Steve ‘Beethoven’

By Debbie on August 18, 2017
Swains Lane - Steve 'Bison' - London Baroudeur Profile

Slicing Swain’s Lane – UHC 2017

Cycling name?

Beethoven.

Why do you ride your bike?
It gives me the freedom to express myself in which ever way I see fit. It’s my companion; my gateway to adventure and exploration. It’s my source of meditation and how I choose to free my mind.
SPACE
Favourite place to ride?
Every open road.

Breakaway - Steve 'Bison' - London Baroudeur Profile

The Breakaway

Up or down mountains? 
Descending is the reward you get for all of the suffering you go through on the climbs. I like to work for my rewards.
SPACE
Favourite climb? 
Would “Bison Hill” in the Chilterns be too much of a cliché?
SPACE
What song/tune/music goes through your head while riding? 
1. When on the flat: “Never gonna give you up” by Rick Astley
SPACE
Best moments?

– Cruising through three states in one day along the Atlantic coast (Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine…route 1…do it!). Doesn’t get much better than that.

– Riding around the Burgundy countryside with my in-laws. Navigating the hills of Curtil-Saint-Seine on the outskirts of Dijon and the farmlands around Autrey les Grays. Celebrating with a Trappist upon completion. C’est la vie!

– My first ride round trip to Brighton with the B’s…in February.

– The 2017 Tour of Cambridgeshire (ToC): even though I missed qualifying by 40 seconds and faced two mechanicals, there’s something magical about riding on closed roads past crowds of people actually interested in what you’re doing.

TTT - Steve 'Bison' - London Baroudeur Profile

Beethoven leading the pain-train at ToC

How long does it take you to change a flat?
Depends on the weather condition.
SPACE
Advice to a new cyclist?
Don’t be put off by getting dropped or riding with others who are faster than you. The only way to progress is to get dropped so much that you get sick and tired of getting dropped, you work on it, and eventually start dropping everyone else.
Also, use chamois cream.
SPACE
Steel, Carbon or Ti?
Carbon but it cracks (once so far).
SPACE
Grand tours or Classics?
Classics all the way.
SPACE
Gels or potatoes? 
Potatoes. Baked.
SPACE
Headwind or rain? 
Rain when it’s warm, headwind never.
SPACE
I wish I had been told that…
Literally everything…But even if I had been told everything there is about cycling at the outset, I probably would’ve quit. My opinion is that it’s better to learn by doing. Ask after.
Buffalo all over this wall - Steve 'Bison' - London Baroudeur Profile

Beethoven at home

What is it like being a Baroudeur? 
It’s like…really, awesome.
SPACE
Advice to someone wanting to join the Baroudeurs?
Our club is a community. We’re not the biggest nor do we strive to be. If you are looking to join us, show up, work hard and have fun, regardless of the weather conditions. That’s what cycling is all about.
SPACE
What does your cycling future hold?

I’ve had my first taste of racing crits and Gran Fondo’s.  It’s tough work, but I always leave smiling.  The Baroudeurs team training is great before getting into work, and the Sunday Club Rides are always fun.

I had a bad crash during a criterium this year and broke my bike. Probably won’t get too involved in crit’s moving forward but will continue to participate in several road races and grand fondo’s. Also, if I get the chance, I’d like to do some endurance rides, but time is of the essence. One in particular that I’d really like to do is Strykeprøven: from Trondheim to Oslo (543km & 3627m of climbing): http://styrkeproven.no/en/races/trondheim

I’m now looking forward to seeing how I can develop in the team and make a stab at contesting for races.  My connection with France also gives me the opportunity to explore the mountains we all read about and cheer on The Tour.  I can’t wait to get out there and mix it up on either road or gravel.

:: Meet more of the Baroudeurs

 

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