Here, there, and everywhere - that’s how my head has felt this summer.
It’s been a year. Racing in the US, having this weird sickness problem, travelling to Namibia, Maggie’s surgery. So much has happened, and I feel like I’ve been chasing my tail.
I’m currently sitting in VIA Atelier in London, just around the corner from Kings Cross. I have my laptop out and the Vuelta TT is on in the background.
From trying to start a pro-team, to my health, and everything else. It’s time for a quick Privateer Diaries.
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The Team
The thing I’ve been working on quite publicly, to say the least. How’s it going? Well, it’s going. It’s a game of pitch - talk - refine - pitch - talk - refine.
It’s a never-ending game of networking, talking.
Each time I talk to someone, each time somebody reaches out, the idea gets a little better. The past few days in London have been meaningful to say the least. I’ve never been so sure.
I’m working on everything at once, and I’m currently considering a few options that we can put out in public:
Roll out “membership” - how does this look? We’re still figuring it out.
Release “merch”. This is linked to number 1.
Financial planning. It’s boring, but there are a fair few spreadsheets.
More to come.
Namibia
Oh, I haven’t really mentioned on here as I’m waiting for all of the edits to come but I spent 10-days in Namibia both racing and bike adventuring at the end of August
I finished 6th in the race, and the trip that followed was spectacular. I’m looking forward to sharing more from that when I can.
My Health
The elephant in the room the second half of this season has been health. I’ve gone to countless doctors, specialists and done who knows how many tests. I’ve not been able to race, or train without getting symptoms.
For those unaware, I have a bizarre dry heaving (often puking) and breathlessness whenever going hard, laughing, and at random points in the day.
When I started writing this yesterday I felt a bit helpless, but in the last few hours a new specialist has come to light with experience in this field and having seen people with my symptoms before.
Fingers crossed.
My Head
I’m putting on a brave face, but I’m completely bummed about my health.
If people ask me about racing or training, I try and dance around the subject or change the topic of conversation. I’m almost embarrassed to bring it up.
It sucks, a lot. I miss the highs of Redlands earlier this year. Feeling fully healthy, riding a TT bike to the stage win. Oh to be back in that health and fitness.
There’s a huge part of me that wants to call it a season. Just to go on holiday, to check out and focus on 2026 and some slightly different targets I have there.
As things stand, there’s one more race on my calendar: Big Sugar in October.
I know I often sound negative on here when I talk about my own performance, and I really don’t mean to be. This year has just been extra tough. It feels like I’m doing lots of things averagely and nothing perfectly. It feels like I’ve got more questions than answers.
Yes, I do an awful lot more than just race bikes. But, bike racing is still a huge part of my identity, and when I can’t do that well, I have a crisis.
Don’t be gloomy Joe
Amid all the chaos, there are many anchors. Maggie is slowly but surely coming back from her iliac artery surgery. Watching her go through recovery hasn’t always been easy, but it feels like there’s light at the end of her tunnel.
The small moments. I did a beauty of a six-hour ride with Riley last week. I was smiling from ear to ear, and it reminded me of why I do what I do.
Oh, and it sounds soppy, but the support that people who read this have given me too. I went pretty bloody public with my team idea, and it’s quite a crazy idea. But, it’s pleasantly surprised me how many of you have reached out with support, with ideas.
Anyways, I’m back in Girona now as I finish writing this and I’ve just been informed that dinner is ready.
Until next time,
Joe
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Great article as always Joe, but sorry to hear about your health issues. Having had more than my fair share of setbacks over the years, there is a subtle cruelty in not being able to pinpoint the route of a problem. However, it only takes one specialist to change that equation, so it sounds like you're doing all the right things; fingers crossed, this new one can put you on the right track to recovery. It makes it all the more impressive that your projects continue to move from strength to strength, so keep up the great work.