This is a long overdue entry to the Local Rides Q&A as me and Jonathan exchanged these email nearly a year ago, so my apologies to Jon for the wait on completing this. There are also a few more Q&A's to go up on this journal over the next couple of weeks too so keep your eyes-peeled. 

Jonathan Tiernan-Locke's major breakthrough as a professtional cyclist came from winning four stages during the 2012 UCI Europe Tour, including the Tour of Britain while riding for Endura Racing. He has also rode for Rapha-Condor Sharp (2011) and Team Sky (2013-2014). 

Now JTL is riding for a team he co-founded, inspired by the patron saint of tin-miners and Cornwall - Saint Piran. ( http://saintpiran.cc )

Saint Piran was apparently tied to a mill-stone by the heathen Irish and pushed over a cliff into rough seas. The sea then became calm and the saint floated back to the beach in Perranzabuloe, the place where is was buried. 

As a racing cyclist, which results are you most proud of and why?

Pride comes before a fall and I’ve always felt more relief than anything else when I’ve won.  It’s funny but I see guys screaming when they’ve won a race and I’ve just never felt like that. It’s more like, “Thank fuck that’s over, and I won… And didn’t crash!”.

Which are your favourite stretches of road to ride on locally and what is it that you like about them?

Anything on Dartmoor or the South Devon coast line.  It’s all so incredibly beautiful at any time of year. I love the contrast of stringing together the moonscape of the moor with the picturesque scenes of Salcombe and Dartmouth.

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

The Pyrenees, without doubt.

What is your most memorable moment on the bike or involved with cycling?

Getting drunk under the table in a Korean nightclub by Estonian hardman and cycling legend Jaan Kirsipuu.

Has racing affected your relationship with the bike? If so, how?

For a time it did: when I starved myself, stared at a power meter and dreaded training camps and shit races. I was trying to change the sort of rider I was, chasing something else. But now it’s back how it used to be; just going out and enjoying cycling for the sake of it. Taking an interest in the equipment again and training how I want.

Do you agree with Mickey Goldmill's advice to Rocky that 'women weaken legs'?

Sorry Mick, you’re wrong!

We are in the midst of a well publicised boom in cycling in the UK at the moment. Has it affected you? Do you have any thoughts about why it has happened and whether it will continue? Do you see any negatives to the increase in popularity?

We are, but I see it as cycling just growing up. The friction between disciplines has all but disappeared and it has become a more mainstream sport.  The anglicisation of the sport at World Tour level has attracted proper sponsors and the guys at the top are household names. Participation is higher at grassroots level and a UK based pro can now earn a reasonable living if he’s handy.  Women’s cycling is going in the right direction too, albeit more slowly. Perhaps we’re on the crest of a wave and there will be some tailing off, but I see no negatives from cycling’s new found popularity.

All cyclists, whether they race or not, seem to obsess over the weight of their bikes. Why do you think this is?

In the past I’ve been guilty of this. It’s easy to get caught up in a numbers game, and some will find it easier to shave weight off their bike than to lay off the cakes.

Do you approach riding, or ride your bike, differently now to when you first got into cycling? 

Of course. As a kid I wasn’t a cyclist! I was a mountain biker who did rad jumps!  There was no training, no SPD pedals or helmets. We’d watch MTB videos to get all fired up before going out and taking lumps out of our shins with bear-trap pedals.  Now it’s much more gentile - with training rides - although I like to get out to the local DH centre on the MTB when I can.  

Who has been your favourite pro riders over the years and why?

In my early days it was guys like Martin Ashton, riding trials.  Racing XC as a junior it was Nick Craig and Roland Green.  Then Lance came back and he was the coolest guy ever. I even started pedaling faster! Despite what has happened with the guy I still think he was the best. It was the era, and no amount of PC bullshit will change that.  In the classics Bettini was the man!

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

The 90’s and early 2000’s without doubt.  So many characters.  I started learning about the sport in about 2003, watching old VHS tapes that Colin Lewis lent me and reading some books. I was both enchanted and inspired.

