Rider of the week profile.
Rider of the week Gary Hawkes.
Why do you ride?
For many years I have struggled on as a runner with weight, to the point that in 2007 I was diagnosed with high triglycerides in my blood, doctor accused me of drinking too much…to my disgust ??. I was told to diet, well that didn’t happen. Skip a few years and now diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and fatty liver.?? 2018 was a bad start. After a few years of me and the father in-law in competition of who’s blood sugar was highest (yes he was diabetic too) he went and passed away..! Bugger..! Yes he died of diabetes related issues. So back to me. As I said a struggling runner with an ambition of one day doing a triathlon…(bucket list thing you know). Decided enough was enough and got myself a nutritionist who gave me the tools to eat well, last blood test came back normal…I mean perfectly normal normal cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and diabetic in remission…so that’s where we are..February 2018 a struggling runner weighing in at 18 stones, to budding triathlete booked up to do Staffs Ironman 70.3 this year and a damn sight trimmer at just under 14 stone with more to go..?? but mostly to enjoy the companionship on club rides
What do you dislike about cycling?
Falling off, oh and saddle sore ??
What do you like about cycling?
I’ve always enjoyed cycling from a very young age, but lost touch as most do, but being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and a family bereavement made me rethink what I do so kicked myself up the backside bought a new bike and love it to bits ????
What is your favourite Bike?
I love all my bikes but my favourite of them is my Specialized Rockhopper MTB
And on your bucket list?
Possibly a Planet X TT
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops?
Black coffee
Toughest hill you have taken on?
So far Birches valley to the shooting ranges over Cannock Chase, springs to mind
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs?
Strangely I don’t listen to music whilst cycling but if I did it would be ‘hard house gabba techno’ fresh out of Amsterdam
Hardhouse techno from Amsterdam.
Rider of the week, Adrian Crowder.
Why do you ride?
Ive always ridden some form of bike, when I was a kid it was a Bmx. We use to build ramps on waste ground and dare each other to jump higher and higher. Then in my teens it was all about mountain bikes we use to ride for miles over the chase before any of the trails were built. Its only been the last eighteen months that I’ve taken to Road bikes,
Riding for me is many things but mostly its about being liberated and that feeling of freedom, speed and adrenaline and all you have to do to get it is venture out of your door grab a bike and Ride.
What do you dislike about cycling?
Very little really, I guess the worst / hardest bit is getting out of bed early on a Sunday morning lol.
What do I like about cycling?
I love the feeling of freedom and exhilaration and since joining the SOCC the new friendships I’ve made. Ive always enjoyed new challenges and cycling gives me that in spades.
What is your favourite bike?
There are to many to choose from it changes constantly but right now I’m in love with
The 2019 Giant TCR Advanced 0 disc
On your bucket list?
Many things but top five:
1. Ride a tour de France stage
2. Complete a coast to coast
3. Ride any of the iconic routes in italy or spain
4. Complete the Birmingham midland velo
5. Go on a cycling holiday to majorca
What is your drink at the cafe stop?
Either a capo-chino or an Americano
Toughest hill you have taken on?
Easily Hell fire pass with Neil and Tez last year it certainly was Hell.
Music to listen to while repeating Style cop climbs?
– Rage against the machine – Bullet in the head
listen to rage against machine here.
Rider of the week, Sean Tudor.
Why do you ride?
I’m currently 28 and living in brownhills,
I have always been into cycling from a young age but forgot how much enjoyment I used to get from it.
August 2018 I acquired a cheap road bike and decided it was time to get back in the saddle.
What do you dislike about cycling?
My only thing I don’t like about cycling is the pot hole dodging, if you lose your concentration for a second your greeted with a bang to the b******s, or a trip over the bars!
What do you like about cycling?
I love climbing the biggest hills I can find, the feeling of accomplishment of getting to the top is something you can’t describe, and the decent is always worth the climb.
What is your favourite Bike?
My favourite bike is a trek Madone slr 6, the colour is amazing and I’d love to own one at some point!
And on your bucket list?
My bucket list in the saddle is to complete the 100 greatest cycling climbs book, I’d also love to ride to Paris.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops?
My coffee shop drink will always be a two sugar coffee, gets the energy back up to be able to make it home!
Toughest hill you have taken on?
St kenelms pass in clent I’d say.
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs?
