How did you get into cycling ?
A good friend signed up for the Prudential Ride 100 in 2012 and needed a training partner. I cycled the miles and the whole route, twice, but have only ever completed the ‘half’ on the day.
What’s your favourite place to cycle ?
Anywhere with decent roads! Right now, Spain – after the Waldy 2023 tour, the roads and the weather were brilliant. Challenging and not for the faint-hearted but very satisfying.
Have you got any cycling goals this year ?
The Tour – tick - mission accomplished – big grin !
Second goal is to move to cleats, I can’t keep turning up in my trainers. I look forward to being so much more efficient!
What’s your go to ride with the Waldy Wheelers ?
The W2 medium – 60K ish, some climbing, always a good coffee stop and a great bunch to cycle with. If I have to pick a route, then it would be ‘Ben’s Windsor Loop’. Turn left at Virginia Water, then right behind the Bluebell Inn for the long stretch round the back of Windsor Great Park, then cruise down into town for coffee and cake.
What would you say to someone thinking of joining the Waldy Wheelers ?
Just do it! Come and be welcomed into the club – people from all walks of life, all levels of cycling ability, all friendly, great cycling and some excellent social events too, from skills training at Hillingdon and maintenance tips with Birdies Bikes through to the Waldy Women’s Tuesday evening Richmond Park ride to just getting together for drinks in a local pub … or just turn up for the Sunday cycle if that all you’re looking for.
What do you do when you’re not cycling ?
Family, friends and work take up the rest of my time. I have three children in their twenties, all are working and have left home, so with the free time I joined a choir and last year we did a fund-raising event, singing Faure’s Requiem in Hampton Court Chapel – an amazing experience. Choir is like cycling in that you never regret going. I’ve lived in the area for almost thirty years, so have a super group of local friends and finally, I work full-time for a small, international, software company. In any other spare time, I read and always have a couple of books on the go.
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