Looking back on my (cycling) year 2024, there were some aha moments, two tough races and, of course, wonderful moments. I actually wrote my first book for cyclists. Publication is planned for spring 2025. As a Christmas present, I received my first SPD wading pedals (ASSIOMA PRO MX), which generate new insights thanks to the analysis of pedal movement (keyword Cycling Dynamics). My research into cataracts and the associated risks for cyclists in road traffic, on the other hand, was shocking. I have already reported in detail on my races, the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon and the Istria300 (Istria155). I would like to start with a short trip to the Dolomites and the wait for summer.
When mechanical gear cables rust
Maximum training in minimum time? This principle doesn’t apply to me. Junk miles are my everyday life. There were plenty of them in 2024 too. However, the term junk is not correct in my eyes. Firstly, I enjoy every minute on the bike and of course that’s not junk, not garbage, but pure joy. And secondly, you can also improve your form through volume. However, as far as structured, effective training is concerned, I have to pass and almost all coaches would throw up their hands at me. Nevertheless, the maximum principle applied to me in my mountain training camp in 2024: as many vertical meters as possible in the given time. To be clear: 12 days, a good 1100 kilometers and over 35,000 meters of altitude in the end.
My training usually takes place on flat terrain day in, day out. For my participation in the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon 2024, I wanted to gain a few more meters in altitude. Although my participation in 2023 was also possible without a single pass in the run-up to the race, my back was hurting badly at the time. Back pain can quickly mean the end of a race. The muscles in the lower back are subject to a different strain when riding uphill than on the flat. That’s why I wanted to complete as many vertical meters as possible and get my lower back used to the mountain. What better way to do this than training in the mountains? However, summer was a long time coming this year and it was cold and wintry in the mountains for a long time. Almost two weeks of summer vacation were planned in the Dolomites. However, the weather was mixed. During this time, the famous Marathona del Dolomites cycling marathon took place. The starting places are coveted and the cycling marathon sells out quickly. This year I wasn’t sad not to have got a starting place. The weather was cold and wet at the beginning of July. For my training goals, it was enough to spend a few hours a day on the bike. When it rained, I wore long bibtights and gloves, overshoes, a rain jacket and a helmet cover. I didn’t really care about the rain on the climbs. Downhill I had to deal with splashing water and slippery asphalt. Nevertheless, the Dolomites retained their magic even in the rain. My bike, on the other hand, was not so happy about the wet. In fact, riding in the constant rain caused my gears to give up the ghost a few weeks later. Unbelievable, but true: my gear cables had rusted in the cable sleeves and had to be replaced after the vacation.
Deadly danger in road traffic – glaucoma
Fair game! That’s how it feels on the bike, at least some of the time. There is hardly a cyclist who has not experienced the uneasy feeling in traffic. However, we are not necessarily talking about negligent or reckless motorists who give way to cyclists or overtake them too closely. Nor is it about malicious people behind the wheel who, as the most harmless act, activate the windshield wiper system after overtaking. No! This is about people who simply overlook cyclists, who don’t see them, who can’t see them. It’s not negligent glances at their smartphones that are to blame, but a disease that literally clouds their vision. We are talking about glaucoma. Glaucoma is a common eye disease that goes unnoticed for a long time. Those affected see increasingly worse. And they don’t notice it for a long time. The field of vision narrows in those affected and “blind” spots can appear. The narrowing of the field of vision in particular goes unnoticed for a long time. So if a cyclist has been taken from the right of way, it may be that the motorist involved simply did not see the cyclist.
Every year, around 2000 people go blind due to glaucoma. In Germany, over 900,000 people are affected by this disease, although the number of unreported cases is not insignificant. The eye damage cannot be reversed. At best, the disease can be halted. Glaucoma accounts for 15 percent of blindness worldwide. Of all people over the age of 40, just under 2.5 percent have glaucoma or one of its precursors.
I would like to draw attention to this condition here. Firstly, it is important to understand that many people do not realize that they have poor eyesight and therefore participate in road traffic without thinking and sit behind the wheel. Secondly, this condition naturally also affects cyclists. Thirdly, I would like to raise society’s awareness of this disease and hope that it will finally be recognized as a serious danger by our healthcare system. Because there is no real medical screening for glaucoma. It can only be diagnosed once there is already damage to the eye. However, the damage does not have to be serious and in the early stages, vision is only slightly impaired or not impaired at all. If glaucoma is detected quickly, it is sometimes possible to take countermeasures. One problem is that screening by an ophthalmologist is not covered by health insurance and therefore hardly anyone has a glaucoma examination. The development of glaucoma is still not 100 percent clear. However, one factor is the poor drainage of aqueous humor in the eye, which increases the intraocular pressure. The increased pressure leads to damage to the optic nerve. Circulatory disorders, abnormal blood pressure or diabetes mellitus also contribute to the increased risk of the disease.
If glaucoma is suspected, the intraocular pressure is measured first. If the intraocular pressure is too high, the optic nerve is gradually damaged. This does not happen overnight, but takes years or decades. The intraocular pressure cannot be felt, only measured. This brings us to the first problem. Intraocular pressure is an individual matter. Intraocular pressure can be within the norm and still be too high for the individual person. However, the usual medical precaution is to measure the intraocular pressure. If the intraocular pressure measured against a standard value is too high, it must be lowered. To do this, eye drops are administered to lower the pressure. The drops must be taken continuously and have corresponding side effects. However, increased intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension) is not necessary to develop glaucoma, nor is it necessary to develop glaucoma if you have increased intraocular pressure. In fact, two thirds of glaucoma sufferers in Europe also have increased intraocular pressure. The remainder suffer from normal pressure glaucoma with “normal” intraocular pressure. In Japan, this group of normal pressure glaucoma even accounts for 90 percent. The causes of glaucoma with normal internal pressure have not yet been clarified. A restriction of the field of vision can be detected. In general, attempts are made to detect the initial damage caused by glaucoma as early as possible. Intraocular pressure measurement and visual field examination are frequently used, as are imaging procedures that detect minor damage, e.g. to the optic nerve.
In short, there is currently no medical possibility of reversing the damage caused by glaucoma! All treatment methods are aimed at preventing or at least slowing down the progression of the disease in order to prevent blindness. Glaucoma screening is therefore essential from the age of 40.
Outlook 2025
My first book for cyclists is due to be published in the spring. Among other things, it will be about how to stay healthy and fit as a cyclist. I will finish 2024 with over 1400 hours in the saddle and over 34,000 kilometers. 1400 hours doesn’t make you a pro, but you need a healthy body to reach this level. In my new book, I share my tips for fitness and health. Of course, races are also planned again in 2025, with the Istria300 on the list so far. My participation in the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon depends, among other things, on the luck of the draw for a starting place. I will continue to test the ASSIOMA PRO MX and report on my findings, such as the Q-factor, in a blog article. Of course, you can expect more exciting topics on my blog. Until then, I wish you a good time and a successful start to the new year.