When doing repeat training I always end up listening to oasis, I have no idea why but it just seems to happen,
I really don’t like them all that much but the body reacts well to the music!
Rider of the week, Ken Clements
Why do you ride?
Age…..60. Started cycling to get fit and keep up with the son on his snowboard and last the day out in the alps. First bike I bought was a calibrate bossnut from go outdoors (mountain bike).
After about 3 months bought a cheap road bike from Halfords, just in case I didn’t like it, but I did. Then I joined SOCC and I’m loving it so much so, I have since bought another 2 bikes, Planet X Pro and a trek edmonda sl5, (where does it end ?)
I only went in to have my wheel bearing done and came out with the trek.
What do you dislike about cycling?
Spending loads a money on Bikes lol.
What do you like about cycling?
Being part of SOCC, long may it continue.
What is your favourite Bike?
Love them all.
And on your bucket list?
I have done a few big rides, Shenstone audax, 62 miles, but me and a few others got lost and did an extra 10 miles, then biking to and from the start point added another few miles, did 82 miles that day lol.
Brewood challenge was another big ride, another 62 miler, but I biked there and back making it about 80 miles that day. One day I will hit the magical 100.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops?
Latte is my drink, any cake apart from something with coffee or too much chocolate in it, strange I know, because I love a coffee and love chocolate.
Toughest hill you have taken on?
The hardest I have done is the mad summer hare, cramped up on first hill and struggled rest of way, having to stop a few times on next couple of hills. I missed last hill making it 95 miles for that day.
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs?
I like music, Eminem.
Rider of the week, Tracey Fletcher.
Why do you ride?
I love it, it’s been a hard learning curve since I started (I’ve made good friends with the tarmac!) I got my bike on September 1st and I’d never road cycled before. Simon encouraged me to get my bike and I’m so happy I did. When I was a kid I always wanted a “racer” but I wasn’t allowed one because I was a “girl” I also wanted to get fit I used to run but it killed my knees after about 10 miles.
What do you dislike about cycling?
Falling off! Pot holes! Some horrible motorists (there are some good ones out there) strong wind and huge lorries!
What do you like about cycling?
Love the wind through my hair and the sense of achievement is amazing. Love the Sunday ride out with the group. Love it when the group shouts “walkers” I nearly fell off the first time I heard it, on a night ride through Sutton Park! can’t get the image of zombies out of my head
What is your favourite Bike?
I’m on bike number one so it’s my Cannondale Synapse. I’ve not been on another bike to compare it but it’s great for me.
And on your bucket list?
To keep up with Simon up hills! There’s a pretty horrendous coastal road in Devon from Dartmouth to Torcross A379 we are going to have a go next time we are down there.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops?
Tea always tea and toast and marmalade.
Toughest hill you have taken on?
Tamworth Road (mini slog to Sutton) fell off first time I tackled it! and Chorley Road Hill!
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs?
Let’s Go Crazy Prince or Highway to Hell ACDC
Rider of the week, Warren Parry
Why do you ride?
I ride for several reasons. Firstly I love to be out with like minded individuals, who have a thirst for life and fun. Secondly I love to see people joining up with the group and then improving, and growing in confidence. To watch someone who hates their first encounter with hills and hates it, then become powerful and not notice hills is hugely satisfying. Watching ladies take up the hobby and become confident stron group members is the crowning glory for me. Thirdly I love the stoic mind of a cyclist. The way you have to beat your mind, then beat the physical barriers that cycling always throws at you.
What do you dislike about cycling?
I dislike cycle snobbery and the sometimes self serving attitude of some cyclist. The roads are big enough for everyone and each cyclist should look out for one and other. On some sportives I have seen mindless chain gangs shooting across junctions while others wait and ignoring people who are having problems. Everyone to their own, but I like to help others.
What do you like about cycling?
I like the fact that it’s you and your bike v everything the roads can throw at you. I like it that when you go for a ride you see things that you have never noticed while in a car. I like that hills are only hills when you ride up them, when in a car they are nothing.
What is your favourite Bike?
My bikes number 6 at present. My favourite bike has to be my trusty old giant defy 0. I put almost 10,000 miles on it and it has hardly ever missed a beat.
And on your bucket list?
I have done most things that I am capable of. I would love to do a ride in America, a sort of adventure ride.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops?
I like a nice latte, sometimes with cake and sometimes without.
