it’s like to be a cyclist competing at the prestigious contest.
is needed now More than ever
With “fatty deposits nestling on his back” and a penchant for craft ale, James Witts has written a book exploring what it takes for a layman to reach the dizzying heights of professional cyclists.
For his third book, Witts looks at what pro cyclists do to train for big races and then analyses it to apply it his own forthcoming challenge – photo: James Witts
In Riding With The Rocketmen: One Man’s Journey on the Shoulders of Cycling Giants, Witts takes himself with a mission – to complete L’Étape du Tour, a day when the public ride one of the more challenging stages of that year’s tour.
“As a freehand writer, I have spent years with professional cycling teams to see how they work, train and eat,” the 46-year old father and cycling journalist based in Clevedon told Bristol24/7.
“Suddenly, I was in my mid-forties and I thought, why don’t I shine the camera on me and marry what they’re doing with a 46-year-old devoted to children who is a bit heavier and more tired than I was 20 years ago?”
Witts followed a rigorous six month training plan, striving to follow in the footsteps of the likes of cycling legends Tadej Pogacar, Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish.
His preparations ranged from getting his bike ergonomically fitted to his body and fitness testing to six-hour rides across the South West and cyclocross in Keynsham.
Memories of our brief bromance at last year’s @letapedutour A hungry @irishpeloton follows my chamois! pic.twitter.com/9ri36Vj14s
— James Witts (@james_witts) June 20, 2023
Witts fell in love with the “nuances and different narratives” of cycling from competing in triathlons as well as watching the rise of Team Sky and cyclists like Bradley Wiggins on the television and as a journalist.
“I’ve always been interested in the physiology side of things in professional sport,” he said.
“As a cyclist, you have to be so determined and so motivated, which is fascinating for me partly because I just don’t have the mindset to be that focused all the time.”
Witts added: “The more I read about the pro side, especially pro road cycling, the more you realise it’s such a complex sport.”
“You assume the fastest person just wins, which I guess in a way they do.
“But look at the tour now: you could have a rider win the Tour de France and wear that yellow jersey, yet haven’t actually won any of the 21 stages.
“It makes you realise what team sport is, because without the team sheltering the leader or the sprinter of that stage, the individual just won’t achieve their own glory.”
To buy Riding With The Rocketmen, visit www.bloomsbury.com/uk/riding-with-the-rocketmen
Main photo: James Witts
Read next:
- Bristol named as one of UK’s most cycle-friendly cities
- £3.6m funding for new walking and cycling improvements
- ‘We need a total overhaul in approach to cycling in Bristol‘
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