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

You know I find this a hard question, funnily enough. For me the real success of my career wasn’t one result or another, it was becoming a proper European professional cyclist, at a time when British riders didn’t become professionals.

Making that leap was what I always wanted to do, and it took so much to do it that I can barely remember the results that got me there… I didn’t really have much room for thinking about that stuff, I remember putting a divisional championships medal in the bin of a sports centre because I just didn’t see the point in carrying around a piece of metal – it was just stuff I didn’t need.

That was the way that I was for a time, I left a garage full of trophies in France, I lost a national championships silver medal somewhere along the line too… So it was never results, but what I managed to make of myself that I look back on proudly now.

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

All of my favourite stretches of road are by the sea. I like them because having grown up by the sea (in Penzance, Cornwall) it is something that I really enjoy having there. I don’t surf, or swim in it, or anything like that; I just like having it in the background. 

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

Answered above.

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

My whole adult life has involved cycling in some way, so it is hard to say. But my first pro World’s in 2004 in Verona were a pretty big deal. I’d ridden the Worlds as a Junior on the same circuit 5 years before, and going there as a pro was pretty special. My team made me a custom GB paint job bike, the works. I think there were 300,000 people on the climb or something & the noise was so loud you couldn’t talk to the rider next to you. 

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

Racing never affected my relationship with the bike – because I wanted to race as soon as I took the sport up. What affected my relationship with the bike was stopping, and realizing that, shit – I can just go for a ride, and it can be pleasant, it can be easy, it can be short and fun and I can go wherever I want. In a way I have it sort of backwards I suppose. 

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

No. Most of my best rides were done in order to show off to women. 

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?

For me the boom couldn’t have come at a better time. All of a sudden there are opportunities for an ex-pro to find a career that is still linked to the sport. In my case the standard of the cycling press is unbelievably high compared to other sports, and I really appreciate the fact that not only can I make a living writing about cycling, but that the publications I do it for are top quality and for a really discerning audience and you know, Charly and I can write a book like Domestique, and actually sell some!

The downside for me is the fact that I miss cycling being a quirky European sport a little, if I’m honest. It’s like the band that you love suddenly being played in every café and hotel bar in the country. But, that’s cool – it never belonged to me. I have no more of a stake in it than anyone else. 

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

Cycling is the perfect sport for obsessives. There is always something to change, some new part to buy or way to save weight. At pro level I found there were two types of riders – those that spent every waking moment obsessing over kit to go fast, and those that gave not the slightest shit and just wanted to go fast. I fell into the latter category. 

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

I’ve always sort of been the same really. I just like to go out on my bike and ride it. When I was racing I had to conform to following training schedules, and doing certain sessions and using a heart rate monitor etc but I was always a little uneasy with that. Now I am exactly the type of cyclist I always wanted to be. I don’t use a GPS, I don’t time my rides: I just head out and come home some time later.

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

Gianni Bungo. Pure class, I love watching the way that guy rolled such a low cadence, but had so much power. Plus I was really into the Gatorade team kit.

And later on Oscar Friere. I met Oscar a few times, we had dinner after the World’s in ’05, and he said to me, “How many races have you done this year?”

I counted and added a few extra in, thinking it would look better to be racing more, “About 60”

He said, “Oh, I only did 11.”

I think I must have laughed, because he added straight away, “I won 7 of them.”

He was such a cool bloke, and his wife was lovely too. Drove a Vauxhall Corsa the year he was first World Champ - just didn’t give a fuck, he was content to do his thing. 

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

All of it up until 2000

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

Wiggins looks cool man, in his own way. 

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

None. 

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

I love a brew stop. I always stop in company. 

Assos, Rapha or neither?

I’m a Rapha man, obviously. I’ve known Simon (Mottram) since I first met him in 2005, and I love what they’ve done. There are some seriously talented folks working there and they consistently make great looking stuff that I want to wear. 

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?

You mean the A38, right? Hah. When I was training I always stuck to bigger roads, you don’t train well in lanes. Now that I just roll around, I stick to the lanes for sure. Rough stuff is OK too, can’t avoid it when you ride with Oli Beckingsale, actually. He loves taking a detour through a wood or some such nonsense… 

What do you think about Strava?