Toughest hill you have taken on?
Has to be the 25k to get up to Sa Colabra in Majorca. After leaving the hotel in Pollenca you travel almost 25k of solid uphill. It was brutal for someone of my size. We also did the same ascent from another side which is the longest continual climb in Majorca.
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs?
I don’t listen to music while out on the bike, but on the turbo I listen to 150bpm music which helps to keep a good rhythm on the pedals. If I did listen while out cycling it would be Take on me by Ha Ha, as I used to run to that when I was boxing.
Rider of the week,
Why do you ride? I ride for the exercise, I’ve always wanted to ride with a cycling club since I was young.
What do you dislike about cycling? I dislike the man with the hammer.
What do you like about cycling? What I like about cycling is meeting different people, venturing to new places. I also like the cake and coffee stops.
What is your favourite Bike? My favourite bike is the b twin triban 520 as its the only one I got. Have not got N+1 lol
And on your bucket list? On my bucket list, always fancied doing some touring one day. Lejog has a draw for me.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops? My choice of drink at the cafe would be coffee of some sort, usually latte
Toughest hill you have taken on? The toughest hill that I can think of is the one on the old A5 from Tamworth up to the strawberry cabin (Hints)
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs? The music to listen to while repeating stile cop: running up that hill, Kate Bush lol
Kate bush running up that hill.
Rider of week, Tim Farmer.
Why do you ride? I ride for fitness, getting out I to the country oh and beer.
What do you dislike about cycling? not knowing enough about bikes to be able to build my own, not looking good in lycra lol. Oh and when there isn’t beer.
What do you like about cycling? freedom fitness endorphins. Good company and the beer after.
What is your favourite Bike? not had many bikes myself but the Kinesis I had stolen was great.
And on your bucket list? Bucket list: another 100 mile ride and a full iron man triathlon.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops? Vanilla latte or beer lol
Toughest hill you have taken on? Toughest hill. Don’t know the names but you’ve seen me walk them lol
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs? usually motivational speeches to get me to the top .
Rider of the week, Michael Bryant (founder member)
Why do you ride? I cycle to keep fit mix with likeable people and have a laugh. I was one of the founder members of the club I bought a bike from ebay for £30 to see if I liked it. I couldn’t of envisaged the club growing as it has.
What do you dislike about cycling? The only thing I dislike about cycling is the idiot motorists who seem to hate cyclists.
What do you like about cycling? I am proud to of been the leader of the Tranquillo ride which brings in so many new cyclists to our great club. My biggest regret is that I didn’t get into cycling at an earlier age.
What is your favourite Bike? I have a soft spot for my Carrera even though I don’t get out on it much these days as my Boardman is much lighter.
And on your bucket list? LEJOG is something I would love to do.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops? Drink at the café black coffee (Hardcore)
Toughest hill you have taken on? The most painfull hill has to be buttermilk still need to conquer it
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs? The music has to be Pretender by the Foo Fighters, perfect for spinning those pedals.
.
Julie Parry.
Why do you ride? found the love of cycling, after my husband brought me a second hand Victoria Pendalton women’s road bike 3 1/2 years ago. He had already been cycling for about a year with my son Simon, I really didn’t know what all the fuss was about. Four weeks later we set of on a cycling holiday up the lake district, where i first found my love hate relationship with hills. There where plenty to be found around the lakes. Having survived and secretly enjoyed that experience, i went out on my first club ride with the then solr. It was a very small group at the time, but i still felt i would be to slow for them. With the help and encouragement of my fellow riders i soon became confident and started really enjoying riding in a group. As the only regular lady cyclist for the first two years i think it made me stronger, because i couldn’t let them think “oh she’s just a girl”. I was given the nickname of julicell which made me super proud. I have now been riding with the club for over three years and only missed a few group rides. Whenever i go on holiday my bikes comes with me now.
What do you dislike about cycling? crashing because it bloody hurts.
What do you like about cycling? must say i never expected to enjoy cycling as much as i do. I have had the best few years with some great fellow riders and fantastic memories. I love club rides to Wales, cycling holidays in Majorca, sportive’s, the velo Birmingham was a highlight. It’s a joy to be just getting out on the road going places you would never go to or see. The only regret i have is that i didn’t do it earlier. I Love the rule “n+1”, it is a good thing, because i have had my fair share of bikes.
