Alpine Challenge Ride Captains 2012

We are pleased to introduce you to the 2012 Ride Captains.  The role of the HotChillee Ride Captain is to mentor and motivate you during the ride, provide assistance for the smooth running of the event, such as but not limited to, directions, peloton etiquette, drink breaks and advice.

The Ride Captains will also be leading the Training Rides so if you are able to make some of these you will get the chance to ask questions and get advice before June.  Dates for the Training Rides can be found on the Alpine Challenge 2012 Calendar by clicking here.

 

Michael Blann

I was born by the sea in Hastings in 1970. My teens were spent exploring the south coast on a push-bike with dreams of riding the Tour De France one day.

In 1990 I headed to Australia to race as an elite and to experience some tough racing hanging on the tails of the bunch in races such as the Golden West Tour (a 9 day stage race) and other premier events in Queensland.

Dream over I headed back to England to get an education! From there I followed my passion in photography, which eventually became my career (and still is).

I first met Sven riding around the lanes in Surrey and he quickly became a friend and part of the Esher riding group. With the gift of the gab, he persuaded me to ride an event he was organising (it didn't have a name then) and so one summer we set off as a group of 18 friends to Paris.

I've now lost count of the number of times I've done The L2P but it must be 6 or 7 and it's been an honor to ride alongside ex-pros I admired as a kid - Kelly and Roche. I’ve also experienced the immense talent of riders such as Matt Stevens at the sharp end of the racing and even had some success along the way, winning the mountain jersey 3 times and been runner up 3 times.

To be honest there aren't any real mountains on the road to Paris, but these can be found in the Alps! So being more mountain goat than rouleur I was delighted when HotChillee decided to expand their portfolio in 2010 with the inaugural Alpine Challenge. It's here that I feel most at home and look forward every year to wrapping up the season in September in one of the most beautiful places in Europe - Annecy.

See you on the road soon.

Juliette Clark

2012 is my first year as a Ride Captain and it is a real privilege to be joining the team. I participated in The L2P as an individual in 2010 and 2011 and I was also lucky enough to have competed at the inaugural Alpine Challenge in 2010. Three wonderful days in the mountains and three pink jerseys! I didn’t think I could cap that but returning as a Ride Captain in 2012 will be another inimitable experience.

My sporting life began on the cross-country trails as a 'skinny-runner' kid and that endurance base has stood me in good stead in later life. In 1998 I got involved in triathlon through Cancer Research UK after my best friend tragically died aged only 28. Having satiated my need to mark her memory, I found I was hooked and spent a frenetic five years racing triathlon & duathlon all over the world while holding down a full-time job in the City. I represented GB at elite level duathlon and dabbled in longer distance events, including New York and London marathons and Hawaii Ironman. A break from competition followed for a few years thereafter, some of which was forced by injury, but eventually I was drawn back to cycling in 2008 and I'm glad to say I have lost none of my passion for the sport. A move away from London to the East Sussex coast has provided scenic new routes through the countryside and over the South Downs.

The atmosphere at HotChillee events, be it The L2P or The Alpine Challenge, is second to none. Friendships are made, dreams are realised and the indomitable spirit of every participant is truly amazing. It will be an honour to share this.

David Bryant

(aka 'The Bull')

Has been part of the HotChillee family for a couple of years now and has been on the Ride Captain squad for The Alpine Challenge in 2010 & 2011.

I rode to school when I was a lad, now I ride to work - maybe I haven't really grown up.  Rides on road, off road and occasionally on the track.

Australian born and bred but moved to Europe 15 years ago for the skiing, mountains and watching the big bike races.  Now living in Kingston in Surrey.

Married with 3 little kids - training is "whenever possible" - mostly commuting mileage in to the office in central London.

The challenge of the multi-day and endurance type events is really where my heart is now (criteriums and TT's just hurt too much).  Cycling in France is one of the main reasons for coming to Europe from Oz, and now as a Ride Captain, to help other people to achieve their dreams of conquering the Alps and share in their exhileration.

 

Ian Holmes

With one London-Paris and two Alpine Challenges (winning the climbers jersey in 2010) under my belt I am delighted to be joining HotChillee again for 2012.

I have a mixed background in cycling over the past 20 odd years from triathlon back in the 90's to mountain biking and currently a bit of road racing.

I love the challenges that the HotChillee team create and the opportunity to meet such a wide range of like minded people in some of the most fantastic places across Europe is great motivation to keep training (even in the Great British winter!)

Away from riding I am busy working towards a Diploma in Sports & Remedial Massage Therapy at the London School of Sports Massage. Married to a very understanding wife and with teenage twin boys life is never dull!

 

Steve Jackson

(aka 'Flash')

Father of three boys, owner of seven bikes and keeper of one wife. BMX'er from the 80's and 90's (as witness by L2P Group 1 a couple of years ago on the infamous blowout crash, he still has the skills), now a roadie mostly but can be found at the skate park in Kingston and Teddington dirt jumps on his Standard Shorty BMX every now and then. Etape x 5, Marmotte x 2, Dragon x 5, L2P x 5, Surrey league, Hillingdon, Gorrick 12, no fixed "as never liked coaster brakes way back when" "I like to have a rest every now and then also".

