Lockdown Q&A: Julian Varley (Cycling Sheffield)

Another Lockdown Q & A from the Cycling Sheffield Elite cycling team with Julian Varley of Harrogate

Lockdown Q&A: Julian Varley (Cycling Sheffield)
Brought to you by Bioracer UK

Q: Your last race was and how did it go for you?
Julian: Bashed round Prissick for an hour, like to think I went out on a high.

Q: With racing cancelled, what’s a typical week training wise for you?
Julian: Getting the hours in still, with high to middling quality efforts 2-3 times per week. Got to make hay whilst the sun shines.

Q: Enjoying the turbo or avoiding it like the virus?
Julian: I have to make the choice most Wednesdays and Sundays. A few hours in the Dales, maybe head up to the Moors or B, sit in a garage for five hours questioning my very existence until I break down in existential crisis. I pick A every time Larry!

Q: If on the turbo, what’s your favourite distraction – Zwift or some other entertainment?
Julian: I swear I once tried to read a book on the turbo, which was a pretty dumb idea considering I can barely read at the best of times. Then someone came along and invented Zwift so I play that now and it’s alright to be fair.

… continued after advert

Q: What’s the hardest thing for you about the Lock Down
Julian: Life’s as hard as you make it.

Q: Besides cycling, what’s your biggest distraction as lock down continues?
Julian: Priority for me now right now is finishing up the decorating at my Nan’s new bungalow. I’ll be taking on new clients after lockdown’s over. I do anything within reason, cash in hand, HG postcodes!

Q: What’s your bike that gets the most use by you and what is the best thing about it?
Julian: Giant TCR Advanced SL2, supplied by Giant Sheffield. Surprisingly, like everyone else’s bike, it’s lightweight, stiff, comfortable, fast, etc. But for me, I like the fact it’s mechanical groupo, rim brakes from a reputable brand. Good old fashioned values. Some say you can’t put price on that but Giant do and it’s very reasonable.

Q: What’s the weirdest thing you have seen since this crisis began?
Julian: Weird is the new normal now I guess. Can anyone even remember their old lives?

Q: What clothing from the team kit is most used during this time of the year?
Julian: It’s been anywhere from freezing to sunshine in the past month round me so never quite sure what I’ll be wearing. I have been afforded the holy trinity of cycling kit, so can’t go wrong really. Bioracer on top, Megmeister underneath and Mamnick on my feet. Keeps me comfortable and looking fly.

Q: Finally, where you do you enjoy riding the most in this country?
Julian: A660, A65, A660. Ridden in the correct manner, then you are in for the worst or best time of your life, depends.

Thank you Julian, stay safe and enjoy the life …