Ian Cuthbertson - Fatherhood, Cycling, and IBD
Riding Through Tough Times: A Story of Biking, Challenges, and Family
by Ian Cuthbertson
As a troubled youth from a broken home, I fortunately stumbled in to the mysterious world of cycling (almost a 'black-art' back in the day before the internet), which saved me from myself! By 18, I was racing on on the biggest stage of all, competing in my first World Mountain Bike Championship as a British junior. Building on that early success, I proudly represented Great Britain, racing in CX, Road, and MTB events. The call of pro biking was strong, and for a solid six years, I threw myself into the buzz and excitement of the sport. The proudest moment? Finishing in 14th place at the World Mountain Bike Championship in Cairns, 1996, and a solid win in the Worlds toughest Cyclo Cross event The 3 Peaks in 1999.
However, my pursuit of excellence led me to retire early. Sticking to my values in the drug fuelled EPO era meant I couldn't achieve my dream of a top 10 in a World Championship. Leaving the UK, my wife Simone and I set off for Australia to experience a new life of renovating houses, drinking beer and eating bbq's. We started our Design Agency 'IC Creative Design' that is still running successfully today and progressed to have a couple of kids. Life was good. Little did we know that in 2021, after months of blood filled toilet bowls, a weight loss roller coaster ride and bowels that wanted to do their own thing 7-10 times a day, we would receive the unexpected news of a diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis - WTF!!!
Ian racing the WorldCup 1998
The shock of the diagnosis was softened by the relief that it wasn't the dreaded "big C." (Dr Google led me down the path to believe the worst!!). Nevertheless, the tough road that followed, with challenging times and a struggle to regain control over my body, led me down a difficult path. With daily medications, I slowly regained my energy and weight, although with a newfound appreciation for the fragility of life.
Now, I'm facing a fresh set of challenges. No longer just chasing my own dreams, my journey has become a joint effort with my two kids, Liam and Skye. Both of them share my love for cycling, and their growing talents and ambitions fuel my determination to beat the challenges of Ulcerative Colitis. I want to be there to complete the 200k training rides with them when they need a training partner!
Ian with his children
As my son Liam embarks on the path to cycling excellence, with an FTP hitting an impressive 6 watts per kilo, training with him has become a tough test of resilience, especially with my ever changing health. Balancing their dreams and looking after myself has me eating sensibly, ditching the alcohol and taking more care of myself than I have for a long, long time!
Living with Ulcerative Colitis has changed how I train and perform. Dealing with recent UC flares, I've become more in tune with my body's signals. Just like in my pro days, I'm following a strict routine with a sensible diet, no alcohol, plenty of rest, and careful recovery. I'm navigating the cycling challenges cautiously, making sure I reserve my energy for the exciting MTB weekend challenges my son throws at me when I really need to keep up and not hamper his training.
In the world of sports mixed with the complexities of IBD, every hurdle has taught me something. Learning to ease up as a Master competitor, managing stress, and finding joy in watching my kids grow in cycling have taught me a lot about resilience. My wife Simone has been my rock, steering me away from exhaustion. The support from the IBD community and fellow athletes facing similar struggles has also been a huge help. Cycling taught me that to get better and faster, you need to seek as much advice from whoever will give it, maybe you only retain 1 thing from every person that you meet along the way but when you put it all together it helps you compete the Jigsaw much faster! I view IBD in the same way!
Ian racing along side his son Liam
The thrill of cycling still runs deep in my heart, even as I dive into renovations and business ventures. It's no longer just about personal success; it's about seeing my kids shine. My daughter's win as the National CX Champion in 2022 and my son's dominance in local races and potential selection for the Australian Team at the CX World Championships keep me motivated every day.
Adapting with my condition, I've embraced a personalized approach to training. Following the "less is more" idea and sneaking in midday naps have become my go-to remedy, recharging at every opportunity and building my physical strength.
Ian challenging his UC at Australian Cyclocross Nationals
Balancing intense training with self-care and managing my IBD has become a delicate act. By being mindful, sticking to a routine, and prioritizing rest, I'm striving to strike the right balance between my passion for cycling and my overall well-being.
As I journey through this unknown territory, cycling remains not just a sport but a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. My family's bond, the backing of the community, and the pulse of the cycling world continue to define my story, building a legacy not just about wins but about the unwavering strength found in facing tough times.
To Follow Ian’s story, Connect with him here : Ian's Instagram