i’m (still) no longer a pro cyclist

a revisit to my favourite piece from two years ago

Two years ago, I sat on the balcony outside my apartment and wrote this piece.

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I was hungover, and going through perhaps the biggest identity crisis of my life. I’m looking back on the words that I wrote with a smile. I don’t think anyone could have predicted the journey that’s happened in the two years since.

I remember calling up so many different people around that time and asking for their opinions. One that still stands out is Dan Lloyd. Dan wrote this underneath one of my articles and then was kind enough to take some time to call me. It was the small bits of reassurance from people like him that meant so much at the time.

I say nobody could have predicted what’s next, but in a way, I kind of did:

The cycling world is beautiful in a very twisted way. Just when you think you’re down and out, you’ll be blindsided by a random opportunity. You can never predict where that opportunity will come from, or what it will be. You’re never quite sure how it fell to you, but there is always something.”

‘i’m no longer a pro cyclist’ - January 2023

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I’ve both written and spoken at length about what has happened over the last two years, and hell it has been a ride. But, that chapter that I’ll call my ‘Ribble years’ has closed.

What’s next? Well, I’m not going to say much about that yet, but let’s just say there are some contracts that you sign that just feel different. I remember the butterflies in my stomach when I signed with Axeon all those years ago, this one is up there with that.

I’m proper privateering now. It’s me, myself, and I.

The focus will be on gravel and mostly in the US, but I also want to win Redlands too.

Let’s play guess who with who I’ve signed for: Clue 1: They’re a US brand.

My first race this year will be the Santa Vall here in Girona, and then I’m flying out to the US to start my campaign over there at Mid South. The excitement levels are high.

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So, why have I titled this “i’m (still) not a pro cyclist’?.

I have an issue with titles. People ask me all the time “are you a pro, are you a writer, are you an influencer.” It annoys me a touch, because it doesn’t matter. My main focus is on training and being the best athlete I can, but, my job these days is about a lot more than just winning bike races. I’m happy about that too, privateering is both media and performance. It’s the best of both worlds.

Am I a pro-cyclist? Well, not exactly because I can’t fully financially support myself without doing some freelance work too.

So, therefore, I’m a kinda pro cyclist.

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What I didn’t write in that piece two years ago, was that I was also tip-toeing around a certain Maggie Coles-Lyster. We’d kissed on that New Years Eve in Barcelona. It’s quite a dangerous move to kiss your housemate after a month of knowing her. Luckily, that one turned out alright and as I write this, I can look up from my laptop and smile at her.

My view as I write this!

Thanks to you all for following on. You guys are the best and I love speaking to everyone who reads this either in person when on the road, or online. Always, feel free to shout me via email: jtlcycling@gmail.com

Righto, time to go training. I’ve procrastinated too much already.

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While you’re here…

I’ve added a paid subscription and a ‘Buy Me A Coffee’ link to this post. As the year progresses, I’m planning on building this blog and putting out articles which I’ve always wanted to write but for whatever reason, haven’t wanted to pitch.

Any money that I make from either my Substack or BMaC link will go straight back into supporting my 2025 racing project. I am planning on keeping all content on here free to view though.

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/joelaverick

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