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Get to Know . . .William Murtagh

When did you start cycling and when did you join Rye Wheelers?




I started cycling when I was 4 years old riding round the garden then progressed on to mountain biking by age 7 till I was 12 which I was a member of the Boars on Bikes mountain bike club at Bedgebury. I then came out on a ride with Emma Cutler on the Tuesday club ride lead by Jim Holland to Great Chart golf course it was a total mileage of 24miles and I was knackered.

I joined the Rye Wheelers in 2011 aged 13 and I was introduced to Paul Simpson who looked after me for a number of years helping me to build the miles up in my legs and even helped me build a bike (he built I watched). Paul supported me in numerous events including the 12 Hour and was always on hand encouraging me to do more and have fun. As I progressed I joined the black group who soon put me though my paces but were always helped out by Barry and Steve.

What motivates you to ride and train?

The thing that motivates me the most to ride is the freedom and sense of accomplishment, even though I’m my own worst enemy if I don’t set a PB in a time trial. I train 6 days a week, and my average weekly mileage is around 200 – 240. Currently I am training for time trails

and a self-supported ultra-endurance race in July covering 1440 miles with 86,371ft of climbing, I’m aiming to complete in 7 to 8 days averaging 205miles roughly a day.

My plans for the future are to take some of the Club Records and to do a sub 20 mins 10tt and a sub 50 mins 25tt, big plans. One of my other targets is to get my Cat 2 race licence and represent Rye Wheelers in some of the local road races.

Do you have a favourite route and cafe stop?

My favourite cafe is Loaf in Sandgate just a couple miles on from Hythe.

Tell us more about you and your interests?

I’m an estate manager in Sutton Valence and look after a number of smaller gardens around the local area. I live on a farm on the out skirts of Northiam, which has 72 rare breed Mangaliza pigs and many other animals. I have always found carpentry interesting and enjoy making tables and planters along with many other things.

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