Jamie Scott (Kettering Amateur Friendly CC 1991)

Kettering Amateur Friendly CC was my first club in 1991, I joined with my dad and that is when I started racing competitively (if you can call it that!). I’m an occasional forum ‘poster’ on the site, attend some Sunday club runs and the occasional club event. I’m renowned for light hearted wind up’s on the club’s forum…………

I’m an Account Director. I work within the Automotive sector – our business model involves selling ex-manufacturer/fleet vehicles back into the ‘trade’. I direct our principal accounts including a number of very well known vehicle manufacturers and large corporate organisations. I couldn’t possibly cycle to work as I do about 800-1000 business miles a week!!!

From a very early age I’ve always played sport, whether that be football, rugby (yes Rugby!) and Tennis. I played youth football for a number of years while in school etc, I played for both school teams and local football teams. I played county Tennis for a number of years from 8 to 12 years old, in the end, I opted for the cycling as my chosen sport to concentrate on. I was schools squash champion many years ago (technically not the best, but my tennis helped tremendously!). I also ran county cross country as a junior, and I’ve continued to run occasionally through the winter months for some cross training as I’ve grown up (when I say ‘grown up’ I mean got older!!).

I have always been interested in cycling due to my dad. I always did what sport he did; he ran for years, I was running from a very young age, he then retired from running (knackered knees) so became reacquainted with a bike (low impact) so I started to ride my bike. My mum played Squash to a high standard, hence I played Tennis and Squash too.

I have been cycling for 18 years. I started when I was 12, joined and raced (on the road) for KACC at 13 years old. I raced seriously (if you can call it that) from then to 2003-2004 then to 2007. I have always raced, but not as much as I should have. During 2008 – 2009 I rediscovered my racing passion and I’m now looking forward to 2010.

I enjoy cycling because of social enjoyment, and I still enjoy it. Cycling very much becomes part of you, and its infectious! I’ve been fortunate enough to race in Europe (and win!) and also win in a number of different disciplines.

My favourite cycling run is in the French Alps. I love the French Alps. I think you’ll struggle to find a better place to ride your bike. It’s spectacular in the summer, so my favourite ride would have to be Valiore to the summit of the Col du Galiber and also the ride up the Alpe du Heuz, the magical 21 hairpins and the Mecca of cycling. Mont Ventoux from Bedion is also another favourite.

The cycling disciplines I mainly ride are road races and Sportives now. I used to TT and still do on the rare occasion. I love the track, but haven’t ridden for a number of years now (despite having a brand new unused track bike in the garage!).

I remember being 13 years old in my first race. It was a Wednesday evening event on the ‘Brigstock 10’ – my first club event. I rode in the KACC yellow and blue, vaguely recollect a tailwind to the turn, and certainly remember the hills being a killer. I guess the main memory (and one that will stick with me forever) was the sight of Pat Houghton and Tom Bailey (having both passed me during, and now finished) riding back up the course to find me. I was close to stopping having found it tough to say the least, both Tom and Pat asked how I was and then gently paced me to the finish line. To look back now actually brings a tear to my eye, it has stuck with me as being the biggest sporting gesture ever afforded to me, and I don’t think it will ever be surpassed (I know I can be a sarcastic so and so, i.e. some forum posts) but I can assure you, this as your first racing memory its quite significant. Not for the fact that I finished in about 45 minutes and a few seconds, more that two people who I’d only just met, took their time to do what they did. I’ve never really had time to thank both Tom and Pat, so I’ll make this a very public thank you to you both – obviously something 18 years on that very much stays with me. Thanks guys….

I’ve had a couple of best cycling performances; in the final round of the National TT Circuit Series in 1997 I was leading the series race for the Junior title, and wanted to put in a good performance, it was late September and I’d had a significant change earlier that month having my parents separate; obviously this affected me significantly, fortunately it didn’t affect my performance in the final round. I won by a massive margin, and always remember flying that day, a ‘no chain’ day. The circuit was just 10 miles I recall, and we covered two laps, while the senior men covered three – my first two laps were within the top 5 times recorded of all riders, and I sealed the season long national title. Post race the emotion hit me and I recall a very tearful moment post crossing the finish line, my friend Andrew Wilkinson also raced that day in the senior event (I think that he won riding for Adidas Sicon) we drank tea after the event and talked until we were last to leave the village hall, a great ride, made even better by the circumstance. My other memory was from riding the Marmotte in the French Alps in 2008, it was my first time riding the event, but not my first on the mountains you cover. In summary, I’d neglected the very basic’s, eating, drinking etc and subsequently paid for it! I’ve never suffered (in a strange way) like I did that day, but I learnt a lot about myself and how mentally tough I’ve become as a bike rider and as an individual – the long ride up the Col du Galiber and then the suffering up the Alpe du Heuz left me with mixed emotions. I’d not ridden to my potential, but I’d had a massive day of ‘learning’ at 29 years of age. The longest racing distance I have ridden is 122 miles and the longest training distance is 158 miles.

My sporting ambition is to win the Tour de France and Lance Armstrong, is the cyclist I most admire because I’m a believer and also my parents for what they did for me growing up.

Aside from cycling, I currently enjoy playing squash from October to January. I find the endurance base that cycling gives you allows you to compete to a level at most sports! I also play Golf, I first hit a ball in Dec 2004 in Spain and haven’t looked back since. I’m fortunate to play a fair amount of corporate golf, so I enjoy the release of playing a sport that is very different to cycling, no where near the amount of suffering, as much time investment if you want to be ‘OK’, but a great game to relax and enjoy. I’m now playing off a 12 handicap. I’m also interested in clothes and any sport on television I’ll watch. I love watching ‘Grand Designs’ and ‘Ray Mears’. My new interest (since Feb 17th 2010) is Julia Mancuso – USA winter Olympic downhill silver medalist – she’s proper!

Pasta and risotto would be my two chosen meals. Drink wise I used to love a good red wine but don’t drink ‘red now’, so I guess my chosen drink would be Armand de Brignac or Lanson Noble Cuvee Blanc. Otherwise its Apple Juice!

In the future in the UK I would like to see more TV coverage to a mainstream audience. I’d also like to see safer road racing for amateurs or at least some BC guidance to riders on how to race and conduct themselves when in a group/peleton. I’d like drug testing at all KCC evening club time trials! EPO available on the NHS from your GP* and more woman coming into the sport, women that look like Julia Mancuso…so not much really!



* Disclaimer - KCC take NO responsibility nor any ownership of the personal views of their members, present or former!!!

Last Updated: 20/02/2010

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