Happiness is… a life in the mountains
Catching up with Lake ambassador, Johnny Hoogerland
There are some things in life that are simply nice, and writing about cycling is one of them – especially when I get to speak with friends, such as former World Tour rider, Johnny Hoogerland. Now retired (see our previous blog), Johnny lives in the Austrian mountain resort of Velden am Worthersee, close to the borders with Italy and Slovenia. It’s a magical place, on the edge of an alpine lake, where he and his family now run the successful Pension Hoogerland hotel, and where you too can stay and book a ride and some coaching with this amazing athlete, and warm and friendly human being. Johnny is simply one of those people who you could listen to all day, whilst he himself probably doesn’t understand that he’s so interesting and yes, inspiring.
Here at Lake, however, we do find him inspiring; which is why he’s one of our most valued global cycling ambassadors, and why we thought that you’d benefit from finding out what he’s been up to in more recent times.
Catching the breeze
The most important thing in life isn’t cycling, no – not at all. Getting the right cycling shoes for your feet is important, but it’s still not the most important thing. Being happy and relaxed in life is… and yes, having great fitting cycling shoes will help – of course – but staying healthy, happy and fit will always top the list. Being away from the daily rigours and pressures of world tour level cycling, Johnny is all three – thanks to his environment, his outlook on life and to his family, who he prioritises and spends time with, at the nearby lake and mountains. As we talk, he tells me – half-jokingly, half-serious - that he no longer cycles in the rain! Although, when it recently rained for a few days constantly, he finally managed to get out and hike 10km on day 3, and he felt much better!
Instead, when not running his busy family hotel, he and his wife, Gerda, try to guide their two daughters through life with the same values that they had as young people. That means a life where the mirrored screens of phones, tablets and computers, are frequently replaced with the mirror image of the mountains, reflecting in the nearby lake as they hike and swim and share fun times and stay fit together – not because he’s still an athlete at heart, but because it’s the right way to live your life.
The only real challenge is with yourself
Cycling is still a huge passion for Johnny – after all, it was his job for so many years. He tells me that he’s a better person when cycling; he’s more relaxed and feels better in his mind as well as his body. However, the only challenges now are those against himself. Yes, he’s recently won 2 x World Gran Fondo championships – on road and gravel (M40) – but, in truth, as Johnny says to me, these were to him no different from any other Gran Fondo. Although the post-ride celebrations with friends were certainly, epic! He was carried back home after one such celebration!
In truth, being an athlete isn’t something you work towards; you’re born with that mindset, to compete against yourself and to be your best version. Being active isn’t a choice – it’s a necessity. However, these days, Johnny is far more relaxed about this plays out, and as mentioned earlier, he’d rather wait for the rain to pass over, than to get cold, wet and miserable on a rainy ride into the mountains! It’s about finding that balance – especially post-40, when we all need to focus more on our health, and to set personal challenges that allow us to be active for longer.
Johnny tells me that, when you reach 40, you should ‘try to do sport, to be more productive.’ For him, being on the bike is thinking time: ‘I always get home always new ideas. I think “we should do this”. It all come to me on bike, and I feel fit and relaxed.’
Guiding cyclists to their own summits
Running a successful, small hotel in the Austrian mountain’s suits Johnny and Gerda and the family. It also allows him to pass on the years of experience and knowledge that he’s gathered from riding as a member of the pro peloton. Guests can stay and take in a cycle coaching package, where Johnny will ride with them and teach them. He’s happy taking groups out in the hills, where he can show them some climbs: ‘I get to give advice, how to climb, how to pace on the climb, don’t over pace. I know all the climbs intimately and so know where to start more slowly, and then to talk the riders through. It’s rewarding to see their progress.’
Living lakeside and still wearing Lake cycling shoes
With their hotel, perched on the edge of the beautiful waters of Worthersee, when he’s out riding – on tarmac or on the gravel and mountain bike trails – Johnny still wears Lake cycling shoes – and for no other reason that, in his mind, we design and create some of the best and most comfortable cycling shoes in the world.
He’s currently using our CX20R on the roads. The CX20R offers a very lightweight, breathable and extremely adjustable upper that is available in 3 widths and women’s specific sizes, too. It utilizes Clarino microfiber, a mesh upper for breathability in the summer heat, laces and Lake’s Handmade CFC 3K carbon fiber sole. As Johnny tells me, ‘It’s a cycling shoe that can really do it all in the summer and allow me to adjust to my changing foot shape.’
He prefers laces in the summer, saying that ‘when hot, my feet get bigger due to heat. Shoes that fit perfect in winter, are too small for me in summer. Thankfully, laces are perfect – best summer shoes. The CX20 is very light and stiff - with carbon road and mountain bike.’ Laces in our cycling shoes, aren’t simply a style-orientated decision – they serve a purpose. Ultimate adjustability and the perfect fit for your feet!
Gravel grinding in comfort
The MX20G version creates a new era for adventure cycling, setting the standard with an extremely lightweight, breathable and adjustable upper that is also available in 3 widths. We’ve utilized the lightness and durability properties of Clarino microfiber, alongside a micro mesh panelling and laces, to give riders a race-ready, durable and lightweight classic adventure shoe, with ultimate adjustability that Johnny prefers. This classically designed off-road cycling shoe is the culmination of over 40 years of world-leading innovation and expertise and is ideally suited for long days on the gravel grind.
It's a shoe that Johnny used on the recent Cape Epic, mountain bike race, too; where the technical nature of the course took its toll in the heat. However, Johnny and his team-mates still finished a respectable 26th – mid-pack. Not bad for a relaxed and retired world tour rider, with 2 x Gran Fondo world titles, who’s riding for fun and simply setting his own personal challenges.
And so, if you’re heading into the Alps, or just want to take a trip into Austria and be guided by an inspirational rider and human being, you’d definitely benefit from hearing some post-pro career wisdom from this amazing man, who represents the essence of what Lake cycling shoes is also, all about – living life the best way possible. Why not wrap your own feet in Lake cycling shoes and head to Austria and share some time on the bike and in the hills with Johnny… and maybe a post-ride beer, too! After all, life is for living, and adventure awaits all who choose the mountains!
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