Chasing the Pros

Road cycling is a punishing amateur sport – the highs of finishing a challenging sportive, Gran Fondo or difficult challenge event and the lows.

Pressures of work, family life, illness and injury, or a global pandemic, can get in the way of reaching our goals. Keeping motivated year-on-year sometimes becomes hard and we plateau.

Nick Barker

As an academic at the world’s leading Sports University, Nick has taken an in-depth approach to developing this book.

Like many Nick loves bikes, riding them fast and watching pros race. University teaching, writing and a family life, leaves Nick with little time to be a training God and he’s no cycling champion.

Testimonials

‘‘Well done, Nick. This is a read for any cyclist who wants to understand a little more about themselves or for partners of said cyclists who may want to understand more about this perceived insanity."

"Nick shows how all types of riders emulate their heroes, as Eddy ‘The Cannibal’ Merckx inspired me as a neo pro. He throughly bridges the differences between pros, elite and club riders and the natural talent needed to win."