Haute Route Swiss Alps - Overcoming Severe Back Injury !
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- čas přidán 15. 10. 2022
- Massive thanks to Paul Hamblet for helping me navigate and film the 3 stages of the Haute Route Davos in Switzerland. And huge thanks to @hauteroute8798 for the extremely professional organization, planning and safety to enable 350 of us to experience sublime Switzerland at it's best. A life affirming experience I'll never forget.
I hope you enjoy the video charting my first stage event outside the UK, comprising x2 stages with x4 really beautiful climbs including Albula Pass from Filisur and Fluela Pass from the South and a final individual time trial stage on Fluela Pass from Davos. I did this whilst still recovering from my cycling accident earlier in 2022, with a back brace to protect my still fractured T8 vertebrae. A massive challenge in a natural environment of exceptional beauty, and a massive amount of fun!
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Thanks ever so much for all of your support! And whoever you are, what ever your do, please remember to LIVE THRIVE AND STAY HEALTHY !
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A new BRWM which I suspect will feature Phill+Piglet+Top Scenery? Best news I've heard all weekend, can't wait!
LoL ! An educated guess from a very educated gentleman ! Accurate !
Here's my highlight list;
"60 Millions Years ago..." not often cycling videos have this sort of content 😂and yet, well researched, educational and fascinating, brilliant.
"You're probably about 6 weeks away from this really..." then you proceed to pass plenty of people 😂even not at your best you're some cyclist Phill
Cows. Scenery, fast flowing mountain streams, craggy snow topped peaks, cycling stats galore.
I've never watched a video of an event that's better made me want to go to that event in future, honestly one of the best videos you've ever done Phill, brilliant.
Thanks massively Nick 🙏 - you’ve made my day 💯 - too too generous, but very uplifting . The cows and cow bells were my personal favourites also … ok them and the pristine little red trains that are exactly the same as for the Lego railway 👌🇨🇭. Long way to go to get back to fitness - and these 3 days showed me why. And for sure a Haute Route would suit you down to the ground 👌
Hi Phil. I'm so glad you started making videos again. I hope we get some good bike riding videos, Phillip. Thank you for everything. So happy to see you so healthy, my friend. Greetings to my sister Jane and I wish you safe driving. Greetings from Türkiye. 😀😀
Cheers Atakan 🙏 - was amazing to be out in the Mountains 🤩 - and Jayne says hi to Turkey 🇹🇷 !
Cool - i love Turkey ❤
Fantastic video Phill, many thanks for making and sharing, really enjoyed it, it looks stunning.
Well done Paul and thank you.
Cheers Lee 🙏 you’re a gent for saying so and it’s much appreciated! Switzerland delivered - that’s for sure 🇨🇭. And Paul was as always incredible 💯
02:42 Did you think the crowd was ringing the cow bells for you? Well done you, I couldn't do it.
For me and me alone Kev 🤣 - any time I see tractors, and since Italy last year….. cows or goats with bells, I’m in 7th Heaven ! 💯👌. Hope you are well Sir !
Cheers for the geology lesson Phil 😳.. and what an amazing effort.. out of the saddle too well done mate.. you are a true example of determination, positivity and politeness . I just love your Shakespearian descriptions of the ‘vistas.’ ‘Fused into one giant Toblerone of an ascent’.. 😝 priceless.. Your numbers are still smashing mine.. keep up the amazing recovery mate and remember ‘do not stop.. do not fall off. 👊🏻
Thanks ever so much for such generous and positive message of encouragement, Johnny 🙏. It’s really motivating and appreciated ! I do love figuring out how to bring the video to life - so really pleased you enjoyed the narrative. And for sure hoping to continue making small steps of progress in the recovery - still a long way to go I think . Cheers Phill
I’m facing weeks/months off the bike right now, so seeing you come back from adversity like this gives me heart and hope.
What happened?
