Our Team

Currently riding

BMC Pro-Machine. It's much, much better than I am.

Favourite item of kit

Most Lezyne products are pretty amazing, while our Garmin 800s alway keep us going in the right direction. And, after trying many, many helmets, I'm also very pleased with my Kask K.10. But I think it's the innovative design, easy access and light weight of my Stainless Steel Speedplay Zero pedals that impresses me the most.

Best advice received

Relax your shoulders while climbing (easier said than done sometimes).

Cycling idol

Greg Le Mond was the first rider to really catch my attention - and my interest in climbing has led to a retrospective admiration for Robert Millar. But having a father who won a CBE for services to cycling means I'd better say "my Dad". 

Favourite Ride2Raise route

Castle2Castle (Windsor Castle to Corfe Castle) is a fantastic 2-day ride.

Currently riding

Dolan Mythos SRAM Apex Omega (2011)

Favourite item of kit

My 11-32 SRAM Apex Cassette. Less put off by steep inclines - less excuses too! 

Best advice received

Relax on hills, stay in the saddle until the last minute (Christian Lawson) and it's not a race (Richard King). Most of which I don't heed! Oh and don't listen to your ipod whilst on the bike - My wife and daughter. 

Cycling idol

Greg Le Mond was for a long time, I was lucky enough to meet the man with my Uncle back in 1986 when he won his first Tour De France. Now, there are a lot, I'm following Team Sky with a keen eye and all the Brits but Andy Schleck is currently a firm favourite. I love the calmness he exudes on some of the toughest climbs on the Tour and in general. I also felt he should've won in 2010 if it weren't for dubious meat eating by a Spaniard.

Favourite Ride2Raise route

The Cotswolds Loop/RAFA 200- I've cycled to Oxford a few times and love the Chilterns. You can get totally lost and encounter some incredible climbs. Stunning. It also starts and ends near where I live, so it's also hugely convenient. Richmond Park's my weekend stomping ground on the Mythos. 

Currently riding

Too many to mention!

Favourite item of kit

A properly functioning, quiet and well serviced bike.

Best advice received

Ride your bike more! 

Cycling idol

Cancellara and Rodger Hammond from the current lot, Eros Poli and Andrea Taffi from the 80's, all for the same reason, they are hard as Belgian Pave. Poli was really cool, used to drive his Director nuts by stopping on training rides to chat up girls, and he even won a tour stage over Ventoux - not bad for someone nearly 6'4" and the wrong side of 12 stone! He also told all the other riders to harden up at the Giro one year when they threatened to strike due to snow on the mountains!

Favourite Ride2Raise route

White Lodge to White Cliffs

Currently riding

Pinarello

Favourite item of kit

My first Campag Record groupset, circa mid 90’s. The satisfaction and sense of achievement on opening the box to reveal the lines of the polished record chainset, hard to beat even now.

Best advice received

Sit, don’t go too early.

Cycling idol

There is never one, there are too many riders of too many era’s...In the modern era, ‘Spartacus’ Fabian Cancellara, man becomes machine, ultimate style on the bike. The golden era, The Eagle of Toledo’ Frederico Bahamontes  “...attack, attack and attack again” the true king of the mountains. And many more....

Favourite Ride2Raise route

RAFA 200

Currently riding

Planet X SL Carbon Pro with SRAM Rival. It's beautiful, light and responsive! 

Favourite item of kit

Pearl Izumi Gillet. So easy to scrunch into a back pocket or bag and is vital in keeping the torso warm (it looks good too!). 

Best advice received

The best advice I've received is from the Ride2Raise First Aid training day. I've been in situations in the past when a basic knowledge of first aid would have been good to help others and now I'm qualified to make an initial judgement when dealing with a road accident. These skills can be used on Ride2Raise events along with Sportives, races and any other events I'm doing this year. 

Cycling idol

Currently my cycling idol is Mark Renshaw. He is a strong rider who independently wins stages but mostly rides hard to get Mark Cavendish to the line, notably in the Tour. The defining moment must have been on the Tour de France 2009 final stage with Mark Cavendish coming first and Renshaw coming second, brilliant tactics and an exciting end to a controversial Tour. 

Favourite Ride2Raise route

Favourite Ride2Raise route is the Classic, Dorking to Edinburgh. I was lucky enough to be on the first event and with a few minor tweaks this years Classic should be even more exciting and fun than before. 

Currently riding

Specialized Roubaix S-Works 

Favourite item of kit

Dura Ace deep rim carbon wheelset and chamois cream.

Best advice received

Hills are a state of mind - and remember to always smile and ride!

Cycling idol

Lance Armstrong of course!

Favourite Ride2Raise route

The Classic - Dorking to Edinburgh

Currently riding

Pinarello Prince
Pinarello FP Quattro
Dolan Preffissio

Favourite item of kit

Assos Shorts & Chamois Cream. Ride a few 100 mile+ days and you'll know why!

Best advice received

Give up athletics and take up bike racing. 50 years ago and haven't looked back.

Cycling idol

Eddie Merckx, who else. No one comes close.

Favourite Ride2Raise route

The CHECT South Coast Spectacular

Currently riding

Singular Pegasus MTB, Singular prototype road bike

Favourite item of kit

Bivi bag - then you can ride for days and days

and days...

Best advice received

Eat plenty before, during, and after a ride!

Cycling idol

Mike Curiak

Favourite Ride2Raise route

Target TB Loop

Currently riding

Claud Butler Roubaix (although I'm currently looking for a new bike).

Favourite item of kit

My Sidi T1 triathlon shoes, been with me for 12 years now and I still love them! 

Best advice received

Stop blaming the bike and train harder. Riding a heavy bike will make you stronger anyway.

Cycling idol

Cav. He knows how much his team do for him and always acknowledges them. A true gent.

Favourite Ride2Raise route

The original south coast spectacular before Richard cut Day 3 out!

Currently riding

Kinesis Racelight. Of course, ask me what I'd like to be riding and that would get a very different answer....

Favourite item of kit

Rapha women's classic jersey.  Lovely and retro, just like the husband who bought it for me.

Best advice received

Remember to clip out before you stop.

Cycling idol

My son isaac, who at age 3 can already ride out of the saddle with no stabilisers.  I feel a yellow jersey coming on. Failing that then Sir Chris Hoy has to get a mention.

Favourite Ride2Raise route

Seven Hills to Surrey Hills (so far). 

Currently riding

A tired old mountain bike.

Favourite item of kit

Water bottle.

Best advice received

Give up smoking. 

Cycling idol

Bradley Wiggins.

Favourite Ride2Raise route

Dorking to Edinburgh. 

Currently riding

1987 Bridgestone Radac 3100 - single-speed

Favourite item of kit

Best advice received

Cycling idol

Favourite Ride2Raise route

South Coast Spectacular.

Currently riding

Specialized Dolce.

Favourite item of kit

Black and white Kask helmet. 

Best advice received

Relax, relax, relax & don't cycle in the gutter.

Cycling idol

Er, my husband! 

Favourite Ride2Raise route

Any route involving coffee and cake!