Meet the 35th Infantry

(yes - it's another reference to the film)

It's fair to say that Kelly's Heroes represents a varied mix of cycling ability and fitness. Some of us have been riding bikes for a while, whether it's as part of a Triathlon, or hitting many of the great mountain bike trails in the UK. Others have decent levels of fitness through participation in other sports, but little biking experience, whilst some really have got an epic challenge on their hands!

There are currently seven of us in Kelly's heroes, the bulk of the team work in the development department of Freestyle Interactive - A digital marketing agency based in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, UK.

So, in no particular order, here's a quick run down on the current members:

 

Mark Kelly
Development Team Leader at Freestyle. Well this is me, and all this nonsense was all my idea. I've been recreationally involved in endurance sports for the last 5 years, competing in Triathlons, from sprint distance up to the UK Ironman in 2006 (some might say I've been basking in the glory of this event for a little to long now - but what do they know? they haven't got the medal..). My biggest endurance challenge to date was probably a 25-day arctic expedition in April 2007, but 2008 is looking like it could be close contender. My biggest challenge is balancing the my other commitments with L'Etape (currently the Bala Half-Ironman, a 300 mile Arctic expedition and some housing renovation) and trying to lose my 'recreational' status by dropping 2-3% body fat. A tough prospect given my fairly erratic training combined with the free supply of biscuits at Freestyle.

 

Rob Ford
Interface Developer at Freestyle. There's little argument that Rob is the strongest member (at least of the Freestyle lot). Rob took up road riding in August, without a great deal of previous experience in any sort of cycling. His unwavering dedication to rowing training (Rob's a member of the Stratford Upon Avon Boat Club) has given him level of fitness and power which mean he's simply referred to as 'The Machine'. Aside from rowing, both Rob and myself like the odd bash at random endurance events, such as the Rat Race and Tough Guy race. Read more about Rob over at his blog: http://blog.rajf.co.uk/

Alex 'McUllrich' McCormick
Senior Developer at Freestyle. Some important facts about Alex: 1. He's taken part in a National final (Coventry Jets vs Some other team with Alex in wide-receiver / bench-warming position). He's never had a day off ill (apart from three incidents of concussion). He can bench 1.88 times his body weight.

Cycling is definitely a new sport for Alex. Shortly after his surprise decision to join us for L'Etape, he decided to head down to the local bike shop for a few test rides. The bike shop guy watched nervously as McCormick set off, slowly and unsteadily, in the wrong direction, before questioning 'He does know how to ride a bike - doesn't he?'.

He's come a long way since those late summer months. Back then, something as simple as taking a drink from his bidon, required Alex to come to a complete stop by the side of the road - only then would he release his vice like grip on the handle bars, allowing him to quench his thirst.

Jon Sharratt
It's been a on-off kind of start for John. After first hitting the road back in August, stratospheric levels of enthusiasm saw him purchase the most expensive bike in the group, and book himself on a specialist Etape winter training camp at Club La Santa in Lanzarote, all in the blink of an eye. Over successive months enthusiasm waned somewhat and the bike was safely parked up for the winter - Jon confident in his assertion that 'he didn't need to train for the Etape'.

Before boredom set in, Jon's riding style could be best described as 'explosive', preferring to hit it hard in the first few miles, with plenty of uphill over-taking sprints, which generally left everyone behind. Unfortunately this work rate would rarely last anywhere near the distance, and the latter parts of the ride would see Jon 'in a dark place'.

As the dark, winter rides come to an end, Jon's decided to get back on his bike and is, at the time of writing, experiencing a fitness 'renaissance'. Whether this re-awakening lasts the distance to the Etape remains to be seen!

 

 

Paul 'Visage de Gateaux' Taylor
Development Team Leader at Freestyle. By his own admission he's a 'big unit' - with an equally big appetite to match. Weighing in at close to 18 stone, with a sporting background firmly routed in Cricket and (almost professional) Golf, Paul isn't exactly cut-out for the epic hill-climbs of the Etape. However, since first hitting the road back in July, when he struggled with even the shortest distance rides, he's given up the Bensons and gone on to complete the likes of the Exmoor Beast and the Godiva sportive.

There's always a possibility that a packed cricket fixture list, a recent increase of activities requiring a pringle jumper and well-pressed slacks along with the odd tub of cocktail sausages, will all conspire to guarantee Paul a seat in the broom wagon. The coming sportives will soon tell which way things will pan out.

 

Phil 'The Ham' Morton
Head of Operations at Freestyle. His Derbyshire roots have given him a strong history in going downhill fast, albeit on Mountain Bike Trails rather than tarmac. Phil's house has generally become a biking headquarters, from spare kit, to tools to spare bikes, pretty much everyone in the team has, at some point dipped in to borrow stuff / have stuff repaired and generally be fed (courtesy of Sarah).

Phil is about as gadget-obsessed as myself, and a new bike related purchase is usually just around the corner. His 'ham-legs' have the potential give him some decent power, and he's always up for the odd sprint, but physique-wise, he's no 'chicken'. Phil is probably out on the bike more the most of us, being the only one who actually cycles to work!

Tim Newman
The only member who doesn't work at Freestyle. Tim tends to join us for the Sportives, and is definitely one of the stronger riders in the team, due to his build and regular training. He's recently taken on a personal trainer and rumour has it, he's knocking out over 200 miles a week!