Q & A: Michael Burke (Welland Valley CC)

Welland Valley CC club rider Michael Burke takes the VeloUK question and answer quiz … ta!

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Q & A: Michael Burke (Welland Valley CC)

TAKE THE QUIZ! – click here if you would like to be featured on VeloUK! 

Being part of a club is one of the most rewarding things in cycling and Welland Valley CC rider Michael Burke says that the best part of being a member of his club is the camaraderie and being a part of the club’s history.

1. How did you get into cycle racing …
Michael: I was thinking of taking it up for some time before I actually did. I started off with time trials and then was encouraged into road racing by two friends. I was fortunate in that my club held a series of go-ride races at the end of the summer which I found was a great place to start before going into full BC racing later on.

2. What’s your favourite discipline in cycling?
Michael: The road has always been my favourite. Although, I feel it is good to ride in others such as the track to keep my mind fresh.

3. What is the best thing about bike racing?
Michael: I find it very fulfilling. It gives me a lot to look forward to and keeps me out and about. I enjoy the competitiveness racing gives you, but ultimately it is just about riding my bike.

4. What was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Michael: Gaining a 1st Category licence which is something I had dreamed about since I started racing. Winning the Finsbury Park Road Race was also a big highlight for me.

5. What was your favourite/most fun race of 2016
Michael: The Equipe Velo Road Race was a lot of fun.

6. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Michael: The Spirit Bikes Road Race was the toughest. Working extremely hard to get into the big move I had some bad luck and suffered a crash on the last lap. It was a big lesson a reminder that things sometimes don’t always work out.

7. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Michael: I learnt to take the positives out of a race or training session even if it did not go to plan.
… continued after advert

2016_ShuttVeloRapideAdvert

8. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Michael: My race bike (Specialized Tarmac) has done me very proud.

9. What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Michael: Neither, just a ride up and down the road. Mostly just trying to relax.

10. Will you stay in the UK to prepare for next season during the winter or get in a training camp or two abroad to get in some serious miles?
Michael: I will be staying in the UK. Country back roads for me!

11. When will you start training for 2017 and what comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Michael: I have just started thinking about next year, I have found previously that long steady miles to start with works well. It is also nice to have a rest from racing, especially after Track Racing and Hill Climbs as it’s too difficult to go hard all year.

12. What are the goals for 2017?
Michael: Keeping my 1st Category Licence. I would also like to improve on Track Racing.

13. Does winter training consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)
Michael: Being in full time work it is difficult to fit anything else in. If I had more time I would swim.

14. Finally, what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Michael: Good clothing and a bike for the job. Comfort when out in the cold is important as well as having a purpose to the ride.

TAKE THE QUIZ! – click here if you would like to be featured on VeloUK! 

AlpsCyclesMidstory

 

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Cero

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: