1. Tell us a bit about yourself
When I was young I was not allowed to have a bike but was allowed to have a scooter. So on weekends off I went on what I thought were long rides down to the bush at Chatswood Golf Course. I was gone for 3 – 4 hours and my parents never really knew where I was. That is where I learnt one is not a lonely number.
Later in life took myself off on day walks in the Blue Mtns. One day just stopped myself short from falling over a 30m cliff. After that thought bushwalking alone was dangerous. So took up solo skiing for 20 years. Then started to go with others but decided that was too dangerous also when one trip I lost my skiing buddy in a whiteout! I rang my sympathetic wife Annette (Mrs Newell for some of you) to tell her I will not be home as lost my ski buddy and need S&R to find him dead or alive. She said don’t be silly you are parked outside the house. The Doctor in the medical centre flirting with the nurse did not help my cause. Annette heard the giggling in the background. it was only when I rang the second time did she believe me that I was not coming home that night.
2. What got you into cycling?
Hating to drive in Sydney traffic and staying fit for skiing. Meeting this guy called Nick who was my inspiration15 years ago who made me work a little harder than just going at my pace. He also said there will be a group forming in the near future and they will be wearing egg and tomato kits.
If you think riding on the cycle way over the bridge is something special you should try the actual deck which I used to do every morning going to North Sydney pool from Clint territory. Till one fog bound May I almost ran into a broken down car. Thought if I cannot see the car then how could a driver see me!
3. How did you come to join the Easy Riders?
25 years of cycling generally on own got to me one February at lights on Pacific Highway at Roseville. Saw a group of guys wearing egg and tomato. Jumped the lights and landed next to SatNav who promptly gave me the hard sell. The rest of the ride home was a bit of a flogging for me but joined the group the next day at Gordon and have not looked back since.
4. Tell us about your bikes.
Scooter (does that count as a bike – got two wheels) broke in two on a steep downhill run. Managed to run down the hill holding the handle bar and front wheel. Cannot remember what happened to the back section.
First real bike was a Raleigh bought from Grace Bros in Canberra and served by a Mrs Slocombe look alike of Are You Being Served.
Next went for a hybrid and used to be flogged by this guy called Nick.
Next was my SS that I still have and which has been rebuilt about 2.5 times.
My pride and join is my Colnago that was stored next to the good wife’s car for 3 months before she noticed.
5. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Good question. Somewhere where there is a positive incline that goes for kms and kms without a downhill section.
6. Tell us a riding story.
Living in Canberra I was a only a few kms from work so used to go in opposite direction to add the kms on. Later on found some hills to also include in my commute. One day was riding up this hill, head down (as one does) and the next thing I know I’m in the middle of the road. No injuries to me or the bike, but there was some poor sod in the gutter and he looked like he had just been hit by a bike. I laughed but he was not impressed. He was walking up the hill because it was too steep!
7. Do you have any advice for the riders at the back of the ER peloton?
Stay with SatNav or get up front of peloton, but whatever you do, I repeat whatever you do stay away from Zlatko!
8. Lastly, tell us something we don’t know about you.
I don’t really like the cold but camp out in the snow and have a fear of drowning although I used to swim 4km each day at North Sydney pool religiously. I also don’t like needles, just like the nurses at the other end.