It shouldn't be this hard.

As usual, with my family, work and cycling life balance up the creek I took to the turbo trainer for a quick 1 hour (can 1 hour be quick/slow?) training session.

Now my motivation has been low for some time, but with good reason. I haven't raced for almost a year, I haven't entered any future events either and I've failed to get to the races I had lined up. So I'm left wondering why I train at all, or even ride my bike since more often than not it is in doors on the trainer.

A friend asked why as I was cyclist my legs were so pale, I replied because it is dark when I cycle at 11pm, and I'm in doors anyway. I could tell she didn't get how I could have a hobby, passion. Especially as I don'thave time to race.

The National 10 TT I had been training for clashed with a funeral, c'ai la vie. All the exciting stage races are held on the weekend of my wedding anniversary so they are a no no, even if I promised to be back for dinner somewhere nice. Apparently I shouldn't even think such a thing. The Smithfield Nocturne would have been very convenient but it falls on my son's birthday.

So I mounted my bike on the turbo with some resignation, wondering why I bother. I could just have a cold beer and some crisps.

I started my current time trial training based on cadence and gearing, and almost immediately found it hard to maintain my usual cadence in selected gears. I struggled on, imagining the sweat pouring off me, splashing into the puddles on the floor was the lactic acid I had building up in my legs.

After 35 minutes I thought sod it. It wasn't working for me, it shouldn't be this hard. I climbed off the bike as if I'd just pulled out of the tour.Then when releasing the turbo fly wheel, I realised the rear brake caliper was stuck against the wheel, doubling the usual resistance.