Alice Barnes, a retired professional cyclist, reflects on her decision to retire at 29, emphasizing the personal struggle in making such a choice. Having raced since her teens and seen her sister's painful transition away from the sport, she wanted to gracefully leave before cycling lost its joy for her. By announcing 2024 as her final season, Barnes felt a weight lift off her shoulders, allowing her to focus on her current roles in coaching and commentary without the stress of seeking contracts.
Deciding when to retire from the sport you've given everything to is one of the hardest decisions a rider will ever make.
Watching my sister transition out of the sport shaped how I approached my own decision.
I wanted to leave on my own terms, not because I had to, but because I chose to.
Once I said it out loud, something shifted. It felt like a weight had lifted.
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