My First Bike

Professor Anthony Purnell, Visiting Royal Academy of Engineering Professor in Systems Engineering, Trinity Hall.

• What was the make and colour of your first bike as a child, and did you name it anything? Carlton Blue, but it was all chrome, so pretty wow!
• What is your favourite route to cycle, either in Cambridge or anywhere else in the world? The Letras pass in Columbia, South America (52 miles long, 3,195m ascent).
• What is cycling to you? A pastime, a method of transport or a way of keeping fit? All of those.
• Do you cycle to work? If so, why? Yes. Speed.
• Will you be watching the Tour de France today? Oh Yes.

Dr Emma Mawdsley, Director of Studies, Geography, Newnham College.

• What was the make and colour of your first bike as a child, and did you name it anything? My first bike was blue with a white saddle and handlebars. I secretly thought it was a horse and I pretended it was a horse but I didn’t name it.
• What is your favourite route to cycle, either in Cambridge or anywhere else in the world? My favourite route is up in Durham where old railway tracks have been converted to cycle routes.
• What is cycling to you? A pastime, a method of transport or a way of keeping fit? Cycling is all of those things to me and more. It represents glorious freedom and the ability to get out and move.
• Do you cycle to work? If so, why? Yes I cycle to work every day because it is quick, pleasant and the only way I could possibly get around Cambridge in time for everything I need to do.
• Will you be watching the Tour de France today? I might cycle out to Shelford and watch them spin past there.

Becky Allen, editor of the Staff Newlsetter.

• What was the make and colour of your first bike as a child, and did you name it anything? My first bike was blue, but at primary school makes didn't mean much. But I've got clearer - but more painful - memories - of my neighbour's bike. It was mustard and I've still got the scars from falling off it.
• What is your favourite route to cycle, either in Cambridge or anywhere else in the world? My favourite bike ride was from Berlin to Copenhagen. Failing that, anything along a river or canal.
• What is cycling to you? A pastime, a method of transport or a way of keeping fit? Bikes are among man's best invention. Good for us - mind and body - and good for the planet.
• Do you cycle to work? If so, why? Always. It's quicker.
• Will you be watching the Tour de France today? Bien sur. The TdF on the telly is the best way to spend the afternoons for 3 weeks every July, so seeing it in the flesh will be a treat.

Dr Jenny Mander, Director of Studies, MML, Newnham College

• What was the make and colour of your first bike as a child, and did you name it anything? It was a blue Raleigh bike but I didn’t name it anything.
• What is your favourite route to cycle, either in Cambridge or anywhere else in the world? Any route that is the quickest with the fewest cars.
• What is cycling to you? A pastime, a method of transport or a way of keeping fit? It is a method of transport.
• Do you cycle to work? If so, why? Yes I do because it is quicker and I can put a child on the back and drop my children off easily.
• Will you be watching the Tour de France today? I will be outside the Fitzwilliam Museum with my children as one of them is singing there to entertain the crowds that will be waiting.

Jon Holgate, Head of Networks, UIS.

• What was the make and colour of your first bike as a child, and did you name it anything? The first bike I can recall is a light blue Raleigh road bike.  It didn’t have a name though.
• What is your favourite route to cycle, either in Cambridge or anywhere else in the world? Cycling from Kosovo into Albania is an amazing cycle ride.  The roads are very quiet, the roads are in immaculate condition, and the scenery is outstanding.  The Valbona mountains and foothills provide a spectacular backdrop.
• What is cycling to you? A pastime, a method of transport or a way of keeping fit? Cycling is how I commute, and work out and holiday, but mostly it’s just fun.
• Do you cycle to work? If so, why? Of course.  It’s fun, fast, cheap and allows me to eat guilt free cake all day.
• Will you be watching the Tour de France today? For sure.

Dr Claire Barlow, Director of Studies, Engineering, Newnham College.

• What was the make and colour of your first bike as a child, and did you name it anything? I bought my first bike from a friend for 10 shillings and I spent all my pocket money on it. It was black and didn’t have a name.
• What is your favourite route to cycle, either in Cambridge or anywhere else in the world? My favourite cycling route is on the Isle of Mull and it goes from Salen round the coast and the scenery is beautiful.
• What is cycling to you? A pastime, a method of transport or a way of keeping fit? Cycling is an important pastime, method of transport and keeping fit happens incidentally.
• Do you cycle to work? If so, why? Cycling is the quickest way to get around Cambridge and I enjoy it.
• Will you be watching the Tour de France today? Yes, I will be in the bell tower at Great St Mary’s ringing the bells at the very moment that they pass