Whyte

ATHLETE PROFILES


STEVE HEADING Steve Heading, age 41. Science Teacher. Steve is a proper hard man from near Matlock in Derbyshire. Steve's speciality is long distance and endurance races, regularly winning tough events like the Transwales and Polaris events. Due to the exceptional miles Steve puts in training for these events, plus the abrasive geography he rides over Steve is one of our test riders who we use to long term test parts and components to ensure all the parts of a Whyte bike will last the distance.

Hobbies: I have a family and cycle a bit. I haven't got time for any other hobbies! Training: Commuting to work twice a week forms the basis of my training. In the winter I go out with a group one evening, and then try and get a long ride in at the weekend for endurance. Once the clocks change I ride some of my clubs time trials for speed. Events have always been an important element of my training. Fitting everything in is tricky - this winter some of my Sons rugby games have been 50 - 60 miles away, so I've been known to leave the house at 5:30am on a Sunday to cycle there, watch the game, and ride back! (He gets a lift). Summer is easier - being a teacher I get something like six month holidays. Diet: My diet consists of eating everything in front of me. Fortunately this is generally a fairly 'healthy' diet. I'm not too fussy with food. How I got started: I've been riding bikes since childhood. I first went off-road after touring over the main Lakes passes, and having a few days left I tried Black Sail pass, enjoyed it, and tried a few more (on a road bike with panniers...) Shortly after that my brother and I bought our first mountain bikes (rigid only in those days). We rode these everywhere for a few years until I broke the frame on the last day of our Pyrenean end to end. My next MTB was still rigid, although suspension was beginning to appear. I then spent a few years in Southern Africa and upon my return found my friends all racing Polaris and Trailquest events, so I followed suit. It took a while to get up to fitness, but have been racing ever since! Why I like my bikes: My Whyte E120 is the best all-round bike I've ridden. I've raced in XC events, 24 hour and multi-day stage races - the E120 handles them all. It climbs, it descends, it's quick on the single-track, it's reliable, it's spot on. Of course the E120 is just as good having fun on the hills and trail centres with friends. Recent and best results, individual and team: At my age there's lots of race highlights, mostly related to mountain bike orienteering and endurance events. I've been National Champion, represented Great Britain at World events, and won 24 hour solo, pairs and team events. Last year I won the TransWales solo vet category. Targets for 2009: I'll be back at the TransWales in 2009. I'm also planning a couple of 24 hour events, and as many other events as I can fit in! Idols: I don't have any idols. However, there are a lot of people out there that I respect and that help motivate me. Whilst I'm still motivated I'll continue.........