Rubbish, dangerous and anti-social. Pin a number on if you want to race.  

What do you think about Sportive rides?

Great, if you want to go and ride with a big group, but again – if you want to race pin a number on. I never understood the psychology of people that clearly want to race but fear failure so much that they do other events where if they lose there is seemingly no consequence. It’s the same with testing; ‘I’m only racing myself’ – that’s great, but you’re actually not.

Do you have any cycling pet hates?

People who call themselves bike racers and skip turns on the front on a training ride. I mean for fuck’s sake, how do you expect to be any good if you can’t put your nose in the wind in training? 

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?

Everything has changed post-Lance. Like it or not the sport has been dramatically Anglicized over the last fifteen years, and I expect will continue to do so. With that has come a different set of rules, and a different way of doing things.

The whole attitude shift to tolerance to doping has happened. In Europe they have a very Catholic way of dealing with the bad stuff – go into a box, tell someone quietly, and it’ll all be OK. Most Europeans are happy for cyclists just to get on with their shit – ‘We don’t care what’s really going on, let’s watch the race – now, pass me the pastis.’

In Anglo-Saxon countries, we have the puritan roots – ‘is he cheating?’ ‘Is this fair?’ ‘Ohm well, I did cheat, and now I feel bad about it, so I’ll denounce everyone else.’ And I think that preoccupation with drugs and ethics and all this stuff is really fucking the sport. Not so much in terms of having cleaning the sport out – which, if it has happened is really great, but the hangover is the tit-for-tat air of suspicion that is going to linger for at least five to ten years.

And doping and the press attention has also caused this whole separation between riders and journalists and the public. Where now, for fear of scrutiny teams are hiding behind press officers, and press are told who they can talk to.

It tightens everything up and the sport suffers for it, you know soon they will cordon off the sign on area at races, and instead of me being able to go down and wait for Zak Dempster to get off the bus to say ‘good luck mate’ at Paris Roubaix, it’ll be like Monaco; VIP areas and God-knows-who swanning about like it’s F1. Corporate hospitality, VIP passes… let’s put a barrier up here and keep the plebs out… and that will be a real shame in some ways.

Cotton cap or helmet?

Cotton cap. I don’t even own a helmet. 

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?

About 70-80 rpm – watch a video of Bugno or Tonkov if you want to know what that looks like.  

White, black or coloured socks?

White, unless you are well tanned and it is wet – then you can rock the black socks. 

Frame pump or mini pump? 

I don’t carry a pump, believe it or not. I just ride a flat most of the time. 

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 normally ride with Si Richardson (ex Sigma Sport rider) and I used to think that he had very differing opinions to me about everything. I recently worked out though that he just likes debate – so no matter what I say he’ll take the contrary opinion. This leads to things getting pretty deep, usually to the point of me saying there is no point to human existence and that our species is doomed, and him saying otherwise.

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

I don’t know which one is which… I’d say my old man probably, because we share DNA. Surely that would mean we’d be in pretty good sync.

Tom and Charly's book 'Domestique' can be purchased from Random House here.

 Andy was born and grew up in Sheffield. He joined a local club, Rutland CC at 13 and began competing in criteriums, time trials and cyclo cross races.

Bike racing took Andy to Holland representing English Schools on several occasions. He also rode the Junior Tour of Ireland following his 4th place finish in the Junior National Road Race championships that year. After finishing school Andy raced in France for a season achieving some success before returning to Sheffield to go to University.

More recently Andy spent 3 years in Vancouver, Canada, working as a bike mechanic at the Mountain Equipment Coop.

The draw of the 'Peaks' and the close proximity of the European hotbed of cycling pulled Andy back to Sheffield (actually Hope) in 2012.

He now enjoys racing for the Langsett Cycles Road Team based in Sheffield. 

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

Two ends of the age spectrum here but a couple of results that I'm quite proud of are 3rd place in the over 30's National Road Race Championship and 4th in the Junior Nationals a long time ago!

I've had a few  wins at 1st Cat level and I'm quite proud of them too. After all, wins are something else!    

