I’ve been riding for about 48 years. I’m currently coming back from a serious injury from being hit by a truck. I didn’t ride for almost a year and a half. I lost most of the muscle in the broken leg and of course a lot of strength in my good leg. Because I was doing no excercise at all, I gained 35 pounds. After 3 surgeries I was finally able to put some weight on the leg. I then replaced my bike and started to ride. The first 11 mile ride felt like 100. I gradually increased my distances and difficulty and my strength and fitness started to come back. I’m now riding about 125 miles a week and have lost 15 pounds and my sense of well being is coming back as well. This comes from the endorphins secreted by the brain when doing endurance type workouts. They act like serotonin reuptake inhibitors which is a common class of antidepressants. It helps to keep serotonin levels up in the brain which is the feel good neurotransmitter. I think when we stop working out for an extended period of time it can contribute to anxiety and depression which may explain why you started feeling better mentally after you bought your first bike and started riding. Extended stress can lower serotonin levels and serious injury can sure cause stress. That combined with a sudden stop in our exercise routine can create mental problems. We are endorphin addicts!😂 good video! Thanks!

I've just spent an hour explaining the last 4 traumatic years of my life and then accidently deleted it 😭 Maybe I'll try again soon.. all I'll say this time is this video resonated with me and cycling helped turned my life around. If you're struggling, mentally or physically right now, IT DOES GET BETTER. I promise ♥ Just keep going and keep trying!

I’m on my third return to cycling after recovering from surgeries relating to my cancer battle over the last couple of years . Such a grind starting over but thank you for the motivation I get from following your journey

I'm quite a bit older, Katie, but I'm fighting my way back after 1) diabetes, and then two years later 2) a stroke. You are an inspiration to me, so thank you. Zwift is all I have. I cannot afford a fall outside, or the risk of a vehicle striking me.

On my own journey back to fitness after being knocked off my bicycle just before Christmas by a car cutting a corner at around 30 kph thankfully I physically fine and my bicycle is fixed,but finding the confidence to get back on the bike and ride on the road again is a very different story.

Ive just lost a job back in November 2021, the employer left me in right mess afterwards i'll spare you the details but broadly they've defamed my name and in doing so halted any immediate employment. Living with my girlfriend now looking for other work. You fall off your bike.. you get back on it. My goal for 2022 is to get a job in education that I can commute to work on. But a more specific goal is im a qualified History teacher is to get a job teaching history but its really tough

Your journey is the process of finding balance in your life. From eating disorder to overweight, to optimal. I was concerned you were starting to push yourself beyond what you could sustain and that's about when the stress injury and later crash occurred. My journey is now a bit different as I get older. It is no longer possible for my 62 year old body to match my 22 year old Cat 3 racer body. Still, we're all in our own journey and I look back on positive memories and marvel at how much I still can do. You've helped me stay motivated.

I've been watching your content for a while, but I usually remain quiet when it comess to the comments section. Sort of like the youtube equivalent of "long time listener, first time caller". I think after watching this video, and being at a fresh starting point in my own cycling journey, that I would like to share a little in return for the lot that you share with us. I was born with an eye condition that limits my sight quite a bit, as a small child I could get away with riding my bike slowly on pavements but as i got older I couldnt continue doing that, both for my own physical safety and that of others. So from about the age of 10 or 11 until about 20 I was not able to do any cycling at all. During this time I did very little physical activity at all, resulting in weight gain and poor overall fitness. Despite this, i maintained a love of cycling, mainly through watching the successes of the GB Olympic and Paralympic cycling teams. By the time i was 20, and at university, I joined a gym to try and get back on track with my health. I did most of my cardio on a stationary bike, which both motivated and excited me, being able to do something close to cycling, albeit far less interesting being confined to an indoor space watching calories tick by. Every workout felt great, i lost weight, was feeling much better about myself and had far fewer issues with fatigue in daily life. Fast forward a few years to 2018 and I discovered the world of structured training, my weight went down from 100kg to 88kg and I was riding indoors up to 5 or 6 times per week and loving it. I loved it so much that in 2019 I saved up and invested in a smart bike, I started to use zwift and put what I had learned previously into creating my own training plan which saw me lose more weight, gain even more fitness and the end result was i felt much better, until last summer I had mechanical issues with the smart bike which took almost 2 months to put right and threw me out of the routine I had gotten into previously. I struggled to get back in to a new routine and since then i have gained 5kg of weight and lost a lot of what i had gained from my previous training. So, here we are now in January 2022, today I setup my first 8 weeks of training, set myself some long term goals for the year and i'm feeing motivated again to get back on the bike. I can't wait to get started, and I look forward to getting back to where I was previously, and hopefully even surpassing what I previously achieved. Thanks for the content Katie, and good luck to you and everyone else on your respectivve journeys in 2022 and beyond.

It took me 363 days after a cycling accident, badly broken leg, to get back on my bike, my motivation was the World Gran Fondo championship. The first rides, especially using clipless pedals were worrying, felt very nervous but loved being on the bike again. Two years after the accident I qualified for the final and competed in Poland in 2019, I didn’t win, that didn’t matter but winning for me was just being on the start line. Still loving it, and now it’s my job. Keep focussed, keep pedalling Katie.

