As part of our ongoing Bowral Classic In Focus series we’ll be having a short chat with our ambassadors and asking about their cycling journey. This week we’ve spoken with Sydney-based Dougal Guild who proudly rides with a group known as the ‘High Street Flyers’.
First Bike: Argon18, Radon – Shimano 105 (bullet proof entry level roadie).
Current Bike: Focus Izalco Team SL – Shimano Dura-Ace (a little bit special).
I Love Cycling Because:
The freedom and time out for yourself you get riding in the great outdoors, and the escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. Of course it’s also about the camaraderie associated with spending time with like-minded lyrca loonies, sharing a joke and basically talking rubbish.
Peak Cycling Moment:
Crossing the finish line at 3-Peaks Falls Creek last year, after spending over 11 hours on the bike, and going to places in my inner most self I never knew existed!
Dream Destination:
Mont Ventoux or Alpe d’Huez in France – I’ve spent that may hours watching the pros conquer these climbs on the TV, it would be great to struggle up these same mountains myself one day.
Your Favourite Ride In Australia & Why:
Any ride that starts late, goes slow and finishes with a Bacon & Egg roll and a coffee. The Gorges ride through Galston (great switch-backs), Berowra (great ferry ride) and home via Bobbin Head is a crowd favourite as it offers a bit or everything, long flats, great climbs, fabulous scenery and limited traffic.
One Thing I Want From This Year’s Bowral Classic Is:
To show last year’s team winners (who shall remain nameless) who the real premiere cycling crew on the lower North Shore really are – the mighty High Street Flyers!
Three Tips For Bowral Classic Riders 6 Months From The Event:
1 – Make sure you do sufficient training for at least 6 weeks prior, it’s a tougher course than you think – and you’ll thank yourself for the training through the back half of the course.
2 – Pay close attention to the stronger riders in your cycling group –so you know whose wheel to tuck in behind till 100m out from the finish.
3 – Remember what you ride for. For me I ride for fun, not for results (as long as I beat Keefey across the line this year).
