Emergent Futures owner Paul Higgins considers himself lucky to have only broken a leg when he hit a car while cycling at 40km/h. He answers our Time Out Q&A.;
First memory of riding a bike
I can't really remember the early days. Although I rode around Gippsland for a holiday trip during university, I didn't take up cycling again until my early 40s, to try to keep fit.
How many bikes and how do you know when you have too many?
Only one. One is enough.
How much did it cost?
About $2000. I know you can spend much more, but once you get beyond a certain level, unless you are a serious racer, you don't get much advantage.
Kind of riding
I ride to keep fit and to compete in sprint triathlons over summer. I try to compete in most of the Gatorade and Sole Motive events in Melbourne and went to the Warrnambool Sufferfest last year. Embarrassingly, despite cramping on the bike and during the run, when I had to walk for long stretches, I won my age category (men aged 50 to 60) because I was the only competitor.
Tips to become a better rider
Get help with the physical set-up of the bike. I bought my last two bikes from Hillman Cycles in Brunswick (in Melbourne) and they helped me set them up properly.
Kilometres a week
I used to do about 200 kilometres but, because I now mostly do spin classes and bike path work, it's usually 80 to 100 kilometres, with more interval work than distance riding. I have to fit it in with running and swimming.
Hills or the flat
Definitely the flat; I don't have a climber's build.
Love most about cycling
The feeling of being fit and being able to go hard and recover well.
Dislike about cycling
Riding in traffic.
Most like to go on a long ride with
My best mate, Greg Rodgers, and his son, Tom, who got us into triathlons. Tom has become a professional triathlete and iron man, so I'm not sure he would tolerate two slow old men any more, but we could give it a try.
Will you ever be too old to ride?
No. They will have to drag me off. I believe keeping body and mind active is the key to a happy and long life.
Favourite gear
My Tronica cycle computer. I use it to keep to speed targets, albeit very slow ones.
Favourite ride
My favourite ride is from my parents' place on the beach just past Mornington to Frankston and back. It has some decent hills and on the last 8 kilometres you can really go because it is generally downhill. There is also a series of rolling hills and, if you work hard, you can fly up each hill and maintain momentum.
Crashes? Catastrophes?
A car turned in front of me when I was training for a triathlon. I hit it full on doing about 40 km/h. The front forks snapped and I somersaulted over the car. I landed on my feet but twisted over and badly broke my right leg, snapping the fibula and the tibia and dislocating the ankle. I was in hospital for 11 days, but I count myself lucky. After two surgeries and a fair bit of rehab, I was able to return to competing in triathlons.
How does your partner feel about you taking long rides at weekends?
Nervous because of the accident. It is one of the reasons I limit road riding. But she is very supportive of me riding and competing to keep fit.
Ever felt scared on a bike?
In the split second before I hit the car, I was terrified. Getting back on the bike after rehab was difficult. I was nervous to start with. I do much less road riding than I used to because of the accident. Now I take a lot more spin classes and use bike paths.
lifeandleisure@afr.com
