Lockdown Q & A: Stephen Bradbury (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK)

A rider at home on the road or track, Stephen Bradbury of the Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK team gives us an insight into his experience of Lockdown

Lockdown Q & A: Stephen Bradbury (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK)

Q: Your last race was?
Stephen: My last race was the GP Lillers, which seems like and age ago now. However due to coming down ill, that was a bit of a right off, so I’ve been trying to forget about it. So I’m going to say my last race was the Six Day in Berlin!

Q: With racing cancelled, what’s a typical week training wise for you?
Stephen: I’ve just been riding my bike and enjoying the lack of pressure and structure. It’s nice to just be able to go and do what I like when I like. My Coach and I agreed to just take it pretty steady for a bit then start trying to build again, once we know what’s happening with the race calander.

Q: Are you enjoying using the turbo or avoiding it like the virus?
Stephen: I actually don’t mind it. When I broke my wrist in November last year I became quite used to it.

Q: If on the turbo, what’s your favourite distraction – Zwift or some other entertainment?
Stephen: I’m actually a new Zwift convert! I didn’t use it during my big turbo block but I kind of wish I had. I did 3.5 hours the other day with a friend of mine from back home who I used to ride with all the time before I moved. We just put facetime on, then rode and chatted. It was as close and we could get to the real thing!

Q:What’s the hardest thing for you about the Lockdown
Stephen: I keep forgetting that we are in lock down, and I think to myself it would be good to go and catch up with people, but then remembering that we can’t. So I guess that’s the hard bit, not being able to socialise like I would normally.

Q: Besides cycling, what’s your biggest distraction as lock down continues?
Stephen: I’m doing a Degree with the Open University so that’s still taking up a chunk of my day and keeping me busy. There’s also a lot of DIY that I could do with doing…

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Q: What’s the weirdest thing you have seen since this crisis began
Stephen: For me it has to be the 2m queues outside shops and how quiet everywhere is. It just doesn’t feel right. I’m looking forward to things getting back to normal.

Q: Where you do you enjoy riding your Vitus the most in this country or abroad?
Stephen: I’ve just moved to Derbyshire, and actually I’m loving exploring the roads round here. The good weather we are having as well has made it even better.

Q: What size deep section Prime wheels do you use in training?
Stephen: I train on the 38 wheels, a good functional training wheel. Been racking up the kms and have yet to have any issues at all.

Q: What Namedsport Energy products do you use most on a training ride?
Stephen: I use the Isonam Energy Powder when I’m out on the road. I have also been known to pop a cheeky Total energy “strong” Gel, for when I’m flapping in the middle of a Zwift race whilst watching many 40kg riders ride away from me!

Q: What Schwalbe tyres are you using on your training wheels?
Stephen: I’m training on a Schwalbe Pro One tubeless tyre, it’s my first time on tubeless and its good having the sealant to repair those smaller holes that would normally require a tube change.

Thanks to Stephen for that insight into his life on Lockdown …stay safe and take care