PROFESSOR GREG WHYTE
Following in the slipstream of John Bishop, Greg James and Zoe Ball, we take a ride with the sports scientist who gets famous people fit...
HILL THOUGHTS
The Sport Relief challenges tend to determine how much cycling I do, but for my own fitness I get on my bike as much as I can. The roads around my Buckinghamshire home are good but every summer, as a family, we end up somewhere in the Alps. I love the big climbs in the Alps and the Pyrenees. Whatever standard of cyclist you are you’ll always find a hill that will test you.
BUY BRITISH
It’s usually down to the sponsors as to what bikes we use on the challenges but I try to pick sponsors based upon the bike I want to ride. I’m a big supporter of British brands so this year for the rides with Greg James and Zoe Ball we used Orro Bikes, in the past I’ve used Beacon Bikes.
TYRE OUT
This year’s three peaks challenge was tough because of the snow. They were the worst conditions I’ve experienced on a Sport Relief event so far. But the toughest challenge personally was the Million Pound Bike Ride in 2010. The celebs did it as a relay but I rode the whole 600 miles from John o’Groats to Land’s End. The sleep deprivation was a killer, that makes being on a bike tough.
THREE RIDE
Away from the charity challenges I’ve been fortunate to ride in some amazing events. I did the Race Across America as part of a four-man team in 2008. We targeted a podium place and finished third! I’d like to ride across southern Spain and cycle an iconic route through south east Asia too.
STRETCH PANTS
It’s important to look after yourself. Most people leave it too late to address issues around the undercarriage – they don’t use the creams or they wear pants or knickers under their shorts, which is a bad idea. And they don’t stretch properly, especially the arms and neck, which get stressed. They’re not responsible for turning the pedals but make riding miserable if you’re not proactive about stretching. Achieve the Impossible by Professor Greg Whyte OBE, £12.99 (Bantam Press)