What do you do (when you're not on a bike)?
I work as a Production Manager in a factory making backlit buttons and fascia for the automotive and aerospace industries. I've worked various jobs, but I have been involved in the automotive sector for over 30 years.

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How did you get into cycling?
I've ridden bikes since I was a kid, and in later years used bikes as a way to commute to work. I started my current job in 2011 and my boss is a cyclist and used to come into work on a Monday morning telling me tales of him and his friends cycling 100 miles over the weekend, I used to think, "you idiot, why would anyone want to ride a bike for that amount of time!" I was living in Weybridge, Surrey when the 2012 London Olympics took place and lived on the route of the Olympic Road Races. Post Olympics, the original route of the Ride London/Surrey legacy event used to go past my front door. During the 2016 Ride London, my wife and I had gone to Kingston to meet some friends and I made an off the cuff remark about being able to ride a 100 miles. My wife Nicky also entered the event, and she got a place for 2017, unfortunately I didn't. So I went through the charity route, deciding to ride for Alzheimer's Society as my Nan had passed away the previous year after battling the illness for over 10 years. Ultimately, Nicky deferred her place in 2017 and I rode the event alone and also rode the first Birmingham Velo event. Nicky and I did cycle the 2018 Ride London, along with another friend of ours.

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What drives you to get on your bike?
After completing my first Ride London in 2017, I was kind of hooked on cycling. The freedom of being out on a bike and being fortunate enough to live not far from some beautiful Surrey contryside, helps me clear my head of everyday issues and problems. Riding with other people in a club setting is fun and I really enjoy the social side of cycling. I've discovered little villages and hamlets, with the quintessential village pond and small pub, while being out on my bike, places you just wouldn't find if you jumped in the car and went for a drive.

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Do you have any cycling targets?
Where do I start? I think it's good to have targets, it keeps you motivated, you just have to keep it realistic!! Once I got into cycling and had joined a club, I found out about some well known events and thought that some could be a good challenge. I had cycled a few 100 mile rides, and thought ok, I can do that, so what's next? I signed up for 200 mile Chase the Sun ride in 2021 and during my training I rode 150 miles. I then completed CTS and thus ticked off the 200 mile ride. The next obvious target was 250 miles, I joined Audax UK where you can find details of longer rides and I failed several 250 mile events, before finally achieving this distance when completing The Dunwich Dynamo, and riding home, in 2022. Once you get to this kind of distance, you have to accept that you will probably be cycling during the night and for a while, this was my nemesis. Night riding takes a bit of getting used to, and you'd be surprised how much the temperature can drop at night, even in the Summer, when you are out in dark country lanes, far away from any towns or cities. In 2024 six of us from HWCC cycled from London to Paris, covering 330 miles over four days, another 'bucket list' ride ticked off, and three of us also completed the 250 mile London-Wales-London audax ride. In August 2025, I am attempting to ride London-Edinburh-London audax ride, in which I have 128 hours to cycle 950 miles. I'm kind of hoping after that my brain says, that's enough now. I'll keep you posted on how that works out!

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What’s your favourite ride/destination with Hampton Wick Cycling Club?
We are fortunate to have an extensive library of routes including coffee shops or cafés to stop at. In the winter, shorter rides are great for keeping the legs ticking over, while in the summer, longer rides can really test your winter training. My favourite destinations in the winter include Pinnock's at Ripley, Cinnamon Café at Windsor and Basil & Blue at Chobham. During the summer, Brighton is a good test and the return route is very pleasant, other favourites include Tanhouse Farm and Elm Farm Café at Sutton Green.

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What would you say to someone thinking of joining Hampton Wick Cycling Club?
There are a few cycling clubs around South West London and Surrey, most of which are well established and seem to be really well run clubs. Although a lot of the clubs take part in racing or grade a rider by speed, so that they keep similar standard riders together. We don't do that at HWCC, we are a social cycling club so it doesn't matter how fast you ride, how far you can ride or how high you can climb, the most important thing is being with a group of people who enjoy riding bikes and enjoy stopping for a beer and a catch up after the ride. 
I believe that I improved as a cyclist by riding with people who were stronger riders. Some people will be better climbers, some will be better endurance riders, but if you don't cycle with a mix of these people, then how will you improve? At HWCC we grade rides on the distance to be ridden and not on how fast you ride. It is gratifying that our more experienced riders still come along on the shorter rides and are patient and supportive of members who may be newer to cycling. 
I had been a member of a few clubs prior to the start of HWCC in October 2022, but unfortunately the stress/hassle of cliques and politics was spoiling what should be an enjoyable hobby, I wanted and needed the social side of cycling. Therefore, it was our priority when launching the club that everyone, new or old riders should be encouraged and welcomed to join a cycling club, and each individual made to feel valued. With this in mind we welcome all levels of cyclists, including beginner members who may be just starting on the cycling club journey or anyone returning to the sport.  
So to anyone thinking of joining a cycling club, sign up and come along to one of our Saturday sessions in Richmond Park, or get in touch with us to find out more about HWCC and ask as many questions as you need to.

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Do you have any other hobbies apart from cycling?
In addition to launching and running Hampton Wick Cycling Club, my wife and I enjoy going to concerts and watching live music. I collect limited edition vinyl records, mainly from rock and heavy metal bands. I'm a keen supporter of Liverpool Football Club and enjoy watching a variety of sports. I haven't played golf for a few years, but might get back into that at some point.