From flow in the Alps to fear in Richmond Park

LEAVING the Alps is always difficult. Each time I do, I find myself wondering what it would be like to wake up each day here.

However, for now it’s a 12hour drive back to London and, as I see the reflection of the mountains in my rear-view mirror slowly disappear, I am thankful for the time I got here and the riding I did.

It was a break from the non-stop radio that plays in my mind about tumours, hospital, and life with a spinal cord injury.

The Alps put me into what I call a “flow state” instantly.

If you’ve read about flow then you know that when you’re there you are not playing that non-stop radio in your mind.

In psychology it is well known that your environment can have a massive impact on your wellbeing.

And, quite simply, amid the hustle and bustle of London I feel I absorb the constant stress of the city which leaves me feeling burnt out.

But there’s plenty to think about. As I get closer to home, I wonder how and where I will train over the next few months in the capital.

I had found solace in Richmond Park this summer and enjoyed my rides there each day. As a disabled rider, I felt safe there.

Before leaving for the Alps, I was riding laps later in the day until sunset, followed by a few in the dark. It was the perfect meditation and the sense of freedom felt incredible.

However, over the last few weeks the park has witnessed several attacks on cyclists that have resulted in a drop of 80 per cent in riders using the park. What kind of attack leads to this drop in as little as two weeks? If, like me, you read the headline “machete-wielding gangs target cyclists in Richmond” you would probably also think twice about riding there.

However, if we all just stop going to the park then these thugs win. I have already lost lots of my life to paralysis and just stepping out my front door here with a disability puts me in a vulnerable place.

I found this out on my third day back home when I went to a movie was pushed over by a young man as he walked past.

Is this really the society we live?

I wasn’t sure at first if I should read past the headlines, but I decided it might be a good idea to inform myself of what has been happening in the park. Not just one attack, but four in the space of a week.

As I dug deeper into the article, I read about pro cyclist Alexandar Richardson’s ordeal of a moped driving into him at 60kmph before dragging him for over 100m. My first thought was it’s safer to cycle in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, than it is now in Richmond park.

I sat looking at my indoor trainer thinking I have spent so much of my life in rehabilitation.

I now want to ride outside, it is why I ride, and, although I don’t want to put myself at risk, I don’t want to not ride in the park. I thought I will drive out and assess when I get there.

A cold morning that had me shivering before even getting on my bike, I noticed there was hardly anyone there, was it the cold or the fear of the moped gangs keeping people out the park?

I went on an old bike and passed one policeman standing by a gate.

Even still, each time I heard a motor bike I held my breath as they passed.

After an hour of riding I was back at my car, cold but happy to have ridden outdoors and not giving in to my fears.

Having said that, I think my next ride will require me driving further out into Surrey as the last thing I need is to come face to face with a

machete gang.

PARALYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST CHARTS HIS RECOVERY FROM SPINAL TUMOURS