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

I really like the climb out of Goyt Valley in the Cat and Fiddle direction. From the reservoir at the bottom you climb through pine trees which open up to wild moorlands and excellent views when you eventually reach the summit. The gradient is not at all fierce but you can make it as intense as you like.

Another climb I like is from Hathersage up to the gliding club at Abney. This climb goes up in a series of ramps. Great views all the way up and almost traffic free!

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

I'm going to go for one of the iconic climbs in France. Luz Ardiden. It goes up at a steadier gradient than Alp D'Huez but steep enough! The views are fantastic and the descent makes the pain of climbing it worthwhile!  

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

This is a tough question for me because it's hard to single out an individual moment or experience when you've been riding for over 25 years. My season in France was a big experience and whole lot of fun. 

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

At times racing makes the bike feel like a machine of torture! The obsession to achieve results makes riding the bike seem like a job. Certainly racing can take away some of the pleasure associated with bike riding but, at the same time, racing adds a whole different element to cycling.

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

Having weak legs is ok sometimes.

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?

The boom hasn't got me into riding the bike or anything. I'd still be riding, boom or no boom. I do take pleasure in the fact that many more people are enjoying the same sport as me.

I only see positives in the increase in popularity of cycling. When I took up cycling it was a long way off being a main-stream sport. Now there is hardly a day goes by without the mention of Brad or Cav on the news. I think drivers give us a bit more respect because of it.

Britain's success on the track started it, followed by Sky's backing of a pro team and some notable results by top British riders.

Will it continue? I think so. There aren't many people who lose interest in cycling once they have taken it up. 

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

'A light bike allows you to ride faster, up-hill at least'. That's what people believe. 

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

Not much different really. I still get the same kind of thrill out of it. I enjoy the freedom it provides and the challenge.

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

Paolo Bettini  for his attacking style and happy persona. World Champion, Olympic Champion and winner of many 'classics'. 

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

The 80's. The era of Le'mond, Hinault, Fignon, Sean Kelly. Pre EPO.

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

Ha. Good question..it's got to be despite the long socks. I guess that with Brad's level of success you are allowed to set a few new trends!

Sheffielder Brendon Tyree decided he wanted to be a cyclist at the age of 13 and joined the Rutland cycling club off his own bat.

Rising through the racing scene to represent great Britain many times over he racked up enough UCI points to turn elite running into his senior years where cycling was at a low giving him the much needed push to take off around the world with his film camera.

Returning back to Sheffield as a very keen amateur photographer Brendon did the rounds selling spray tanning machines for a short time but for the last 6 years he's been living his dream as professional photographer where he's managed to combine both cycling and photography by shooting travel stories and adventures for various International mountain bike magazines.

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

Winning the national under-23 road race final down in Dorset was probably my most proud moment as it was a lone break in the last race of the 1999 season and all the big names were in it.

I also managed to get this quote in cycling weekly, 'I gave up clubbing to concentrate on training and racing and it's paid off'.

Also finishing the national XC championships with no saddle was pretty cool if not a bit dangerous looking back.

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

I love the new road up from Ladybower to Stanage, I think of it as my local break in surfing terms.

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

The coast road in Majorca from Soller to Andrax is perfection, I know it's a bit main stream but I just feel like bond everytime I'm cruising along there.

Less main stream from the top of the col de la bonette down to nice is an awesome couple of days riding.

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

Breaking my leg flying down Win Hill a few years ago and waiting for the ambulance with the lads cracking jokes to stop me from fainting.

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

Yes big time, Racing at elite level can also be a golden cage around the freedom that cycling gives you, that's how it turned out for me so that's why I stopped.

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

Nope not at all, who else is going to stay in with you and watch a film every Saturday night when everyone else has gone out down town?

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?

Well now you can sell all your old parts from the early 90's (previously worthless) on e-bay to trendy london fixie types for more than you paid for them new, which is a positive.

No negatives apart from a high percentage of 'new' cyclists don't wave back to you when your out riding... OK you expect that in Belgium but not here, we've always waved at each other on passing during a ride, It makes my day better anyway.

Is cycling really the new golf? 

