Staff Profile – ‘The Physio’

We asked repeat Loop staff team member Claire to tell us more about life on tour as one of our team of brilliant ‘Atheletes’ Angels’ physios. Many of you will get to meet Claire in the 2nd half of the tour and if you’re lucky, she’ll put your body back together for you too! Read one to find out more …

What does an average day on tour involve for you?

The therapy team is made up of 4 team members: 2 ‘day’ therapists and 2 ‘evening shift’ therapists. As one of the ‘day’ team members, my day typically starts around an hour before the cyclists are up and about. The morning duties commence with cutting strips and shapes out of brightly coloured physio tape in preparation for the cyclists descending with niggles and anxieties. After dishing out lots of reassurance, taping and advice to keep tired bodies pedalling, we head off in hot pursuit of the cyclists to make it to the first feed stop of the day.

At feed stop one, I become a master of multi-tasking. Demonstration of useful stretches for newly warmed-up muscles, re-taping of sweaty, sun-creamed limbs, and ensuring a glorious spread of morning snacks are laid out are but a few of the normal duties. Cyclists can use this opportunity to ask me about any minor niggles to prevent more significant problems. However, there is always a physiotherapist at each feed stop to offer advice and assistance. Feed stops teams alternate – so you’ll meet a different physio at feed stop 2!

Off to feed stop 3 – Lunch! We aim to get well ahead of the cyclists at this point to ensure plenty of time to prepare for Sarah’s gourmet roadside restaurant! After peeling, chopping, mixing and seasoning is complete, my physio duties resume until the last cyclist has made it safely through feed stop 3. A quick coffee and straight to the hotel to help with post-ride massage (the bit you’ve all been waiting for). Bike, shoe and saddle adjustments often also take place at this point to resolve any biomechanical issues for the following day.

After dinner, our working day is complete, and the evening shift therapists take over to make sure everyone who would like massage or advice has access to treatment.

What’s your favourite bit of the job?

Every year, cyclists sign up to Le Loop for very different reasons – personal challenges, in memory of loved ones, to make a difference to the lives of others. Listening to each rider’s story is special. If I could encourage riders to do one thing whilst on Le Loop – it would be to spend some time with every single cyclist and learn something about them – you’ll have endless motivation to get through those tough climbs if you do. As a nosey parker – I love this element of the tour.

As a fellow cyclist and lover of the Alps – there is also no better office than the Col de Galibier! 

What are you most proud of?

For me, being part of the incredible team that make Le Loop possible is a privilege I take great pride in. To see the results of the hard work of the team – riders getting to Paris having raised an outstanding amount of money to help children live a better life all over the UK – is addictive!

There is also something very special about seeing cyclists achieve what they never believed they may be able to. Spectating as 40 tired riders manage an epic HC category climb in 40 degree heat after 15 days of riding is tear jerking.

What am I looking forward to about 2019?

The alpine climbs!! Galibier, Izoard, Cormet de Roseland are some of my very favourites. Get your annual quota of mountain views in just a few days!