Clubhouse Chats: Todd and the Ride Every Stage

While the pros were racing across France in July, Todd was clipping in before work in the middle of a Sydney winter. Twenty one stages, two rest days, one joker up his sleeve, and by the final Sunday he’d rolled to a suspiciously tidy 1,000 kilometres and nearly 36 hours in the saddle, second on GC behind Dave (Ecky).

As we get ready for La Vuelta and another MC competition alongside it, we caught up with Todd over a Clubhouse coffee to talk over his efforts in July.

Let’s start with the obvious. Riding every stage, in winter, for three weeks. Did you ever doubt you’d finish?

I was confident I would finish. I knew I had two rest days and the joker if I needed an additional break, and I regularly complete the annual Rapha Festive 500, so I was aware of what was in store. One hour per day over a longer period with a couple of rest days seemed doable compared to 500km compressed into 8 days.

So did you have a plan going in, or was it one stage at a time?

I had a plan, but that went out the window after the first week. Just like in the Tour. The plan was to log a few big rides early to establish myself at the top of the leaderboard, which worked. Then I’d settle into a rhythm of 30 to 40km per day with a long ride on Sunday, not too dissimilar to my usual weekly routine, and hopefully stay close to my competitors. What I did not count on was a head cold and nasty cough during week two which sapped my energy.

That sounds like the week the whole thing nearly came apart. What got you through it?

The second week was definitely the hardest, with a head cold, sore throat and cough. In hindsight, the wet weather and having to ride inside helped me get through it. There was no way I would have been able to ride outside. And when I spoke to fellow riders about the challenge, they all thought I was nuts, so I was determined to prove to myself I was capable of completing it. When I accept a challenge I am committed to the end!

You clocked up 1,000km and nearly 36 hours in the saddle. How on earth did that fit around work and life?

That was not too difficult, actually. My plan was to ride before work, and if I rode no more than 40km and 1.5 hours I would be done by 7.30am each day. Plenty of time to get ready for work.

Riding in the morning meant I was at my freshest, physically and mentally, and it gave me a consistent 24 hours between rides. At no point was I doing an hour in the evening and backing up again the next morning.

I’m lucky that Kerry also rides (but is not as obsessed as me). We tend to ride together on Sundays and a couple of times during the week, although Kerry was travelling for work two of the three weeks, so I was home alone for a fair chunk of the challenge.

How did the body hold up, backing it up day after day?

Really well. Just sore legs during the third week — no other aches or pains. Like any endurance activity, rest, recovery and a good diet are essential. The most important thing for me was to not overdo it. I had to resist the mental urge to ride a few more kms. Another 10 minutes won’t hurt, right? Or if I was outside, saying no to that extra lap of CP.

Now for the GC battle. Ecky edged you by 83km. Were you watching his numbers, or did the result catch you by surprise?

I was definitely watching Ecky’s numbers, and Sally’s during the first week or so. I was equal with Ecky until the end of the first week. That weekend the weather was not great, so I chose a short ride on the trainer to protect my body. Unfortunately Ecky rode 80 plus kilometres and pulled a gap on me that I could not close. As they say, that’s where the tour was won and lost.

I devised a plan to close the gap during weeks two and three, but Ecky matched my numbers, like a true race leader, and it was impossible to claw back. By the third week I had settled in for second place and revised my goal to completing 1,000km regardless of where I finished.

You’ve said the challenge was tougher than it looked. What surprised you most?

That I predominantly had to complete it on my own. Unlike the Festive 500, with many riders taking part and organised rides to achieve the goal, this was a personal challenge. Winter meant riders and ride options were scarce. There were days when I was riding solo and would have loved a wheel to follow to save the legs for the next day. I missed the camaraderie of the Festive 500, where we help each other achieve the challenge.

Did following the actual Tour add anything, or was it just a handy excuse to ride?

Following the Tour was important. I would not have had the motivation otherwise. I was in a tipping competition with a few riding buddies, so there was plenty of banter and analysis. I also finished second in that (yes, a theme is developing).

I watched an hour or so at night, because I needed the sleep to ride before work, then the highlights the following day. For me it was the whole package. The tipping competition, the pre-Tour dinner, the challenge and watching the Tour. And riding every stage gave me an insight into what the Tour would actually be like. Not just the riding, but the mental challenges, rest and recovery, nutrition and tactics.

Last one. Why do it at all?

I love riding my bike, and I only took up riding about 15 years ago. Riding gives me freedom, time to think and, more importantly, time with like minded individuals. I’m 60 next year and I want to remain fit and healthy to enjoy life with my family. Both my parents died relatively young and I want to break that trend.

A thousand kilometres in a Sydney July says he’s well on his way. Chapeau, Todd.