I’m so sorry about this Deadlift, you mentioned it on the live stream, but I didn’t realise you had potentially months out. All I can offer in terms of advice, is that when you are able to cycle and train again, it’s a real pleasure and luxury to be able to do so. And if you are like me, I think you’ll enjoy the process of resetting and gradually rebuilding - it’s very liberating to have to rebase all expectations, but at the same time make small consistent steps of progress. And remember muscle memory and cardio memory are real things - the mitochondria and small capillary veins into the muscles - both built up over previous years training don’t disappear for years 💯. Best of luck in your recovery 🍀
Cracking video and really inspirational to see the progress you’ve made since the accident, both physically and probably more impressively, mentally. Easy to forget the psychological impact a big crash on the road can have. Chapeau
Thanks ever so much TheColaustin 🙏 thats beyond kind and generous of you to say so 💯 And you are indeed right - the psychological side of things has very much been a roller coaster, and still a long way to go to get my confidence back outside and indeed full cognitive abilities.. But this was a really lovely step in the right direction 🤞
Nice seeing You out there again riding those beautifull mountains. All the best to You Phill
Cheers Alex 🙏 - thats hugely appreciated Sir! And for sure to be back outside and in the jaw dropping Swiss Alps was the perfect way to recover something from my cycling year ! 💯
Fantastic Phil to see you make such a quick come back after suffering such severe injuries. You Sir, are a huge inspiration to most!
Awesome Phil. Take it steady mate whilst still wearing that brace.
Wishing you a continued and full recovery Phil.
Best wishes
Simon
Thanks ever so much Simon 🙏 - thats really kind of you and incredible generous 💯 Switzerland is a perfect place for a recovery like this, given the perfect roads and low levels of traffic. Built was likely 6-8weeks too early for me looking back. And for sure -still in the back brace and taking it carefully 👍
Great to see you back to riding these events. Missed your out and about videos. Well done On your recovery. 👏👏👌
Thanks Paul 🙏 - that’s really lovely of you to say so ! It was an unexpected pleasure to be just about ready to ride the HR - and hoping for plenty more next year 🤞. Hope you are well !
Great ride Phil and the nice video of your ride and the scenery around you ! Kudos always , ride safe and stay safe !! 👍🏼🚴🏻🚴🏻🍻
Cheers Strong 💪 🙏- and so pleased you enjoyed the vid - to say Switzerland delivered would be an understatement 🇨🇭🤩. Taking it careful - in the back brace until at least mid November - and stay safe and healthy yourself 👍
Superb video Phill, though when I saw your link on Facebook, I did wonder if there was a Switzerland in the good ole US of A 😂 On a serious note, great to see you back in the mountains and what a place to pick. Simply stunning scenery and we got the cow bells as well. As always thanks for sharing and best wishes to you and Jayne.
Cheers Tony - and sorry for the delay in my reply! I am indeed on holiday in the good old US of A - California 👍. And for sure I do love a tractor or a goat or cow wearing a bell (and in Switzerland any red train) - I’m like a moth to a light when I see those 👌🤣 ! But seriously - agreed - Switzerland provides cyclists, hikers or people taking the train another level of beauty, an incredible part of the world for a bike ride or some R&R. Jayne says hi from 🇺🇸 Hope you and the family are keeping well 👍
looks great! you look great! good to see you spinning with the brace and see a smile on your face :)
Poetry personified Savonge 👌😊. And thanks ever so much !
Stunning scenery, cycling and interesting fact as ever Phil. Thanks for sharing your experience Phil 👍
Thanks Chris 🙏 - sublime / stunning are indeed the prime words to describe Switzerland ! 🤩 And I too learned a lot (….from wiki) in order to narrate the vid ! 😅
Great video, beautiful scenery and nice, new shiny teeth!! What more could you ask for? 💪😁👍 Fantastic how far you have come and well done for not letting your accident define you!! Well done mate🍻
🤣 Cheers Jinx - my teeth are indeed new and shiny - but still don’t have the confidence to bite into a apple !! I hugely appreciate you saying that, Sir - and whilst I’d have never wanted this accident (and am fed up of wearing the back brace), I have enjoyed the process of resetting my expectations about fitness levels and training and rebuilding - it’s been quite cathartic👍. Hope you are well !
