Introducing...
Every month, we introduce one of the Kingston Wheelers. Naz Peralta is here for January 2006. He knows the Surrey Lanes like few others and could rival a satellite navigation system, only he'd outlast the batteries too. Just back from a cycle tour of Cuba, he's ridden in many places across the world. No doubt you'll meet him on many a Sunday club run.
Naz in Cuba, part of his build up to the Sporting 14
Name: Narayan Peralta, known as "Naz" to most or "Jupiler Kid" to the Ghent posse.
Age: 31 now, physical peak apparently.
Significant Others: A few in the past, but not at the moment.
Why made you start cycling? The lure of meeting lycra-clad beauties. The reality is more cake stops with middle aged men.
Why did you join Kingston Wheelers? Moved back to Surbiton in autumn 2003 after a few years at uni and living in Winchester and central London. Had not been in a club up until then but fancied getting to know the ropes a bit more.
Date you joined the Club: December 2003. Saw the Kingston Wheelers congregating for a club run on the Portsmouth Road when I was going out on a Sunday morning tour of the few Surrey lanes that I knew at that point. Contacted the club shortly afterwards. My first club run was the Christmas Club Run in December 2003. I declined the pub stop afterwards, which from all accounts was fairly legendary, ill-fated and led to the introduction of the "Best Reason for Not Riding Your Bike" trophy.
Who is your favourite pro or inspiration? I would love Jan Ullrich to win the Tour one more time. At about the time I started watching the Tour on TV it was 1996/97 when Ulle was up and coming and making people suffer. Since then he has been the perennial underdog. He also has a vulnerable side that has seen him get into a bit of trouble now and again, which somehow seems more normal than simply being a cycling machine like some other riders.
What bike do you ride? A Specialized Roubaix full carbon with Ultegra and Ksyriums SSCs as a winter bike, and the same bike the rest of the year. Also a Specialized Allez Pro sits proudly on the turbo trainer chez Peralta. Following recent trip to Cuba, will probably invest in a mountain bike for future touring holidays. If I get decent enough TT times during 2006 I would also like a flat out aero speed machine.
Give us a brief cycling background: Started cycling aged about 25, doing day trips to Brighton and hopping on the train back. Since then have taken part in many charity rides including 100s and London to Birmingham. Have also holidayed with my bike in many places, New Zealand, the US, France and Spain many times, the Lake District, Scotland and now Cuba. Since joining the Wheelers I have dabbled in club runs, trips to Belgium and a few time trials - I plan to do a few more events this year and am targetting sub-24 minutes for 10 miles and sub-62 minutes for 25 miles.
What was your best performance? Having only done a single season of time trialling (in 2005) I am hoping to improve my times in 2006, but my best performance was probably my first sub 25 minute 10. I was also please to complete the 145 mile London to Birmingham charity ride about three years ago, still the longest ride I have ever done. My best day on a bike was with a former girlfriend when we cycled to the summit of the col de Galibier from the Maurienne valley in the French Alps. It took many hours, many café stops and many white lies about how far it was to the top to climb from 400m in the valley to 2650m. The weather was perfect and the views at the summit spectacular, a great day's riding.
What was your worst day on the bike? Tour of Flanders randonnee 2004. 90 miles with a hangover in cold damp drizzly weather. Crashed and broke ribs with 45 miles to the finish. Suffered like a dog up the remaining climbs as I couldn't breathe properly. Enough said really.
What is your favourite race food? I only do TTs up to about 30 miles so food isn't really an issue. On club runs my favourite is probably carrot cake from Abinder Hammer Post Office café. Off the bike I'll eat anything as long as it's veggie.
Where is your favourite cycling location? French Alps, Andalucia, the cobbled climbs of Flanders and of course the Surrey Hills. Richmond Park is also good on early summer mornings.
Most likely to say: "See you on the club run."
Least likely to say: "See you at Hillingdon."
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