Is it bollocks, cycling is a lifestyle as well as a sport, it's also a spiritual thing to do that connects you with the world around you and makes you feel higher than Jimi Hendrix.

I can't see where networking businessmen flashing their Rolex watch will fit in with that. I think we're just becoming more European which is fab news so the term 'cycling is the new golf' is a poor and shallow choice of words in my opinion.

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

Because it's a power to weight thing, obviously!! but yes, people take it too far and manufacturers love that cha-ching.

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

No it's gone full circle just a beautiful thing to do but I must admit I NEED it more now with all the stresses and strains that come with modern life.

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

Robert Millar, a legend!!! As a kid I saw him attack on a climb in the tour, get caught and swallowed up by the bunch and then, a few minutes later he properly attacked again! To every ones amazement, I love how uncalculated it was. I've never felt as excited as that to this day.

Jason Mcroy was my hero when I was at school too, I was pretty much obsessed with him, what a hero.

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

It looked lovely when it all started.....Tour de France riders smoking and domestique's carrying beers up for the team leaders. A lot more leisurely.

I'm sure I heard on the Rutland CC tea-cake ride that you once had the better of Sir. Wiggo in the past? Is this true? 

Yes It was when I was on the GB squad riding the prize of Europe stage race in France. It was a very very tough stage... Wiggo had lost his legs and got eliminated, I was also struggling and crashed after someone took my line on a mountain descent ripping off my left STI lever, but I managed to stay in the race and finished looking proper hard covered in blood with one lever! 

You can visit Brendon's website here - www.brendontyree.com

Another rider coming from the strong contingency of local talent in our area is Dean Downing. After seeing our recent Q&A session with Dave Coulson, Dean kindly offered to answer the questions himself.

It's Lincoln GP today and Dean will be looking to place high after winning the race back in 2007. He's been a professional for nearly a decade, riding first in Belgium then back to the UK to race for the Rapha-Condor outfit. Today he rides for another new team on the professional circuit, Madison-Genesis.

Here are Dean's answers... 

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

Becoming British Criterium Champion was a great moment for me and it came at a great time, the year after the Tour Series town centre races came around and i was in the limelight as British Champ on TV, that was cool.

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

I don't particularly have a fave stretch of road, but when the sun shines in Yorkshire and the Peak District ( like this weekend ) i don't think you can beat the beautiful lanes we have.

The same question for roads anywhere in the world?

Some of the beach roads in Australia are pretty amazing, The Ocean Road. But some of the best roads in the world are the descents i have been down. How can you not love going fast down a long long descent with loads of hairpins in. 

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

Winning the Lincoln Grand Prix 2007 and thinking of my Grand dad as i crossed the line. He came to watch me in the Junior version when i was 18 and passed away when i was 20.

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

It has yeah, sometimes i hate my bike, but thats when I'm having a seriously bad day in a race for example. If i have had a bad day on my bike in a race, then i hit the chocolate, always makes me feel better...

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

Mickey, what a legend. I absolutely love the Rocky films. Awesome motivation, but I'm not sure about the weakening of legs, I'm sure there are some ladies out there that have weakened some guys heads. 

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?

Cycling has been on a Boom since Team GB won all the Gold Medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This is a direct result of all the lottery funding for the talented riders within the GB system that started way before this, back in 95 or so. It has definitely affected me yes, more sponsors have come into cycling within the UK scene and of course the wages went up too. That affected me in a good way. Also Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy have become stars in the British Public. 

Negatives, yeah cars and cyclists are still looked at as not being allowed on the same roads. This has to change, but how, i have no idea.

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

I'm not sure really, i ride a new Genesis steel frame bike which is obviously never going to be as light as a carbon frame. But maybe some of these guys should take a bit more care of what they are eating and drop a kg that way.

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

Yes and No. I still love to enjoy riding my bike, but on the other hand, i've been making my living out of riding my bike for the last 10 years or so. So i have to approach it differently in that sense, most days i am on my bike, i am going to be training and doing some form of structure to my riding. But it is great some days to just revert back to when i started cycling with my dad, cruise along and sprint for some village signs and have fun with the lads.

