Assembled from the four corners of South Oxford (apart from Walt but that would spoil the opening sentence), the Cycle4Sobell charity cycling crew are all top-flight professionals and legends within their own office cubicles.
Though their combined skills might not bring about the world peace that forms so much of their pub discussions, they could easily finance, build, interior decorate and market affordable-housing…and then knock it down without breaking into a sweat.
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Tim Bowley Tim ‘the veteren’ Bowley, the original Hinksey Massive, is bit of a dab hand at cycling. After recently completing an Oxford to Carmarthen trip, he is sure to brush us all aside and get to Paris quicker that he can lift the lid off a tin of paint. Using his fine decorating skills, Tim has also started painting a picture of what to expect on the trip. His Steed: Focus Cayo 105 |
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Walt Cundy Walt is a Gentleman’s Gentleman. No middle-class lycra for him on this trip. Only the luxurious touch of the finest Harris tweed against his manly skin will do. Apparently it’s self-wicking. When he’s not on his Penny-farthing, Walt is a sculptor and co-owner of Liscious Interiors in Jericho. His Steed: Custom Pinarello |
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Andy Dawson A Dot Com Whizzkid, Andy is rare breed amongst Liverpudlians…he’s alright. He plays guitar in a band, in his bedroom, in his mind. Currently behind in the ‘extreme training’ league, he’s getting excited about cranks and gears. He has a Mariah Carey complex, with his demands including single rooms and personal masseuses. And blue smarties. His Steed: Specialized Allez Double |
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Peter Ellistan Forever blowing bubbles, Pete will keep everyone entertained as we ‘wind down’ each evening. He will be fuelled for the trip by Red Bull, Becks and the occasional silk cut (a true athlete’s diet) and will take advantage of the duty free on the ferry to re-stock supplies. His Steed: Fausto Coppi Torino |
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James Finlayson Despite not actually owning a bike, James is still one of the hot favourites for the maillot jaune. A harsh critic might call that slightly too laid back but James is currently focusing on the theory side of things, and making sure he has enough Vaseline and lycra. How hard can it be to learn to ride a bike? His Steed: Unknown |
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Jim Gabriel When not flogging computer software to hospitals, Jim likes nothing more than to rip up the back roads of Oxfordshire on his Triumph Daytona. At full throttle he could be in Paris in a couple of hours, but if anyone can make the transition from a ride fuelled by adrenalin, to one fuelled by bananas, it’s Jim! His Steed: Vintage Dawes Milk-Race |
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Tom Gilman Tom had the looks to be the next milky bar kid, but a life of TV celebrity was not for him; Tom had his sights fixed on life as a lawyer and he now practices in Oxford. Tom’s powers of persuasion go beyond the courtroom, he’s also father of three little Gilman’s, who together with Charlotte will be proudly cheering him all the way to Paris. His Steed: Specialized Sirrus Sport |
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Dave Nash Dave is no stranger to long distance cycling having spent years of his life cycling from Oxford to London every morning where he used to run a newspaper in his spare time. Nowadays, Dave cycles with the children to St. Ebbes school every day instead, clocking up 0.46 miles daily. Go Dave! His Steed: Peugeot Competition |
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Jimmy Smith Jimmy, known to many for all the wrong reasons. A staunch Arsenal fan, who is always willing to drop everything to help a friend in need. Unique in many ways, this Italian Stallion is one of a kind. A top bloke and one of the favourites to secure the “Maillot Jaune” in Paris. His Steed: Dawes Hybrid 2005 |
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Max Tucker Known to friends as ‘Max the wax’. He has the responsibility of aerodynamics for the ride, this has certainly gone to his head as he is constantly findings ways of reducing drag and making the journey as smooth as possible. Max is looking forward to riding bareback and having the craic in Paris. His Steed: Unknown |
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Andrew Wigley Andy or “The Gardener” as he’s known, is always looking for a challenge. He recently returned from a round the world trip eager to try new things, so when Jimmy suggested a cycle trip to Paris with the New Hinksey massive, he jumped at the chance, knowing adventure was just around the corner… His Steed: Unknown |
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Nick Williamson Though a slightly longer trip than to his allotment on the abingdon road, being a cross country mountain biker, Nick should have no trouble with any hills encountered en-route to Paris and could well live up to his reputation as The Demolition Man. His Steed: Fausto Coppi Treviso |
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Tim Giddy (The Driver) Tim ‘The Hunter’ Giddy will shoot things dead or alive. He has an account at the House of Tweed and is looking forward to being at the front of the posse. He may go back to his roots in South Peckham London to find a suitable candidate to ride shot gun with him. He has also just bought a book of road-kill recipes. His Steed: Possibly a Ford Transit |
