Introducing...
Every month, we introduce one of the Kingston Wheelers. This month's it's the turn of ex-triathlete Ian Collins. Ian has recently moved to Geneva but he's still a keen Kingston Wheeler. He's pictured below at the top of Mont Ventoux in France.
Name: Ian Collins
Age: 34
Significant Others: Gill and Joe (14!)
What made you start cycling? Ridden since childhood and have always cycled everywhere but got into triathlon from running and fell in love with riding a bike as fast as I could.
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers? Got fed up training on my own and wanted to do some proper bike racing. The KW website encouraged me and I went along for a group ride on a Sunday. Although unfortunately I'm shortly moving away, I'm really hoping to keep in contact with the club and perhaps come back for the odd race or two in club colours.
Date you joined the Club: March 2004.
Who is your favourite pro or inspiration? I don't have an overall favourite but always enjoy watching the Spanish climbers, especially Mayo (not the Tour version though). As for inspiration, I grew up when Merckx was reaching the end of his career but still had mythological power - I was certainly inspired by the fact that it took him several amateur races to win his first. Sad how you can still dream at my age with no sign of having any athletic abilities!
What bike do you ride? Trek 2200 and when it's dry and sunny Colnago C50 (wasted on me but why let lack of talent stop you getting the bike of your dreams?).
Give us a brief cycling background: I started riding competitively in my late 20s when I raced in a lot of triathlons. While I was a rubbish swimmer I lost most time proportionately on the bike leg and so started really working on doing 40km time trials then completing the running leg. I didn't improve all that fast but I got the cycling bug big time and started riding every spare minute I had and becoming ridiculously addicted to following European pro races on the internet.
What was your best performance? Passing my cycling proficiency test first time.
What was your worst performance? Martin Newell Memorial Road Race June 2004 - dropped on the first proper climb on the first lap of 4 and rode on my own for the remaining 70kms or so, finishing a good half hour after the winner! Everyone had left the finish by the time I got there. The only good part was that I wasn't lapped. [Webmaster: unless we're supremely gifted, this happens to us all in our first race.]
What is your favourite race food? Dates and apple and cinnamon Power bars.
Where is your favourite cycling location? Geneva.
Most likely to say: "You know I don't love my bikes more than you, darling."
Least likely to say: "I only need to more points to get my 2nd cat licence."
Previous interviews
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