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

Sean Kelly and Stephen Roche were my dads hero's when he was still racing and this transferred to me too. They won so many races between them back in the 80's when i was a kid. The best thing about these guys, is, i have had the pleasure to meet them both several times and have a beer with them. Dream Come true right there.

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

Back when i was growing up watching the Tour in the 90's, all riders were just attacking each other on most of the stages. Really smashing it up the Mountains etc.. It has become a bit clearer why they were all kicking each other heads in now, but it was exciting to watch. Doesn't make it right, but it was exciting.

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

Despite. He has long legs so he can carry them off. But they are a bit too long i reckon. Not as long as Tim Rowsons thought...

There is a strong professional and elite amateur racing cyclist contingency in and around the Peaks with a number of riders and ex-riders living in both the Sheffield and Rotherham area. Dave Coulson is one of them.

Dave was born and raised in Sheffield and moved to the continent at the age of 20 to race. This is where he "grew up a lot and was very
often hungry". He continued to race at elite level in the UK and Europe for close to 20 years. Dave has recently moved into team management after retiring from the racing scene at the end of 2010. He is also a now a husband and father, with a 3 year old daughter and still lives and rides his bike (although slower) in Sheffield.

We asked Dave some questions about his racing career and how this has changed his view of the bike.

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

Racing and trying to be a serious rider for 2 decades has unavoidably affected my relationship with the bike. During a riders racing career he becomes pretty obsessive and the level of comittment to improving as an athlete is something out of the ordinary.

This commitment and what it brings, makes cycling 'training', and not just 'bike riding'. Enjoyment is replaced by satisfaction, relief and pressure, often largely self imposed. I've known very good riders fall out of love with cycling after reaching a point at which they feel they've given too much for too little in return. This is often down to the historically rocky and exploitative nature of sponsorship and unscrulous team managers. Also the ever present knowledge that you are often racing against doped riders.

I'm gradually getting back some of the simple pleasure I found in cycling years ago. If I can offer some advice,for most riders cycling is something of an escape from the 9-5 grind of work and the responsibilities of having a family. Don't take cycling too seriously, remember why you do it. Obsess about enjoying cycling. 

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

Yes, you'll never be a contender if you got women around. Seriously, I don't think so. I know a few riders who'd tell you sex helps.

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?

I feel that cycling has become something that's now perceived as lees of a minority sport. Cycling is a sport which suffers from some snobbery. Not in the typical sense, but often amongst seasoned riders, be they serious racers or club riders, new cyclists are sometimes snubbed simply for not being aware of the nuances and etiquette within road cycling. All riders will know someone like this, a guy that sneers at the" newby" especially if they are young and fast.

I dont see any negative results of the increase in road cycling popularity. More cyclists can only improve awareness of cyclists amongst other road users and having spoken with several cyclists, I do think we saw I noticeable change in drivers behaviour towards cyclists on the back of Wiggins tour and Olympic success, with many drivers giving more room passing cyclists and generally being more considerate.

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

I guess it's the fact that the majority of road bike riders, wrongly or rightly, associate riding with some level of competition or at least maximising potential. Whether that takes the form of beating their times for regular routes ridden or winning a sprint for a village sign on a club run.

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

Absolutely yes. When I was racing,cycling was training. When I first started riding , everyday on the bike was fun. Since stopping racing I'm trying to get back some of that fun. I try to get on the bike with different people. When I was training I tended to train with the same few people or alone. Although training with Chris Walker was often a good laugh. We had a great training group for quite a few years.

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

I always liked Carlos Satre. He seemed to have had a tough career at times, but achieved a lot and made the most of his abilities. His tour win was evidence of this,in the midst of team politics he grabbed the tour from his team mate Frank Schleck, a guy I raced with in Italy, a real cool bloke. 

What was you favourite era of professional bike racing?

Probably late 80's. I think that's due to me being so young and watching tv and reading Winning magazine in awe of the likes of Roche, Herrara,Kelly et al. In time I learned more about the sport and lost that romantic hero worshipping perspective. Not for those or any other riders specifically.

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

Inspite of the over long BLACK socks, I think he's pretty cool, I think some would consider him a little contrived. I'd much rather see kids looking up to Wiggins than the typical prima-donna footballers.