Going into 2026. A reset year.

Been off the boil.

Typically i'm really hyped coming into the New Year with target events, mileage goals and trips planned. Smashing & grinding on Zwift, looking for the first sunbreak through the clouds and the temps increasing, giddy to get out and hammer some hills.

Don't even. 2025 was a disappointing year, bleeding into 2026.

In January (25) I had my first serious accident, rear-ended by a motorbike who hit some black ice and who wrote off a new wheel set. After a few weeks off (fortunately just deep bruising, I think..) and a few good rides after, things got really exciting as I received my dream bike - a brand new Cervelo S5.

Unfortunately (despite a few really good weekends out), the excitement was relatively short-lived as I picked up a strange hamstring injury which has never gone away. Cancelled the Ventoux trip, cancelled anything big, took it easy, but still it persisted, with sore knees, achy hips and other reoccuring ailments meaning I was fairly off/on. Throw in the flu, long work weeks and quite a bit of stress / ennui. Not brilliant, and losing the will, tbh.

Needless to say, there were some great days out in 2025 and generally lovely local riding:

2026 is a reset year.

As I sit in bed with 2026's first/finest virus🦠 and not having been on a bike outdoors since November (!), I'm recognising that age (unfortunately) is catching up with me and my health is not as solid as it has been (or I secretly hoped). Alas.

Positive steps. Booked in with a recommended physio, dropped some bad habits, focusing on getting better sleep/rest, a daily yoga routine and a better work/life balance.

It's slow progress, but I'm hoping on the other side I'll have a better foundation, with better habits that lead to less bad days. Fingers crossed.

For now, I do have some events to be hopeful for...

A few gravel sportives (first in Thetford, Cannock Chase and North Yorks Moors)
Some Audax's - starting in March/April - my first time trying out this format, excited!
Weekend away in Suffolk (tbc on route/discipline, likely road)
Another long day out in the Cotswolds
The creme de la creme - 5 days in Sept riding around Lake Como, Italy

I have a few other potentials (unbooked as it stands) with Chase The Sun (South), the Gralloch, so we shall see how the 'rehab' goes and go from there.

Outside of riding, 2026 is another big year of change - potentially the biggest yet for a long time. Who knows where i'll be living in 4-6 months time. Regardless, hoping to focus on getting better, then getting stronger.