Steve McGarry

No Image I have been a member of Kettering Cycling Club for a year. For the past decade I have done motorcycle trackdays at a hobby level, I also used to play Rugby and participate in Judo regularly but as you get older spare time becomes less and the body doesn’t take the abuse as well! Aside from cycling I still enjoy riding motorcycles both on the road and track (as well as most things with 2 wheels!!), as well computers, reading and the outdoors.

I am an IT Technical Consultant and have been in the industry for about 10 years after moving across from engineering. The bulk of my work is with corporations and businesses to design/implement/troubleshooting solutions for business continuity and disaster recovery. In a nutshell I try to keep IT systems running and if there are any failures try to get things going again ASAP. I don’t cycle to work.

I have cycled for about 18 months, competing (or taking part and making up the numbers in my case!) for one year. Initially my interest in cycling was as a low impact form of exercise after damaging my hip/knee in a motorcycle accident. However, as I became more involved it has been the competition that has kept me interested. I’m a goal orientated person so I find it hard to stick at things unless there is an objective to it. Time Trials specifically work for me as they easily accommodate setting goals/targets and as the label “Race of Truth” explains the results are down to the individual with nowhere to hide.

My first ever race was The Brian Charouneau Memorial 09. I remember lots of people buzzing around whom unlike me knew what was happening; I turned up with the wrong kit and it was raining and cold. I didn’t recognise anyone there having only been a member of the club for a couple of months and I finished last!!! I knew a couple of other members including Tom from going on club runs, however when I returned to the HQ after the race I still didn’t recognise anyone as I didn’t know what they looked like without a helmet & shades on – DOH. That said the whole experience was enough to stoke up the desire deep inside to continue training and not finish last again, but more importantly to beat my time next year – Ironically that time is not far away ( 3 weeks from writing this 1.08 to beat!).

My main enjoyment from cycling is in a TT context of being on your own, doing the best you can with no help/hindrance from anyone else. The highs of beating a PB and the lows of knowing you could have done better. There is also an element of knowing that my health is benefitting from the challenge without having to do ‘exercise’ as I cycle from choice not because I have to or should … unlike my time in the gym! TT is the only discipline I participate in, however I like the look of having a go on the track and also Cyclo-Cross.

My best cycling performance is 27:32 minutes for the Broughton 10, but the event I felt strongest on was the Earls Barton 25 . . . right up to the point I went off the circuit! Earls Barton owes me a time this year and therefore is a target race for me! Around sixty miles is the longest distance I have ridden and to complete a cost to coast ride for charity and try some sportives are my sporting ambitions.

My favourite cycling run is a 40 mile loop that goes out through Raunds down to Kimbolton, up through Catford then back via Titchmarsh and the Addingtons.

Lance Armstrong is the cyclist I most admire ironically not because of his cycling exploits but for overcoming cancer and the contribution he has made to cycling and Livestrong as well as enjoying his books. As a sporting role model Valentino Rossi (motorcycle racer) for his exceptional riding ability and tactical awareness, plus his jovial fun loving attitude.

My favourite food is anything with eggs and my favourite drink is red wine; preferably Rioja. In the future in the UK I would like to see some more dedicated cycling routes free from traffic.

Last Updated: 17/02/2010

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Steve McGarry