What is your favorite piece of cycling kit (either something you currently own or have in the past)?

A Castelli Gabba jacket…so versatile.  

What do you think about Strava?

I actually like it.  I mean sometimes it pisses me off seeing these downhill segments through a local town or whatever, where some guy has basically been a menace without regard for anyone’s safety…just to put his time out of reach.  But as a harmless bit of competition I think it’s good fun. I’ll push myself harder in training to beat my own times as well, so it has a benefit.

What do you think about Sportive rides?

I used to think they were a bit pointless: to the anti social guys who are basically time trialling, I say go and do a real race.  But as a social thing, with the camaraderie of riding with a huge group, and a big event feel, I think they’re great.  It’s a date in the diary that gives people a training focus and is helping the cycling trade no end.

Do you have any cycling pet hates?

Half wheeling, poorly maintained bikes, scabby kit. 

Are there any cycling traditions that you think have been, or are being, lost as a result of changing attitudes and behaviour? And are we better off or worse off as a consequence?

There are many, but one of the most lamentable is the decline of the cycling club and the culture that went with that.  As a young rider getting into the sport I was helped immeasurably by the Mid Devon cycling club.  Getting a kicking on the club run a few times gave me something to aim for and taught me cycling etiquette and how to ride safely in a bunch.  Things I took for granted until I first rode with a newer generation of cyclist. They’ll happily half wheel you, totally oblivious.  Also the sense of entitlement that many very average cyclists have when it comes to getting support or sponsorship, expecting to be given free kit for getting round a premier calendar in the bunch.

Cotton cap or helmet?

Until about two years ago I would never dream of training in a helmet.  I guess I started feeling the pressure and was taking so much sh*t for riding without that I wore one for an easy life.  I can’t stand pro-helmet crusaders though.

The benefits of spinning a low gear compared to mashing a high gear is often discussed. Putting aside the serious, physiological and mechanical aspects, what cadence you think looks right?

90rpm

What do you like to talk about when you are on a ride with friends/team/club mates? Do you prefer to keep the subjects lightweight or get your teeth into something contentious or controversial?

Totally depends on who I’m with, but it’s mostly piss-taking and stories!

Which three words best describe you?

Wilful. Thoughtful. Youthful.

Did you used to listen to music before a race? If so, did you have a favourite tune or playlist?

I often did, but it would always change and depend on my mood. My music taste is all over the place, so it could be something uplifting, or something like Joy Division.  Either way, it wouldn’t affect the outcome.

When were/are you most happy?

Goes without saying really, but when I have no stress and a goal to work at. Now is a pretty good example of such a time.

Who would be your guests at your perfect dinner party (dead or alive)?

Churchill, Ali G, Michael McIntyre, Di Nero. They could bring their other halves to even out the gender ratio.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

On the assumption I could return to present day? It would have to achieve something, so maybe I’d avert some great tragedy, but that wouldn’t be fair on all the others.  Perhaps I’d go back to a couple of years before Facebook came out. 

When was the last time you cried?

Probably watching some sad film, wildlife documentary or at a funeral last year.

When did you laugh the hardest?

Impossible to say!  I laugh a lot every day.

Are you the type of person who likes to have a plan? Or do you prefer to wing it?

A bit of both: I like to have the outline of a plan there and ‘wing’ the detail!

If you could edit your past, what would you change? 

I don’t believe in changing the past as it would have as yet unknown future consequences.  I’m totally happy with my life’s trajectory and wouldn’t want to alter that.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life? 

Right now?  Fish and chips and a few beers.

Note the name: for it signifies something that is to be handled. This brings us to the principle that the arrangement of the hank/pocketsquare in the breast pocket must be done in such a way that that it gives the appearance of being there for use, and not decoration, although this latter function is fundamentally important if you are in favor of 'peacocking' (always an opinion at weddings, if one should need such an excuse). Any use of a second handkerchief other than that of display is a gesture inelegant in the extreme (although, I do not deter you from purchasing all designs available, please do not wear all at once). 