Thanks so much for sharing this, Katie. I'm a lady cyclist in Brooklyn whose been following you for a couple years now and I relate so much to your description of growing with cycling being a journey and incremental/constantly evolving. For the new year, please share more videos of you on your mountain bike! I just got a mountain bike myself and would love to see someone else grow into a new aspect of cycling alongside me - so much of what is on the web for mountain biking is pro level stuff!

Your Heart is a Muscle, when you cycle regularly your Heart develops, strengtheners and grows larger, pumping more blood per single beat, not needing to beat any more rapidly. Periods of abstinence from exercise, like any other Muscle the Heart go's back to normal. Simply get back on the bike and ride. It'll take a little time, you'll get back, I've been off three months, I too have some work to do..

My goal is 100 mile this year & also just started running so at age 55 trying to be the fitest I have ever been Some of the other stories and from you Katie are very inspirational, some people have been on a major comeback after injury or illness I take my hat off to all these people 😁👍👏👏💜

Inspiring story. When I feel like riding is a chore, I stop pushing myself and just get on my bike and pedal with no performance goals. Just get out and feel the wind and freedom of being outside on my bike. Riding becomes fun again and I look forward to getting in the saddle for the journey.

I always find you such an inspiration. I got a smart trainer and started Zwift this week. My main goals are to cycle 2500km, complete Aple du Zwift, complete a 100km ride every month and do at least one audax ride!

You are an inspiration Katie, but it is so heartwarming to read other peoples stories too. Mine is also a rambling tale of fitness, excess weight, cycling injury and steady return. There is a slightly different take-out for me now though. I used to be an incredibly fit and successful competitive swimmer in my youth. I’m 55 now, so no amount of training and nutrition will get me back to my prime (I wish it would!), so I have to pitch my expectations at being the best I can be for me now. I have lost weight steadily over the past couple of years by changing how and what I eat and increasing my exercise amount, but it has to be sustainable for my work life balance too. I’d love to be able to ride the huge distances you do, but I know I can’t fit that into my family life, so frequent, shorter and usually high intensity workouts are what have worked for me. I decided to be the best I can be right now with the facilities and time available. I built it into a routine and was kind to myself and my body by taking the fitness journey, slowly. I couldn’t get fitter with injuries I’d given myself by doing too much too soon. Putting it all together, these little things made a huge difference, fast! Weighing myself was not great either. I can put on or loose loads of weight in a day depending on what I consume or how much I exercise. So I decided to only weigh myself in a measurement I don’t feel pressured by - Kg, just for my Zwift profile. I have no emotional tie to Kg the way I do with Stones and pounds. (I know, it’s weird), but I am older! I just knew I was feeling better and needed a belt/new clothes as the weight dropped off and the hill climbs got faster. Descents, sadly, slower! We are all unique and respond to different techniques. I found something that works for me by watching people like you and knowing the mistakes I’d made in the past. I hope anyone who has braved to read my ramble finds or has found their method and is enjoying the benefits of feeling the best they can be 😊❤️🏆

I came back from a pretty bad crash watching Katie's videos. I was broken and didn't think I would ever get back on two wheels. Thank you to everyone here. Thank you Katie. Much love to you all.

Katie, Harley owners have a motto "Live to ride, ride to live". Hopefully this inspires you, it does for me! Have a great '22!

Your posts have kept me going over the last few years Katie, I've not been able to get out on the bike. I came home from my first ride yesterday, tired, soaked and cold but bloody loved it ! It can be disheartening when you look back at where you were fitness wise but I'm looking forward and planning a whole new journey and plenty of adventures.

Hi Katie, looking fabulous!

Hey Katie. I’m so glad your journey has landed you where you are. You are an amazing person, thank you for always sharing with us.

You have inspired me Katie and I always feel Thankful to have found your channel. Here's to 2022 and meeting our goals x

I love you, Katie. You are so open, honest, and inspiring. ❤️ This is the perfect time for this video. Thank you 🙏

Katie, thank you for sharing your story, including the lows along with the highs. You asked for my story, so here it is... I did some amateur racing in the 1980s and honestly didn't enjoy it. Even the training seemed too aggressive for me to enjoy, focusing on making yourself suffer as well as dishing out the suffering, dealing with the aggressive drivers was always a concern, and eventually I gave it up for soccer. Soccer was much harder on my body though, and along with the increasingly frequent pulled muscles and torn ligaments I had surgeries as well... My ACL was blown apart and had to be reconstructed (from my hamstrings, which were strong enough for that specifically because of my cycling), and later when just recovering from that surgery, a rough slide tackle in a soccer game ended up in both bones in my lower leg being broken. I still have the plates and screws from that surgery. Those injuries, working in a cubicle, and playing in various symphonies and bands, which meant I couldn't get sweaty before rehearsals, resulted in my fitness plummeting to the point where, when I retired a year and a half ago, a simple hike that should have taken 1 hour took me 6 hours and scared me. I'm in the US, which means that Health Insurance is expensive and beyond my means. I have to wait until I'm 65 years old before Medicare becomes possible, so I decided to go back to cycling, a non-impact sport, to build fitness. It took me 3 months to be able to sit on the bike seat and pedal for more than one hour per week because my bum was that tender! By that time the lousy weather was starting so I started looking and discovered Zwift! Wow! Suddenly cycling was so much fun! The freedom to explore fascinating places, meet like-minded people from around the world, with no headwinds, punctures, crashes, angry or oblivious drivers to deal with, and when the whim takes you, well, that was life-changing for me! I started doing some workouts, which on Zwift were actually fun, and learned far more effective ways of training, as well as the importance of actual recovery and Active Recovery rides. I've got multiple regular group rides that I look forward to nearly every day (shout out to my many friends in the HERD and ZER groups!), and am loving life! 2021 was my first full year of cycling in 3 decades and I feel great about my achievements on the bike this year and am looking forward to doing even more next year. 11,500 km ridden, 88,500 meters climbed, 382 rides, 442 hours, 360 PRs... I am continually inspired by the videos that you put out, along with those from Ed Laverack, Phill Lovett, Tyler Pearce, Phil Gaimon, Juliet Elliot, and the crew at GCN. Thank you for being you, and sharing your journey with us!

