1. Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born in the UK, got itchy feet after a 3 month caving trip to China, and emigrated here aged 28. I work in engineering/technical areas.  I met and married an adventurous Aussie lass, have 2 teenage boys, now 15 and 17.  I mostly like sports beginning with C; canoeing, canyoning, cross-country-skiing, cycling, surfing…

[editor’s note: Ian got the name Blue Stratos because we’d just named Old Spice (for chatting up elderly ladies on the Artamon bike path) and Ian looked vaguely similar and had a blue bike!]

2. What got you into cycling?

My parents have never owned a car, so cycling to get around was the normal thing to do in our family, despite our living in a hilly town.  My earliest memories feature being on the child seat on my dad’s bike – daily over the hump back bridge to pre-school, age 4.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?

I kept getting overtaken by ER riders. I usually ride solo, but the social scene of the group proved irresistible, though I understand little, having no cipher for the coded conversation.

4. Tell us about your bikes.

Not so long ago I owned various child carrying bicycle contraptions, including a double tag-along, and a triplet, but the kids grew, so I sold them – the bikes, that is.

I’ve a Giant Reign MTB which is great, but the only bike that really matters to me is my custom road Argos tourer, This was built for me in Bristol in 1982 by the fabled Arthur Needham, with the earnings from my first job out of University.  With silver soldered Reynolds 531DB steel tubing, to my eyes it is a beast of beauty, with Prugnat cut-out long point lugs, and Cinelli crown.  It has had 3 resprays in various shades of blue, 3 generations of components, and we have probably gone well over 100,000 km together… Are you sure you want to know this…?

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?

My tour would start in France, go via Eastern Europe, and finish in Turkey. Ideally a route with hills, views of snow capped mountains, raging rivers, frequent small quaint villages, quiet roads, good local food, and interesting locals who don’t shoot at me.

6. Tell us a riding story.

I once had my front bike wheel stolen, and reported this to the police.  “Can you describe it?” asked the constable. “Certainly, yes”, I replied.

“My front wheel was built in Bristol by Evans Cycles in 1982, using a polished silver Campagnolo Record 36 hole high flange hub, with quick release skewer.  It’s Weinmann Concave 27″ silver alloy rim is laced 3 cross with 14/15 gauge double butted stainless Sapim spokes, with DT brass nipples and Velox cotton rim tape. It has a black Continental top touring tyre, 27 by 1 and a quarter, fairly new, only light wear. The Michelin inner tube has a Presta valve with black cap, and has one patch, about a third of the way round from the valve. The wheel runs true but has a small ding 6 inches past the valve on the release lever side. The hub is clean but the rim is a bit dirty”.

The constable looked up at me, with a surprised expression. I imagined smoke rising from his pen. “That’s the first time I’ve had that, they usually say ‘Round’.”

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?

I’ve been there, and still am on some days. Just come along, and ride at a pace you can sustain, and the group will adjust for you. The riders just in front of you who are working close to their limits, but trying not to show it, will be delighted. The regular front runners who are cruising anyway get to chat more in their special code. Soon you’ll be answering one of these questionnaires.

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.

I design and build mean Trebuchet’s for throwing rubber chickens huge distances, so Scouts can get hit in the face by them.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
I am an Architect, married to a very tolerant bloke who allows me to explore my sporting excesses. 2 cars, 1 dog and as of last week a 5 bike family.

2. What got you into cycling?
Have cycled on and off since I was a teenager, but a recent injury from running has thrown me into it “full time”. My brother was a keen cyclist back in the 80s which got me started, back when toe clips and Apollos were the must haves.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?
I was riding up the hill in North Sydney in July, came across Teflon and Clyde and was surprised to hear that Teflon was riding to Normanhurst so tagged along.

4. Tell us about your bikes.
Giant OCR3 road bike. Giant Anthem Mountain, Roadmaster 10 speed ladies bike and as of last week WiIier Izoard.

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Sydney, on a beautiful spring morning when all the commodore ute driving bogans are in bed.

6. Tell us a riding story.
In April a girlfriend and I rode to Melbourne over 4 days unsupported, and the first day which was the hardest (260kms for me, 280 for her, over bells line of road to Carcoar) also happened to coincide with one of the wettest windiest days in Sydney history. Getting out of bed at 3 in the morning when you could hear the tempest, and know what you were about to embark on was very sobering. We arrived in Carcaor somewhat shattered, but survived to ride on and complete the challenge without misshap or puncture. We arrived in Melbourne on one of those perfect Autumn afternoons, gliding up Brunswick street with the trams and the bustle of hipsters was certainly a reward after such a difficult start.