This will be his 1st Alpine Challenge, but a regular on The L2P, having just competed his 5th and 3rd as Group 1 Ride Captain. Can be seen most weekends standing on the side of a rugby pitch...

Steve, a Cat 2 racer and member of HotChillee racing team, he will be working hard to achieve his goal to push himself for a Cat 1 license in 2012 and is over the moon to be given the opportunity to help and support this years Alpine Challenge riders. "I will be looking forward to witnessing the tactics out on the racing sections, whilst helping all groups, particularly pushing (but not too much) the riders for what will be the best 3 days of their cycling year! Unless they have ridden The L2P earlier in June thus making this 6 days..."

 

David Kirkby

(aka 'Capt')

6 London-Paris’ completed and 1 Alpine Challenge.

A father of two young men, a husband with a very understanding wife who knows as much about cycling as most blokes, and a businessman.

Just as happy riding a road or mountain bike. David is the old man of the Ride Captain squad, but can still just keep up with the young bucks when required. Australian by nationality and now settled in Surrey, David is married with two teenage sons and is training through the Winter of 2011/12 for some early events, in 2012.

David also started a charity cycling event in Australia called Tour de Kids which has now been running for over 12 years.

 

Ian Lobley

(aka 'Goose')

Ian's cycling life began in the 1970's as a Saturday shop boy alongside Alpine Challenge Chief Mechanic Nigel Hill. Narrowly beating Nigel in a sprint up Eltham High Street led to many years of club riding in Kent and London and some success in 10 mile TT and cyclocross. A family (including 2 girls now aged 20 and 18) and a career in Private Equity ensured bike riding was sporadic and weight gain more reliable! 

After getting fit to ride some of the famous Tour France Alpine climbs (including Alpe D'Huez), HotChillee events have been the cornerstone of Ian's cycling renaissance, both The Alpine Challenge where he was a rider in the inaugural event and The London-Paris.  

As well as HotChillee events, Ian has ridden the 300km Vatternrundan in Sweden and the bike leg of the Henley Ironman.  Always looking for an excuse to get dirty, Ian has returned to cyclocross racing after a layoff of 27 years where he competes in various regional league events and is looking forward to getting 50+ veteran status or some new lungs!

At The Alpine Challengem 2012, Ian will be providing special encouragement to other riders who remember the 1960s and/or weigh a bit more than the mountain goats who are likely to be first to the top of the mountains.

 

Rachel Przybylski

(aka 'Zappy')

As an experienced HotChillee Ride Captain with 5 London-Paris events and last year's Alpine Challenge under her belt I can safely say that not much phases me, I am prepared for all the eventualities that such amazing events can bring.

I keep coming back year after year because the community created by the HotChillee events is such a close, friendly and rewarding community to be part of.

I might be little but it has certainly been noted that I know how to make myself heard!! I put my riders safety and happiness at the top of my agenda so you can have the adventure/challenge of a lifetime.

I love the hills, especially Alpine climbs! Whether you want some friendly competition, encouragement to go hard, advice to take it easy or just someone to sit with you at the back, enjoying the scenery, I am that person.

Looking forward to seeing you at the training rides on my home turf of the Surrey hills, and even more excited about joining you all in September in Annecy.

Rachel, Zappy, “oi ride captain”, I answer to all!

 

David Thomas

I am delighted to be back as a Ride Captain for The London-Paris 2012.  This will be my fifth year involved with The L2P and after such a superb event in 2011, I jumped at the chance to come back for more.  Already I'm looking forward to meeting all you riders - roll on the mid-winter 'spring' rides.

Ride Captains fulfill many roles and you will see from all the write-ups here, a huge wealth of cycling knowledge, combined with decades of competition experience within ranks of the Ride Captains.  My cycling CV is somewhat shorter having found the sport later in life than many here.  This does mean that I'm well placed to provide help and encouragement to any of you who are, like me, older and larger than what would be considered ideal for a cyclist!

Away from the bike, I'm a full-time parent, looking after my two daughters while my very tolerant wife goes out to work.

 

Will Watt

I have been part of the HotChillee family for 4 years as a Ride Captain on The London-Paris.

2012 will see my first outing as a Ride Captain on The Alpine Challenge, and it will be a great pleasure to work with the team again.

My day job is for Specialized, working on the role out of the bike brand's Concept Stores in this market.

I came to the company through XC mountain bike racing and have since broadened my church to the road as the body has got older and time more precious!

At a modest 64kg, climbing has long been my love; where better to share the pleasure than in the idyllic Alpine surroundings around Annecy as part of The Alpine Challenge.

2012 will also see fellow Ride Captains David Bryant (Bull), David Kirkby (Capt), the Jedi Master Jay McStay and myself representing HotChillee again as we dust down our Epic 29ers and hone our team skills in the 2012 edition of the 8-day Cape Epic in March.

With a great focus on organised training rides in 2012, I look forward to welcoming both newcomers and tour veterans during their preparation.

The Ride Captains for 2012 have a broad base of experience, and will aim to help those entering this year's events at every standard to have a great riding experience and achieve their goals.