Introducing...
Every month, we introduce some of the Kingston Wheelers and here for February 2010 is Glenn Chamberlin. But sometimes we go beyond the club membership to interview someone else and to mark the start of the 2010 racing season we bring you Dan Martin as well.
Dan is a pro rider and member of the Garmin-Transitions squad, an ace climber with a collection of impressive wins and placings to his name already. Glenn on the other hand...
Name: Glenn Chamberlin
Age: 35
Any significant others? Janine and a dual nationality future classics winner due in July.
Date you joined the Club: Early 2005 I think
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers?answer as everyone really. New to the area, always lost, decided to contact a couple of clubs and James was easily the most helpful. Knew I’d found the right club on my first club run, when Ben Cousins said “bye then” as we reached the bottom of the first hill and I was unceremoniously dropped.
What made you start cycling?My Dad was obsessed with all sports, and was an on/off cyclist to keep fit. So I was lucky to have a go at loads of things growing up, biking seems to have stuck (or I’m stuck with it.)
What bike do you ride? Mainly a Colnago EP, sometimes a Colnago Technos, Occasionally a Focus cross bike. Just been given a bright red Kronan Transport bike with proper racks tho, thinking of entering the hill climb on it next year.
Give us a brief cycling background: Started mountain biking more seriously around 2000 (loads of great offroad stuff where I’m from) bought a road bike to do some different training and went from there. Have done the Raid Pyrenean, Flanders, Marmotte, Ventoux Cinglés, Ardechoise and some other smaller stuff. Planning to fill in a couple of gaps in my palmarès this year.
What was your best performance or ride?Last day of the Raid in 04 the ride along the coast into Cerbere ended up being a life changing experience. Decided then to move South and change career (after a beer obviously).
What was your worst day on the bike? Struggling with this question, Flanders last year was a bit of a shambles though.
Who is your favourite pro or inspiration? Johan Museeuw, I realise there’s a ‘slight’ cloud hanging over many of his victories but the Mapei Paris-Roubaix 1/2/3 in 1996, was pretty iconic. (and like any good cycling fan I can overlook outside influences).
What is your favourite bike food? Pasta and red wine. Used to great effect with Chris 'Salty' Salt half way round the Ardechoise a couple of years ago.
Where is your favourite cycling location? Top part of the Muur van Geraardsbergen as you ride through the posts and up the steepest part. It's the famous part where all the pictures are taken, as it traditionally decides the winner of Flanders (until Devolder got involved). Makes the hairs on your neck stand up as you ride up it.
Most likely to say: "This month I’m going to do some constructive training and loose some weight.".
Least likely to say: "Last month I did some constructive tr..."
... Glenn's been responsible for the kit you ride in, helping to design and managing the orders for the kit. The Teesider weighs in close to 90kgs but last summer he was one of the first Wheelers home in the Marmotte, in part thanks to expert descending skills but there's also a big engine there too.
Previous interviews
Kingston Wheelers ©2009 | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Links