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Being a regular at the back of the 6pm peloton all I can say is Peddle for you life haha. The somewhat mis-named Easy Riders will ensure you increase your speed and fitness, especially if you live out in the Champagne West like Teflon, Brownie and I

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
I like running a lot. Last big run was 54 hours without sleep.

This week we have the only ER to have both a ride (the Flutter) and a hill (Cluttersberg) named after him.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
My Name is Matthew Scott Clutterham (aka Clutters, a bit unoriginal I know) I am 34 years old, have a wife and 2 Kids. Zachariah (Zach) who is 4.5 and Jemimah (Mimes) who is 2 next week. We also have a baby due in 6 weeks. We live in South Turramurra and have a Siamese cat named Simon. I studied Agricultural Science at Sydney University, Majored in Soil Science and now work for an Engineering consultancy as a Contaminated Land Consultant. We also attend a small Anglican church over in Concord where a good mate of mine is the Minister.

2. What got you into cycling?
I did ride bikes as a kid around the streets and through the bush. Then rode infrequently through uni and early work days. I got cleaned up by a taxi on my motorbike in 2005 and broke both my legs in 5 places. I was bolted back together with titanium (my secret weapon) and had to relearn to walk. Part of my rehabilitation was to get on an exercise bike. I pretty quickly got bored with that and as soon as I could manage I bought myself a mountain bike to start riding out doors. After that my passion for cycling increased year by year until heaven forbid I bought a roadie.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?
My memory is terrible. I think it goes like this. I had been commuting to work in Waverton and then Artarmon and knew of the group but their route and ride times did not suit me. I also thought that the group was more easy and less riding. When I got my new job in the city a couple of years ago I decided to front up to Gordon station and find out first hand what the easy riders were all about. I was warmly welcomed by SatNav and have been riding with the group ever since.

4. Tell us about your bikes.
My pride and joy is my race machine. A Giant Anthem 29er. I also have a Giant Anthem 26 inch which is currently collecting dust and my roadie is a 2007? Trek 5600 and I love it too. I also have an assortment of bike attachments for the kids, seats, a trailer and now a tag along (thanks B1C!!!).

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
It would have to be some sweet sweet single track somewhere. New Zealand, Canada, Whistler, Morocco? Offroad anywhere really. I would also love to ride some of the serious mountains of the TDF on the roadie. Keep dreaming I can hear my wife saying.

6, Tell us a riding story.
After a few years of riding, my mates and I started entering some mountain bike races. I felt that I was getting pretty fit and after having conquered a couple of 50km events decided it was time to sign up for my first endurance event, the 110km Highland Fling. Well this was a bad move. I realised I was not as fit as I thought I was. It was a very long day in the saddle (and lying on the ground next to the track). It was hot, the sound of the cicadas was going straight through my head and I was seriously in the hurt box. It took me 9 hours to complete the course (yes I am a determined bugger). I have since whittled this time down to 5 hours 40 minutes (I am also very competitive).

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Be careful. This cycling thing is addictive.

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
This is the hardest question to answer. Where do I start? Ummm. I have one leg shorter than the other. Oooh I have a better one. When I was at School my mum once stopped the school bus in Warrawee Valley in her dressing gown to give me my lunch box. My mum is my biggest fan. She can often be seen on the sides of the Pacific Highway as the 5:15 bus goes through North Sydney cheering me on. Thanks Mum.

Rider of the Month for September is young Satnav.

According to Strava Satnav cranked out 1,591.8km and 22,804m in 61hr 46m and that’s not counting the lunchtime sessions on the Turbo Trainer. He even managed to take the last two days of the month off to mow the lawn a couple more times.

Satnav aka SOL is a Life Member of ER and currently ACFMI (Acting Chief Foundation Member Intergalactic).

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
Tight bean counter from the bush. Love the bike and a chat. And spreadsheets. Mild mannered until WBA bolts off the front. Still upset that Drastique ruthlessly flogged my only KOM before I got the chance to publicise the fact. Have been known to mow the lawn twice on the same day in search of a leave pass.

2. What got you into cycling?

Used to ride to high school (Dubbo), about 4km each way. Got cleaned up by some old duck one morning but luckily no lasting damage to the bike. Continued riding though Uni (Canberra) and then Sydney….then a long break until 2004 when I took up commuting in London. Have been riding ever since.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?

