08/09/2010

Select a Rider

Mark Affuso (Treasurer)
Paul Ashdown
Tom Bailey (Club Run Secretary)
Shaun Bailey (Webmaster)
Rob Barker
Robin Bellamy (Youth Development Officer)
George Bridge
Robert Draycott
Bob Hill (Club President)
Gavin Hinxman (TT Secretary)
Andy Laing
Steve McGarry
Josh Monger
Mike O' Connor
Colin Pountney
Michael Rogers
Jamie Scott (Kettering Amateur Friendly CC 1991)
Bernard Smith (Press Secretary)
Adrian  Tilley (Club Secretary)
Robert White (Magazine Editor)

Rob Barker

No ImageI have been a member of Kettering Cycling Club for eight years. The only role I have in the club is that of a racing cyclist. I'm not overly intelligent nor articulate so tend to let my legs do the talking :)

I have been an engineer for 23 years at B.I. Engineering in Wellingborough where I run two CNC lathes and do a lot of assembly work which is very useful for working on the bikes. I very rarely cycle to work as I have to pick my kids up from childminders. I've no other sports other than tormenting my kids! I also enjoy motorcycling but tend to cycle if I ever get the rare chance for a ride. I also enjoy building up my bike collection. I have built eight so far and I'm currently working on my latest retro project at the moment.

I was a late starter on my bike and only learnt to ride around the age of 10/11, so I've not been cycling all that long! My Dad used to race when I was very young and I remember being carried on the back of his bike to infant school every day on his way to work. That bike was our main and only form of transport when I was growing up. Cycling is in my blood, I may only do only 3 hours of training a week but it's always on my mind (ok I'm sad!). I don't have a favourite ride. I much prefer to wait and see which way the wind is blowing and see where I end up. I love getting lost and having to rely on road signs to find my way back home.....

I am a born tester! I did win the first mass start race at the Rockingham Speedway. I would also like to try a kilo on the track. My first taste of racing was when I was 13 years old my friend, Steve Smith, and I were out for a ride when we were passed by Joe Dalton (I think) from the 45 RC. We jumped onto his back wheel, as you do, and held him for a few miles. We rolled up the next week to their club 10 up the Mad Mile. It was the penultimate race of the year and I think I did a mid 28 followed by a mid 27 the following week.

My best cycling moment was when I was standing on the stage in Derby at the RTTC Championships night in February 1990 next to my best friend receiving the Junior 25 team trophy for the 45 RC. It's a shame that I've been put down as R Baker in the handbook :( The furthest I've ridden is over 100 miles but this distance is very few and far between.

I have always been self motivated but if I do have to choose a role model in the early days it was the era of Cammish, Adkins and the like, what's not to admire!! What I admire most is the riders who get ill/injured and don't let it stop them. Even more so, I have great admiration for their families who stand by them and support them regardless. A special mention here to my parents who have seen both me and my brother, Sam, hospitalised but have never tried to stop us and have always stood by us. My sporting ambition is to ride until I drop.

My favourite food is either a nice drink of cold water with one of Evelyn's flapjacks after a hard club turbo sesh or a nice greasy mixed shish kebab after a few Jack Daniels with loved ones.

In the future in the UK I would like to see more discipline on the roads, yes mainly from motorists but starting with us, how can we critisise others when too many riders jump kerbs, red lights and cut corners.

Last Updated: 20/03/2010