Our 2024 journal contributor Patrick Fotheringham rides for Halesowen Academy. As one of the older members of the squad, his role is part-mentor, part-racer. In his second journal entry, Partick reflects on the relationship between cycling and mental health.
There is a Japanese proverb about the power of resilience; “nana korobi, ya oki”, which means “fall down seven times, get up eight”. Throughout the last couple of months, cycling, and life outside of it, has made a habit of knocking a man while he’s down.
A lot of changes in my personal life and circumstances have compounded a very tough period, leaving me feeling very lost
A lot of changes in my personal life and circumstances, racing proving mentally very hard, and until recently the horrific weather, have compounded a very tough period, leaving me feeling very lost. It’s been a struggle. So, writing at the time of Mental Health Awareness Week, this journal is going to talk a bit about mental health, a bit about mental toughness in sport and some of the harder things with cycling.
Sport at all levels requires mental toughness, a psychological attribute that allows an individual to remain resilient under pressure or during challenging moments; tenacity, mental fortitude, stress management and self-assurance all make up mental toughness.
In a sport like cycling, in which there is so much that can go wrong at so many moments, mental toughness will be developed more. Racing requires you to bounce back quickly from adversity. Whether it is a crash, a mechanical, a puncture, or bad legs, you learn to move on and refocus with dwelling on it too much. Fellow journal contributor at The British Continental, former teammate and good mate Joe Brookes highlighted this recently in a beautifully written article. But over time this takes a toll. One only has to look at the recent stories that have come out about individuals reporting mental burnout or having to retire on mental health grounds.
For every rider who makes a heroic return to racing after a horror crash, there are plenty who cannot face racing again due to the trauma or eventually stop after attempting a futile return
A cutting quote from legendary German sprinter Marcel Kittel – “I’ve lost all motivation to torture myself on the bike” – will resonate with some people. For every rider who makes a heroic return to racing after a horror crash, there are plenty who cannot face racing again due to the trauma or eventually stop after attempting a futile return. This is without even touching on the long-term effect on mental health that some injuries can cause.
While cycling is predominantly a beautiful sport that takes many people to amazing places, there are some negative aspects, and recently there are more and more increasingly ugly parts too. For example, while it appears to be improving, the dark shadow of doping that looms over professional and amateur racing is still a hugely prominent feature in conversations about racing. And it is probably a cross that the sport will have to bear for years, and the reputation may never recover fully. It is almost an instinctive reaction to make accusations and allegations, which if untrue must be damaging, and if true, almost worse.
There is also the ever-increasing worry about rider safety; races are faster than ever, from amateur up to WorldTour, presumably due to advances in technology and sports science. But this increases the level of danger, with races feeling more frantic and stressful. Many riders understandably choose to no longer take the risk.
Recently, there also appears to be an increase in pressure for riders to be better younger, with more WorldTour teams taking on riders fresh out of junior category. Yet this makes it seem more important to be successful at junior level, which also makes it seem more important at youth too, leading to an increase on the strain on young children, and the resources of the parents. This mirrors the approach in football, but that only works to a certain extent; 97% of academy players will never make a Premier League appearance, and the reports of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts of young footballers is a concern.
If I had a pound for every time at a race a remark is made about my weight I’d be a very rich man
The weight obsession in cycling has been something that has always hit close to home. From the years of over-restricting following poor advice as an impressionable young rider to binge eating from the stress of university, I have seen a 34kg fluctuation in my adult life. I am currently at a weight where I can race well on all but the much hillier courses, but also look at myself in the mirror and not feel disgusted with how I appear. But if I had a pound for every time at a race a remark is made about my weight, be it a friendly natured “how are ya big man” or a snide remark about whether I’ll struggle up a hill, I’d be a very rich man. It no longer bothers me, but there was once a time when it did. There are extreme cases you hear about of health issues experienced due to eating disorders, which probably don’t seem that frequent, but these are just the ones you here about.
Beyond cycling, my personal life and work circumstances have been far from ideal this year. As someone who thrives on structure and stability, a lot of change in various ways has left me feeling directionless recently, very mentally drained and disillusioned, therefore leaning on cycling to support myself a bit more. But gaining momentum in races has been difficult; mechanicals, cancellations, and most recently a high-speed crash which I feel lucky to have escaped relatively unscathed from.
It is hard when the aspect of your life that you can rely on isn’t going well for you no matter how hard you try. It can be demoralising, and you are left questioning yourself. Without much else to focus my attention on other than scouring Indeed for jobs. It has been tough, and at times I certainly haven’t been the kindest to myself. However, it’s starting to feel as though there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Surrounding myself with good people, exciting new adventures on the horizon and a bit of good weather, things have started to pick up
Surrounding myself with good people, exciting new adventures on the horizon and a bit of good weather, things have started to pick up. A greater acceptance that some things are out of my control, that sometimes it is ok to get it wrong, and the only failure is when the lesson isn’t taken. I have also found reminding myself that it is important to be mindful of the future, but not at the expense of the present, has helped. And it’s started to feel as if things have started to go my way a bit more.
The mental health benefits of cycling are second to none in my opinion. I love the sense of community and the people I have met through this sport; whether it’s a café ride or chatting to people at races, these are the things that I find really help when things are tough. But given the difficulties that cycling can also bring, it is especially important to be mindful of the long-term impact, and subsequently take care of one another. The old faithful phrases of being kind, checking on your mates and if you are struggling reaching out to someone, these are just the start. I hope that reading this somewhat raises a little awareness, maybe inspires someone who is struggling to reach out to a friend, sparks a thought to go for a coffee ride with a mate you think is having a hard time and for people to be a bit kinder to each other.
Featured image: Mike Adam
Find out more
Patrick Fotheringham journal #01: better the devil you know
Journals 2024: introducing Patrick Fotheringham
Discover more from The British Continental
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Well said (and well-written). If you keep the phrase “failure is not an option” in your head it will slowly destroy you, either physically or mentally or both. Enjoyment in what you do is paramount. When things get too much try a different path. It ‘can’ change your life for the better.