What is your favourite Bike? favourite to date is my envie that i had for my 50th birthday, it is a true dream to ride.
And on your bucket list? Think i have already done most but always up for a new challenge,
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops? cafe stop as to be cappuccino and cake.
Toughest hill you have taken on? Nick ‘O Pendle as it was one off my first big climbs, one down Devon that just went on forever, and loads in Majorca.
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs? David Bowie Star-man.
John Bennett.
Why do you ride.
For fitness, to see countryside, go new places, good company.
I got back into cycling six years ago but that’s not the full story. I started work at 16 and saved for a new bike I brought a “10 speed Racer” all steel I did rides out to Shropshire with my brother then a week’s tour taking in the peak District the lake District and Yorkshire I was hooked on cycle touring.
Two years on I was on bike number 3 based on a 531 Carlton frame it had campang gears and hubs, cinelli bars and rims made for a tandem, it was made to be bullet proof, it needed to be. The following 3 years I over 30,000 miles. I covered this by doing long Sunday rides, some starting from shire oak, I did cycling holidays, Saturday rides over the chase with my brother, evening summer rides to the railway at shenstone with my dad, and gradually longer reliability rides and then longer audax rides, and the occasional youth hostel weekend.
Anyway that was thirty odd years ago. 8 years ago I was doing zero miles and putting on weight I decided the best way to get fit was to start cycling again. I did a bit of off road with WWMI then I started cycling the 7 miles back from work along the canal, not a lot but a start.
What do you like about cycling
Over the years I have had some good times, nice rides nice routes, you see more on a bike than in a car and you can get to more places. Good company and great mates, all this and you don’t realise you are getting fit and burning up fat. A bike is also a simple thing it can easily be worked on.
What do you dislike about cycling.
Riding in the rain, and cyclists that have a chip on there shoulder because they have spent loads on a bike and some sky kit.
What is your favourite bike.
Omg what a question I have old new road and off road. So deffo road the bullet proof Carlton lives on well the frame does the original wheels were still going until they were attacked by a Citroen c3. My original race bike a knight is still going but had to be completely rebuilt, it’s first outing was to shenstone as my dad had it last he would have loved that. As for new bikes I have a vitus winter road bike, this has been a test bed for me so I know what geometry gearing tyres etc suits me, the bike is a wiggle / chain reaction own brand these aluminium frames bikes with carbon forks cost about £450 and are perfectly fine for rides like the SOCC tranquilo, this is why l would advise any newcomer to cycling to follow this route, and like me when you upgrade it becomes your winter bike. Anyway you can always tell me on a Sunday ride I am the one with mudguards in the summer.
What is your favourite drink at the café
Tea for me old school.
What is the toughest hill
In my cycling past I did lots of hills and passes, Rosedale chimney was a tough one, and the devil’s staircase which was part of an audax 300k, however the honour for the toughest ride was the 600k I did in 1987 Windsor Chester Windsor, well more like kiddiminster Beaconsfield kiddy Warrington kiddy. I almost packed 15 miles from the northern most point Warrington and then couldn’t find the control, I ended up asking a woman on a shopper bike complete with front basket, but she knew were it was, again cyclists look after one another. Anyway I arrived 15 minutes before the control closed, had some cold rice pudding got the brevit card stamped and headed back to kiddy.
My bucket list.
The bullet proof bike was built for a LEJOG which I never did so unfinished business but I might need to retire first to find the time.
Music to listen to while climbing
I don’t really do music on the bike but if I did it would need to be something with a good beat.
Well he said a Beat, so here is the Beat.
Alan Preston.
Why do you ride. Got serious about 6 years, when a friend invited me to join him on his 50th birthday bash I just needed to get over to Lichfield and his wife would drive, plus I could stop the night. Problem was how to get there, sans car as the wife would want to use it and the chance of getting her to drop me off and pick me up was about zero! So I decided to dust of the old stead and cycle the 10 miles over to Lichfield. I can tell you that it’s a great way to sober up the morning after. Anyway, on my route back I came across a group from Lichfield RCC at the bottom of Abnalls lane and sped off after them, on my naff mountain bike shaped object. Having caught up with them I was knackered and blowing out my backside. Having been unceremoniously dropped I had to get off and walk up the hill by the hospital as was. It had to be the naff bike I was riding, they were all on light weight road bikes, it couldn’t be the rider it must be that. I had to get a better bike, but what was my excuse, sorry justification? So I decided to get a flat bar hybrid and cycle to the train station and commute to work. Not looked back since.