Great to see you cycling again, looks lovely!
Cheers Theo 🙏 - it was indeed a treat to be back outside and in such a beautiful country 🤩
Both legends! Do like that classic SuperSix of Paul :).
Too too kind Arnage 🙏 - but very motivating! Paul is an incredible athlete and cyclist, and massive source of knowledge. And his SuperSix is as good looking in real life as it appears on film - and proper light c5kg !! 👌
This was hugely inspiring, Phil. Cheers.
Thanks ever so much Jett 🙏 - that’s incredibly generous of you ! I probably took on the Haute Route Davos a little too early on in my recovery - but am glad I did, because it built back a little confidence and this part of Switzerland is truly beautiful 🤩
Wow great effort Phill
Thanks Paul - as always massively appreciated 🙏
Another enjoyable and informative video. Glad to see the recovery is heading in the right direction. Chapeau.
Thanks ever so much Mark 🙏 - it’s a slow but hopefully steady process 🤞
I am very impressed with your tenacity and determination. The way you are approaching returning to the sport is inspiring. Keep going!
Thanks ever so much Greg 🙏 - thats incredibly kind and generous of you to say so 💯 I’ve found the process of having to completely rebase my fitness expectations, and rebuild to be very cathartic. It’s nice to be able to enjoy the process and take small steps of progression 👌
The super positive one is back. 🎉
We missed you on this channel mate. Look forward to more content from you and hopefully gradual increase in watts per kilo. ❤
Thanks ever so much Toks 🙏 - and for sure Switzerland is the kind of place to lift the e spirits 😊. Hoping to get the back brace off in 3 weeks - and then in December after a busy season at work - really focus on the fitness rebuild . Won’t get near your amazing numbers this summer though !! ✊
You are a machine mate, and you must terrify poor Jane..... I myself went over the 13,000 miles in 18 months this week on my new left titanium hip 👌🏻
Congratulations FTW - and we wish you many many more 10s of thousands of smooth miles to come 💪. Was about 6-8weeks too soon for me, the Haute Route - but so pleased to make it around 💯. And for sure Jayne was very understanding to let me go 👍
Phil, that’s up there where the big dog eats, well done to you sir💪
🤣 Up in the Swiss Alps is indeed where the big Dog lurks and eats, Larry ! I felt I was on the menu on the second climb on the first day 🥵 💯 Thanks ever so much, Sir !
Brilliant to see you back Phil and away with your buddies.. what a beautiful place and ride well done sir. So glad your making such a great recovery from your accident I’ve thought of you many times and hoped you would be ok. Chapeau on this ride amazing 🚴👍🤩🏅
Thanks ever so much Pete 🙏 - that’s really really wonderful of you 👍. It was indeed incredible to be back outside with Paul and so many other really lovely cyclists, good for the soul 💯. I’ve still a long way to go to get back to feeling comfortable on the bike outside - especially in the descent though
awesome to have you back on the road.
Thanks ever so much albanegger 🙏 - was really good to be back out in Europe - something I’ll never take for granted again
Well done Phill, you’re making a great recovery!
Cheers Freight 🚂 - Zwift Season beckons ….. there’s many races I need to get dropped on….
Brilliant! Good to see you back, mate!
Cheers Jack 🙏 - too too kind sir! Hope you are enjoying your favourite time of year - this little adventure was very much a treat 🎃!
Glad you’re getting better 😊
Thanks ever so much Lake District Cyclist 🙏 - onwards and hopefully upwards !
What a great video Phill! Science, geography, history, scenery and cycling 👌 & of course Piglet casually chatting away just like a TTT!
Cheers powerhouse Katie 🙏! Piglet was indeed chirping like a budgerigar 💯. And am so pleased a lady of academia liked the mix of content (and wikkiepedia 🤣)
Happy to see you back, enjoy !
