Introducing...
Every month, we introduce one of the Kingston Wheelers and Gerry Rosen is here for February 2008 along with Ruhina Miller. He describes himself as a big boned cabbie and took up cycling after being asked if he was pregnant. Obstacles don't deter him, he's fought off cancer and will be riding the Etape du Tour this summer, a challenge that's motivating not just him, many others in the club are excited by his progress.
Time remaining until the Etape du Tour:
Please sponsor me. To find out more about sponsorship and the Etape de Gezza, click here.
Name: Gerry Rosen, also known as Gezza, Gez, Gezebel, Geremiah, Gezzard, Geraldo, Rosen.
Age: Put it this way, mid to upper 30's.
Significant others: On and off with a girl called Pavla (nothing to do with club member Pavla Korycankova, Rob Leslie's other half), she's been doing my ironing for four years and cleaning my house.
What made you start cycling?After an embarrasing moment in front of a family gathering of 15 people, my niece, like a true proffesional seven year old came out with... "Uncle Gerry, you're having a baby soon"....(cue tumbleweed). Plus I have been in remission for Testicular Cancer for almost 10 years and get totally discharged on 13 February, so as a thank you, I want to give something back to the hospital(University College) that i've been under.
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers?I was on the old Cycling Plus forum, asking about advice on cycling and I had the username URRRRRRRS (it's to do with QPR who co-incidentally are the richest club in the world now !!!!) and someone from the club who also posted on that site asked if I supported QPR, because he did as well, we got talking and I asked about cycling clubs and joining and as they say, the rest is history.
Date you joined the Club: Bastille Day 2007.
What bike do you ride? I have at the moment a Specialized Tricross 2006 (still going even under my weight) but will be in the market at the end of March for a new bike for the Etape du Tour. I am looking at the range of Spesh Roubaix's but knowing me that will change as the weeks go by!!
Give us a brief cycling background: Apart from visiting Condor Cycles back in 2003 to purchase a MTB for £700, using it four times in three years, my cycling backround up until May last year was a big fat zero. Sorry, forgot, I did a days heli-mountain biking in Queestown,New Zealand, January of last year, does that count?
What was your best performance?Watch this space...
What was your worst day on the bike? So on my very first outing with a club member, Will Meers to be precise, it's pouring with rain,a p******* on Whitedown Hill whilst travelling at 38mph, gear cables knackered, can't change gears properly whilst attempting my very first climb of Ranmore Hill, I rest my case!!!!!
Who is your favourite pro or inspiration? Not so much a favourite pro,but i seem to remember in 1987 or thereabouts,the TDF and a certain Gert-Jan Theunisse powering his way up a mountain (no idea which one) in a polka dot jersey, long straggily hair and thought WOW! It's still etched in my mind. But for true inspiration there can only be one person, a certain Lance Armstrong of Austin Texas. We both suffered from Testicular Cancer, I was diagnosed with Stage 1, which is in its earliest form, whilst Lance had Stage 3 which is the most advanced form, to go through what he did with a 50/50 chance of survival, to come back fitter and stronger, to knock all the doubters and win seven titles. It's quite an achievement. So if Lance can do seven, I can do one (stage that is!!)
What is your favourite bike food? Peaselake flapjacks are pretty tasty!
Where is your favourite cycling location? Until this year's excursions to France. so far it's Queenstown New Zealand, the scenery is staggering.
Most likely to say: nothing: whilst out on the bike, me and talking do not mix! Otherwise it's just plain gibberish.
Least likely to say: "Let's do a Coombe Bottom, Leith Hill, Crocknorth Hill, Ranmore and Box Hill special"
Gerry has his own online diary on this site, chronicling his steps from newcomer to - hopefully - Etape finisher. Click here to read more.
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