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Miguel’s Majorca oranges

If you had a famous cycling father, you’d be forgiven for giving the bike a wide berth – especially when you share a name. But Miguel Indurain has found his own road. After gaining a degree in business, he chose to ride for the love of adventure.

08 April 2019

Miguel Indurain takes the name in his stride – or pedal stroke – easily. He was born with a passion for sport, but didn’t find his way to the bike until later.

“I discovered cycling when I was twelve and I’ve ridden ever since. In the beginning I was just riding with friends. It was really fun, the freedom, the adventure, the beautiful landscapes. That’s why I ride, that’s why I love cycling. I have a lot of friends thanks to cycling.”

With something of a pedigree you might also expect a passion for racing as well as riding. And that was an avenue that Indurain explored for a time.

“Around 18, I started to think about professional cycling. I trained a lot. I didn’t know why I did it, at the time I just wanted to ride with my friends, that’s all. After three years, I decided it was not my path. I was not enjoying cycling anymore, so I decided to quit.”

After several promising results, Indurain called time on cycling completely – not just racing. But as you might, that was a bridge too far.

“Six months later I realised I couldn’t quit cycling altogether. So I discovered another kind of cycling, cycling just for fun, to explore. You push your limits and I still like to suffer, but it’s quite different. I don’t worry anymore about heart rate. I just go out there and have fun.”

Going from the monastic train-eat-sleep-repeat life of the prospective pro to the much broader horizon cycling can offer, unbridled, is a big change. But there’s no shortage of possibility.

“Now I’m looking mostly for freedom, adrenaline, fun. Those moments when you push really hard, when you’re on the limit. You feel alive.”

So at least the heart of the racer remains. Thrill-seeking for Indurain isn’t just restricted to two wheels.

“I tried skydiving, but it’s too short. There’s lots of adrenaline, but it doesn’t last long enough. With cycling I can extend it for more time.” says Indurain. But he’s not all about full gas. “I don’t mind going slow, either. Of course it’s more comfortable, you can see more of the landscapes, but I prefer to go fast.”

So what does Indurain choose to carry while he’s on the lookout for adventure?

“It’s a regular camping knife, from France. It’s from my father. It’s very useful when you’re exploring new places, you never know when you might need it. Some days you never use it, maybe just for oranges or something like that. But I like having it with me, just in case.”

And what does he make of the shorts?

“It’s much more comfortable with pockets on the bib shorts. It’s safer and easier to get to your things. You have everything close to your hands, you don’t have to do any strange movements. Mobile phone, keys, glasses... even the knife. It’s a step forward in cycling. I really love it.”