Member Profile - Sue Fraser

Date of Birth? 27th April, a very long time ago.

Current Bike? TREK 4300 and a Claude Butler Odessey (Hybrid).

How many years have you been a 'Berk'? Less than 1 year.

Which Club rides can we find you on? Currently none since I'm training for the London to Brighton Bike Ride in June. But I'll be back on the Saturday afternoon rides when that's over.

Done any racing? Never.

Describe your first race or club ride: It was one Saturday last August and I turned up with a couple of friends. I had never ridden off road deliberately before and I was on a bike borrowed from Lorraine's daughter. We set off down the hill to the underpass and all was fine until we turned off the main path. There was no way that I could cycle up that first hill and I wondered how I was going to last even 10 minutes. But then we hit the first piece of singletrack and I was hooked. I might have fallen off at every corner, steered into every gorse bush and kept the rest of the group waiting at the top of every hill but it was worth it for those swooping, flowing tracks through the trees. I did have second thoughts at the top of the first steep downhill bit but thanks to Pete's continual commands to get back off the saddle, I made it, more or less down the hill, over the fire-track and up the other side. Very belated thanks to everyone who made Lorraine, Martyn and I so welcome on our first rides, gave us good advice on technique and patiently waited and waited and waited….
I now have a bike of my own and am getting fitter so I'm occasionally not the last on the ride. But when we go along bits of the same trails we did on that first ride I remember the thrill of discovering something that's "the best fun you can have with your clothes on".

What is your favourite bit of MTB kit and why? My clothes with zip-up pockets at the back because I no longer have to keep my muesli bars down my shorts.

Favourite drink? Cider after a bike ride, a big red wine at any other time.

Any embarrassing moments you wish to share? Leaving my helmet at home and not remembering until just before the start of the ride by which time there were about 15 other BOB members milling about.

Who is your fantasy date? It has to be Robbie Williams.

What have you been doing while the trails have been closed? Watching the rain and ice skating. And I've been training for the London to Brighton by riding up the steepest road hills I can find around Marlow. I particularly recommend the hill up past Old Luxter's Brewery - if you can't make it to the top you can always stop and taste the beer while you catch your breath.

You are blasting down your favourite bit of single track, the rider in front goes over the bars, they get up and are OK, what's your reaction? I'd probably have fallen off in sympathy.

Previous | Next