As decoration I would suggest the lighter tone of the pocketsquare to relieve the sobriety of the a darker jacket or suit. Examples of this 'styling' of the pocket can be see on the product pages of each hank and in the images below. The use of coloured pocketsquares has increased as colour and patterns of shirts have become more popular and commonplace.

Silk is not a fabric suitable for frequent washing, so it's important to look after this, I believe this adds an extra value to a pocket-square made from pure-silk (especially made to limited numbers, screen-printed by hand and here in the UK). There is unfortunately no way of making by machine any satisfactory hem reproduces the narrow rolled hem by hand. This is important, because a handkerchief placed casually, as it should be, in the breast pocket is bound to display some of it's hem. There is an excuse for extravagance here should you need one. 

All our pocketsquares have been made to limited numbers by hand in England with design and illustration coming from Hannah Waldron, Mick Marston and Sara Boccacini-Meadows. 

To view each product click on the links below. 

La Casquette by Mick Marston 

Kinder by Hannah Waldron 

Foliage by Sara Boccacini-Meadows

I've always enjoyed a good conversation, in fact, I value it over most things. Having your ideas challenged, listening to others about subjects you know little about and asking (sometimes awkward) questions have always been part of my character. I've got a very inquisitive nature and I find conversations are a fun way of educating myself, challenging my own (and others) opinions and most importantly - having a laugh! I like to think most of my friends like that about me (as frustrating as I can sometimes be). 

When I started Mamnick just over four years ago, I wanted this 'love of conversation' to feed into my brand. Coming from a fairly humble background, I'd always aspired to own nice things and I think it was (and maybe still is) a part of being a young growing up around working-class culture in the North. I'd say it's this part of our culture that has brought me close to people many people. 

Today is no different, many of my conversations with good friends revolve around clothing details, fabrics, the bike and culture. We never really take ourselves too seriously and we're always looking to have a laugh at each others expense. 

I feel like I've been lucky to extend these conversations into Mamnick. Firstly, I learnt a lot from my first collaboration with Kenneth Mackenzie (6876) when we produced the ventile Eyam smock back in 2015. Since then I've working with a spectrum of brands and artists, from big ones such as Rapha and Clarks Originals, to other similar-minded boutique brands like INSTRMNT and recently Banton Frameworks. 

I'm always looking for a synergy when it comes to collaboration, it might be a shared love for the bike (Rapha), working on limited runs and beautiful fabrics (6876) but always focusing on the finer details that make a product more appealing for our customer.  

I think conversations are important for things to progress, not just for my brand but in life generally and now seems like a great time to write this down and to thank the people who I've had conversation with so far. Friends on the bike, people down the pub or online via social media.

I think it adds richness and value to my life, gives me fresh perspectives and hopefully this shows through in the Mamnick brand. 

Thom

Today, we proudly launch our first full sunglasses frame in collaboration with Banton Frameworks, UK. 

Each frame has been carefully handmade in their studio workshop sporting customary Banton Frameworks components;

Robust stainless steel rivets permanently fasten 5 barrel stainless steel hinges resulting in a timeless and sturdy feel. Titanium nose pads poise the frame perfectly on your nose without the frame edge resting on your face. Curved ‘hockey-end’ temples curl effortlessly behind the ear, offering a secure and comfortable fit. Due to the varying transparency of the Amber acetate, the solid brass temple core inside the temples is visible both inside and outside of the frame. 

In keeping with our minimal ethos, also shared by BF, the frame bears no outer branding.

Precision machined from premium Italian acetate, each frame is completely unique to its positioning from the sheet. Each frame has it’s own unique markings made from a mixture of ambers and browns. Further still, we only had access to just one section of this lustrous acetate resulting in a small stock of this collaborative model. 

With only 50 frames produced, this is a limited edition frame.

