Last week I was forced to slow down.

Not by choice.

By shingles.

So for the first time in a long time, I stopped cycling to work and started taking the Tube instead.

If you’ve ever lived in London, you’ll know that’s not exactly something to look forward to.

Crowded platforms.

Hot carriages.

That subtle tension in the air when everyone’s already stressed before 9 am.

Normally, I’d rather ride in the rain than deal with that.

But here’s what changed everything.

I left 5–10 minutes earlier.

That’s it.

And suddenly…

The platform wasn’t packed.

I got a seat.

No one was pushing.

No frantic rush up the escalators.

It felt… calm.

And standing there, I had this uncomfortable realisation:

The chaos I usually experience isn’t just “London.”

It’s my timing.

By trying to squeeze every last minute out of my morning…

By running things tight…

By refusing to give myself breathing room…

I was creating the stress.

And if I’m honest, that’s exactly what so many cyclists over 40 do with their training.

You try to squeeze rides into already packed weeks.

You rush sessions.

You skip recovery.

You tell yourself you’ll “rest later.”

Until your body forces you to.

Shingles has been that reminder for me.

Stress isn’t just mental.

It’s physiological.

And it catches up.

What struck me most this week is this:

Small sacrifices create easier experiences.

Leaving 10 minutes earlier made my whole morning calmer.

Doing 10 minutes of mobility can make your next ride feel smoother.

Adding two structured strength sessions can make that climb feel manageable instead of soul-destroying.

Going to bed 20 minutes earlier can change your recovery entirely.

It doesn’t have to be dramatic.

It just has to be intentional.

So this week, my commitment is simple:

5–10 minutes of meditation each day.

Because clearly, I need to manage stress better, not just push harder.

Now I’ll ask you the same question I’ve been asking myself:

What small sacrifice could make your cycling, and your life, easier?

Reply and tell me.

And if you’re at the point where you’re tired of guessing…

Tired of squeezing training into chaos…

Tired of feeling like you’re working hard but not moving forward…

You can now sign up for 1:1 coaching directly — no call required.

Everything is laid out clearly on the updated page here.

Structure.

Clarity.

Progress — without burning yourself out.

Have a look, and if you’ve got questions, just reply.

Sometimes it’s not about doing more.

It’s about giving yourself just a little more space.

Speak soon,

Neil