MY TRAINING SPACE
I’ve been cycling a very long time –I bought my first proper bike from Halfords when I was 14, in 1963.
The money to buy it was earned from my paper round, and I remember delivering copies of Cycling Weekly, stopping to pore over articles about Tom Simpson whenever I got the chance.
When the weather was good, I’d ride to school in Bexleyheath, 15 miles away.
I’ve owned a bike ever since.
Running became my main sport in my 30s and 40s, seeking out ever harder challenges, from cross-country to mountain marathons to triathlons. But then in my 50s, a foot injury prompted me to return to cycling, and here I am in my 70s still riding, with no regrets. We had moved to Retford in 1983, and about a decade ago, I joined Harworth & District Cycling Club – Tom Simpson’s old club. I hit the training hard, doing 12,000 miles a year until three years ago.
We had an annex next door, above our garages, which last year we converted into a gym – with a Tom Simpson theme. I stripped it back to the bare brick and completed the conversion over the next three months. My wife Beryl and I wanted a space that would be light, airy and motivating. It’s been fabulous for us both.
I train mostly to be fit for club rides and overseas trips; I’ve cycled Mont Ventoux many times. Nowadays I ride indoors about three times a week all year round. Cycling is all about enjoyment for me – if I’m not going to enjoy it, I don’t do it.
PROFILE
Age: 74
Height: 5ft 10in
FTP: 200W
Rides for: Harworth and District CC
Lives: Retford, Nottinghamshire
Occupation: Retired civil engineer
Proudest cycling achievement: Cycled from the Channel to the Med three times, most recently two years ago; rode 200 miles twice in one week aged 70
JULIET BALCONY
We fitted glass doors, which open out onto a balcony overlooking our garden and paddock. It’s a nice view, when I’m not looking at the screen
MULTI-GYM & KETTLEBELLS
Motivated by strength training articles in Cycling Weekly, I bought this Bowflex multi-gym, which adds resist
