How did you get into cycling and what made you join Penge CC?
Reuben: I always loved cycling from the very beginning, and soon after I learnt to ride, my parents took me on a trip to Hastings, where we cycled along the seafront to Bexhill-on-Sea. It was 12 miles there and back, and I was just 5 years old. Then the following year we joined the Tour de Penge, and through that we heard about Penge CC.
Joshua: I always used to be carried on the back of my Dad’s bike when the family went on cycling trips. Later we got a trailgator, so I got used to pedalling on a bike behind him. When I was 4 I started riding on my own, and then just after my 5th birthday we all went on a family holiday, when I cycled around the whole perimeter of the Isle of Wight – about 60 miles! I loved it. I joined Penge CC because Reuben was already a member.
How did you find out about Penge CC and GoRide?
Reuben: We both heard about it through the Tour de Penge, and joined as soon as we could.
Joshua: We both heard about it through the Tour de Penge, and joined as soon as we could.
What was your first day at GoRide like?
Reuben: I can’t exactly remember the first day, but I’ve always enjoyed everything at GoRide.
Joshua: I can’t remember either, but everything was great fun.
How has GoRide help you progress?
Reuben: The teaching is great, and it’s fun having friends who know how to cycle really well, and watching them.
Joshua: I like riding around and picking up the cones! Also, it’s fun competing against all the other cyclists in races.
Do you think Penge CC is a good club for girls and women?
Reuben: Yes – there seem to be quite a few girls there, and they all seem to enjoy it.
Joshua: Yes.
What advice would you give to someone getting into cycling or thinking about joining GoRide?
Reuben: Get as good a bike as you can manage to get, and just start cycling! Joining GoRide helps you make friends with other people who enjoy the same things.
Joshua: We always cycle everywhere, because we don’t have a car. The best way to get into cycling is to use the bike to get everywhere you have to go. We’ve always used ours to go to chess and Scrabble tournaments, as well as ballet and going on family holidays. Joining GoRide helps you make friends with other people who enjoy the same things.
Tell us about your first race?
Reuben: I remember going around the field as many times as we could – it was great fun, and I really wanted to do as many laps as possible.
Joshua: I can’t exactly remember, but I know my Dad pulled me around the field with the trailergate lots of times.
What is your proudest achievement in cycling so far?
Reuben: Cycling Land’s End to John o’ Groats!
Joshua: Cycling round the Isle of Wight when I was 5, and then becoming the youngest ever Land’s End to John o’ Groats cyclist last year!
What was the most enjoyable thing you did on a bike this year?
Reuben: This year we were so busy with Scrabble and chess tournaments, we couldn’t do as much cycling as usual. But I enjoyed all the GoRide races very much.
Joshua: Same for me!
What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve done on a bike?
Reuben: My Mum and Dad told me that the very first day I learnt to ride a bike, I was already successfully experimenting cycling with no hands on the handlebars!
Joshua: I was cycling with my hands off the handlebars, and then deliberately cycled over a massive pothole and fell off…
What’s next? What crazy thing would you love to do one day on your bike?
Reuben: I want to cycle around the world.
Joshua: I want to do the Tour de France.