Our daughter’s baseball, of course, in late 2008. The good wife was commenting to a fellow parent (HB) that I commuted by bike. HB flicked a business card, reeled me in, and I joined the (few) others at Gordon shortly thereafter. I was the 50th on the email list at that point however we were only getting a couple at Gordon each morning in those days. Haven’t commuted by train since.

4. Tell us about your bikes.

I don’t have any BMX’s, unicycles or tandems. My fleet are of the road variety. Carbon Madone 5.5, Carbon Norco, Ally Saracen, Steely Pro Ace, and soon to be released ER Steely Single Speed. (Note for the purposes of the ER Xmas Party only one of these is mine; the rest I’m merely keeping in reasonable working order for our kids when they’re big enough to fit them). Yes they’ll all insured and no you don’t know where I live.

[Editor’s note: SatNav is known for the meticulous care he takes over his equipment. On the left is one of the cogs from the Pro Ace and on the right is the infamous 3P blow-out]

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I’m as much about the company and the hitout as the whereabouts. There’s something special about turning yourself inside out with a group of like-minded souls all happy to share the toil and a coffee afterwards. Last year’s G2GGvG and Bumble Hill “magnificent 8” rides stand out in that regard.

PD’s Thredbo training camp (20 ER’s) in February provided the entree for some real climbing – that where it’s at I reckon – some of these legendary climbs in Europe being marketed by Tormey Tours look the real deal.

[NNNick once again failing to drop Satnav – ask NNNick who recently won up Macquarie Pass]

6, Tell us a riding story.
Well this one’s more of a non-riding story…..re-told now (i) for the significant number of newbies we’ve welcomed in the past 18 months or so since this one occurred, and (ii) because the victim is on holidays currently and unlikely to read anything sent by Drastique anyway.

So the victim, let’s call him “c”, used to park his bike in Coopz’ garage for convenience to Gordon. c hadn’t ridden for a while, so Coopz and TSS thought it might be a giggle to sell c’s bike without his knowledge. So TSS did one of his best sales pitches yet of the said bike, together with photo, and circulated around the group to gather EOI. (if someone can dig this out it would be great pls)

c, busy working on “matters”, didn’t notice his bike being marketed around the group. It went on for a month or so….

So someone in the group (can’t remember who) flicked it to someone outside the group who made an offer to TSS of $1000 for it. At that point TSS got nervous and suggested we tell c about the aforementioned events. “^&#*% him” was Coopz response.

Eventually c found out from which it is believed his favoured term “you ragtag bunch of misfits” was born.

c hasn’t had a break from the pedals of that duration since.

[Editor’s note:  Original email is below]

——– Original Message ——–
Subject: RE: Another bike for sale
From: “Stubbings, Captain”
Date: Sat, September 08, 2009 8:34 am
To:
Satnav/Coopz
You blokes are hilarious. I was going to delete this email as another inane bike worship email, but Coopz knows how fastidious I am in reviewing my emails (but I do it in the same calendar year as receipt – rather than his timing, which is generally on each full moon). So I checked the photo. And yes, it looks remarkably like my bike, helmet, shoes, lights, gear box, pump and brand new *?!%ing tyres which I put on 2 weekends ago and haven’t even rolled on yet, propped up neatly in Coopz garage!!! Nice sting boys.
I am typing this on yet another Saturday morning at work, but I will finish this deal mid-week and then I’ll be back in my rightful place leading this rag tag bunch of misfits (from the back of the pack).
But if you want to know more about The Stallion, it is a beautiful looking bike (as the photo taped to my filing cabinet attests). As I say, it has new tyres and tubes and I have matching red and black high speed cycling clothing to match (for anyone who has the same buff physique as me). My only concern with the bike is that it seems to go better down hill than up hill. Not sure if I bought specialist down hill wheels…
Anyway, back to work.
Enjoy your weekend (and your belly laugh at my expense) you jokers.
Captain
– hide quoted text –
>
> From: Sat Nav
> Sent: Friday, 7 September 2009 10:26 PM
> To:
> Subject: RE: Another bike for sale
>
> Matt / Captain
> Brownie’s latest offering looks to be an Avanti similar to yours. Can you pls provide a product review on this model?
> Much appreciated.
> Thanks
> Mark
>
> From: Brownie
> Sent: Thursday, 6 August 2009 11:39 AM
> To:
> Subject: Fw: Another bike for sale
>
>
> Hello All,
>
> I forgot to add in a bike to the spreadsheet that I sent out last night. The bike is a Carbon road bike with Shimano 105 groupset and Fulcrum Evolution wheels and is approximately 12-18 months old.Frame size is 56cm with sloping top tube. The bike was intended to be used for occasional commuting with weekend wine tours and local coffee rides in mind and has been kitted out accordingly. The bike will be sold as a package deal with the following additions included: Two rear Smart LED lights, Saddle bag complete with spare tubes and tyre levers, Two biddon cages, Clip on Aluminium mini pump, Small front LED light and a brand new AYUP lighting system that has a seperate light set for both the bike and the helmet. The helmet is near new Giro Atmos and there is also a pair of Shimano RO-72 shoes in size 43. The bike has barely been pedalled in anger if pedalled at all and is in immaculate condition. You could count on one hand how many times it has been used this year. The bike is being sold due to lack of use and really needs to go to a rider who would actually use it on a regular basis to its full potential. It would be ideally suited to a fastitious commuter who is looking for a quality machine. Asking price of $1000 ono and if not sold prior to next weeks BBQ will be auctioned to the highest bidder at the BBQ (phone bids welcome).
>
> Cheers,
> Brownie.

