Cycling Name?
Ragnar (Lodbrok or Lothbrok)
Why do you ride your bike?
It started for health. Now its an addiction. I get enormous physical and mental health benefits: exercise, events, competitions, achievements, beautiful places and friendship.
Favourite place to ride?
I take a bike everywhere I go so this is a tough choice! Namibia was unique, but I think riding with friends in Yorkshire comes out top.
Up or down mountains?
Around. Yes, definitely around. Flat is where I come into my own.
Best moments?
The “560km in 24 hours” Styrkeprøven challenge on midsummers day in Norway with Baroudeurs Mark and Steve was very special. There are days when I come out of Regents Park at 7am grinning in my heart.
How long does it take you to change a flat?
5 minutes with a tube then 10 minutes when it goes down again. 2 mins with tubeless.
Advice to a new cyclist?
Learn to eat and drink ahead of need. If you get in to cycling in groups your fitness will rise quickly but you will still fall behind if you haven’t keep yourself fuelled. Ignore the “one banana and cup of water”, folks.
Steel, Carbon, Alu, Magnesium, or Ti?
You can have a great time on all of them, but most of mine are carbon, except the odd steel classic.
Grand Tours or Classics?
I hope there are some grand tours in 2021 because my wife loves to watch them and I like to join her.
Gels or potatoes?
Everything, I eat anything within reach.
Fav pro, or retired pro?
Tommy Simpson: old school cycling nutter. But don’t follow his nutritional regime….
Headwind or rain?
Headwind: stronger the better. Ride out into the headwind, turn back, and fly like a god.
Disc or rims?
Mmmh! All my bikes have rim brakes and they are great. Except I just bought a bike with disc brakes for wet days in the hills. When I went back onto the rim brakes I thought my cables had snapped..…
I wish I had been told that…
A bike is for life, not just for summer days.
What is it like being a Baroudeur? (Not a trick question)
It’s whatever you want it to be. I like the advice, challenge and camaraderie but if you want you can just keep it social.
What advice would you give someone wanting to join the Bs?
Come and ride with us.
GC prediction for 2021?
I will have to ask my wife for her prediction as she knows the form.
What’s cycling got for you in 2021
Time Trials. I really miss time trials: 20, 60 or 120 minutes of just you and the bike.
:: Meet more of the Baroudeurs