When designing for the collaboration, the application for a neutral palette became clear. Neutral tones were selected for the packaging and presentation to enhance the vibrancy and qualities of the Amber acetate.

Made in Somerset in conjunction with a premium leather specialist, the specifications for the sunglasses case were implemented. Simple interaction was at the forefront, using a manually riveted stainless steel ‘Sam Brown’ button. The case itself is made from two pieces of black calf leather, expertly stitched back to back. Between the layers in the bottom right of the case are the representative hem tags for each brand. The Mamnick championship bands that also appear on the Foul Weather wallet. 

Sourced from Hull, the papers used for the presentation box are produced by the renowned paper specialists; GF.Smith. As part of their ‘colourplan’ collection, the outer skin dons a ‘Chord Emboss’ texture creating a matt finish. Centre to the box lid, the collaboration icon was applied via a fully bespoke foil blocking die in gloss black. The black on black contrast provided a dark and subtle finish. On opening the box, the vibrancy of the frame is revealed, contrasting the previous stage of the dark exterior.

After first identifying a synergy between Mamnick and Banton Frameworks, I approached them any proposed the idea of producing a limited pair of sunglasses manufactured in their workshop near Glasgow. After numerous conversations via email and phone, the dimensional drawings (seen below) outline their very first ‘full acetate frame’ which I am happy Mamnick can be a part of.

Produced from premium acetate, the cotton based bio-polymer is sourced from a globally renowned Italian supplier. The tones of the acetate are warm with hints of orange and red. During design development the acetate board produced an amber glow across the numerous dimensional drawings and wire frame elevations. Comparatively unusual beside their current range of acetates, the honey-like qualities of this acetate has lustre similar to that of marble or horn.

The Mamnick x Banton Frameworks icon; featured across all literature and branding relative to the project throughout. This icon will also feature on the packaging which will revealed later. Collectively we opted to implement both our minimal logos, positioned alongside each other, this layout yielded geometric contrast, joined by the collaborative diagonal line. A nod towards Modernism.

These frames will come fitted with polarised Polaroid lenses (non-prescription) at the  pre-order price of £190.00. Limited in number. More details specification can also be read here. 

All enquires please to - thom@mamnick.com

Thom

After long and overdue input on this journal, it gives me great pleasure to announce a collaboration with Scottish based brand Banton Frameworks. 

As part of our collaboration we have created a full acetate sunglasses frame. Produced completely in the BF workshop, just outside Glasgow. The combination of precision processes and handmade craftsmanship were used to create this bespoke design, created under Mamnick’s mantra of  doing ”One thing at a time, as beautiful as possible”.

These frames will come with sun lenses included within the pre-order price of £190.00. We are also able to offer prescription sun lenses or prescription spectacle lenses upon request too, please email me if this is something you would require (thom@mamnick.com). 

The design is a bold frame sporting a lowered bridge and sharp rectangular styling - This is a carefully handmade frame for those who want a rectangular frame for their sunglasses or specs.

• Handmade in Glasgow, UK.
• Over 40 processes involved in making one frame.
• Fine Italian acetate
• Polished for 36 hours.
• Stainless steel rivets.
• Manually formed bridge (for comfort).
• Aviation grade aluminium temples (lightweight and adjustable).
• Acetate temple tips provide for smooth on/off comfort.

We will continue to post images of the development of this fine product as it happens via twitter and instagram (@mamnick). 

Thank you for your continued support and interest in Mamnick.

Thom

Known in the cycling world as Crosby, Tom Newton was an elite and international rider in the late 1990’s in to the 2000’s, he rose rapidly through the junior ranks and quickly progressed on to the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) now British Cycling’s academy. He competed in many pro and u23 international races throughout the world but called time on life as a full time athlete aged 22 after a measly manner of existence on the French circuit. He now lives in Sheffield with his Wife, Jo and daughter Annabelle. It is here he rediscovered his love for the bike and whiles away any free time in the Peak dreaming of being a full-time rider all over again. 

