If you want to become a better cyclist, don't avoid the hills, says Paul Brooks, chief executive of media agency Carat. He answers our Time Out Q&A.;
First memory of riding a bike
Embarrassingly, it was a children's trike down some wooden spiral stairs as a 3-year-old. My parents have a photo of me at the top of the stairs just prior to descent. Amazingly, I emerged with just a few cuts and bruises, but nothing too serious.
How many bikes and how do you know when you have too many?
I have two bikes and there's no room left in my bike shed, so perhaps two is enough. However, there's a great website called Velominati with a formula for the number of bikes you should own: n+1, where n=the number of bikes owned.
How much did they cost?
Less than they should have. I joined together with a bunch of other riders to negotiate a bulk deal – some parallels with my job in media there.
Dream bike and equipment?
There is a new Canyon Aeroad CF SLX and that is next on my list. I've had my recent bike for more than a year, so I'm starting to get curious about the next purchase.
What kind of riding do you prefer?
Mainly recreational riding with half a dozen key events a year. I mostly ride with colleagues from the media industry, always a great way to catch up in a different environment.
Tips for becoming a better rider?
Ride with people who are better, quicker and stronger than you. And don't avoid the hills.
How many kilometres a week do you ride?
On average, between 100 and 150.
Hills or the flat?
There's no correct answer to this question. You earn the descents following your climbs.
What do you most love about cycling?
I love the early morning starts, seeing the sunrise and having a coffee at the end. Plus the exercise.
What do you dislike about cycling?
Punctures.
Who would you most like to go on a long ride with?
Bradley Wiggins. I could learn a lot about cycling from him, and I reckon I'd enjoy his company as well.
Will you ever be too old to ride?
I'd like to say yes, but the honest answer is no. I was lucky enough to be in France for the Tour recently and was riding with an Italian guy named Pip, who was 64. His nickname was The Ox. It inspired and scared me at the same time.
Favourite refuel station?
Most places on the Northern Beaches of Sydney but it's difficult to beat Church Point or the Boathouse in Palm Beach.
Favourite cycling gear?
Realistically, it's probably my Garmin and the Strava app.
Favourite ride?
Sunday mornings, heading out to Akuna Bay and West Head on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
Dream bike holiday?
I'm fortunate enough to have done two out of the three on my hitlist. La Vuelta in Spain and the Tour de France. Next up is the Giro D'Italia – a bucket list I thought I'd never do.
If you take long rides at weekends, how does your partner feel about it?
She's always worried about accidents. If I've been gone for more than 3½ hours, the calls start to come in and then I'm on the back foot for the rest of the day. She started riding recently, so now I can empathise.
Crashes? Catastrophes?
A few scrapes, but I've been lucky to avoid anything too serious. I had a pretty close call in Spain a couple of years ago, which made me a little more considered in my descents.
Have you ever felt scared on a bike?
Yes. Several times. But I'm more intimidated – usually at the bottom of a fairly long and steep ascent.
lifeandleisure@afr.com.au