Thanks for sharing your story about why riding is important to you. I have ridden a bike for as long as I can remember--commuting, touring, or just for exercise and fun. Now, at age 62, in part due to inspiration from you, I logged more miles this year than in any previous year since I was in my 20s. There is just something about riding a bike that can't be duplicated--the freedom, the accomplishment, the exertion, the endorphins. Other than my wife and kids, its the most important thing in my life.

You mentioned about getting motivated and pushing yourself. Please be careful that you don’t overstretch yourself and remember an important part of recovery is to enjoy what you can whilst you wait for your fitness to return : )

I just discovered your channel today and it's been fascinating watching videos of your journey and cycling life. I've just come back to cycling after 10 years of living abroad and not really having the inclination or motivation to do it and battling circumstances and injury. Luckily I've had other outlets/obsessions/passions to get me through. You speak with such passion and honesty - it's great to listen to you talk about cycling

You are looking much much better, and more rested. Looking forward to your posts.

Setbacks. It’s how you respond. Thanks for the inspiration. I had a very strong summer and fall road cycling season. I did Zwift Academy in October and I was losing weight and ready to tune up even more over our long Canadian winter. I then fully ruptured my Achilles’ tendon playing ball hockey on Oct 30th 2021. After managing the 5 stages of loss, I chose to commit to coming back stronger. Two pivotal moments: getting on Zwift on Dec 11 with my walking boot, and a Zwift RO4H Group Ride in proper cycling shoes. I have lost a tonne of fitness and my calf has turned from a brick to a bag of jello. I have chosen, like you Katie, to use this as motivation to reach beyond where I was before the injury. Lots of work to do. Life is a roller coaster - enjoy the ride!

Katie I love your story and your content. I started cycling in May 2020 and it took be back to the freedom I used to have as a kid in the Radcliffe and Bury area riding all day with my mates. Fast forward to July 2021 and I was involved in an accident caused by car but taken off my bike by another cyclist trying to avoid the car at about 42km/h. So here I sit, having just had surgery to repair the trauma to my rotator cuff, watching my body atrophy, putting on some timber and waiting for the day that I'm cleared to get on my brand new, and very first trainer. I literally gasped when I saw your injuries and obviously identified with all you have been going through. Prior to my surgery I did get back in the roads and it took me a while to have that same confidence that I had prior. So it's nice to sort of go through it with you and draw inspiration and motivation from your videos. I think about my accident a lot, but I've adopted the mindset that I can't live in a bubble and that life is too short not to do the things you love. Oh and please....don't ever think you're nattering on. I think all you subscribers/fans love hearing you because we know it comes from the right place xx

Thanks for the inspirational story. With all that is going on in the world, it is refreshing to hear someone be honest about their feelings. I’m one of those “New Year’s Resolution” people. My goals are to get back to the level of cycling and fitness that I let slip this past year. I know what you mean about the love of cycling. There is nothing better than laying in bed at night and thinking about a great day of riding just before you go off to la la land. I needed to hear and see this video. You rock my dear!

Following you some time now, felt good to hear your honest story and how you have grown to the amazing kind person you are today. Makes me happy also🌞

This is just what I needed to hear. Been working hard on getting more fit and have been riding a lot and have lost a bunch of weight but lately have sorta drifted off off my good habits and feeling a bit discouraged with myself. Hearing you talk about your own path reminds me it’s just a matter of getting back at it and accepting that I’m not always going to be on a constant course of improvement… but can always come back to it.

Another great, and very honest , video from you, Katie. Thank you. Best wishes for all that you do in 2022.

I'm on the same journey as you Katie, fighting to get back to fitness and then past the best fitness I've ever had. I know you'll be back stronger than ever and that inspires me to be the same. X

I watched every minute as I do all of your videos and Instagram posts. This series will be incredibly important to me as it will hopefully serve as the motivation I need to get back on the bike and ride the way I used to ride. I'm on the recovery side of COVID and really need some inspiration so I turn to someone who does just that. I've been riding for decades but very new to Zwift and I know that your 'Level Up' series will be just what I need. I know your story well but never tire of hearing about it. Just having an opportunity to write to you is encouraging and seeing your lovely smile and wonderful British humor makes me smile. Thanks so much for your heartfelt messages and sincerity. I'm ready!