How did you get into the bike? Were there any people in particular who were influential?

For me it all came about in the mountain bike era. Living in the sticks in Leicestershire I had a longer than normal paper round. With the money earnt from that I saved for a half decent GT MTB and before long my mates at school got me off road and racing. Winning the first MTB race I entered by 4 minutes. From here I was hooked and soon progressed onto the road winning a local 3- J’s race at the first attempt. The biggest influence on my career (if it deserves that tag) was my family and in particular, my Dad, without his unwavering support and belief I would never have got to the level I did. We spent many happy hours travelling the length and breadth of the UK in the early days, great memories that will live with me forever.

What ride or result were you most happy with from your time racing and why? 

3^rd overall & KoM in the Junior Tour of Wales was memorable in my first season racing as a one man band for Hinckley CRC and the following year runner up in the National U23 series.  As I progressed on the international stage results became hard to find, I was fairly consistent though…… I got my head kicked in every week. In all seriousness though, I suppose my overall resounding success was winning a club 10 on an MTB with knobbly tyres as a junior in baggy shorts … my time, it was 23 minutes something. I remember it also cheesed a few of the regular testers on “lo pros” off.  

Do you approach riding, or ride your bike, differently now to when you first got into cycling?

Definitely, I used to go out and smash it all the time and do big hours, now I very rarely “smash it” but still like a good five hours, one hour on the bike and four in the pub. 

Has it always been about the bike or have you been into any other sports? 

As a youth I was into anything active, the usual rugby, cricket, football, golf, cross country running & athletics, as well as, skateboarding for a while but cycling really struck the right chord with me. I liked it back then because it was something different to do rather than the usual mainstream sports…. How times have changed. 

How about stuff other than sport? Have you been seriously into anything else? 

Post cycling, when I finally got a life, it was all about new music. My closest mate from the cycling fraternity, Jonny Mason, (also ex WCPP)  and I spent many hours watching the latest acts in the north of the UK and were pro festival goers. Happy Days.

Nowadays it's my family, my wife Jo and daughter Annabelle are my world. 

If someone gave you 50 grand in the morning with the condition that you had to spend it by tea time, what would you spend it on? 

I’d set up a micro-brewery (would 50K cover it?) 

What is your favourite professional race to watch? 

Le tour….three weeks of the world’s best riders in peak condition…. can fault it.

Who are your favourite pros (from now or in the past) and what is your favourite bike racing era?

From the past…. Andrea Tafi was seriously cool and a remarkable rider. I remember in the Tour de Langkawi before helmets were compulsory he cut the top out of his race cap to make it into a visor and the rest of the peloton followed suit, myself included, I only wish our soigneur had warned against the use of sun in (dodgy hair product). I ended up finishing that race with a (G)injury. 

From the present era it has to be Geraint Thomas… versatile, immensely talented and has a great sense of humour.  

My favourite era has to be the Indurain years. Pure class.

Do you prefer putting a loop on before work or after? 

Both, mainly to avoid the busy roads. 

Which are your favourite stretches of road to ride locally and what is it that you like about them?

So many we are very spoilt here in the Peak. Anything that is uphill and gives time to admire the beauty. The view from Longstone Edge, Beeley Moor as you come through the trees at the top and any of the views as you climb out of Bradfield looking back over Dam Flask Reservoir spring to mind.

What do you like to talk about when you are on a ride with friends/team/club mates? Do you prefer to keep the subjects lightweight or get your teeth into something contentious or controversial? 

The usual unpredictable stuff…music, beer, women and sport and not necessarily in that order.  

Do you have any cycling pet hates? 

Hundreds…. A gap between leg warmers and socks is a big NO, cyclist out in short sleeves and shorts when its below 20 degrees is a bigger NO but my top pick is the in-fighting between French teams and French riders to be the best French rider in any given French race, but most notably Le Tour de France…..  a classic French attitude…. I still regret to this day not signing for Jean Delatour ;0).  I could go all day on this question. 

