#20 interesthings - First week in Spain

Hi there! There have been a lot of you joining this newsletter in the last few weeks. Let me tell you a bit about this newsletter. This is my little creative outlet where I talk about cycling, things I like and other things I just want to share with you.

It’s a bit of the behind the scenes in what I do and how my brain works. Hope you like it!

My first week in Spain

As you all have seen (if not, you might have not opened Instagram a while), I am in Spain. These weeks I am working remote and training/living like a pro cyclist. As today is the 8th day of me being here I want to give you a recap of the things I have learned and experienced.

Disneyland

I have never felt so lucky to be somewhere. This area feels like Disneyland for cycling. Everything is so good and the weather is amazing. The coffee places are amazing and the people are friendly. I love it here. Actually thinking of ways to come here often and spend most of winter here as the climate just makes me far more happy.

The life of young pro cyclists

In the last week I was staying in a house were a few young pro cyclists were also staying. Which was a really amazing look in their life. As I am 27 my life has already progressed into working and my teen years are over. Which was such a contrast from what they are doing.

Their life is focussed around cycling, waking up with it and going to bed with it. Weighing everything, talking about their training and a lot of recovering.

It is a hard world, as you are competing against so many other young and eager cyclists that want to make it to the top stage. It’s mental and physical. And that at a young age. Which deserves all respect. I felt like such a contrast with them as my young years were all about drinking beer and going out.

My second youth

Last week there were a few moments in which it felt like I was living a different life. As you might not know I have had a wild student time. Living in student houses and drinking around 25 beers every week.

That is why this place feels like my second youth. I am 27 and I have the feeling that this previous life was led by another person. I know that I do not have the time to become a pro cyclist like a lot of people here, but it kind of feels like I could. I feel like I am just 20 and living a life I was never supposed to live.

The challenge

As you know I am doing the Road to Mathieu van der Poel. This challenge is really fun. I would have never believed you if you would tell me I would be riding with all these amazing cyclists up an iconic climb in Spain.

But the challenge also stresses me out. I feel like an imposter all the time. I am just a guy that thought of an idea on a ride which grew into something so big. I get recognised here, people waving at me or asking if I have already contacted Mathieu van der Poel. That feels weird.

I have all the respect for Mathieu van der Poel, and would never want to intrude his life. That is what gives me the stress. I am calling him out on Instagram and have never even met him.

The S-Works Tarmac SL8

This bike is insane. It feels so smooth and just works amazing. But it also gives me stress, which is not necessary. The bottom bracket creaks, the saddle is creaking and my front derailleur almost fell off in a descent.

These things stress me out a lot. I want my stuff to work without any issues, and not break. That is an issue I have to work on. It is just a bike, it is replaceable and fixable. It is insured so why worry. I have to work on this.

Vacation vs Work

On wednesday I went to Valencia to go and work at a former coworkers office. That felt weird. It felt like I was living 2 separate lives and just entered another world. There was no cycling there. It was just work.

But it helped a lot. I could detach from everything that is cycling and just push the work I also need to do here.

Conclusion for week 1

Thanks for reading this. There are a few things I just wanted to share with you. Life is amazing here, but there are so much things happening it’s now always easy. I am grateful for everything that is happening, and truly want to thank everyone for being a part of this little adventure.

Things

Let’s share some things I love and found in the last 2 weeks.

• I got the Hot Wax from Dynamic, did not try it yet but they are the best hot wax in town (actually proven here). It should not surprise you because the major teams are using it. Get it here and use Mark20 for 20% off on your order. This also helps me and the channel!

• Finally bought the Birkenstock Bostons. Final level of being a “yup” in the Netherlands.

• I love A24 movies, and Warfare looks so insanely good. Will get this in cinema’s.

• I have played a lot of League of Legends, and still enjoy playing Teamfight Tactics. The way League of Legends is playing their cinematic universe now is just insane. I can’t think of any company doing it better than them at the moment. Disney, take notes.

• I use Wirecutter by the New York Times a lot to find products that are good and tested like Duvet Covers and Weight Scales.

• Got a Google Nest Protect to make my home more smart and better protected. It’s and amazing smoke detector. I just have this tiny issue with it going off after I have showered. Steamy.

• Get yourself some of the new Bonk.cc collection. It’s launching soon and just looks insane. Unfortunately I could not take it with me to Spain because of delivery issues but love the brand.

• I will make a guide on how I structure my food and what I am buying at the supermarket as a cyclist. Living smart and buying less.

• Family is everything. Just a reminder.