Last week I was out in Mallorca with my friend Jamie.

It’s something I’ve done for years now, probably 15 years in total, and it’s always a trip I look forward to.

Sunshine. Smooth roads. Big climbs.

If you’ve ever been to Mallorca, you’ll know… it’s a cyclist’s paradise.

But this year felt different.

Going into the trip, I knew I wasn’t as prepared as I would’ve liked.

My training had been inconsistent…

Maybe 40 miles a week commuting, a turbo session here and there.

Nothing structured.

On top of that, I’d had shingles earlier this year, and work had been piling on the stress.

So when we planned one of the big rides of the week, an 85-mile day including the climb up Puig Major, I’ll be honest…

I was apprehensive.

Last year, I didn’t even manage it.

I was too tired and had to sack it off.

This time, we went for it early in the week.

Jamie rode ahead (he’s a lot fitter than me right now), and I settled into my own pace.

And as I was climbing…

I caught myself doing what a lot of cyclists do.

Beating myself up.

Thinking about how I should be fitter.

How I used to be faster.

How I wasn’t going to hit a PB.

But then something shifted.

Instead of focusing on what I wasn’t…

I started appreciating what I could do.

I was still climbing one of the toughest routes on the island.

Still riding day after day.

Still putting together a 300-mile week.

And when I checked my time?

It wasn’t far off my PB from 2018.

Eight years ago.

That put things into perspective.

Because the real win wasn’t the time.

It was the fact I was still there…

Still riding…

Still able to enjoy it.

And that’s the lesson.

We all have goals, faster times, better fitness, stronger performances.

But when you’re balancing a full-time job, family, stress, and everything else life throws at you…

Your training will never be perfect.

And that’s okay.

Because if you have:

• Some structure
• Solid habits
• And you look after your health off the bike

You give yourself the ability to still show up…

Still ride…

And actually enjoy it.

Not just chase numbers.

Because what’s the point in being fit… if you’re too burnt out to enjoy the ride?

If you want help building that kind of structure, so you can stay fit, healthy, and actually enjoy your cycling long-term…

Book a call to learn more.

Speak soon,

Neil