What do you do (when you're not on a bike)?

I am very sporting, having played football at school and then pub teams and almost getting into The Northern Premier League with Gainsborough Trinity. I joined the Fire Service in 1985 and kept my fitness up with running and mountain biking, eventually retiring from the Fire Service in 2015. I had started doing ultra marathons and trail marathons. I even got into doing a few obstacle course races, including The Winter Tough Guy. The Arc of Attrition, 100 mile winter trail run on the Cornish coast was probably the toughest event I undertook. Best I did was 65 miles but a few years after I did the 50 mile Arc, receiving a medal for my effort.

Now I run and go to the gym. I'm an open water swimmer and I'm soon to take on my first triathlon in Mallorca.

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How did you get into cycling?

It was 1969, I had just passed my 11plus and got into Sevenoaks School. At that time, I loved cycling and was desperate to get a 'real' bike. A 10-speed racing bike with 26" wheels and drop handle bars. Little did I know that mum & dad had already secured one, second hand and it was in the garage. Well, they couldn't get me off it. I lived in Weald near Sevenoaks. Not many cars on the road back then, I was able to race around Weald, climb the steep hill and go into Sevenoaks or ride to Tonbridge on the A roads.

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What drives you to get on your bike?

Nice weather for the road bike. First thing I'll do, now that I'm retired, is plan a ride when it's nice. I also have a gravel bike for Winter mud & rain.

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Do you have any cycling targets?

I have done some riding in the mountains in the Alps and the Pyrenees. I'd love to take on some of the iconic mountain passes often seen in the Giro, TdF and the Vuelta.

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What’s your favourite ride/destination with Hampton Wick Cycling Club?

I haven't done it yet, as my favourite ride is always the next one I am on.

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What would you say to someone thinking of joining Hampton Wick Cycling Club?

It's a great community club. We don't race and we adhere to the rules of the road. The group of riders that we have are a friendly bunch always willing to help out and offer advice.

We also have the best club cycling kit.

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Do you have any other hobbies apart from cycling?

I like reading books, as long as it is not fiction. I like to read about something that has actually happened whether it is about sport, murder, war or disaster.

I've always had dogs, but not my own since the last three passed away, two in 2014 and the last one in 2016. After retirement I walked other people's dogs for 8 years before retiring from that. I still have three dogs that I look after when the owners go on holiday.

I also like travelling, hiking and seeing my grand-children,