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.