TONY SHERWOOD
From an overweight ex-rugby player to a cycling hero, Tony’s story is an inspiration to all.
ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
MALLORCA 312
232km in 9 hours 17 minutes.
CAPE ROULEUR
Qualified for Group 1 in the Rouleur (a four-day stage race).
UCI Worlds
Qualified for the 2018 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships 3 times.
WEIGHT LOSS
Started his journey at Njinga at 108kg and has now lost over 31kg.
Before Njinga: an overweight ex-rugby player
At the end of 2013, I weighed 108kg (or 17 stone). Having been a regular rugby player for years, I'd kept the rugby drinking lifestyle but without the exercise to counter it. I realised that, for all obvious reasons, I needed to bring exercise back into my life.
In 2014, I decided to buy myself a road bike and turbo trainer, and started off doing gentle exercises indoors. Soon after, I began cycling with friends and took on my first-ever sportive in 2014, the 16 Bridges (34 miles) which took me ±4 hours to complete.
Following several other local sportives, my friend Louise suggested I join her in Mallorca for the 312. Mallorca is a hilly place and it was going to be a big challenge for me, a now-95kg man. This was the moment that really kickstarted my training: I wanted to be ready for this ride. I joined the David Lloyd club and started exercising 3 times per week.
Enter Njinga: Indoor training sessions and the Njinga Collective
When I discovered Njinga, I immediately signed up to their indoor training sessions and not-for-profit outdoor riding group, the Njinga Collective.
From the training sessions, I was able to focus on my cycling development, training, and performance. From the Collective, I gained early inspiration riding with fantastic cyclists who were much quicker and stronger than me.
Official Sportive Photo
Tony committed to his cycling journey and completed several different sportives.
Tony on an Njinga Training camp in Mallorca.
The Mallorca 312 and summer training
In April 2016, I took on the Mallorca 312 and completed the 232km route in 9 hours 17 minutes: a major turnaround from my first sportive two years prior.
I continued to ride regularly through summer 2016, doing two classes a week, and riding with the Njinga Collective every weekend. I took on 10 other major sportives in that year including Ride London, Tour of Cambridge, Wales Velo, and Rise Above. By the end of 2016, my weight had dropped to 89 kilos, I was feeling much fitter and healthier, and, in turn, more comfortable on the bike. Even though I always found myself at the back of the peloton on the climbs, I pushed hard, kept going, and never gave up.
I suffered a bad knee injury in October 2016 but I remained determined: this would not affect my cycling. As advised by my physio, I kept my head down and rested for three months. It was hard but more than anything, I wanted to achieve my next goal of cycling the March 2017 Cape Rouleur.
When I got back to my training at the start of 2017, some fellow cyclists doubted I had enough time to get to the level of fitness I needed for the Rouleur.
By this time, my weight had dropped to 86kg.
Njinga Ride Captain
In the summer of 2017, I was delighted to be asked to be an Njinga Ride Captain. It was a great way to give back to Njinga and help other cyclists in the same way others had helped, supported, and encouraged me.
I ramped up my goals that same year by entering the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifier at the Tour of Cambridge. This was a huge learning curve for me: I underestimated the pace and power of the riders and I narrowly missed qualifying by 50 seconds. I was gutted. It really shook my confidence and belief as I tried to analyse where I'd gone wrong.
By this time, my weight was 82kg.
Then began my dedication to the Njinga philosophy: Train Smart + Fuel Smart + Think Smart = Ride Smart.
My weight continued to drop. By this time, I was 77kg.
Njinga Rider of the Year
At the 2017 annual Njinga awards evening, I was crowned Njinga Rider of the Year.
It was a rewarding and appreciated finish to the year and fuelled my hunger to compete.
Tony cycling on an Njinga Training camp in Mallorca.
Tony became an Njinga Ride Captain.
Tony was awarded our 2017 Njinga Rider of the Year award.
Qualifying for the UCI World Championship 2.0
I knew already that my 2018 goal would be – unsurprisingly – qualifying for the UCI Gran Fondo World Series. I mapped out my cycle training plan for the year which included several overseas training trips: Tenerife, Portugal, and an Njinga training camp to Mallorca.
Before my 2017 year was up, I made a last-minute decision to go to Dubai for a qualifying event. The racing was quick, flat, and hot, and I clocked up an impressive 27.24mph average over 100km. But, due to an incident at the event, all announcements were delayed until March 2018 so, instead of waiting for unknown results, I forged forward and focused on another qualifying event, this time in Cyprus.
Regardless of the Dubai results, I wanted to know I could achieve qualification on a hilly course and demonstrate my all-round ability as a rider.
And on March 24th, I just did that, finishing 12th in my age category for that day and 11th overall which gave me the qualification I'd been striving for.
At the time of writing this, I'll be heading to Varese this September for the UCI World Series final.
Tony training hard to earn his qualification for the UCI World Series final.
Tony with fellow Njinga riders at the 6 day stage race: Giro d' Sardegna.
Tony with fellow Njinga riders in Varese for the UCI World Series final.
Why do I keep going to Njinga?
Njinga's philosophy of Train Smart, Fuel Smart, Think Smart = Ride Smart is spot on. You get what you put in, and the Njinga crew are always there to push you. So, too, does the supportive Njinga community of riders who encourage each other no matter their level of ability.
I'd recommend Njinga to any riders – for general training to all-round fitness improvements.
As a cyclist of any ability, they can improve your cycling & pedal technique or, if you're specifically wanting to train for an event, they have dedicated training & online programmes.
Plus, it's a great way to connect with like-minded people, have fun, and socialise.
It's really important for me to put back into Njinga after all they've given me over the last few years and so, I'm incredibly proud to have been asked to be an Njinga Ambassador.
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– Togo Keynes, Head Performance Coach at Njinga Cycling Academy