Thanks ever so much Saint Yorre 🙏 - was indeed an absolute pleasure 🤩
How courageous you are! Bravo 💪
Thanks ever so much Frederic 🙏 - thats really kind and generous of you to say so 💯 And very motivating for me 👍
Glad you had an amazing ride!
Thanks ever so much Spingirl 🙏 - that’s massively kind of you so say so! Switzerland and the HR were a match made in heaven 💯
So pristine, and at this time of year, stunning.. Cant think of a better place to hit LT1 😍.
Pristine and perfectly organised are the words Lee. Switzerland is a joyful place to ride a bike and explore - and some gradients a la Lake District to boot ! My LT1 only just got me up some of them ….. Highly recommended 👌💯
Well done Sir!
Cheers Mol ! 🙏 thats massively kind of you 💯
Thanks Phil. An excellent achievement given where you have come from. Chapeau to Piglet for his domestique duty.
Cheers Ethan 🙏 - thats massively appreciated 💯 And for sure it was incredible to be out proper and in the beautiful mountains 💯 And agreed, Paul is indeed the GC & Superdomestique rolled into one!
Great video. Looks like an epic event.
Cheers Ben 🙏 - thats massively appreciated 💯 An epic event for sure - incredible organisation and safety from HR, and in a drop dead gorgeous part of the world 🤩
Glad to see you back on the road doing these spectacular climbs again Phil, loving the commentary as always!
Cheers Larry 🙏 that’s really lovely of you to say so 💯. Was absolutely incredible to be back outside proper and in the beautiful mountains - life affirming experience for sure 💯
What a beautiful place to continue your amazing recovery 🙏
The mountains, lakes and streams makes Switzerland the most Beautiful place I've ever visited and your video did it justice 👌
Keep up the good work 👏
Thanks ever so much Michael 🙏 - I really appreciate you saying that, because I too think Switzerland is the most beautiful place I’ve visited. I’d love to get back out there next year - minus the back brace 🤞. Hope you are having a good weekend 👍
Warrior...
Thanks ever so much Andy 🙏 - too too generous Sir!
Seeing how far you've come and your accomplishments, I'm speechless Phil !
Now, lets watch this video again so I can enjoy the reason you posted it.
🤣 Thanks ever so much Peat 🙏 💯 - thats really motivating of you to say so, and very generous ! I massively enjoyed the Haute Route Switzerland experience, really life affirming 👍
Well done!
Thanks ever so much Rod 🙏 - massively appreciated !
Beautiful video Phill and Jayne. And I am happy to watch you back in the mountains and downhills. Really an accomplishment. So good you took on this effort. That is on a rental bike isn't it? What a kind hearted bloke Paul is that he stayed with you and guided you. A real friend. Stunning environment btw.
Thanks ever so much Agnes 🙏 And for sure Switzerland is such a beautiful country it was easy to make a beautiful video - absolutely incredible views wherever I looked. It was certainly 6-8weeks to early for me - so was really happy to get around the course and up the climbs, and Paul was as always the consummate gentleman - patiently guiding me around safely 💯👌
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy Superbe!
Great going Sir, that's miraculous recovery after the accident. I'm just home from a sun cycling holiday and I'm cooked even though I haven't been injured seriously this year - so kudos to you once again Sir
Cheers Diesel D ! 🙏 - and nice work Sir, you must have been giving it your all 💪 I too was spent after the 3 days - was a big challenge, but felt incredible to take part and experience the cycling circus 💯
Great to see you back and doing an epic event. All firmly headed in the right direction hopefully.
Thanks ever so much Andy 🙏 and certainly trending in the right direction 🤞. Was about 6-8 weeks too early for me - but was my last chance to ride an event outside this year. A long way to go to get back to feeling comfortable on the bike outside - especially on the descent (which ironically was the hardest on my back ! )
Bravo Phill! Inspired by your relentless passion and discipline.
Thanks ever so much Mitchel 🙏 - it was incredible to be back out in the mountains, and I’m due back in Switzerland in June 🤩 Happy new year !
