Introducing...
Every month, we introduce one of the Kingston Wheelers. Brand new member Chris Jenkins is in the hotseat for July 2006. Like many in the club, he has a background in triathlon, even doing the Ironman events. An early riser, he's been spotted at dawn lapping in Richmond Park.
Name: Chris Jenkins
Age: 31
Significant Others: Bren (wife) and Megan (one year old daughter)
What made you start cycling?Before I could drive, cycling was a quicker means of transport to and from friends' houses than walking.
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers?My wife and I moved to Kingston last year. I thought it would be good to ride with a group so I went along on a Club ride and then to the Club night and it came across as a friendly club. Also, the Willoughby Arms is now at the end of my road!
Date you joined the Club: May 2006.
What bike do you ride? Tifosi CK4. Nothing special but it's my first road bike so I love it.
Give us a brief cycling background: A bit stop start really. I cycled for exercise during University as my main interest was dinghy racing. I then spent a couple of weeks riding through Belgium and the Netherlands during the summer in 1996 - the flat bits - but then came to London to start work. Being from Wales, and not having seen traffic quite like it before, I put my bike to one side and started playing football. In 2002, I started commuting from Tooting, but stopped when we moved further out beyond commuting distance. By that point though, I'd had enough of being treated like a crash test dummy by coaches and pedestrians, and target practice for orange-throwing little oiks in Balham. My wife and I went travelling in 2003 and I decided to take up triathlon on our return in 2004 and that's when I bought my first road bike. It meant that I didn't have to put up with a two hour commute across London to play football and that I could train first thing in the morning so I had the rest of the day to enjoy (I'm an early riser). I also found that you could eat with a reasonable amount of impunity when the training was in full swing.
What was your best performance or time on the bike?I've only ever raced bikes in triathlons/duathlons and I regularly bask in mid-table glory/obscurity. My best performance, not for the result but for actually finishing, was completing The Longest Day Triathlon last year in the Black Country. The bike leg wasn't anywhere near the length of some of the cyclosportifs, but I had a great sense of achievement when I hopped off the bike after 112 miles.
What was your worst day on the bike? Again, The Longest Day. I also had very little energy left when I hopped of the bike. I rode the first 40 miles too quickly due to inexperience and I couldn't stomach the energy bars I'd loaded up with even though I'd had no problems with them in training. Then the headwinds and rain started just after the 60 mile mark and it was pretty miserable from there on in. I wasn't in great shape when I started the run leg and I was a broken man by the end of it. It took a full English breakfast and a number of Krispy Kreme doughnuts to put me back together again. I didn't get on the bike again for about a month afterwards while my knees recovered.
Who is your favourite pro or inspiration? No favourites as such. Lance Armstrong's story is incredible, but anyone who's prepared to give their absolute all for a race is worth supporting.
What is your favourite race food? Porridge and honey, coffee and squash. Gels immediately before and during the races.
Where is your favourite cycling location? I haven't ventured very far really. A ride in the Alps or the Pyrenees would be fantastic. Until then, however, the Wastwater/Eskdale/Birker Fell area of the Lake District has some great scenery and it's very peaceful.
Most likely to say: "That's a nice bike"
Least likely to say: "No scotch eggs for me, thanks."
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