Rodger
Back in my youth I did a lot of cycle touring. From this I moved on to mountain biking just at the point when it originally came to the UK. Doing each of the three highest peaks in the UK has to be my high point (although I did managed to break my bike coming down from Ben Nevis!). Since then my Bike(s) had become agoraphobic, but I'm back for what has to be my greatest challenge.
Martin
At the grand old age of 4 I recall getting my first bike from Mummy & Daddy. There were no cameras at that time, otherwise, photos would be supplied. I’d graduated from a push along red trike to a big bike with stabilisers & a brake.
I was born of the Chopper age, but, being a more ‘serious’ cyclist at the age of 10, became the proud owner of a Puch 3 speed Stermy Archer machine – WOW – I was the envy of the Estate! I could leave those Chopper Owners in a cloud of dust in the South Wales valleys! At this time, it seemed important to try to re-create a certain motorbike sound, so spent many hours perfecting the attachment of playing cards to the front forks with my Mum’s clothes pegs. Didn’t do much for my performance, but sounded, well, odd – but we liked it!
Next was the ‘racer’. My Grandparents bought me a second hand Raleigh 5 speed – with the shifter on the lower bar – remember! That saw me to rip old age of 30, when I became the proud owner of a Dawes Rocky Trail – Reynolds 501 frame – in fact, I’ve just put this onto the turbo trainer – still going strong.
About 5 years ago, a Cannondale F2 was purchased – cor haven’t bikes come on & then, the ROAD BIKE, which according to Radio 5 last week is the new reaction to the mid life crisis! What can I say :) That’s my bike bio.....There are many more parts to my life, but this angle seemed most appropriate.
Ian
I have never been much of a recreational cyclist, whilst growing up swimming was my sport. Cycling for me was only "when necessary", such as too school or work. In fact I used commute to work every day by bike in Reading. It was only 4 miles each way but was quicker than using the bus. That all changed the day I got hit by a car. Struck from the side I was across the bonnet and shattered the windscreen before landing on the other side of the road, with a broken wrist and injured leg. I have done very little cycling since that accident (2003) until this year when to get fit I started riding at weekends. This happened to be three weeks before Rodger and Martin hatched this plan, to which I could not resist. I may be the youngest but you probably argue I am the most unfit, so have the most to gain from the challenge.
I am really pleased we have the chance to raise money for CLIC having lost both my Aunt Pam and Nanny Hemming to Cancer in recent years. I know the ride will be tough in many places but I am looking forward to the challenge knowing that the money we raise will help many children and their families in their toughest of times.
Trevor
My first memory of being on a bike was when I learnt to ride aged 6. I remember it was green, and I wobbled down the drive, forgot to brake and slammed into a shed! Next came a 3 speed Puch Calypso, then a 5 speed Viking Warlord with drop handle bars, followed years later by my first proper mountain and road bikes.
Since then there have been numerous projects going on including a single speed steel Kona mountain bike (huge fun!) and my “fixed” 1980’s Raleigh Record Sprint (see photo – I’m on the left with Sean our other rider) which was my daily commute until a car pulled across me last Wednesday causing me to do a very graceful over-the-bars vault (earning a 9.7 from the judges in the adjacent pub!). Luckily I got off with just a few cuts and bruises, but the bike now needs new forks and a wheel trued!
My current bike is a 5 year old Cannondale R600 which fits likes a glove and does everything I need! I’ve done a number of sportives on it, including the Dartmoor Challenge three times, and a few duathlons at Castle Coombe. It’s just great!
So why am I doing Jogle? Well, I’ve really wanted to cycle it for some years now; I want to set a great example for my boys; and I want to raise money for a great charity... all pretty simple really!
Chocs away!
Huw
I started cycling more seriously 10 years ago after back problems put me off running and playing squash. I've not looked back since then, cycling all over my home county of Kent as well as in Wales, the French Alps and the Spanish Sierra Nevada. Its a great way to keep fit and there's nothing better than raising money for charity at the same time. I think this will be my greatest (and longest) challenge so far.