What do you dislike about cycling. Being cut up by motorist. People with the attitude of “How dare a cyclist use my road space” and think they have a divine right not to be inconvenienced by having to slow down and over take you. Big scary descents as I’m a total wimp when it comes to going fast downhill.
What do you love about cycling. I love just being able to get out and ride and take in your surroundings, theres really some great countryside about, if you just take the time to notice it which you can do on your bike. It’s good exercise and burning the calories means it’s a guilt free pint at the end of the ride! It’s a great stress reliever too. After an annas horibulus of divorce followed by redundancy, I found cycling to be the best therapy.
What is your favourite Bike. My Van Nicholas because it’s Titanium and I always wanted one. I love the old style metal frames.
And on your bucket list. Make it further than the car park and complete the Vello next year. Do the round the island loop on the Isle of Wight.
What is your drink at the café stop. Normal filter coffee, but you can’t seem to get one of these nowadays so it’s an Americano. Don’t do any of this Frappa, Cappa, Mocca, Chocca faff!
Toughest Hill You’ve taken On. Buttermilk, got nowhere near to it yet and don’t think I ever will.
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs. Last track on the Marvin & Farrar LP (what’s that I hear you ask) Lord How Its Hurting!
Lord how it Hurts Marvin and Farrar.
Dave Brookes.
Rider of the week,
Why do you ride? Originally started as a way to get fitter until I had a decent bike bought me for my 40th birthday almost twenty years ago since then it’s become a bit of an obsession just love being out on the bike regularly commute to work now haven’t driven a car for well over 16 years so I’ve probably seen more of the countryside than I would ever would have.
What do you dislike about cycling? Have to say can be be a bit scary at times while commuting also haven’t got time for bike snobs who are quite quick in passing judgment on you before really knowing you .
What do you like about cycling? Over the years I’ve got to meet some great people in various clubs. I found SOCC through some cycling buddies and I have to say best thing I ever did joining the club 12 months ago. Really helped me improve my cycling and I’ve met some great people, and got to see some of our great countryside. I won’t bore you with all my various injuries over the last twelve months I think they are well documented and I prefer to look to the future
What is your favourite Bike? I love the styling on the Italian bikes but I’ve got a Trek Madone which isn’t bad
And on your bucket list? Achieved quite a few of them but the one I’d really like to do is LEJOG maybe one year il get to do it
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops? Favourite drink at coffee stops has to be cappuccino and cake !!
Toughest hill you have taken on? For me it’s the climb up to Ipstone on The Derbyshire Dales Audax 160k never seems to get any easier .
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs? Being into Northern Soul for over 40 years Nolan Porter ( Keep on Keeping On )
Daves Tune keep on keeping on.
Rider of the week, Simon Woodward.
Why do you ride? Started riding at 2 and never stopped riding in 50 years.
What do you dislike about cycling? Nothing really, Happy solo or in a group.
What do you like about cycling? It’s simple really I love all things mechanical. I love anything I can tinker with and have always mucked about with bikes. I like making something a little different and really like making something simple.
What is your favourite Bike? Simple is more as far as I am concerned which of the 13 bikes I own my Single Speed is the bike that fascinates me the most. Its the simplest purest form of cycling. There are no badges, the whole thing is black and it has just one gear, its the cycling equivalent of a Model T Ford. You are so limited by one gear you have to micro manage every aspect of your ride and so it improves your technique for when you are on a geared bike.
And on your bucket list? The Way of the Roses and definitely TT on a traditional framed bike.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops? Latte and Carrot Cake every time in the cafe.
Toughest hill you have taken on? Hell fire Pass Wales.
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs? In my head when tackling a long difficult hill I sing Paul Weller’s Wild Wood Album in my head. For speed Break and Enter or Breath by Prodgiy.
Listen here to Paul Weller.
Rider of the week, Denise Barratt
Why do you ride? I started cycling in 2010 when a friend of mine had organised a charity ride for his now late wife. The 1st plan was to drive the support car carrying supplies. I’d lost my Husband the previous year, and I thought if Anton was here now he would be doing this ride, so without further thought told my friend I’d be cycling with him and off I went to Halfords to buy my 1st bike, with no knowledge at all of course 
I mean why the hell did I buy the heaviest MTB in Halfords to do a Road Ride??? The colour was nice though!