Thanks for this, it has come just at the right time for me! I'm aged 68 and I've been cycling for 9 years. Despite starting late, I fell in love with it and watched my fitness really grow. Then a few years ago I developed a heart condition, atrial fibrillation, which, last September, required a procedural ablation i.e. scarring the affected tissue. Allowing that scarring to heal means I had to stop cycling for a few months. Any raising of HR before proper healing can torpedo your heart's chances of complete recovery. I see my cardiologist in a couple of days, and I hope he's going to 'sign me off' to get back on the bike and start pushing my heart rate up again. Following with interest!

I just started riding a few months ago. Also starting as a heavier woman and older. It brings me insane joy to ride. Not on a roadbike but hybrid. Every ride is "where can I go next?" or "wow I've been out for almost 2 hours, I should head back." My location is mostly flat but I am excited about where my legs/bike will take me next. Loving your channel!

All the best for 2022, whatever you do, enjoy it as no doubt we will.

I’ve been knocked off my bike more times than I care to remember. Journey? Get up and get on with it! That’s the main thing. Then get tough and be consistent, Train, train and train! Enjoy it! Good luck.

Your story is amazing, but it's your attitude that is super special. My situation is that I got into club cycling in 2017, and started racing TTs and CX in 2019, when I developed a hip injury. I stopped racing but continued to turbo in pain and went to physio and consultants. Eventually in May 2020, I gave up turboing, and barely rode for the rest of the year (maybe 3 or 4 times). The doctors couldn't find anything significant wrong with my hip, but a bike fit in September 2021 changed my position and removed the pain, so I've been trying to get on the bike every week or so since. Next year I want to get back to CX racing, so I need to sort out my garage for turboing, and hopefully keeping up my physio exercises will mean the pain doesn't come back. I've lost so much fitness it's incredible (I've probably lost over a third of my FTP from 2019), so I'm gonna be even slower than I was, but if I can ride at all that would be good enough.

Great to see you're better and recovering. Apparently head injuries can affect the heart rate variability and thus power output. Give yourself time, it'll get better eventually.

i started cycling last year due to all the lockdowns in the country and the lack of open swimming pools or fitness studio and I´m hooked ever since. but still really struggling with climbs. I invested in a smart trainer this winter and started with zwift in dec. to build up my strength and endurance to beat some more climbs outside. I really failed at my first ftp test!! so now I'm in the middle of the 6 week ftp builder training program and I love it!! its a complete new way of cycling for me, never had a set cycle training before, so this feels tough but so good. Also still need to find my way around all the different trainings, races, rides.... I don't know if you will read this here, but I just want so say or tell you, you have been such an inspiration, motivation and help over the past months for me and last monday, as I was just zwifting my way through my training, you suddenly passed me on my ride! Just dashed past me, I was so surprised. hey! there goes Katie K.!! wow! how cool! you where so fast but it gave me such a boost and I really had to smile! I am so glad you have recovered so well and that you are able to be back on your bike, what you seem to love the most.

Love your videos, Katie we're so different you and I yet so much resonates with me. I'm 49yo guy, really overweight trying to get back into fitness. Gutted my Garage on the weekend put gym flooring down with weights and bench and have affixed a 52" tele to the wall with AppleTV, Ribble CGR, Kickr and a Zwift subscription. Got all the gear ready to go and was just missing that little bit of motivation. This video was PERFECT timing, we're all different but we're all the same. Thanks, Katie good luck with your recovery!

Loved Fraser Island and Whitsundays, good old backpacking days 👍

A long cycling journey with highsand lows . A good story that applies to us all.

Yay! Audax! Brilliant! I never joined, but a riding partner was a long-time member and did a 200km ride for his 80th birthday. I did lots of 100km plus solo rides, one or two per week, and one 220km ride with 25,000 close friends in the Around the Bay in a Day ride from Melbourne. I wasn't suffering the next day and did a 35km recovery ride with no pain or strain. I was 54 and had been riding seriously for 10 years. It is truly amazing how good you can feel when you work up to doing long rides. One of my wife's acquaintances presented some of the medals to the cyclists at the World Veterans' Games in Melbourne around 2002. She said that the men in their 60s and 70s were as frisky as most men in their 20s. Riding is good 😁😂

Thanks for sharing and being brutally honest on your adventures as a cyclist. I’ve learned so many lessons as a newcomer to road cycling, continue to keep sharing! 🇨🇦 Cheers

I have not wantedly gone out in ice. Did once and never again. Stayed up. Heart rate was 30 bhp min down. Pointless. Worrying. Not to be repeated. Thank goodness for indoor turbo

I literally started yesterday on my riding journey, and you are the reason I started in this lifestyle. I did 6 miles yesterday after work, and it felt really really good but also bad at the same time, like super hard. haha. I love your KZfaq channel, and have gone full swing into gear and now thinking of which upgraded bike I will get next. My current goal is to ride further each time. Things I'm not content with after the first ride is my bib shorts and possibly the saddle. Loving fan, Jasmin

One thing about binge watching your vids is to see how much you have changed! You are just immaculate, ace, gorgeous and lovely xx

Thanks sharing your story. I have enjoyed riding our Trek hybrid bikes along bike paths to enjoy our great bushland and coast. But, since I have found ebikes and scooters, it has boosted it to the next level. Riding at times to work, 4 charity rides this year, and arranging family and friends rides. Ebikes have meant we all can ride together 60km, from, a 9 year old to a 71 year old. People's mental health also improve from what I see, as they enjoy the community that comes with cycling.

