A sad decision
After much soul-searching (and much familial lobbying) Peter decides Wimbleball is beyond him at this stage... next stop: The Ride Across Britain in September
I’ve taken the sad decision to pull out of Wimbleball. Injuries have piled up in the last few months and I’m not now quite at the level of fitness that I need to do justice to this event. I’m gutted.
It’s been quite a year. About 12 months ago this week I had my heart attack and was contemplating a heart by-pass. I had the few weeks of recovery, followed by three months of ‘rehab’… the boring walking in circles, not allowing my heart rate to get too high.
We all had the long cold winter’s training. My spring was dominated by frustrating knee troubles.
In the last two weeks I’ve completed two Sportives, and the Eton sprint tri. I can’t say they were the greatest times ever, or that I felt like an Ironman. But I was in the pack for my age group.
After much soul-searching (and much familial lobbying) I’ve decide Wimbleball at this stage is just slightly beyond me. I wish I could switch to Windsor, but think I’ve left it too late.
I also need to concentrate on my preparation for the Land’s End to John O’ Groats ride in September and need my knees to be in good condition for that. No more running for the time being.
I don’t want to leave this blog on this note of failure. I shall keep it going until after the Ride Across Britain… hopefully with a positive story to tell.
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
