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We see cyclists around Edmonton on a daily basis, year round. Most of them are downtown on a mission to deliver a package, some of them riding around residential areas slowly cruising around as a way to mentally relax themselves from a busy day at work and others are together in a group for a social activity. We’re forgetting one more category, the ones who ride competitively.
Competitive cycling branches out to numerous categories. We had the chance to sit with Nick Croken, a local edmonton cycling competitor, to learn more about the sport and his endeavors as a Cycling Athlete.
WD: Hi Nick, thank you so much for sitting with us here at the Edmonton Muse. Let’s start, tell us a little bit about yourself.
NC: I’m a rock climber turned cyclist. A lifestyle that revolves around fitness is certainly not where I guessed I would be if you had asked me two years ago. The slippery slope of addiction started when I got into cycling and now I’d say I’m a dedicated multi sport athlete. Growing up in a family where sports & fitness wasn’t a thing had sheltered me from the joys of participating in them until a few years after high school.
WD: So when did you start getting into cycling competitively and what go you into it?
NC: Injuries from rock climbing was my main drive to get into cycling. Before cycling I used to train fairly hard for rock climbing, spending as many 6 days a week in the gym or climbing outside. I kept injuring the pulleys in my fingers which would take me off the wall for few months to a year each time. I went out and bought a mountain bike and started the process of tackling a new sport. Not knowing anyone who was cycling I signed up for the sports equivalent of Facebook, Strava. Luckily for me I found a few people to ride with who were already at a pretty high level of cycling that were willing to drag me out on their rides. Now I am chasing these guys through the trails. After a season of riding with friends I picked up a trainer and starting training. The next summer I entered a few races and did fairly well in both mountain biking and cyclocross.
WD: That’s quite a journey you’ve had so far! So what is one of the most challenging things you face today when it comes training for competitions?
NC: As ridiculous as it sounds, the biggest challenge is not over training. Anyone who trains knows how easy it is to get addicted to the endorphins from a great session. This year I’m hoping that more focused rides on the bikes will allow me to spend more time off the bike cross training and spreading the training load over my whole body instead of just hammering my legs 7 days a week.
WD: That’s a great tip for all athlete’s for sure. Usually when rigorous training is involved, a meal plan is usually associated with it. Are you on any specific meal regimen right now?
NC: Oh god, I probably should be. During the summer and heavy training weeks getting enough calories is often the hardest part. When I’m logging 20+ hours a week of training I eat primarily carbs. I’ve had great luck with that for the last two years so I see no reason to change it. Due to a couple of food allergies virtually everything processed is out of the question. The food allergies have forced me to eat significantly cleaner over the last year and I’ve definitely noticed higher energy levels and extremely fast recovery times.
WD: Have you always been into sports growing up?
NC: I would definitely say that sports was never my strong point until a couple years out of high school. When I was in school I did freestyle skiing but that was about it. The fat kid in gym class who chose the 100m sprint on track day because it was the shortest event? Ya, that was me.
WD: I can relate to that so much! In the world of fitness, is there someone you idolize?
NC: There isn’t a specific athlete in any of the sports I practice but there is a group of athletes that continue to inspire me, the athletes that never stop doing what they love. “I’m too old for that. I can’t push my body at my age,” are common things I hear from people, even my peers when it comes to trying new sports. Without a doubt, the most impressive athletes are the ones who have practiced their sport for their whole lives and continue to do so into their 60s and 70s.
WD: What has been the most memorable part of your cycling journey thus far?
NC: Races are a ton of fun but the most memorable memories from my cycling journey have been riding bikes in unique locations. Despite logging miles over seas and across Alberta and BC, cycling in Nova Scotia was my favourite trip so far. When you’re on the bike you’re seeing so much more of the land than you would through the windshield of a car. Not only are you seeing more but you’re feeling the elements but you’re smelling the air, you’re hearing sounds that you’d never have heard otherwise.
WD: Unfortunately we have to end our interview. Before we go we would like to know if you had a message you would like to send out into the world, what would it be?
NC: Don’t be afraid to be humbled by a sport. Go try that sport, go make mistakes, make a fool of yourself, have some fun. Of course when you go to the gym the people there having been training for years, of course they are stronger than you. All those guys and girls who are making it all look effortless? They started in the same place you did and they are more than willing to help you out.
Athlete of the month:
Nick croken