Do you enjoy a cafe stop or do you prefer to ride straight round?

Get round when its winter time, pub in the summer… Preferably next to a cricket pitch. 

What tip or advice would you give to your 20 year old self? 

Get a grip and push a bit harder for that Jean Delatour contract (ha ha). 

All photos provided by Tom Newton. 

Carlos Verona is a Spanish cyclist who currently rides for Etixx-Quick Step. Whilst on holiday in Lucca, Italy, my good friend Bruno Schooling managed to ride with Carlos and persuade him to answer the Mamnick local riders questions. His answers are below. Big thanks to Carlos (and Bruno) for his time and co-operation and Etixx-Quick Step for providing images. 

As a racing cyclist, which results are you most proud of and why?

At the moment I have limited myself to work for others so I have not had so many chances to ride for myself and get results. If I have to say one maybe is the stage in La Vuelta when I was top 10 last year. 

Which are your favourite stretches of road to ride on locally and what is it that you like about them?

Actually I have been living in so many different places during the last 5 years, Madrid (Spa), Barcelona (Spa), Girona (Spa), Lucca (Ita) and La Massana (And). I always try to find quiet roads, without trafic to enjoy as maximum as possible the ride.

When I am in my hometown in Madrid (San Lorenzo de el Escorial) I love to ride Abantos climb. A long mountain but little traffic and in the forest. It is simply wonderful.

When I am in Barcelona I love to go on training to Montseny climbs. It is just 50km from the big city of Barcelona and you can find a really quiet and long climbs where to enjoy a hard but at the same time beautiful ride.

During my time in Girona I loved to go to the road which goes from Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guixols. The best road of Costa Brava.

And now that I live in the small country of the Pyrinees called Andorra, I like to ride Coll De Ordino. It is just beautiful and the views from the top are awesome.

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

That´s a good question. Luckily thanks to my job I have been traveling quite a lot during the last few years around the world. If I would have to choose a place where comeback just for some tourism on two wheels would be Basque-land. It is a cycling paradise.

What is your most memorable moment on the bike or involved with cycling?

Be part of a team victory, it is always beautiful wherever it is.

Has racing affected your relationship with the bike? If so, how?

Yes, it does. At the end ride your bike becomes in a job, and sometimes you have to ride also when you don´t want. But I feel really fortunate to be procyclist, so I try to enjoy always as much as possible my ride. No matter if it is raining or snowing. I love cycling now too.

Do you agree with Mickey Goldmill's advice to Rocky that 'women weaken legs'?

Hahha, not really. In my case my girlfriend just make me stronger. 

We are in the midst of a well publicised boom in cycling in the UK at the moment. Has it affected you? Do you have any thoughts about why it has happened and whether it will continue? Do you see any negatives to the increase in popularity?

To be honest, I don´t know so much about this matter because I don´t visit too often UK. Maybe it is because Team Sky, Cavendish, Wiggins, Froome, Grand Depart of Le Tour... I think this popularity increasing just can be positive.

All cyclists, whether they race or not, seem to obsess over the weight of their bikes. Why do you think this is?

It is normal. As ligheter is your bike, faster you can climb. Everyting is about watts per kilogram.

Do you approach riding, or ride your bike, differently now to when you first got into cycling?

Now it is a job, when I started at age of 12 was just a game. The perspective is different but the feeling is the same.

Who has been your favourite pro riders over the years and why?

Pablo Lastras. He´s still ridding for Movistar Team. For me he always has been an example. Always attentive with the young riders, polite, a good team capitan, with more than 20 years of experience in the bunch.

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

The present. Present is always the best.

Do you think Bradley Wiggins looks cool despite his long socks or because of them?

Of course, I think whatever Wiggins does is cool. He is an icon.

Mudguards, mudguards and mudflaps or racing bike with clip on guards through winter?

I don´t use mudguards. I never train under the rain, I live in Spain. And if it rains while racing, mudguards are not a solution.