Amazing scenery indeed! Good to see you out there Phil! And the 360 camera is great addition to the vlog. Well done!
Thanks ever so much Carlo 🙏 - the Swiss Alps are indeed amazing, jaw dropping and sublime - an absolutely life affirming experience after a tough old year 💯 🤩. And glad you like the 360 camera, and still figuring out how to use it best.
Hey Phil man great video. But I feel you need to REST REST REST
Cheers Keith 🙏 - thats incredible kind of you Sir ! And yep - am on holiday at present, trying to rest…..save work keeps pestering me 😅
Phil. You are an inspiration after all you have been through. Well done on the achievement and I wish you well with the rest of your recovery. Chapeau 👏🚵♂️
Thanks ever so much Paul 🙏 - thats massively generous of you to say so 💯 It was a really wonderful experience, in an incredible part of the world and very professionally organised. So an amazing way to recover something from my 2022 season 👍. Hope all is good Sir !
Nice video and scenery love it ❤
Thanks FM ! 🙏. I too adored the Swiss mountains and countryside - pristine 🤩
Could you imagine to live in a small Swiss village?
A fantastic adventure Phil✊🏾. Many thanks for sharing this 🙏🏾
Thanks ever so much Paul 🙏 - and for sure it was a life affirming experience (albeit 6-8W weeks too early for my back 😅 - which didn’t like the descents! ) . An absolute pleasure to ride, film, edit and share💯. Hope all good Sir !
Superb video Phill - what a fantastic experience it must have been, views looked amazing. Can’t believe you managed all that climbing with the back brace still on, great achievement.
Cheers not tadej pogacar ! As very much not Jonas Vingegaard, and with the exoskeleton firmly on - I was super happy (and a tad relieved 😅) to complete the 3 days. But the scenery and other riders provided a big boost. Definitely a wonderful event in an incredible country 👌
I am amazed that you did that Phil - truly amazing, well done!
Thanks ever so much Dominic 🙏 - and likely was indeed 6 weeks or so too early 😅 But an incredible, professional and safe event in a beautiful part of the world - and alongside Super Domestique Paul, this all helped me make it round. I really appreciate your encouragement 💯
Well done phil.
Very inspiring watching this after all you’ve been through.
Looks a stunning place to ride
Thanks ever so much Matt 🙏 - a sublime and stunning part of the world for sure 🤩 . Was a really wonderful way to recover something from the 2022 cycling season 💯
good to see you back in action. It is so hard to come back from injuries. keep pushing the pedals.
Cheers NOFX - thats really lovely of you to say so ! 🙏 Yep - I’ve had a lot of ups and downs during the recovery, and still a long way to go, physically and also confidence wise. But this was a really incredible way to recover something from my 2022 cycling season. I’ll keep pushing for sure! Ride on Sir 👍
Great goin Recovery Phil 👍 I loved the look on each riders face as you passed them effortlessly goin up the mountains priceless 👌
So nice to see your mate Piglet look out for you top guy
What gear ratio were you running on the pinarello thanks
Thanks ever so much Sapiens 🙏 - that’s really really amazing of you to say so ! The Swiss Mountains are indeed priceless 🤩 - and for sure Piglet is a proper Gent, and a beyond strong rider (did the ITT in 38mins! ) Due to the back injury I was running a 34 on the rear and a compact on the front. Normally on the Wilier I have a Semi Compact and a 30 on the rear (or on the Colnago a compact and a 32)👍
well done Phil, its a shame we didnt get to meet up at the briefings, that was a well paced TT on day three - congrats to you. Like yourself I found sleeping at altitiude a bit challenging. Looking forward to the dolomites next year!
Hi Paul - would have been lovely to meet you 💯 - and hopefully I’ll see you at the Dolomites in ‘23 🤞 Was an incredible part of the world wasn’t it ? My first time in Switzerland 🤩 Sleeping at Altitude definitely makes a difference for me also - was the same staying at the top of Alpe d’Huez last year. 👍.
