Issue 116 - The Mind Issue

The Mind Issue

Cycling is always seen as a physical activity, but it is inextricably linked to the mind. The difference in bike races, unlike in running or swimming events, is often made by strategic and tactical superiority and good decision-making. The strongest runner always wins a marathon; in a bike race, a clever rider can always beat a stronger rival. The act of cycling itself broadens the mind, because it mostly takes place out there in the real world - it forces us to learn about geography, politics, culture, meteorology and more. It takes us to new places. And bike riding time is excellent reflection time. New ideas come to us when we lose ourselves in pedalling; or sometimes cycling helps us to stop thinking. There’s nothing like a long ride to quieten the noise of overthinking.

We’ve explored the relationship between cycling and the mind in this edition of Rouleur. Cycling is a physical activity, but even more than that, it is a cerebral activity. Of course, there is a certain zen charm in reducing cycling to its physical processes: pedalling, breathing, steering… But all of this physical activity is hugely enriched and made more meaningful by how it relates to what goes on inside our heads.

What’s in the magazine?

The Incredible Lightness of Being Peter Sagan

It’s hard work being Peter Sagan, both on and off the bike. As a professional cyclist and three-times world champion, the Slovakian’s life revolves around training, racing, travelling and resting. However, he also juggles a life as a father, brand ambassador and businessman. He tells Rouleur how he manages to maintain a level head among the chaos and the rush.

High Tea with Lachlan Morton

Could we interview Lachlan Morton, when he came over for the Rouleur Live event in London? Yes, he said, but could we also take him for high tea, to tick off his bucket list. James Startt pulled out the company credit card and ordered the dainty sandwiches and cakes while Morton explained why he has moved on from the WorldTour.

The Brains Behind the Hour Record

Rouleur was there in the Grenchen velodrome when Filippo Ganna smashed the World Hour Record, recording 56.792km and threatening, briefly, to take the mark over 57km. We spoke to his support team about how the attempt was put together.

Veronica Ewers: the Lion and the Lamb

While many pro cyclists discover the sport in their teens or even younger, Veronica Ewers, of EF-Tibco, on the other hand, was in her mid-20s before she turned a pedal in anger. However, she’s been making up for lost time - at 28, and with only one full professional season to her name, Ewers has already achieved top 10s in the Tour de France Femmes, Women’s Tour, Itzulia and the Tour de Romandie. She tells Rouleur about her spectacular ascent, and also promises there is a lot more to come.

Also in the magazine:

Fergus Crawley, Taylor Phinney, Rupert Guinness, Safiyah al Sayegh, Eating Disorders, the role of confidence in cycling and much, much more.