This is the matching eBay posting.

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Keep at it and you won’t be there for long. Take a look at the motivational readings of our BT, VD, and a myriad of others who have significant success stories to tell. And if I still see you towards the back after that, I’ll bore you to death with stories of pivot tables.
[Editor’s note: This is not actually true – all new ER’s wax lyrically about how Satnav looks after the rear of the peloton]

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
Lived in Moscow for a year in the late 90’s; timed perfectly when the Russian economy went to pot.

Only had a handful of frightening experiences – being taxi’d (i.e. hitch-hiked, as the norm then) around the outskirts of Omsk at 3am when I knew it wasn’t the route to the hotel; seeing the inside of a Moscow police cell when a mate didn’t have his papers and I thought it rude to leave him on his lonesome; Taliban supporters club demonstrations in Tashkent; foot long fishing knife shown to me by some random bloke I shared a cabin with on the train to Smolensk…..combination of the above has driven my passivity when getting cut up by utes on the OTP – you never who you’re up against so best not to find out.

1.  Tell us a bit about yourself

Very much English and proud of it. Lived in Singapore and didn’t want to move to Australia but was forced to as threatened with a single life and high maintenance payments. Moved here in January 2011 and it was the best decision I ever made! Now I wish we had moved earlier!

2.  What got you into cycling?

I guy in my office used to commute into work and so after practising one Sunday, I gave commuting a go on a hybrid bike I bought in Singapore.  After being dropped on the way home before the bridge by my colleague every day, I realised I needed a road bike to at least give me a chance of keeping up with him. After a trip to Turramurra Sports and a new Giant, I joined the club and started riding with the C’s.

3.  How did you come to join the Easy Riders?

I was picked up by Bullet one morning in Chatswood and he told me about the Easy Riders and asked for my email address and said he would send some details. Later that day I was copied on this email! He seemed so normal when riding with him!

I acknowledge the traditional owners of this email and keystroke with respect on this hallowed turf.

‘Twas the late bus form me this morning.

Taking a leaf out of Flesh’s manual: “Trawling – the commuters guide to the Backdoor”, I happened across an very smart Giant saddling a distinguished gent by the name of Nick Hardcastle. Nothing to report as Scribe de Bullet was busy regaling captive audience with bold tales of his exploits a’ la Old Spice. There is a chance we will never see or hear of him again, though I sincerely hope not.

Some points to note regarding New New New Nick:

• Recently ex-Singapore and currently residing in Killara – Mr Sulu, please note
• About to re-locate to St Ives – Schleck and El Conejo, please make yourself known to NNNN
  To the best of my knowledge he has not been made aware of standing St Ives rules that apply in relation to car keys and dinner parties – but maybe that’s just me; child of the sixties with questionable  parentage…..
• Currently working in the city but about to transfer to North Sydney where he will be anointed in the ways of the Bullet Point, the Flashpoint, the Back Door, the quiver of “Blasts” and all manner ancient druidic Easy Riders rites
• Most importantly he had heard or “a bunch of blokes who meet at Gordon Station” as evidence that the Easy Rider brand is in significant need of investment. Alternatively we could re-brand as “The Bunch of Blokes Who Meet and Gordon Station” – The BBWMGS (that’s catchy….). Might need to let SatNav know on this one as he is in deep pow wow with the Chinese re new kit.
• His name is Nick. Another one. How many is that? What is the collective noun – a Knack of Nicks? Discuss.