Well done Phil, great to see you back at it 👍🙂
Cheers Chris 🙏 - felt amazing to be back outside with other cyclists 💯. A long way to go to get back to feeling comfortable on the bike outside - especially in the descent 👍
Still riding with a back brace
Unfortunately that is indeed the case outdoors, Troy. Inside am ok without if I hold my position carefully 👍
I thoroughly enjoyed that Phil. Imagine it had taken place in July or August, would you say it would be too hot and uncomfortable to climb then? The weather looked great for autumn 🍂
Thanks ever so much Adam 🙏 - and a well timed question which I can now answer 💯 I’m on holiday in California, Palm Springs (where the temp was 30-40) and now in Napa (temp has been mid 20s through 35). And in the sun and on the climb when the temp is 30 or more is very fatiguing in the back brace 🥵 - so I don’t thing I’d have been able to do 3 days in similar temps whilst wearing it 👍
Superb and uplifting as always! I hope you’re planning a small celebration when the brace is ditched? Take care 👍
Thanks ever so much Rob 🙏 - really pleased you enjoyed it 💯. Switzerland is an immensely uplifting place a so pleased it came across. Hoping to get the back brace off in mid November - and then see the physio, Phil Burt. I think that will be worth a little celebration for sure !
Great video Phil and amazing to see the numbers you are doing after such a serious accident. Really inspirational stuff!
Out of curiosity, how come you don’t ride your Wilier for an event like this? I would have thought especially with your back ‘sensations’ you’d have wanted to be on something you are really comfortable on, as opposed to (presuming here) a rental bike.
Hi Mike - and thanks ever so much for your really kind and generous message of support 🙏. After the crash the Willier looked unscathed - but for safety I sent it for a carbon scan, which found stress fractures on the fork and handlebars. So I’m waiting for replacement parts (3months is the time frame). As such I hired the Pinarello from France Bike Rental - and they were excellent and set it up well for me (including higher stem and handlebars) . Next year I’ll take the Willier 💯
A very well organised event totally recommended.
It was superb organisation and safety wasn’t it Michael - huge kudos to Haute Route ✊💯
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy total, and the warmth from the Haute Route team was much appreciated 👏
Great effort and fantastic video ! I even learned a few things about my country 😂
Thanks ever so much Pierre-Alain 🙏 - and what a beautiful and relaxed country you have to call your homeland 🤩 Very very special indeed 👌💯 Loved my time there and will be back next year for sure. Hope all well !
Phil Earl of London....Former major shareholder and senior partner at Zwift Inc...presently only major shareholder at Wattbike Corp...that was quite a strong effort considering that u are still recovering...noticed that no zwift rides of yours since the 07.10....holidays going on ??
Always a pleasure to hear from you Rui ! I now have shares in both WattBike and Wahoo’s Kickr ! And apologies for the delay in my reply, I am indeed on holiday, in California. How was your recent trip to Italy ? Can’t wait to get back there 👌
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy Phil Lord of London...that's good 2hear u are having some rest...did u buy a kickr?? u should do it!!! i had my atom ng on rent and from April to September rent was 50e month which was ok,but for the winter period October-March they wanted 95e month and it was too much so I returned it and decided to buy the latest version of Kickr,the V6,and it was the best decision i haver made on cycling since 1996...totally really totally silent,road feeling exactly like outdoors,it has WiFi so u don't connect to Zwift with Bluetooth anymore...much faster and reliable connection...sim mode hits u like a bullet train...price was usd1299, same in euros,but it was worth of it!!! go 4it Phil Earl of London...and u will Zwift with your own bike!!!
@@BikeRacingWithoutMercy i will back to italy on the 5th November...some days still...
Absolutely fantastic Phil. How far you've come since the accident
Just wow! Chapau sir
Thanks ever so much Lee - I hugely appreciate you saying that 🙏. Was much harder than I thought to make it round the course - but the company and scenery made a massive difference 💯🤩