Story
Three keen cyclists make up a team from various offices at Bidwells riding in support of the East Anglia's Children Hospices.
Matt Dawson, Doug Shulman and Colin Summers take on the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 Peloton Relay on Sunday 2 August.
Our cyclists stories:
Doug Shulman : After years of biking around the cities of both Cambridge & London, purely as a mode of transport, my passion for road cycling was ignited when a friend emigrated to the States and left me his racing bike. Since then, I've adopted lycra and cleats, grown a sizeable collection of jerseys and have enjoyed touring the roads of Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex and beyond each Saturday and Sunday and, when daylight allows, during the week. As a group, we at Bidwells have enjoyed many long-distance rides including, last year, a one-day 183-mile jaunt up to York, from Cambridge. As for my cycling preferences, oddly, I prefer going uphill than down...
Matt Dawson : I have always enjoyed cycling so didn't hesitate for a moment when I was given the opportunity to join the Bidwells team at this year's Ride London event. I recently cycled to the summit of the infamous Mont Ventoux with my colleagues in the Residential Development division, raising over £20,000 for EACH. I am looking forward to playing a part in Bidwells' relay and providing further support to such a valuable charity.
Colin: I started cycling aged 4 in Stonegrove Park, Edgware. Full stabilisers removed aged 5, a late starter but found my balance eventually. My first grazed knee and elbows aged 6. I failed to realise that brakes were the more sensible stopping option to a 3ft wall. Since then I have demonstrated how to fall off of a bike on many occasions. When I first got cleats (click in pedals), I showed my then 5 year old son you cannot defy gravity by stopping with your feet locked in… you fall sideways, slowly. More recently, in a training session for the Bidwells 175 mile cycle from Cambridge to York, I thought it would be a good idea to adjust the speedo on my spokes, whilst riding, and went straight over the handlebars. I recommend that the rest of the team give a wide berth whilst drafting.