Sports Challenges
My Passion for Sports
I'm a sports fanatic and love spending time outdoors—though I do spend plenty of time in front of a computer. I rarely watch sports unless it's a major tournament or the Olympics.
Until 2015, I was an avid cyclist. In my teenage and early adult years, I competed in national and international fencing tournaments for the Argentine U20 team, winning the Argentine National Championship at 20. I also played football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and table tennis. However, when I moved to the UK, sports took a backseat as I focused on making a living. Those inactive years were some of the toughest in my life—sports have always been meditative for me and a vital source of dopamine.
As a PhD student, I took up cycling but had to stop due to a nerve issue, for which I had surgery. Unfortunately, I never fully recovered and had to give it up. Even after nearly a decade, I still miss it. However, I found new ways to stay active. I returned to tennis in 2017, completing two 24-hour Tennis Challenges. Since the pandemic, I’ve taken up windsurfing—a sport that has completely hooked me. It’s exhilarating, and I’m lucky to practice it near home.
Cycling: A Life-Changing Journey
Cycling transformed my life. My bike took me to places I never imagined, keeping me fit, saving money, and reducing my carbon footprint. I commuted daily—even in freezing temperatures—and benefited from "cycle-to-work" schemes.
I started cycling in 2007 as a PhD student, initially as a solution to back pain caused by long hours of sitting. I first joined a gym in Crystal Palace, but I found it claustrophobic and uninspiring. Then, one day, I saw a commuter hop off his bike, and I thought: Why can’t I do that?
I borrowed a heavy mountain bike and gave it a shot. That first ride was liberating. Though I was unprepared—I didn’t even think about punctures—I was hooked. I soon noticed the huge cycling community around me.
Many people fear cycling, worried about accidents. But the risk, if you're careful, is small. Ironically, the only serious accident I’ve had was while driving, not cycling. After that, I became an even more confident rider.
At first, cycling seemed expensive—gear, lights, waterproofs—but the savings quickly outweighed the costs. I bought my first proper bike, a second-hand Specialized Langster, for £250. Commuting by bike saved me over £4,400 in three years on travel and gym fees. More importantly, I felt free, fast, and fit.
After three years of single-speed riding, I upgraded to a Trek 2.1 road bike, which took me through Warwickshire and on my first tour—1,100 km across Spain in 10 days. The experience was unforgettable.
Cycling for a Cause
Inspired by my first tour, I decided to combine cycling with fundraising. In 2013, I cycled 1,750 km from Rome to Barcelona to raise £1,000 for the Wichí indigenous community in Argentina. The experience was life-changing.
Over the years, I organized and participated in endurance challenges—cycling, walking long distances, and playing 24-hour tennis—all to raise money for refugees, war victims, and indigenous communities. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple surgeries, and a back injury put these initiatives on hold.
But I’m hopeful. One day, I’ll get back to those challenges.