So having done the charity ride around the West Midlands Football grounds on my Halfords BSO (Bike Shaped Object), I came home totally shattered but I was buzzing….and after a few promising we would make this cycling lark a regular thing, it never got off the ground. I’m not really into cycling alone so the BSO took up residence in the shed.
It was another 4 years of getting used to life without Anton when my Grandson was born, and within a few months my Daughter was taking him swimming. It was then that I gave myself the much needed kick up the backside to sort my life out and decided to start going to the leisure centre with my Daughter, which is where I met my friend Penny, the woman I will always thank for reigniting my love of cycling and getting my life back on track….
Every Friday I cycled with the Leisure centre, done Penny’s spin classes in the week, and finally plucked the courage to join a family cycling group I’d been following on Facebook. I went on to cycling my 1st Sportive, Manchester to Blackpool and Cycling on the Olympic Velodrome. I’ve had lots of great days and weekends out with the club, Rutland Water, Tissington, Blackpool to name a few, rode the South Staffs Audax and Brewood Challenge twice, the 1st time making it into my 1st Century. How I found SOCC
I prefer Road riding to off road so completed a couple of ride leader courses and started to lead a Thursday night road ride within the club.
I spotted Shire Oak Cycling Club on Facebook and decided to see what they were all about, and if I could keep up 
….the answer to that being nooooo
…i persevered but now the club has re branded and has rides for different abilities it’s all good 
I’ve now been cycling with SOCC for 15 months and during that time Cycled Velo Birmingham and Ride the Night London, which I am doing again this year. Shire Oak is a great club full of friendly people and growing by the day.
What do you dislike about cycling? Hills …well some 
,Pot holes, punctures, idiot drivers! Idiot walkers that tell you off for cycling on a cycle path! Riding MTB on road, energy gels
What do you like about cycling? Cycling in the sunshine, cycling in a group and passers by starring at you like you’ve come from outer space
…obviously not seen a bike before 
, lovely smooth tarmac and getting down on the drops, Carrot cake, Sticky buns.
What is your favourite Bike? Has to be my Specialized Ruby, just a perfect fit for me and love the shock absorber!
And on your bucket list? I don’t really have a bucket list, I’d just really like to cycle to a ripe old age, cycling has given me my life back and introduced me to so many new friends to which I’m forever grateful.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops? Has to be a Latte or flat white coffee.
Toughest hill you have taken on? Has to be Sheep’s Walk in Kinver….the hill that keeps on giving!!
The Hermitage in Bridgenorth, but i’ve only gone down and that was bad enough!
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs? Purple Rain on the way up… Lets go Crazy on the way down – Prince
To listen to Prince Purple rain click here.
Rider of the week, Pete Lawlor.
Why do you ride? right I cycle for fitness company when I get out with you guys. Cycled as a teenager on road bike, glen my best mate and me both brought Raleigh pulsar racing bikes and would cycle to ironbridge every Sunday without fail from Great Wyrley. We carried a bottle of orange juice and some sarnies. We would eat sarnies under the bridge and ride home. I got back into cycling at 40, until my hip fell apart in 2013. I had a new hip replacement and 7 months later was riding again. I was a member of DMW Bridgetown cycles in the first year after my op. I completed 8000 miles and won the most improved rider, and the hill climb for my category. I joined SOLR as i heard great things about them, no politics and a great bunch… and you all are.
What do you dislike about cycling? I dislike snobbery over bike brands, people afford what they can and if they are cycling that’s All good. Also people riding poorly, not to road signs, lights and 3 a Brest. This gives cyclists bad feedback.
What do you like about cycling? Everything.
What is your favourite Bike? i love Trek Domane due to comfort riding position and ISO coupling.
And on your bucket list?I am 50 next January I want to do a coast to coast way of the roses, Fred Whitton , NC500 before I die lol maybe some of these next year.
What is your Drink at the Cafe stops? coffee strong.
Toughest hill you have taken on? Hardest climb has to be the devils elbow on the dragon ride this year in 30 degrees heat wow!
Music to listen to while repeating Style Cop climbs? I am a mod always have been so would have to be the who album quadrophenia.
