Keith

"Let's just face the facts: Yes I 'fess up' I do not ride a bike anymore. Not sure I ever will. Actually correction: when I eventually go to live in London I will ride a bike again. A bike or a fully charged up Oyster Card, o'h and if you can afford it, 'share a cab'!

No I started to ride a bike, make that a tricycle, from a very early age! Then a bike with stabilisers... Red and white in colour if I remember correctly. Then as a teenager growing up in the backwaters of the Fylde coast it was various bikes... with 'me mates' up to 'no good'! Smoking, drinking... stealing... e'h apples? And more besides and the 'get away car' was my bike.

Adulthood arrived and with a job in a Lancaster call centre, working all the hours 'god sends' it was a 'hideous' Marin Pine Mountain... 2^nd hand... weighed a tonne! The cycle paths of Lancaster and Morecambe began my 'highway' to Hell! Along the path behind Asda the kids would 'stretch' wire across the path at head height... nice!

Myself and friends discovered the trails around Clapham... still think they're some of the best routes in the NW region. I then gave the Marin to charity to buy my 'dream' Specialized Rockhopper Comp. Spent a lot of 'dosh' on this one too! I must have ridden just about every minor road in the Wyre and Lancaster area... Then met 'Fred' and the Rockhopper had a more worthy owner...

By now my 'time' at Biketreks had started but instead of buying the 'cream of the crop' I settled for a 'traded in' Orange Prestige... series one!... 17 inch in silver. Loved that bike! The best bike ever! Lots of Lakes riding, new friends, and fitter than I had ever been. However had a Control Tech stem that was too long for me and ended up with a bad back!

Ask those 'in the know' and yes I could keep up with the best of 'em. Tuesday eve rides etc etc... fantastic! However should we say courtesy of a no name 'iconic' figure in the mtb world I simply got my interest in mtb'ing and bike 'battered out' of me. Biking was not meant to be like that, within weeks I had sold the Orange for a 'song' and that was that...

Clios and Prada loafers!

And the rest? Well, of course, it is HISTORY!...."


Gareth

"Well being asked to write a small biog of yourself? I find it reall hard to write ...Were to start? God, here goes, im 47 years old now living in Keswick (the best place in the UK), originally from the best northeast caravan site ever built. I've been working in the cycle trade now since about 1990 - started in a small Raleigh dealer as a “Saturday boy” till I left school then went full time as a mechanic. Since then I've worked from shop to shop, some adult shops in Newcastle, some big and some really dodgy, I've been getting some nice qualifications in Fashion, training as a mechanic on the way - some of which are Cytech, NVQ's in retail and engineering, training by Anne Summers, Mavic, Clinique, Manitou Cannondale, Avid, Rockshox and many more.

Granted I never ride as I eat too many pies but I do like to fall off a lot, I have a beard with things in it, I think I' ve got wildlife breeding at the moment ( the beard was originally grown to stop the rumours that I was a drag queen called Hot Suzie in Teeside - it's not true and the allegations were never proven!) and then had a sheep tattooed on my calf (I pay tribute to 'Mint Sauce' the sexiest sheep I've ever seen)

I’m usually found covered in oil, baby is best as it smells nice, but vegetable works out cheaper, anything really, I love knitting cardigans, trainspotting, walking with my pet cat , eating freeze dried fish food, I'll try anything really, even sherry can be enjoyed outside (mmmm croft original is so dreamy) almost married (hello Jayne) but no kids, 2 dogs is enough (Blakey and Moss, border collies) I drive a broken down pickup which I keep locking the keys in... Oh and I love junk food (if you have never tried it, get seven Chicken Parmo and eat them all at once, they make a great starter) I use fancy perfume and moisturisers (a habit picked up from Keith) seldom brush my hair as I would love an affro. I don’t care much for politiks (as i can't spell it) take me as you find me (usually in the gutter) if you don’t like it well, walk over me, you know I wont be that bothered - the main thing as I see it is you only live once so who cares if you dress up in ladies clothes I enjoy it as much as ever!

Piotr - the Daddy!

"I've been living in the UK now for 5 long years up to date of which the last 2 I have been working here at Biketreks. Currently riding a Specialized Globe city bike, size 61cm, it's like wearing high heals around here (and Keith would know what that feels like!) It's very cool!

Education - BA in re-education of socially deprived people, MA in education of normal people

Current interests - Cyrus and B&W and baby prams!

Current music - Porcupine Tree, U.N.K.L.E, Scratch Perverts

Fashion - Opposite to Keith!! Paramo for me..."