Do you enjoy a cafe stop or do you prefer to ride straight round?

Actually I love the coffee stops. I always do it on my recovery rides (2h max) and on my endurance rides I always do a coffee stop after 2 or 3h training.

Assos, Rapha or neither?

I have not tried it yet. I always ride on my team outfit powered by Vermac, which by the way is very comfortable too.

What is your favorite piece of cycling kit (either something you currently own or have in the past)?

My first WT jersey from Omega Pharma - Quickstep 2013.

Do you prefer to get your head down on the A6, keep a good tempo going on the B roads or get onto the back wacks? What about the rough stuff on your road bike?

Get onto the back wacks!!

What do you think about Strava?

I love it. I think Strave gives the possibility to share your rides with the others, discover new roads and also is a way to mark all the roads where you have been ridding. 

What do you think about Sportive rides?

I like them. I think it is a good way to combine sport, friends, gastronomy and culture. What else you can ask for?

Do you have any cycling pet hates?

Not really.

Are there any cycling traditions that you think have been, or are being, lost as a result of changing attitudes and behaviour? And are we better off or worse off as a consequence?

I don´t think so... bikes has improved, but the essence of cycling is the same. 

Cotton cap or helmet?

This can not be a question!!! Always helmet, safe first!!!

The benefits of spinning a low gear compared to mashing a high gear is often discussed. Putting aside the serious, physiological and mechanical aspects, what cadence you think looks right?

90 rpm. For me it is the optimal one. 

White, black or coloured socks?

Black!

Frame pump or mini pump?

Mini pump.

What do you like to talk about when you are on a ride with friends/team/club mates? Do you prefer to keep the subjects lightweight or get your teeth into something contentious or controversial?

I like to talk about cycling news, and I always prefer to keep the subjects lightweight...

Who would be/is your perfect tandem partner? Would you ride captain or stoker?

Would be my girlfriend, but I would ride as capitain :-)

Which three words best describe you?

Constant, worker and human.

Did you used to listen to music before a race? If so, did you have a favourite tune or playlist?

I don´t listen so much music. 

When were/are you most happy?

When I am surrounded by my family and girlfriend.

Who would be your guests at your perfect dinner party (dead or alive)?

hahha this would be Mark Cavendish, and alive, of course!!!

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

I like live the present, I would never go back.

When was the last time you cried?

I don´t do it so often, so when I do it is due to personal circunstances that are private.

When did you laugh the hardest?

Listening any history from our sport director Brian Holm... he´s so funny.

Are you the type of person who likes to have a plan? Or do you prefer to wing it?

I love to have a plan, otherwise it costs me everything double. 

If you could edit your past, what would you change?

Anything. Everything happens for a reason.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?

Have the bakery in front of my home and not down into the valley. I live in a hill and every time I want to go to the bakery by bike I have to climb a climb of 2km at 8%.

images provided by Carlos Verona / Etixx-Quickstep 

I first came across the work of Camille McMillan when I saw Le Metier, the book of ex-Team Sky rider Michael Barry. A full season in the world of a pro-cyclist. The images stood out to me, as it wasn’t your usual ‘sports photography’. How the pro’s prepare, behind the scenes images, have always interested me. It's as close as some will get to being on the 'inside' of the sport and images of this ilk I've always found interesting and inspiring. 

There was something different about the details and aura of the images that Camille captures that were different to what I’d seen before. Not just your standard reportage you find in the weekly magazines, something altogether more stylish, more artistic. 

Me and Camille chatted over email about some bike-related things and his new project ‘The Circus’.

Firstly, what's go you into cycling and cycling photography?

When I was a young lad my old man used to take me to the 6 days in London. Trips over to Belgium on the Hovercraft. I am a second generation cyclist.There is that old expression, “once you have raced your a racer for life”. Or is it “Once a bike rider always a bike ride”. Something like that.  

So, did you race? What did you take from that?