Thank you for reminding me that this is a journey and that it sometimes is hard. You are an incredible inspiration. I’m so happy to have subscribed to your channel

I got a mountain bike in Feb 2021, my first bike since a kid and I've been relearning how to ride. I can do about 15km fine, but tried to double that recently and died on the hills! My goal is to get out more regularly so 15km is just a warm up and not my whole ride! (also, get better at standing up, hands off and be able to bunny hop!)

I can relate to a few aspects of your story. I am not as far into my cycling journey as yourself but do feel inspired by you as I also feel that I am not a natural on the bike and found it really hard at first, I can remember my first ride was a short 10k loop and I had to stop twice on small inclines to catch by breath! But there was just something about turning the pedals and feeling the wind in my face, being out in the fresh air and travelling faster than a walking pace that had me hooked. Even now I can not put my finger on the exact reason I love riding my bike so much, I just know that I do, it has become part of who I am over that last 18 months. I often still find myself hanging on the back of the Sunday social club ride or arriving back from an event amongst the last few riders. I recently had an injury too, back in September, and have only just got back on my bike in the last few weeks, healing has felt slow. I feel so frustrated and not just because my fitness has had a set back but also as I don't want to risk further injury so have to take it steady (as I broke my foot, not even cycling related). I have an appointment booked with a sports physio, so hopefully they can help me figure out what I can and can't do going forwards. I am very much looking forward to seeing your videos regarding building that fitness back up and hopefully will be able to do the same. Best of luck 🍀

Cycling is my positive addiction. I always want people to have something in their lives like cycling is in mine. I feel very fortunate to have something, anything, that continually feeds my being in good ways. Always glad to meet another member of the club :-) I can be in the middle of the worst day, resisting even getting on the bike, but I do it. By the time I force the gear on and swing my leg over the bike all mental barriers disappear. I'm open. Within the first pedal strokes, my shoulders "drop" and I can feel my face relax. I'm good. Been doing this for something over 300,000 miles since I stopped stuffing crap up my nose. I'm not one for nostalgia and it's hard for me to now figure out the inner motivation to keep it going through major injuries (most of those miles and all of the injuries are from hardcore and endurance MTB) and personal/professional challenges. I don't really care about that, though. I just want the feeling. The bike has changed my life.

when the youtube algorithm suggest you something you really need in the perfect time... thanks🙂.. just trying to ride again after a freak accident and this gave me some more perspective on all aspects of cycling

There is also a confidence thing there i'd say. Personally, i would say get 'indoor fit first' the roads are rubbish at the moment, do 4 weeks of jan to get base fit and ease out in Feb. Personally i got knocked off badly early 90's needed a major hip operation and told i couldn't ride again!!! (i was cycling mad then, lucky if you seen another cyclist on the road in a week) so didnt,....until a holiday 3 years ago. rode and suffered no pain (walking any further than half a mile starts to cause pain and a limp. I was in pain most days and on painkillers) so, bought a second hand half decent bike. Give it a whirl, boy 30yrs off that jan to april was immensely tough. But slowly got better, skills came back and further and more miles each week. Traded up to a top spec carbon bike, doing 150 miles per week. loving every minute of it, just loving the second chance, fitness, freedom out in the lanes and mind and think time it gives you. Also, now lost a stone - Purchased a retro italian bike for winter 50:50 indoor outdoor affair - literally pain free, drug free. 2021 was utter shit as we lost 2 close family members through covid, so as hopefully we come out of restrictions and into spring ill be fitter and ready to enjoy it so much more. Katie, love it and enjoy it for what it gives you, no to please or achieve beyond or tasks outside of that. Get back to riding, just social riding #rideyourselfhappy :)

I am too on the long road to recovery. Hit an illegally reversing delivery van on a dual carriageway with multiple injuries (bike only had a broken bottle cage!) in August last year and only got out of a cervical collar the week before Christmas. Iam semi retired (62 yrs)and used to be out on my bike (30+ miles pretty much everyday) prior to the accident. Like you devastated that I couldn't ride but got up and about as soon as I could walking everyday. I then joined an indoor cycling club and found the joy of virtual riding. Sadly this facility closed at Christmas but I bought the turbo trainer and bike I had been using and have set up my "pain cave" in the garage. I can cycle outdoors but I don't want to risk coming off in bad weather so will resume in spring possibly joining group rides with all the new friends I met indoor cycling. Katie you are spot on when you say riding isn't always an upwards trajectory and that you have to adjust to what life throws at you. I found your videos when I was initially housebound after my crash and have found them interesting and enjoyable. Keep up the good work!

One of your greatest ever videos ! I just wish more people could see it, because there are too many sad and broken people in this world who could really do with hearing from an inspirational person, like yourself, to give them a push in the right direction.

Katie I always appreciate your candor and vulnerability so much. If you created a channel that just showed the "upward trajectory" that you mention here, it wouldn't be interesting, it wouldn't be real, and you wouldn't be beloved by so many of your subscribers and followers. The last two years have been the beginning of my long-distance cycling journey, and your videos have been a massive inspiration along the way. Although I've slacked off now in the off-season, I'm still determined to ride my first 300k this spring. Thanks for everything you do, and good luck getting back into your usual riding condition and beyond. I'm sure you'll be there in no time.

