Introducing...
Every month, we introduce some of the Kingston Wheelers and Luke Wallis is here for July 2009, an appropriate month since if July rhymes with the Tour de France, Luke's been making a name for himself in stage races, whether locally on the slopes on Leith Hill or in South Wales. A contender for the most improved rider of the year, he's moving up the categories with ease.
Name: Luke Wallis
Age: 20
Date you joined the Club: Around October 2007 I think.
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers?I enjoyed the laid back, friendly atmosphere when I joined on my first few club runs and the routes through Surrey. Also being quite near to Kingston helped...
What made you start cycling?The cliche of enjoying the freedom cycling gives you I think and I like the fact that the harder you work the faster you get, in theory anyway.
What bike do you ride? My race bike is a Trek Madone 5.2 but I have changed the wheels and a few other things, Trek 5000 as a training/bad weather bike and a Specialized Langster for commuting.
Give us a brief cycling background: I got my first proper bike which was a scott steel hardtail when I was 10 which I had for quite a few years I started riding bmx after being inspired by watching Matt Hoffman on TV at around 13 and got really into it up until about 2007 until I found out about road cycling and gave it a bit more attention and realized I like pedalling bikes really fast , I started racing last year in july and am really enjoying it at the moment and looking forward to plenty more seasons.
What was your best performance or ride?I really enjoyed riding the Sigma Sport Easter 3-Day this year and riding the L'Etape de la Defonce with the Surrey League in Wales, that was a really good experience but my best performance this season so far was finishing 5th overall in the Pearson’s 5-Day Jaunts and second on the last stage which finished up Leith Hill I didn’t quite have the legs to get to the line first narrowly missing out on a stage win but I was really pleased with second and the excellent team work from Jim, Stewie and Damien throughout the race, maybe next time!
What was your worst day on the bike? Definately last year out for a sunny (at the time) training ride in the surrey lanes in bibshorts and jersey and I got caught in a massive hail/thunderstorm halfway through. I've never been so cold on a bike riding back home, ever.
Who is your favourite pro or inspiration? Too many to list but a few would be Robert Millar, Carlos sastre, Jens Voigt, Mark Cavendish. Any rider thats faster than me motivates me to improve.
What is your favourite bike food? Most of it!
Where is your favourite cycling location? I enjoy riding in the Surrey hills/lanes and oxford is quite nice too. I havent had the chance to travel abroad yet this year but I am hoping to go to France and Mallorca in the near future.
Most likely to say: "How's it going?"
Least likely to say: "Can I stop riding now?"
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