Introducing...
Every month, we introduce one of the Kingston Wheelers. Matt Atherfold is here for March 2006. He's a recently new member of the club. In the past year, he's experienced the highs and lows of cycling, from finishing the Etape du Tour to breaking his collarbone on the Old Kent Road. Now he's looking to race and hopes to move up to third category soon.
Name: Matthew Atherfold
Age: 30
Significant Others: Girlfriend, Claire.
Why made you start cycling? I guess my interest stemmed from watching the legendary 30 minute coverage of the Tour de France on Channel 4. Plus I was lucky enough to go to Paris to watch the last stage in 1991. Despite commuting to work on a mountain bike it wasn't until about three years ago that finally bought a road bike and I suppose it’s just snow balled from that point on really.
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers? I moved down to London in August and was looking for a club to join. I checked out KingstonWheelers.com and although a few miles outside of London I decided to go along to one of the club runs. The people I met were really friendly and down to earth. There seemed like a nice balance between racing and basically just enjoying cycling, which is just what I was looking for.
Date you joined the Club: September 2005.
Who is your favourite pro or inspiration? Haven't really got any inspirations but some of my favourite riders are Bobby Julich, Tom Boonen and Jan Ullrich
What bike do you ride? Built my dream bike last year - Time VXRS with Campag Record on Mavic Kysriums. Absolute delight to ride - stiff, light, responsive. I’ll probably enjoy it even more when I’ve finished paying for it… I’ve got a Pinarello Suprise for the pot holed ride that is the commute to work.
Give us a brief cycling background: I joined up with Sherwood CC back in Nottingham a year or so ago. Did a few 10 mile TTs, but mainly just went along on the club runs. Did the Etape last year. This year my goal is to move up to Cat 3.
What was your best performance? Probably finishing the etape. Despite having to walk the last 2km of the Marie Blanque due to a human log jam I still managed to get around in seven hours.
What was your worst day on the bike? End of September last year. I’d just joined up with a new cycling club (see "Date you joined the Club"). Anyway, I was on the way home from work on a Friday evening, going down the Old Kent Road. Next thing I know a jaywalking pedestrian appears from behind a parked car at point blank range. My bike was okay after the crash but that wasn’t surprising considering my shoulder must have taken 95% of the impact! In the doctor’s words at St. Thomas’ A&E: “That’s one smashed up collar bone!”
What is your favourite race food? Porridge with honey, washed down with a bit of PSP22. Take on the world after that snack.
Where is your favourite cycling location? I’d say the Pyrenees. My Dad retired over there last April. Actually I just visited him a few weeks ago. Took the bike over and rode over the Col de Portet d’Aspet and the Col de Menthe – although not long, still two typically brutal Pyrenean climbs.
Most likely to say: "Pedestrians make me nervous."
Least likely to say: "Think I’ll leave the bike outside tonight."
Previous interviews
Kingston Wheelers ©2009 | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Links