Katie, thanks for sharing. I've struggled with my weight also over the years and cycling has really helped motivate me to lose weight. I also had a really bad crash a while ago and am now getting back on the bike. I broke a collar bone etc. It feels really good to reconnect with my passion for cycling.

Bit late late but happy new year Katie. New year same you please, your story is insperational and no matter how often I hear it it's like the little gee up I need. I started back on my bike during lockdown, got fitter then had to have knee surgery last January, then got back on the bike and started again during the spring. Sept had some illness that's left me with long COVID symptoms without actually having COVID. Just getting over the illness now and facing 2nd knee surgery at the end of the month. So I'm going to be fully invested in returning by the summer and starting my journey all over again. I cycle primarily for my mental health with fitness as a welcome side effect, not being able to has hit me quite hard but has made me realise how important it is. Thanks for doing what you do Katie and hope 2022 has a hell of a lot more positives than negatives for you 👍 And for everyone else, good luck in whatever journey your on. 🤞👏👍

I came to view your site quite by accident. I feel fortunate for the exposure. Your journey has provided that energy and push to move forward following an injury. Travelling through our individual paths, it is encouraging to here your story and perseverance. Reminding me and others of the reserve capacity we all have.

As I listen to you there are two things going on at the same time. One the love of cycling. Two, training and achieving.Nearly every time I get on one of my two bikes I have this overwhelming sense of joy. It does not matter if I'm commuting, doing chores, getting groceries or am doing my version of training on my gravel bike. I heard you gush about your love of the bike. Don't forget that part of cycling. One of my favorite things is watching little kids, tiny, tiny, kids, peddling like mad, riding bikes, little wheels going round, handlebar streamers in the wind. They remind me how fun a simple bicycle can be. Sometimes it's okay to drop goals, forget training, fuck off everything and go for a bike ride.

Good luck on your journey back to fitness. I am also contemplating getting back to fitness. I had some personal issues and life changes in the last couple of years and two incidents that meant I fell out of love with cycling. I ended up at my heaviest and least fit for a number of years. From here it looks like a mountain to climb but I’m building a step by step plan to get there. Your video is inspiring as it shows other people are on journeys too. I look forward to following and supporting you on the next stage of your journey.

Honestly so inspirational to follow your recovery! I came off my bike on some black ice about 5 weeks ago on my commute to work, had a minor concussion but physically I got away lightly. I haven't felt ready to get back on the bike outdoors yet so my fitness is back at square one, but I'm determined to get back to where I was and then some. Goals for this year are to join the university cycling club and to do at least 100km a week (when the weather is better anyway!)

Thank you KK for sharing your story. I was an on-off cyclist for quite a few years. Grappling with my weight I threw myself into more consistent and serious cycling about 2 and a half years ago… over which time I have dropped 3 stones in weight. This improved my overall well-being and general fitness, and it’s a nice feeling when family and friends are complimentary about my appearance. I had a bad fall in August and I am only recently recovered, signed off by my physio a few weeks as good-to-go and now I am back on it with a mix of hard-tail, gravel and road action. Your story is inspiring and I enjoy all of your videos. Please keep up the good work 👍 Thanks.

With the cold days (cold for me) now here, I've been walking more and not biking at all. Walking does work some muscles (glutes) differently than biking so when the temp is good I ride and bike, and lift weights. It is fun to ride and healthy. I find your videos very inspiring. I like hearing your story and watching as you journey through town and country and life all while biking! I look forward to 2022 and seeing more of you. It is tough that you had a couple of injuries but it is great to see you bounce back! Go Katie, go!

Thanks for being open about your disorder and your journey from there. You are a beacon that others in a similar situation may use. Never stop inspiring. Thanks for your videos. All the best from Denmark.

I love that (now 6 months down) you've recovered so much from your accident. I can't help but feel that 'you can do it if you just commit and put the effort in and push through' is incredibly patronising to people that are unable to get back to their previous levels of fitness, or anywhere near them, after an injury. Again...I think it's great you have. But I've gone from doing all day rides and having to stop only because my lights have run out, to rarely feeling the enthusiasm, happiness and joy or ease and freedom on the bike in any way that I used to after an accident now almost 6 years ago. Every time I ride I hope it'll be a bit better, every year I look back and realise I've not come anywhere far enough. Like you I live to ride. Literally. I live for it. I am not anything without cycling. My life is empty and I don't have any desire to pretend some other sport could possibly offer me the same levels of joy that cycling does. I'm not asking for pity...only that perhaps, for anyone reading this....telling someone to just push through is a patronising comment and disregards the fact that not everyone can bounce back and recover for accidents. As you say, some people are naturally good at things....and some are not. For accidents, some can recover fully from even the most serious of accidents. And some of us can not. All I can say is enjoy the cycling while you can. Be vigilant as much as possible. But enjoy it and don't think that you'll be able to enjoy it tomorrow. Because it might not be possible. In any case. Glad you've recovered so much. Safe spinning to you for 2022 and beyond.

