Honing his mind to overcome an attention-disrupting disorder, Kieran Blay has become a razor-sharp racer.
Being able to pay attention, to focus hard, to precisely control efforts and stay alert at all times: all these mental skills are crucial for a racing cyclist. They’re also traits that people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) struggle to develop. Around one in 20 children is diagnosed with the condition, but the underlying cause is not yet fully understood. Those affected exhibit hyperactivity, impulsiveness and wandering attention — serious problems for a bike racer. Kieran Blay, now 27, was diagnosed aged five, and has had much to overcome en route to becoming an accomplished racing cyclist.
“I was a problematic child,” says the Londoner. “I didn’t fit in with the other kids. I was bouncing off the walls. School was difficult and the medication made me worse — the first time I took Ritalin, I swung a kid round the playground by his coat and was almost excluded.”
Blay’s mother encouraged him to take part in sport as an outlet for his apparently excessive energy. He began with football, then hockey and basketball, and then motocross. He found cycling at 21 and became hyper-focused on realising his potential — another hallmark of ADHD.
“My first ride was 10 miles at 14mph, but I came away saying I was going to join a club and race.”
この記事は CYCLING WEEKLY の February 14,2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は CYCLING WEEKLY の February 14,2019 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike