It’s not the post I was hoping to write this week, but hey — that’s life! 🚲💥 For the past two weeks, I’ve been dealing with a nasty plantar wart right under the arch of my foot. Yeah, one of those painful ones that makes even walking uncomfortable, let alone pushing hard on bike pedals. I really thought it would heal faster, but unfortunately, it’s still sore and annoying, and it’s keeping me off the saddle for now.
For someone like me who loves road cycling, especially those quick 50–60 km loops that give me my two-hour dose of adrenaline and fresh air, being sidelined is frustrating. Cycling, for me, is more than just a workout — it’s a way to stay connected to nature, to train my legs during the off-season, and honestly, to clear my head. It also complements skiing beautifully: those long efforts uphill are amazing for endurance, and the control you learn while cornering downhill really translates to better edge control when skiing. So yes, not cycling sucks. 😅
But luckily… Mother Nature gave me a break. No waves on the forecast 🌊✖️ — so at least I’m not suffering from the surf withdrawal too! If the sea had been pumping, it would’ve been torture not to be able to ride those waves. In a way, I think the sea is cutting me some slack. 😄
Still, I can’t just sit around. So, I’ve kept up my gym routine 🏋️♂️ and found a new-old passion: fishing. Being out at sea, breathing in that salty air, waiting for a strike — it’s incredibly calming and grounding. It’s also given me a chance to reconnect with the sea in a different way. I grew up around boats and lines and reels, so it feels natural to be out there again.
🎣 And last week? I had a solid win: I landed a beautiful albakora (aka little tuna) weighing in at over 3 kg! 💪🐟
Not the biggest catch of my life, sure, but definitely one of the most satisfying. I was out early in the morning, no wind, flat calm waters. You know that stillness when the ocean feels like glass? That. I dropped the lure and boom — after a short but intense fight, I pulled in this shiny, strong little beast. Here’s the photo 📸 — and no, it’s not Photoshop!
Moments like that remind me that even when life doesn’t go as planned (no bike, no surf), there’s always something to appreciate — or to hunt 😉. I’ve always believed in making the most out of what you’ve got, and this minor injury is just another opportunity to explore something different.
I know I’ll be back on the bike soon enough. Hopefully the wart calms down soon — I’m doing all I can to speed up healing. Until then, I’m staying active in every way I can. If you’re curious or want to keep track of when I’m back on two wheels, feel free to follow me on Strava — my nickname is @riccardovaraldo. 🚴♂️🔥
In the meantime, thanks for following along my not-so-linear sports journey. I’ll keep you posted — whether it’s from the saddle, the gym, or the fishing boat.
Stay moving, stay positive —
Riky