Thank you for the encouragement! Always appreciated! Aaron

Thanks for sharing Katie, hope you’re fully recovered now - I got knocked off my bike at end July and have been without a bike since. I’m ready to get back into cycling again and this video has helped me keep the faith. Realised I’ve missed riding even though my main “sport” is running and I only started riding as cross training. I think I’m gonna get zwift sooner rather than later. I always just ran outside and stopped cycling in winter but think I’m gonna bite the bullet and get it so I can do both

Your story is a lot like mine. Bicycles have been a means of... income when I worked as a bicycle mechanic; transportation; fun; physical rehabilitation; physical fitness; and adventuring. My life has been great because of bicycling! They have facilitated a lot of adventures, opportunities, and decade's long friendships. Many thousands of miles of long distance touring has given me a different perspective on things... the last day of a 3 1/2 month bicycle trip gave me my highest highs and lowest lows over and over again! Bicycling makes me happy!

A very happy and safe New year, keep smiling and doing what you do 😊

Katie, I think you are amazing, you have helped me so much on my cycling journey. I have injuries at the moment, which I am trying to recover from, I’m sure I’ll get there though🤞. Love your videos!💕

My goal was to mirror a route I did 40 years ago on my 1980 racer. On Sunday, I managed it, 57 miles: Derby/Ashbourne/Tissington Trail/Parsley Hay/High Peak Trail/Cromford/Derby. It took me all day! I had a front flat, and out in the middle of nowhere, two super experienced cyclist guys turn up and fixed it👍🏅 After I told them you had inspired me, they said "Katie is like a machine". It was so hard going on 27x1¼" road tyres over these gravelly railway lines. But I stuck with it. I've learnt so much from your vids Katie. Thank you 👏

I’ve had several restarts, due to illness and injury. Every time it’s really tough. I want to be where I was last time, but I know it’s going to take time. I’m watching my heart rate carefully, and keeping the exercise time short for now. My motivation is that I can feel really good cycling, and I’m controlling my pain threshold on the bike. As someone famous once said: it never gets any easier, you just go faster.

More mountain biking this year? Always great to see people trying new trails with friends Keep safe Katie. All the best from Devon and beyond

Great video Katie. Your heat rate will get back on track. Maybe you still have a bit of sub-conscience anxiety that will pass in time. I would expect a bit of fear going back on the road after a bad crash. Also, I might be one of the few that crashed while Zwifting. I started an aggressive climb out of saddle and I didn't have my bike secured on my trainer...well down I went. LOL. Always great to see your inspiration videos.

Just wanted to say thanks for your many inspirational videos, really looking forward to this series. Been riding for about 15 years now. Managed to eat myself into a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes back in august and have since become fitter and faster than ever (at 50!) 3 weeks ago managed to aggravate an issue with a disk in me neck which meant I was in a lot of pain and unable to ride. Watched this vid while in hospital recovering from the corrective surgery so I can’t wait to hear you share your recovery story. Reckon it will be 6 to 8 weeks until I’m back on the bike which is going to be hard. I have to say though they for me over the last 15 years of riding as someone with fairly severe bipolar I have gotten HUGE mental health benefits out of the simple act of riding and maintaining my bikes. So please keep up the great work, and also it’s good to hear a proper northern accent here on KZfaq.

Had a major trauma a while back. Somehow got inspired by you and other bike channels watched 2 months. Drastically simplified (saw you doing it) and improved diet and wrote it all down.Did nothing else. Lost 19 lbs.Then started slowly crawling along on a cyclops indoors. Seven months later lost 32more. 187 to 136 at 60" on a good day at 55+. Lost too much got sick (those darn setbacks)! Now to build up correct and try some cardio maybe. As you push on so will I...

Great video - thanks Katie. Know exactly what you mean about being instantly hooked on road cycling - for me it took about 3 turns of the pedals on the first road bike test ride, after decades of not really enjoying a mountain bike. If it's any comfort, I've noticed that my heart rate goes nuts even after a week's taper before an event. Conversely if I'm getting over trained, HR becomes sluggish and maxes out much lower.

I’m 55 this year….where did time go! In my late thirties I used to mountain bike regularly and had a Marin Nail Trail custom set-up for me. I’ve lugged that bike with my house moves from Sussex to Oxfordshire to Lancashire and it now is with me in Normandie. I really want to get back to cycling but know it will be a slow start. I’m going to prep that bike this weekend and give myself a 22 rides for 2022…. Challenge. It’s a low number but hoping I exceed it. Fall back in love with cycling, see some fitness gains and maybe buy a different bike if it works out. As part of other challenges let’s see how it goes. I’m going to follow you to see how you progress and maybe tap in for some inspiration. Thanks for the great and engaging and honest video. Lancashire was the best county I ever lived in btw!

"It was so hard, but I just loved it" Boy do I know about that. I did a scorching hot (42ºC) century ride once, when I was 57, and in the last 30 miles I said to myself "this is pure hell, why am I doing this, I hate this"? I got to the finish line, swore I would never come back, showered, ate supper, went to bed, got up the next morning...and went and signed up for the same event the next year! Not everyone reacts to cycling like we do, but those of us in "the club" can relate to the love hate nature of the sport. And oh by the way, if you move to Texas, we ride 365 days a year!

Love riding over Keadby Bridge! Good luck with your plans Katie. I’m following!

I just love your story. Bloody fantastic.

