Hello there!
Cycling Name?
The Baron. This is something that Lowell came up with. Possibly some sort of reference to ‘The Red Baron’ due to the fact I ride a red bike in the winter. It may also be some sort of reference to my sometimes random, and usually fruitless attacks when out on the road.
Why do you ride your bike?
Fresh air, adventure, and because it always gives me a buzz!
Favourite place to ride?
Anywhere without traffic!
Up or down mountains?
Up. Definitely up. I’m a pretty hopeless descender.
Favourite climb?
Alpe D’Huez. It was like riding in an oven at the bottom and horrendously steep, but after about seven hairpins the air freshens and you can get into a nice rhythm. Meditative!
Dropping off d’Huez
How long does it take you to change a flat?
I reckon about five minutes
1 advice to a new cyclist?
Always stop at red lights
Steel, Carbon or Ti?
Having ridden a steel road bike to work for a while, i’d say steel.
Baaw
Grand Tours or Classics?
Grand Tours
Gels or Potatoes?
Potatoes
Headwind or rain?
Rain
I wish I had been told that…
To not turn up on a first club ride in Oxford wearing a cagoule and surf shorts (and subsequently trying to keep up for three hours at 20mph). As our Italian coach said to me, it was ‘like wearing a parachute’. Coming from more of a MTB / BMX background, I was of the mindset at the time that lycra was just silly.
Treeline off d’Huez
What’s it like being a Baroudeur?
Cool
1 advice to someone wanting to join the Baroudeurs?
Just come along to a ride Regent’s Park to see if you like us. We’re a friendly bunch.
Where do you want to take your cycling?
One day I’d definitely like to do something big, like the Race Across America, or cycle through the Americas. But that might have to wait until I retire!
Till then, there’s always Flanders
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