Anyhoo, seeing Drastic’s too sulky to give me admin privs, could one of the “inner sanctum” be so kind as to invite Nick into the Google Group as I’m sure we all extend our heartiest welcome to the Peloton.

4. Tell us about your bikes.

Pinarello Paris with Di2  and a Giant TCR 2 which is for sale as I like the Pinarello so much, the Giant now doesn’t get used.

[Editor’s note – this boy needs to learn that you never sell bikes, you just acquire more. Keep the Giant as a “wet weather bike”]

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I have only been riding about 15 months so I am still happy riding around Sydney

6, Tell us a riding story.

My first ride with Peloton Sports was on a Saturday to West Head with the C’s so having pulled up ok, a little stiff and shattered, I joined them for the Sunday ride to Calga. As a number of club members were in Italy, turnout was low so they decided that A’s, B’s and C’s would all roll out together. I was knackered by Hornsby but pride forced me through the pain barrier and I hung on with the group until Mount White where some B’s and the C’s turned back. I was completely exhausted and could hardly turn pedals and was dropped pretty much immediately and had to ride home alone. That 30k took forever, when I eventually got home, I was so tired I had to go to bed and didn’t get up until Monday lunchtime having had to call in sick as I couldn’t move my legs as they were so sore.

6.  Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?

I have only been riding about 15 months so it isn’t for me to give advice, I am still learning from the wiser ones around me.

7. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.

I represented England at full senior level at Cricket. ( England Ladies came to my club for a warm up match prior to an overseas tour and they were one short so I played for them against my club)

1.    Tell us a bit about yourself?

Born in the 50’s (along with Sting) in Manchester (unlike Sting). Met wife to be in London, married Hunter Valley and moved to Sydney in 2000. Three kids 7,8 and 10. Who have all ridden the Bright railway line in Victoria. It was their induction with Tom (6) doing 35km on his first real day on a bike !

Always been keen on high places. Topped 6000m in Peru on honey moon. Snow holed on Ben Nevis. Trekked round Patagonia.

Picture of Torres del Paine with Lady Wilson

And still hold out hope of the 7 summits … although I have yet to do Koziosko !

2.    What got you into cycling??

Ridden since a kid, but nothing competitive. I wasn’t really sporty, although quite into alpine sports (Skiing, mountaineering, ice climbing …). But I quite liked the idea of being a jack of all trades so tried a few triathlons in UK; started with mini-tri’s, then Olympic ;London, Bath, Windsor, up to long course Weymouth half IM. Then finally Iron Man Australia 2001.  I then more or less packed in cycling for about 7 years. Finally got back into it as a health thing after the doc declared me clinically obese in 2010  !.  I’ve dropped about 10kgs, resting HR down to about 54, stopped nibbling my nails etc.  Scheduled for IM70.3 Port Macquarie this August 28.

3.    How did you come to join the Easy Riders?

After commuting solo for best part of a year, via BWH, I ran into SatNav at cubs one night and rest is history. Although it still took me a further few months to transition from BWH to the OTP in. I have also never seemed to be able to summon the energy to be at Gordon at 06:45.  I usually make the 17:15 bus home several days a week. After joining the bus home it was a short mind step to say no to the Barry, I have been clean for 3 months now !

4.    Tell us about your bikes.?

Oldest bike is Giant OCR 1 bought in Dec 2000, just in time for Ironman Australia early 2001.  Still use it as my wet weather bike. Although it now feels ludicrously long compared to my recent acquisition.

Mountain biking was my real passion before coming to Australia. Several bikes; Marin County (no suspension), then Specialized Rockhopper (hard tail). This latter beast made it to Sydney, only to be stolen from Turramurra station a few years back. It is the model on my Strava pic, from the Glenbrook classic. (this pic was used as the proof of ownership to get the insurance claim from me Westpac home insurance !).

Pic from Glenbrook ….

Replaced with Specialized XC Comp FS full suspension, recently overhauled by TSS and waiting for Manly induction.

CFO OK’d carbon upgrade mid-2012, splurged a little on Pinarello Paris DI2 BoB. Lovely. This lives in my man cave, underneath the Strat and ES335.

Soon as I can find somewhere that’s do Shamal’s for around AU$800 I’ll be upgrading … although the best strategy here seems to be to seek forgiveness rather than permission.

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be??

It’s got to be Glacier riding at Saas Fee , it looks awesome. Any one up for this next year ?

Think Woody sent this link earlier in the year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I5WXkbOzSA

6. Tell us a riding story.?

I have story similar to the rider formerly known as Flash’s boat epic. On the way to my first mini-tri it started to rain and I put my head down … just for a sec. Looked up in time to see the parked car … I did contact it but managed to carry on to the race.

