In the heart of Glasgow’s Chris Hoy Velodrome, where dreams were born and stars were made, Olympic champion Katie Archibald finds her true happiness. It is a happiness like no other – a feeling of liberation and freedom as she zooms past the track, leaving everything else behind. This place, the center of her universe, is where she first stepped foot as an 18-year-old with pink hair and a lip ring, the very spot where her incredible journey began.
But as life often unfolds, dreams are not always granted effortlessly. The past year was a nightmarish one for the 29-year-old cycling prodigy. Injuries came crashing down upon her, one after the other, like relentless waves. Shoulder surgery, a back fracture, Covid, concussion, and a broken collarbone – each obstacle testing her willpower and resilience.
However, nothing compared to the ordeal that nearly broke her spirit. In late May, just six weeks before the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, fate dealt her a harsh blow. She found herself soaring over the bonnet of a 4×4, landing with two burst ankles and a dented leg. But it was the unseen wounds that truly plagued her soul.
Anxiety gripped her heart, casting a shadow over her passion for cycling. She felt terrified, unable to shake the fear that haunted her every time she rode her bike. It became a relentless struggle, draining her strength, and leaving her wondering if she could ever return to the sport she loved.
But life is unpredictable, and amidst the darkest of times, rays of light can find a way to shine through. Enter Rab Wardell, the man who brought joy back into Katie’s life. When they met, Rab’s life was in disarray, but he turned it around with hard work, determination, and a love for adventure. He became a coach, a filmmaker, and a champion in his own right. The pair found solace and laughter in each other, living a life filled with biking and coffee, cherishing every moment.
Tragically, fate dealt a cruel hand again. In August, Rab won the Scottish mountain bike cross country championships, and two days later, he passed away in his sleep, leaving Katie devastated. Grief-stricken, she found herself on her bike three days after his passing, and something remarkable happened. The anxiety that had plagued her vanished, replaced by a profound sense of pain and loss. The worst had happened, yet she found strength in the face of unimaginable sorrow.
Katie now stands on the precipice of the World Championships in her beloved Glasgow. It will be an emotional rollercoaster, physically and mentally taxing, but for her, it holds a meaning like no other. The dream of racing together with Rab in their city, side by side, is no more. Yet, as she embarks on this journey, she carries his spirit within her heart.
The world championships will be her catharsis, a way to celebrate and honor Rab’s memory, sharing with the world the incredible person he was. While others may see it as a mere sporting event, for Katie, it’s an opportunity to tell the world about the man who brought joy, fun, and love into her life.
As she stands on the starting line, ready to embrace the challenges ahead, Katie Archibald embodies the triumph of the human spirit. Through adversity and loss, she has found the strength to carry on, to find solace in her passion, and to keep the dream alive. The velodrome may witness her incredible athletic prowess, but beneath the surface lies an unwavering spirit, fueled by love and memories.
For Glasgow, this event is more than just a championship; it’s a tribute to a man who embodied the true essence of sport – the joy of riding bikes, getting outside, and having fun. As the wheels spin and the crowd cheers, Katie will pedal forward, carrying the indomitable spirit of Rab Wardell with her every inch of the way. And in that journey, she shows us all what it means to truly embrace life and carry the dream within.