Rollerskiing, Heroes and PopTech
Tony and I had our first rollerski coaching session yesterday morning in (an unseasonably warm and sunny) Hyde Park. As I basically ski for a living, it felt slightly awkward admitting that my skate ski experience (Wikipedia has a nice article on the differences between classic and skate, or 'free' XC-skiing) was practically nil.
Thankfully, Tony and I took to it like a couple of (fairly unstable) ducks to water and Iain, our coach, had us whizzing around the park in no time. It was easier to pick up than I had at first feared, but at the same time I get the impression it's one of those sports you could still be mastering years after taking it up. Much like dragging a sledge through an airport, you get tons of funny looks and it's a great conversation-starter. What's more, even our modest beginner's session proved a good workout, and if you live near one of London's parks and fancy something different to the usual sweaty spinning class, I'd wholeheartedly recommend it – www.rollerski.co.uk.
On a much sadder note, two of my heroes (both cyclists) died recently. Zak Carr was knocked off his bike yesterday morning, and John Ibbotson passed away at his desk (aged 27) a few days ago. The thing is that I'd admired them from afar – John spent a few hard years as a pro cyclist on the continent (one of my unfulfilled childhood dreams, and one of the toughest existences imaginable) and Zak was one of the 'testers' or time-triallists that make British cycling so unique; out racing alone, against the clock on windswept stretches of road, week in, week out, when most people are still tucked up in bed. Both were true role-models for Britain's kids – not for them the overnight Pop Idol 'success'; these guys knew what it was to follow their passion, to slog their guts out chasing goals that often seemed elusive and unattainable, and to share the passion they had for sport, and for life, with everone around them.
I'm in the States for the rest of this week, at the (incredible) PopTech conference in (the equally incredible) Camden, Maine. I'm not speaking this year, but I'm looking forward to chilling out for a few days in some very esteemed company.