1. Tell us a bit about yourself
Aside from hanging out with a bunch of old blokes with pony tails (Le Bullet – it is truly an honour) I am studying a Doctor of Physiotherapy and I am trying to tackle the German language in my free time. Most in the peloton will know me only as Simba.
2. What got you into cycling?
Unfortunately I have had a mid-life crisis at the ripe old age of 22. A series of injuries including stress fractures in the back, shoulder surgery and a broken leg, combined with a slightly worrying new interest in Kenny G albums and red wine have led me to embrace the transition from 22 to 47 years old and take up cycling in the process.
3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?
Many may be unaware that I am actually a direct descendant of one of the original FM’s (Captain). Dad’s constant incorporation of cycling terms such as ‘rolling’, ‘car back’ and ‘runner up’ into everyday life provided the initial spark in seeing if the morning roll along the One True Path truly was the second best way to start the day. Having an Egg and Tomato of my own was also a large incentive.
4. Tell us about your bikes.
I ride an Avanti Giro 3. It is a great first bike to start out on and I’m loving every km spent on it.
5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Places like Alpe d’Huez, Mount Tourmalet and the Stelvio would be amazing however I can’t go past a casual stroll out to Palmy and back (maybe throwing in Akuna Bay and West Head) and finishing at the Bilgola beach cafe for an Egg & Bacon Roll and a coffee.
6, Tell us a riding story.
Having only had 3 months in the saddle I don’t think I’ve had the time to develop any good riding stories. I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone in the ER so hopefully a few memorable stories are to come.
7. Do you have any advise for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Well I think a lot of the guys at the back of the peloton (a.k.a. Sat Nav) seem to be the best riders in the pack so I’m not sure I’m going to be much help there. If I have one piece of advice for Sat Nav it would be to lose some of that calf size. Those things must weigh him down on the hills.
8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
I spent 3 months last year in Africa doing surgery and lived for a week with David Livingstone (the Great Great Grandson of the David Livingstone). Dad obviously thought it was funny for me to ask “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” It didn’t get quite the reception that Dad believed it deserved.