Dingwall man’s ‘mid-life crisis’ return to first love leads to cycling world championship tilt
A DINGWALL man’s ‘mid-life crisis’ shortly before turning 40 sparked a remarkable return to a love affair with pedal power.
And now with backing from an Easter Ross company, Marty Ross is gearing up for a world championship tilt whilst balancing family and work commitments as he goes for glory.
Ross, who relishes giving younger competitors a run for their money and inspiring others to achieve, has been backed by Pat Munro ahead of representing Great Britain at the World Gravel Championships in Belgium this October.
WATCH: Raising a Paralympic Gold Medallist in Strathpeffer
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Ross recently visited Caplich Quarry to meet the Pat Munro team, share his journey, and even fit in a bit of training.
His cycling career began in 1988 when he joined the Ross-shire Roads Cycling Club, competing in road races across Scotland until 1992 while still an apprentice at Mackay Garage in Dingwall.
A highlight from this period was attending a Scotland training camp in Mallorca alongside the now-famous Olympic multi-gold medallist Chris Hoy.
After taking a break from cycling due to work and starting a family, he experienced a mid-life crisis just before turning 40 and decided to get back into fitness. He dusted off his old mountain bike, began exploring local trails and has never looked back.
Recalling his moment of perfect clarity, he said: “I’d heard about the infamous Strathpuffer 24-hour mountain bike race and decided to aim for a solo attempt!
“It’s a true test, both physically and mentally. In 2016, I entered the solo men’s category with my family as my pit crew—‘green’ is an understatement, but I finished 7th and got hooked all over again!”
He continued to compete in the Strathpuffer, eventually winning the event in both 2019 and 2024, while also becoming the British 24-hour solo champion. During this time, he ventured into gravel biking, and after a conversation with a friend at a local bike shop, decided to enter The Gralloch Gravel race - a qualifier for the UCi World Championships- which set a new challenge for him.
He explained: “Being entirely self-funded, my options are often limited. With family commitments, I attended The Gralloch with no support crew and slept in my car the night before. Despite what felt like a disastrous race - feeling off on a rare hot day in Scotland and losing my water bottle early on - I was surprised to learn I qualified for the UCi World Championships in October.”
In preparation for the October championships, he has been balancing his training with his offshore job, aiming for at least 15 hours of training per week when he’s home - no small challenge given his 12-hour shifts and three-week rotations.
His busy family life adds to the complexity, with his son signed with Ross County and his daughter excelling in Highland dancing. Remarkably, Ross doesn’t have a coach, which some find hard to believe, but finds it even more rewarding.
He said: “I like to think I’ve inspired others, especially within my family.
“Considering my age, it shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it—something I always tell my kids. Who would have thought their dad would still be out there beating the younger guys? There’s a lot of talent in this area that often gets overlooked, especially outside the central belt.
“I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Pat Munro for their support. This sport is expensive, with costs for equipment and travel. I’ve never asked for help before, but this funding means my family can come and support me, and I can prepare better than I ever could on my own.
“This means so much—thank you. I’ll give it my all at the World Championships!”
Since visiting Pat Munro, he has competed at - and won - at the Glentress Seven 2024 at Glentress Forest, Peebles, one of Scotland’s most popular summer mountain biking endurance events.
Pat Munro says it is rooting for him at the World Gravel Championships in Belgium in October.
