Of Birdwatching and Bike Riding
A few years ago, Ben King was one of the subjects I pitched for a possible magazine story. By then over a decade into a long professional cycling career, the Richmond-born King cemented himself into the consciousness of world cycling fans with his double stage win success in the 2018 Vuelta a Espana. Of the few questions I sent through to him, one of his cryptic answers outlined how he was home-schooled until high school. Cycling was one of the many hobbies and interests that he accumulated during this time, he said, going on to explain how the friendships he made through the sport were among the things that he cherished the most deeply.
Fast forward a couple of years and the world was (and still is) in the throes of an international pandemic. May 2020 was a pretty grim time as far as coronavirus and associated lockdown was concerned. People confined to their homes was one thing; financial distress and job loss were but another. Ditto that for pro cycling, the sport having effectively ground to a halt, albeit for a spate of virtual racing.
Yet amidst the doom and gloom, and reports on all things virtual, came a shining light, for me anyway. Andrew Hood penned a piece for Velonews featuring Ben and his life in lockdown. But this was not your usual story of the time bemoaning the lack of racing and future employment prospects. While Ben's life away from racing was indeed the focus, Hood's sculpted a fascinating insight into how the NTT Pro Cycling stalwart combined his daily training with his new found love of nature photography.
Commandeering his journalist-wife's digital camera, Ben developed his growing desire to photograph birds upon completing his daily bike ride. As his photographic skill grew, so did his image collection leading him to start a specific Instagram page. A new pastime was born and cultivated during a most uncertain and unprecedented time.
It's no secret that NTT Pro Cycling is unlikely to continue in the new year. Like many of his colleagues, Ben will no doubt be exploring his options for next season in an already saturated job market. And while he might well saddle up in different team colours in 2021, Ben's daily capture of all things ornithology will no doubt remain a consistent constant.
Photo credit: NTT Pro Cycling