Katie, thank you for sharing your story, it couldn't have been easy and it's clear you've been on quite a journey. As many others have said, you are an inspiration to us all and it's a timely reminder for us to get on and live our lives, strive to improve and be the best we can be. You will get back to where you were, and will surpass it I'm sure. I'm currently in a rut struggling to find motivation to get on the turbo, but your words have stirred something inside of me and I'm going to set some goals and go after them! Keep smiling and striving, and keep safe too.

Great video Katie. I used to cycle quite a bit and hit off my bike twice over car bonnets. After the second time, I sat and thought what meant more to me, my enjoyment or my family, as the next time may not be so lucky. I know just commute to work (only a 10 minute ride) and a ride here and there. As for fitness levels, you will find with age, each obstacle thrown at you that slows or stops you from working out, will make it so much harder to get back to where you were and a lot of time, you will not be where you were before. I also run and weight train but no where near to the levels I used to be and it is not worth trying too much as you will only land up injuring yourself even more. Again I used to weight train most days, but now only every other day as head says yes, body says no. Anyway take care and stay safe.

You describe well the process of falling in love with riding.

At the end of April I was diagnosed with atrial flutter and had to stop all exercise! That was a horrible day, before that I was at my fittest and cycling around 70 miles a week. Six months later I finally had an operation and only now am starting to tentatively get back out there, this past year I've managed to loose alot of fitness and find a fair bit of extra weight! But I know that the feeling of fresh air, burning legs (yes it's a good feeling), and just being in the beauty of hills and nature will do me so much good. I've just signed up to do London to Brighton this summer so something to aim for. Your videos do help and inspire and I probably ride more because of them, so thank you x

Katie, I was the guy who you rescued after being Knocked out on the 300k Everyone rides to Skegy Audax. What you said is inspirational and my goal this year is to hopefully PB at my running 5, 10k, half marathon and distances having just taken up running on the back cycling three years ago!

As a long time viewer I knew your story but it was really good to be reminded again of how far you've come and how much you've grown both as a cyclist and a person. I'm sure you will inspire all your newbies as well us oldies! I've cycled pretty much all my life but the last couple of years have been tough with an ongoing eye issue. I'm also finding riding on the road (in the UK) is more stressful than relaxing these days so I train indoors more (not Zwift though!). I am planning to do more off road / gravel rides in a bid to find the enjoyment away from traffic. All the best for your adventures in this new year.

Forward progress in life is not guaranteed. You must sometimes take steps back in order to progress farther. That's where I'm at.....2 years of laziness. I had a MTB crash and broken arm in September 2019, and when I got released to work out again at the end of the year, I just never did. Onward and upward!

I've been back in the UK for 6 months after backing packing, Australia and New Zealand. In that order. I lived in Queenstown which is mountain bike paradise. One thing I'm really finding hard from being back home. Is how much progression I'm missing out on. I was riding some of the best trails in the world, For all abilities. I lived in the bike park pretty much with unlimited access. I really liked the flow and jump trails. Mcnearly Gnarly was my favourite. 60 plus jumps. Worth a look ! I know the UK has similar facilities but they all seem so far away. I miss those after work laps and being able to ride at any moment with the best crew. My drive and willing to learn is still going strong. it'll just have to be at a slower pace and less frequent. Hopefully I can find something similar and become part of a new community here very soon.

I trained so hard last year. Working on my fitness. Rode my first 50 mile ride, did my first gravel bike race. Then spring hit and I crashed my mountain bike and broke my hand. I couldn’t do much for over 3 months. I am all cleared to get back to riding now, but for some reason i just haven’t. Something that I love so much to do. I just can’t figure out why I’m stuck. This is a great video. Thanks for the inspiration.

I watched your journey and then the crash. I heard "brain bleed" and was seriously concerned. It's great to see you are back. Now to build up the conditioning and to be a "better you". Getting more of the background on your past health issues helps to frame where you were and where you want to be. Now for me, I had a serious fall that could have been fatal. I'm working, still, on recovery, and now have a plan to be a better me on and off the bike. Thank you for the encouragement as much as we are encouraging you.

Thanks for sharing Katie. Its really helped me to hear all of this as I can resonate so well. In September 21 I managed to do deloitte ride across britain after training for a year (hadn't really done any exercise prior to this). I came off my bike and broke my arm just weeks after returning. Whilst I continued to cycle indoors a little bit I still lost loads of fitness which was soul destroying. You are so right, you either accept your fate or you do something about it. I decided the latter. Its important to keep positive that you will get the fitness back and will come back stronger. Getting outside again has been scary for me but I keep reminding myself of the 1000s of miles I did without injury. Good luck!

I found you through Freelee and I felt in me what you all felt that eating should be abundant in plant based food - carbs are friends - and exercise is life. My body went though so many changes and at times people didn’t see me as healthy and now I’m fitter than ever and I’m getting toner and toner happier and happier and it couldn’t be any easier or more fun. It’s so cool to see how far your channel has gotten

Thanks for the update. Amazing recovery from a bleed on the brain. Onwards and upwards!

I've given up running so many times but I think it's because I was focused on weight loss. I'm over it. I always felt so good after a run but when I don't see results within 3 months I quit. Moving forward I'm focusing on how I feel and absolutely refuse to focus on how my jeans fit. When I don't run I am so unmotivated vs when I do run. I just started back this week and seeing this video pop up is a sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!