Local Riders - Jamie Burgan

Born in Sheffield on bonfire night, 1974. Jamie Burgan first started ridding a bike after being taken to a city centre crit-race that Malc Elliott was in (as Jamie's dad taught him at school around the late 80s). He then started going on Rutland cc club runs on Sundays and the now 'famous'  Teacake run on a Saturday morning. He raced as a schoolboy and junior before joining the Royal Marines. After leaving Jamie quickly started racing again when back in civvy street and is now approaching this 10th season as a 1st category road racer riding for Langsett Cycles. 

As a racing cyclist, which results are you most proud of and why?
Probably 2^nd in the Yorkshire Champs,  a few years back now, one race that I think every local rider wants to win!

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

With living on the edge of the Peak District there are so many to choose from, I like the road upto Eyam from  Grindleford as I do it in my morning training rides in summer and you can see right out to Chatsworth. The roads back from the café at Elton were also great and Goyt Valley also.

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

Majorca is the mecca and for good reason, it has great roads and a great selection.

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

Loads of memories but a simple one springs to mind of getting up early on our yearly holidays to France and heading out on my Peugeot racing bike to the nearby village boulangerie to pick up the daily  supply of French Sticks.

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

I don’t think so really, if you want to race you do and train as you see fit. I suppose it does feel a bit like an instrument of torture by the end of the season but I am always chomping at the bit again by January.

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

Nope!

We are in the midst of a well publicised boom in cycling in the UK atthe 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?

Overall it can only be a good thing, although it does make it a struggle to get into the café sometimes! Surely it's better they are out on there bikes rather than waiting for Witherspoons to open with a can of special brew in there hand!  Will it continue? I think more or less it will,certainly with the tour coming next year and then maybe drop off a bit I think.

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

Power to weight ratio, can't say I do though.

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

Yes I am more careful and a bit wary of newbies in the bunch!

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

I always love the Cancellara and Boonen dual in the classics, both great champions and always the ones making the race.

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

The 80s as I remember all the day glow colours watching The Tour on channel 4 and being transfixed as they went through the Alps. Nowadays it is good too as we have never had so much talent.

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

Mudguards with flap is the usual for me.

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

Café stop at the weekends.

Assos, Rapha or neither?

I suppose Assos although I don’t have as much as I used to, the air-block winter top is a classic in my eyes.

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?

B-roads with the occasional back-wacks I would say.

What do you think about Strava?

I have tried it, it’s a bit of fun isn’t it???

What do you think about Sportive rides?

Not done one yet but I am sure I will when I am 50 odd!

Do you have any cycling pet hates?

Just the usual half wheeling and pot holes!

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?

The old fashioned club run which taught youngsters how to ride safely and courteously which has all but vanished for a lot of clubs as everyone wants to be in a racing club and race,you can spot them a mile off in a bunch as they zig zag around!

Cotton cap or helmet?

Love the cotton cap but am afraid in England I generally wear a helmet these days as I feel it’s a bit dodgier than it used to be out there on the roads.

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?

Jan Ullrich style all the way.

White, black or coloured socks?

Same colour as the shoes.

Frame pump or mini pump?

Frame pump on winter bike and mini pump in back pocket in summer.

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 prefer talking utter codswallop and just generally chewing the fat,nothing to in-depth.

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

Jan Ullrich,I had better steer as he did used to come off a fair bit!