We caught up with him just before his adventure began in August 2011.
1. First and foremost, tell us about yourself. How did your love affair with cycling come about?I love any sport
which gets me into the hills and pushes me. I like to be thoroughly tired when
I finally get back home. I started cycling at a young age, like most, but got
properly involved when I came to Aberdeen to study for my degree. I picked up a
cheap second hand road bike off ebay and that's how it began. Indeed, Aberdeen University was an easy
choice for me as it is close to the mountains!
2. As a self-confessed climbing addict, how does this tie in with your forthcoming cycling adventure through the Himalayas?
Climbing is definitely my first passion and has engulfed my life. It is everything I do and I everything I will do. It's hard to explain to others what climbing means to me, safe to say it means a lot! I get unbelievable psyched about adventuring and my climbing has always been about where I am climbing rather than what I am climbing, so naturally, explorative climbing is a must for me.
Every dry day you will find me on the Aberdeenshire cliffs and any wet day on my training board at home, or at the climbing wall where I work as an instructor. I have climbed all over Europe, but have yet to climb elsewhere in the world, so of course I will have my eyes open in India for a quick fix of bouldering in amongst the cycling, which I'm sure will be plentiful in the Himalayas.
3. It seems you are quite the photographer too. When did you begin taking photos and what inspires you behind and in front of the lens? What camera do you use?From a young age I've always been intrigued by photography and how photographers are able to catch a defining moment in time. So naturally I wanted to try to achieve the same. More recently I have started to film and edit videos as well. I suppose I am inspired by the natural beauty of a landscape, but for me it always has to have a point of interest as well, such as a mountain biker. I use a SONY A33 SLT, it's a stunningly good camera, and so light as well!
4. As with many who embark on inspirational expeditions, there is often a gradual shift from a casual approach to a more serious attitude. Was this the case for you or did you have a 'eureka' defining moment that crystallised your desire to pursue cycling in a more serious manner?I continually get inspired by people who tell me about their amazing adventures, so I have mentally been building up to this cycle expedition for a while without it having a definite form. Cycling across the Himalayas will be one of many spur of the moment decisions, where I have a desire to do something real, tough and now. So I suppose it's a bit of both - gradual and 'eureka'.
5. What experiences do you hope to draw from this first foray into the world of cycle expeditions and what are the driving forces motivating you?I hope to become a better cyclist! I also hope to understand what I want from life. I need to start thinking about what I want to do with my life after university! Hopefully play in the outdoors forever...
6. What areas will you be travelling through in India and what conditions are you expecting to encounter in terms of the weather, road/track conditions etc?I will be cycling through the Himalayas, which is the highest mountain range on Earth. I will be cycling up to 5000m and I don't really know if I can handle altitude, I've never been up that high before! I have heard the weather is supposed to be pretty bad, thunderstorms etc. Luckily as a Montane sponsored athlete I will be using some tried and tested kit, so I should stay dry.
7. How long do you think the entire journey will take you? Will you be cycling with any support?The cycle will take me two weeks, with one rest day. I plan to travel in India after as well. There will be a van to meet me at the camp, so I won't have to carry all of my kit, which is quite a relief!
8. Finally, who is your biggest inspiration?Anyone who gets out! But at this moment in time it would have to be my friend Andy Ruck, who is one of the surviving team leaders from the polar bear attack which took place in Norway. Get well soon Andy!!