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton??

Challenge yourself to stop at your second lowest gear, just say No to the granny . It’s a small incremental effort. That’s how I built up riding up kissing point road on my early days commute home in 2011. Took me about 4 days before I even made it without getting off and pushing. Then it was the granny, eventually I got so I could do it in a middle gear.

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.

Take your pick….

I appeared in a bike advert aged about 6.  It was shoved into camera on a Moulton small wheel bike, shorts, socks round ankles. Slogan was “He doesn’t care about the steel but Moulton  do”.  The advert was really about the steel used to manufacture the bike, rather than the brand.

(That’s not me age 6 !)

Prior to moving into finance industry, I was a software developer in flight simulation for many years. One of our installations was a BAe Hawk for the Swiss Air Force.  I spent several months on site and most lunch times I would decry the schnitzels and bratwurst to fly the hawk (sim) through the Alps.  We even modelled a non-existent tunnel through one of the mountains,, now that was a little tight to fly through.. You had to lock the joystick between you knees and just use the trim controls.

I also have an interest in nature and photography… Half Dome in Winter

1. Tell us a bit about yourself
I like to get into things. Obsessed some say, but I prefer to think of it as enthusiastic.

2. What got you into cycling?
My brother and I rode bikes everywhere as kids — to school, to squash on the weekends, to friends’ houses, towing skateboards, to work. What really got me into cycling was the idea that a bike could take me anywhere. I was 16 when I talked my brother, cousin and mate Wayne into riding with me from Katoomba to Kiama — “it’s all downhill” — took us three days.

Later (mid 90s), a very nice policeman helped me back into cycling after stopping to admire my car. That six month driving suspension resulted in a commute between Ashfield and North Ryde on an incredibly heavy Shogun rigid-fork MTB. A few years later I bought a Giant ATX 890 aluminium hardtail, rode all over the blueys, and started a long, solo commute between Avalon and North Ryde via Church Point and McCarrs Creek Road, 40 kms each way. Nearly killed me the first day. Took 3 hours — I was an hour late for work — sat at my desk in a daze and got a lift home with a mate.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?
Started riding again in January this year after about 15 years. Was gasping and wheezing up the highway one afternoon when Sat Nav cruised past and tried valiantly to strike up a conversation. In the end he handed me a card and I looked Easy Riders up on the web. Rhodes run the next day, and ridden pretty much every (work) day since.

4. Tell us about your bikes.
Speedwell Scout 24 (1975). I really wanted a Dragster but Dad insisted on “proper” bikes. I think that thing was made out of solid steel rod. The trusty Bennett Super Sports (1979), faithful servant for many years, long since retired. I pulled my brother’s bike out from under Mum and Dad’s house after 25 years at Christmas this year, pulled it apart, painted it, put it all back together again and set out on the one true path. In the meantime, there was that Centurion rigid fork MTB (stolen from the car park at work) and the Giant aluminium hardtail (stolen from the garage at home.) The Peugeot was sitting under a work mate’s house for 20 years or so. Pulled that apart, cleaned it up and replaced a few bits and pieces. We’ve done over 3000 kilometres together since July.

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
New Zealand. Wait, Moab. Or Marin. No, no, the Pyrenees and the Alps. The Dolomites? Canada! Arg. Yes please, I would like to ride anywhere in the world.

6. Tell us a riding story.
I’d had my shiny new Bennett for about a week, so I was fifteen years old and riding for the first time with gears: belting down my road flat out in top, pedalling furiously along the main drag then swooping in and out of the side streets. I felt like I was flying, until a bloke drives past and yells at me — get off the road you idiot, or words to that effect — my first GOTF token, which he delivered along with an empty beer can, I guess to emphasise his point.

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Um, it’s quite nice at the back of the peloton. Otherwise, ride home with Clutters and Bam Bam.

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
I once presented on stage with Bill Gates? Or, I like climbing things too — this is Mt Aspiring in New Zealand.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a qualified tradie.  An electrical fitter.  NB: I do not own a ute.  I changed from the Electricity Supply Industry to Banking IT about 17 years ago.  I apply electrical circuit theory to business processes and computer systems to make them work. Mix in a modicum of engineering rigour and some analytical pisaz and I can usually find a way to have some fun working with the mundane.

