Who are you and tell us a little about yourself?

I am Mike W. aka visionset, ex analytical chemist, ex teacher, now software developer.  Climber, alpinist, fell runner, orienteer, sailor, skier and now cyclist all coupled with obsessive map poring.  Active at various times in all disciplines, though at heart I’m a mountain lover and cycling is definitely a lesser love. Closer to home there is off-road running and cycling, both fit in well with my young family.  Cycling gives me what Adam calls the man & machine element.  Whilst running gives bigger endorphine highs and greater athletic satisfaction. Running in the hills gives that plus the Zen highs of mastery mountain goat style.  Before kids I usually had some DIY project on the go:  built a kit car, knocking 2 rooms in to one, rewired house, installed combi boiler and log burner etc.

What’s your motivation to get on your bike?

To be outdoors whilst revelling  in what my body can do. And if I can point my bike at my beloved Peak, all the better (notice there is no ‘S’ on the end of Peak?!)

What brought you into cycling?

Having very little money to keep my Golf GTI on the road during the last career change.  Invested in a modern (though harsh & unrefined ali) bike, and rode to Eastwood to teach in the evenings and to Lady Bay along the canal for my first IT job. I then made the decision to take it more seriously instead of climbing whilst the kids were young, since it is more efficient use of time.

What are your short, medium and long term cycling goals?

Rough stuff aside I like it all, so this is hard.
Short term recover from hamstring tendonitis, and rectify inherent problems to stop it happening again.
I love endurance and have some strange masochistic pleasure in huge mileage, so Paris-Brest-Paris in 2011 is an idea.
I love to really push it at sportive distances in the hills, so getting top placings in respected sportives.
Beating cycling buddy Phil in all respects.

Do you have any strengths / weaknesses on the bike?

My hamstrings are appalling.  Average all-rounder really,  pretty handy in the hills.

What was your first bike?

Some red thing with white wheels and then a Commando. Dad bought me a Dawes tourer that I didn’t appreciate, don’t remember riding much and sold eventually, replacing with a Raleigh Burner BMX when I was about 15.  I never could do any tricks on it.

And what is the favourite bike that you have owned?

Kinesis Racelight TK, despite the SRAM groupset that I really don’t get on with. It is just such a do everything bike. I have it set up as a winter bike with full guards, but I was going to take them off and race it in Crits.  It is more fun to ride than my carbon Spesh Roubaix, and not that far off as comfortable.

What bike/s do you currently own?

2008 Kinesis Racelight TK with SRAM Rival and Mavic Aksiums.
2008 Specialized Roubaix Expert with Shimano Ultegra and pimped Easton EA90 SLX.
1988 Raleigh Equipe replaced the Burner and is now the kids trailer puller.

If money were no object what bike would you buy?

Duuno, I wouldn’t go mad. I’d get bang for buck and probably stay clear of the Pinerwhatsits etc. Latest idea was a 2010 Dura Ace Focus Izalco. I’m hoping it is less harsh than they have been said to be in the past.

What disciplines of our sport do you take part in and to what degree do you participate? (ie road / mtb /cross)

All road – Sportive, TT and Endurance challenges (touring without the sightseeing).

What’s your funniest moment/thing you’ve seen whilst on a bike?

this

Do you have any favourite rides?

I love Crich! To there and on to Alport Heights, Winster, Youlgreave, Monyash, Chrome Hill, Longnor, Sheen, down Monsal Dale and then a TT style dash down the A52 back home.  Awesome,  everyone must do this ride!

Have you achieved any significant rides?

13th in 2009 Epic, 4th in 2009 ToB Stoke Sportive. LeJog in 8 days and 166 miles Skeg ‘n’ back in a 1er. Do quite well in hill climbs too.

Describe your ideal ride.

The hillier, longer and more remote the better, however, the Peak is as remote as it’s got so far. If a competitive element can be added to the mix, be that other sportive riders or a pasting a buddy, all the better!

What is your favourite bit of kit?

In climbing it is my Macpac pursuit rucksack.  Cycling – I can’t help but me constantly disappointed by the ill conceived, poorly functioning, low quality tat available. If pushed I’d probably say my Easton EA90 slx wheelset, though it pains me to say it, my Assos bibs are pretty good too.

Where is your favourite café?

Has to be the Old Smithy at Monyash now that Stoney’s Lover’s Leap is closed.

What do you do when it rains?

First I do a then I usually go and get cold and wet. Followed by a more satisfying than usual shower and sofa, tea & cake session.

Do you do the walk, do the talk, are you a gear freak or fashion victim?

Well I do talk a geat deal about what I’m going to do, and then I walk some of it. I’m definitely neither of the latter two.

What wouldn’t we know about you just by looking at you?

I can get totally lost in a  good old musical.  I love Cabaret.
I’m also quite creative and really don’t think that could be guessed!

What activities could Beeston CC do that would be of interest to you?

Be good to see a few more endurance folk. Oh and the application of large mudguards

Is there anything else about you, that you would care to share?

I have been attacked by a squirrel whilst ousting its babies from a tree.
I have caused numerous huge explosions, not least the last one where I dropped a spanner across the terminals of a car battery, thence showering myself, all my tools and the kit car I’d just built in sulphuric acid.