My first race was at 8, cyclo cross. I started at the top of a hill straight down through a river. The old man put me in a Junior event! Good work! I cried. What did I take from being a bike racer? The body has no memory of the pain, only the emotions surrounding it.  I don't stop until I literally can't move. As long as I breath, I attack etc.

Since your so close to the ‘pro-scene’, is there anything that surprises you? Or should I re-phrase that? What have you been most surprised by?

Just how transitory everything is, nothing is fixed. One reason for the name ' The Circus’. Also, there are ring masters.

I'm glad you've mentioned your book 'The Circus'. Perhaps you could say a bit more about that and what is your criteria for a photo 'making-the-cut' lets say?

Just because its ‘a name’ in the picture doesn’t mean it makes the cut. A picture has to have something other. A moment, a story, an insight.. a ‘what-the-fuck!’. I like a WTF picture best.

Do you have any cycling pet hates, or photography ones for that matter?

Cycling pet hates. The usual, half wheelers, stems under 110cm and nodders. Photography. In the context of reportage and cycling, I hate faux reportage, selective sharpening, a long list. Shooting into the sun, exposing for the highlights, de-saturating. Would you like the full rant?

What's the best context for your work? Do you find that the social media sites such as Instagam and Twitter hinder or help the way in which your work is seen? 

Best context for my work is book or on the wall. Social media is fun, it can help for sure, but Instagram is mostly ‘not’ about photography.

What challenges does a sports photographer face?

Challenges for sports photographers hmmm, I don't see myself as one actually. I'm a photographer / artist that is obsessed with cycling.  I would imagine the hardest part of being a sports photographer is dealing with the boredom of it. Can you imagine being a finish line photographer?! Also, most cycling and sports photographers are looking not just for a moment, but brands to flog their images to.

You say you don't see yourself as a sports-photographer, more an artist. How do you feel your work fits into the art-context? More-so, what posses you to photograph bike-racing?

Art context, hmm.  I'm into finding things, exploring. Why bike racing? Bike racing set me off on my path in life. I left school at 16 and went and raced. That was it. I went back to school to study Art at 22 years old. Bike racing never leaves you. The thing is it’s ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’.

Whats your process? Do you like to wing-it? or is there a set-plan for every race? Are you in the team cars or just roaming like a spectator?

I'm on the back of moto's, on my own moto, in team cars, with mechanics, hitch-hiking. Whatever way to get the things I want. I always go with an idea. I focus just on that, just that. I’m an Artist you see.

If you would like to pledge funds to the Kickstart project of 'The Circus', please follow the link below. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/541205917/the-circus-a-book-of-cycling-reportage-photography

Photographs by Camille McMillan. 

I feel proud that the majority of the Mamnick Inventory is made in England. It allows me to share stories like this about the people we work with.

The Hibell and Ecton shoes are made in a small family-run factory in Derbyshire, a forty minute bike-ride from my home in Sheffield. The 'closing' lady's name is Pat Helliwell and she has been working there for over 50 years, only having a break from the boot factory when she had her family. Pat has lived in the village all her life.

Closing boot uppers is the traditional process of sewing the individual leather pieces together to form the upper. At one time a team of ladies, some related to Pat, did this work but now Pat is the only closing lady who works full time upstairs. Pat does a variety of jobs that are involved in the upper closing stage:

Skiving - thinning certain areas of the leather to be sewn together.

Stiffening - fitting the stiffener into the uppers to form the shape at the back of the boot / shoe. (This is what Pat is doing in the above photo.)

Closing - the whole process of stitching the various leather pieces together to form the upper - done on several different machines.

Riveting / Eyeletting - fitting the appropriate eyelets, rivets and buckles to the uppers.

The black sleeves on Pat's fingers are made from foam top-banding material (found to be the best after years of prototypes) that she wears to protect her knuckles and fingers from all of the 'scissor work' she performs during the day, trimming threads and neatening leather edges etc.

All photos by India Hobson

Words by Thom Barnett