I like outdoor endurance type sports like bushwalking, kayaking, back country (and alpine) skiiing (see below).  Cycling fits into that pretty well. One of my all time favourite holidays was a 10 day back country ski trip through the middle of the Kosciusko National Park. In my late 20s, I climbed a Himalayan Trekking peak called Mera Peak (6800m).  That was seriously hard yakka.  After that, other physical challenges are shorter and hopefully as much fun.

B1 on Mera attempting a hand stand at 6800m and 0.45 of an atmosphere. I’m not able to keep my feet together. Everest in the background

I have a broad taste in music and have recently seized upon Jazz after listening to my boys play in some very good school jazz bands.

2. What got you into cycling?
I have ridden short distances on and off over the years, mainly as a way to wear the kids out on the weekends. Dragon talked me into the Gong Ride last year.  Reckoned I’d have to train for it by riding to work. I did the Spring Cycle standing on my head (and so did the kids), the Gong Ride couldn’t be that much harder, could it?  I started riding a “safe” route which we know as the Epping Chapter today. While the route was fairly traffic free, it involved two crossings of Browns Water Hole and Rothwell Ave (22%) each day.  After the Gong Ride, I kept riding a few times a week.  Eventually, I was persuaded to buy a “proper” bike, the Aluminium Giant I have now.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?
I had just started riding the “proper” bike and was looking for a route that was shorter and less demanding than Epping/Browns when I bumped into SatNav at the SSHB.  He sold me on the OTP, and the rest is history.

4. Tell us about your bikes.
I have an old MTB I gained from a friend who left it to me as payment for things I bought for him while he was sailing a small yacht around the world.  I used it for ages to take the kids shopping with a Tag-Along.  I used that bike on the Gong Ride.

A young Keith on a Tandem with my brother Andrew

My wife found a T bar thing on the footpath in a Council Cleanup.  It worked and has skinnier tyres than the MTB, so I started riding that.  Some of you will have seen it – described as my paddock basher.  Weighs 15kg like the MTB.
I have an Aluminium Giant Defy I. The one most of you will have seen.  Much lighter than the other two.  I’m concerned I’ll wear it out pretty quickly clocking up over 1000 km a month.

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Riding around Sydney is growing on me.  It doesn’t scare me as much as when I first started.  Should I still be scared?  OK, I’m still scared, I started off terrified.  The Red Flag event from Merimbula to Mt K is most appealing.  As a skiing nut (see below), I like alpine style challenges and that ride certainly does it.

6, Tell us a riding story (or two).
About 20 years ago, I did an over-night riding trip with an outdoor group called SPAN. (Doesn’t stand for anything. Means unlimited SPAN of activities.) It was four days in the Barrington Tops.  The biggest hill was 1300m straight up.  Had to push the bike up over your head while on foot.  Jam the brakes on.  Take two steps up.  Repeat.  The ride down was worth it.  I fell off going over a causeway in soft mud.  I did well lining up a touchdown on some soft greenery on my back.  Perfect flat landing skidding along a bit so that my tee shirt rolled up my back exposing it fully – to the stinging nettles – the green.   The pain was – well.  So I just got back on the bike and rode off without a word – what could I say?

Another story: I was holidaying with our kids on a farm near Gloucester. I had the Tag-Along and took Keith for a Climb up Tipperary Mountain.  It was up a very steep dirt road.  As we approached a high ridge, a storm broke with thunder, lightning and horizontal rain. (Keith was 4 years old.) I thought “He won’t like getting too wet, so we’d better head back.”  I took the direct route down, knowing it was fairy safe, having driven it in a Land rover previously.  The grass was about 2.5 feet tall.  This made for a relatively slow descent.  But the grass was hiding all the cow pats which were slippery and sprayed up every where.  The descent was so steep I had to hang off the back of the bike, as you do on steep stuff.  The rain was pelting in so that we were soaked on just one side.  Somewhere on the way down, one of the buttons on my shirt popped, allowing the bike seat to get into the front of my shirt.  When we got to a flat bit near the bottom, I found I was stuck hanging out the back of the bike with the seat jammed inside my shirt.  While this was happening, Keith was yelling “Yeee Harrr! Hey dad, get your wet bottom out of my face.” at the top of his voice.

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
It’s like when you are skiing (see below) in a white out.  If the guy in front suddenly disappears, you know its time to stop or take evasive action to avoid that cornice or white ute.  You only get that by riding at the back.

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
I believe back country skiing is the second best way to start the day – you know – snow camping.  The breathtaking scenery, the need to get moving fast so you can warm up in the morning, the exhilaration of going so fast with such little effort.  Skiing in Sydney is a bit hard.  Bike riding is a very good proxy.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself

Originally English, was transported here in the mid eighties, and brought tears to Bob Hawke’s eyes as he swore me in as an Aussie citizen on the Bicentennial Australia Day. ( Well it was actually September that year but I like the story ) Known to stretch as much value out of as few facts as possible my role as Scribe seems to suit ER purposes well.. Any serious attempt at acquiring wealth has been thwarted by expensive hobbies, Aviation first love, unrequited and divorced once children and mortgage took first precedence.. Divorce…what more needs to be said, and now flirting with the mistress Cycling.

2. What got you into cycling?

See above. Very few things can deliver so much pleasure for so little cost. When gym membership is a stretch too far after mortgage and kids, there is nothing like a good hard ride to put a spring back into your strides.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?

I was pedalling on the Pacific Highway and was overtaken by HB, once he heard I was heading into town, there was no getting away, I had to follow him and onto the back of the ER peloton, ( then consisting of about 5 regular riders ).. then spent the next twelve months being coached by Satnav to hang in there..no one could be as slow as me forever.

4. Tell us about your bikes.

Giant CXR3 …Silver, flat bar, mudguards, panniers, retired to a life of leisure and currently accompanies me to the shops for the weekly groceries..named Doris by Bullet at a time when irreverent and non PC jokes were rare.

Giant TCR Advanced1..black, imported from the UK this was a first serious carbon fibre bike. It catapulted me from the rear of the peloton all the way to about half way up the ranks..so shot to mediocrity. Once I went to have a proper bike fitting it was soon described as “too big” and  the search for a more shapely and svelte model was on, reluctantly I set foot inside the Turramurra Cyclery, only to be released once they had introduced me to a new Italian, with curves in all right places, and price tag YHC could actually afford.

[editor’s note – BT has been extremely restrained here not mentioning the Giant’s bottom bracket problems]

Wilier Izoard XP 2010 …White with go faster red stripes on it..loves to be ridden in the French countryside, has mounted some of the iconic TDF cols, and is now earning its keep along the one true path.

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I think it should be possible to ride the entire world, apart from the wet bits there is road joining just about every major city on the planet…Sydney to London ( only about 15000 km which is  a year and a half of  daily OTP mileage )

6, Tell us a riding story.

“There I was, nothing on the clock but the makers name, sucking the last remaining vapours from the tanks..” sorry that was an aviation one…

One frosty morning in June a couple of years ago, I was heading to Gordon as one does, and as it was dark, bitterly cold, I decided to kick the pace up a notch to generate a little heat..on the slope off the railway bridge going towards Asquith, I realised there was a car on a collision course coming in from the left, so as I had the give way sign, ( since changed to a stop sign ) I hit the brakes hard…both wheels locked up no braking, somehow I managed to turn side on and put a BT shaped dent into the driver’s side door…ended up bouncing off, unable to get feet out of the cleats, and hit the deck with the other hip…with 2 “dead legs” I was assisted off the bike by two passers by, and the driver…they wanted to call the ambos but I had already called the wife …one of the most difficult conversations to have while slightly concussed, shocked and with a possible deep vein thrombosis swelling nicely..

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?

Caveman used to slide off the back to offer me this pearl of wisdom..”You gotta try like hell on the hills and take what respite you can get on the downside.”

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.

I also enjoy reading books / studies about diet, food, nutrition, and will talk ad nauseam on this very subject given half a chance..

1. Tell us a bit about yourself

I am 41 years old and 6’2” tall. I am not keen on Baked Beans which means I am often ostracised by my family at the dinner table.

2. What got you into cycling?

Between Christmas and New Year last year the widening of the Boundary Road rail bridge meant there were no train services to the City. Welchy and I struck out on our bikes and made heavy work of the light vacation traffic. I could not be bothered to get out of the habit of riding and have cycled ever since.

3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?

SatNav rode beside me as I struggled up a hill one evening and suggested I could be breathless in good company.

4. Tell us about your bikes.

I have a silver road bike and a heavy grey one. Neither of them have nicknames yet.

5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?

In and around Sydney

6, Tell us a riding story.

Back in the UK, a week before our second son was born, I was rushing home. I executed a 90 degree right hand bend too quickly and came off and broke my arm. It threw our birthing plans out a bit as I could not drive Suzanne to the hospital so she ended up having William at home, on the bed where it all started. Does that qualify for two riding stories ?

7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?

Perhaps consider leaving home a few minutes earlier ?

8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.

I went on a German game show in the early 90’s and went on to win a Rubik’s Cube and a date with a girl from Finland