Introducing Phil Thomerson

Would you mind telling me something about yourself please? First, how old are you?

43.

Where do you live?

Norwich

.Could you describe it?

1930’s semi in a quiet cul-de-sac where the children can play out in the street.

Are you working/studying?

I run my own upholstery business in some dilapidated workshops down by the river in Norwich, not far from the football pitch, and employ 4 people.

What are your career aims?

To work less hard – let my staff do the work while I keep things running so allowing me more time to relax, spend more time with my family during the summer months at Happsburgh on the Norfolk coast where we have a large static caravan. Also I can spend time on the bike and try to get race-fit.

What are your cycling aims?

This year to get fit enough to finish 3^rd.Cat. races and get some points over the next two years to see if I can get a top 6 place in the B Cat. Vets. Nationals when I am 45.

What first interested you in riding a bike? I know we all rode bikes as kids but when did you begin riding seriously?

My school friend (14 years old then) joined the Glendene when I lived in Epping and he lived in Loughton. The Club then was in the Rugby huts at Buckhurst Hill. I moved to Chelmsford when I was16 and started racing regularly in the Eastway league, being taken there by John and Marie Wright - all crammed into his little Mini estate with the two bikes and kit!

Is cycling in your family, as it were?

No – football was! My Dad was very good and had trials for Tottenham and I was very keen until I started cycling. I played for the school from age 7 becoming top goalscorer in the history of our Epping Junior school and then captaining a Sunday League side. This Sunday team folded when I was 13 so I suppose it was after this I took up cycling.

Do you (or did you) have a cycling hero - someone you really admire and hope to emulate?

No.

Would you mind telling me your cycling story? In other words what have you done in cycling since you first began to consider yourself a cyclist? Have you toured, road-raced, track raced, time trialled, or ridden off-road?

I really only raced as a Junior for the Glendene during which time my best result was 6^th in the Divisional Road Race of Essex. I was the only Junior in the club so won all the Junior club events but I did win the Club Track Championship 2 years running, winning every event, gaining maximum points. A record which still stands! I didn’t realise how fit I was back then and now find how hard it is. I enjoyed the road racing and the track most of all, and went on a few tours. I remember one time in Northumberland walking into a pub and seeing pictures of the bombing of the Conservative Party’s hotel in Brighton.

What do you favour now?

I still enjoy both road racing and track.

Do you shave your legs? If so, why?

No – not until I become a 3^rd Cat. – then I will.

Do you pursue other sports?

Until recently I played squash once a week.

What interests do you have outside of sport?

For the past 22 years I have been keen on acting and strongly considered this as a career. I belong to a group in Bury St.Edmunds who perform in the wonderful Georgian Theatre Royal ( now being restored).

What brought you to the Glendene?

As I said earlier, a school friend introduced me – but what brought me back? One day I was laying in the sun by our caravan, having had a half bottle of wine, and the guy next to me asked me to go for a ride with him – he is a keep-fit fan - so I did and found I was in terrible shape. I only did 10 miles but I was completely stuffed when I got back so I decided to get in touch with my friend Colin.

What were your first impressions of the Club?

That this was a small club run by a group of enthusiasts, maybe go out on a few clubruns, perhaps do a bit of racing but on the whole not very progressive – more a social club.

What do you think now?

Now there is a vast difference with lots of activity, particularly on the racing front, but also with Time Trials- club runs for the slower and faster groups as well as the youth programmes and riders on Olypmpic Development programmes – a World Champion(Tony). There is such a good atmosphere with this club now. I only intended to get back on the bike but now I want to race.

Do you know many of the other members? If not, how will you get to know them?

I still know a lot of members from 20 years ago and I meet new members on our clubruns or at club events-races etc. I think it is important to introduce yourself when you see new members to encourage them to be active in the club and keep them.

Does the Club meet your needs and, if not, in what way does it fall short?

The club certainly does – more than it ever did- as I said I was the only Junior racing years ago and not many Seniors were- which is probably why I left and looked for something else.

How do you train? Do you have a plan? If so, do you follow it?

Mostly I train on my own. During the season I race once at the weekend and now I race on a Wednesday at the Lotus test track here in Norfolk- then I try to get out 2 – 3 times a week. My plan is to get race-fit this year and become a 3^rd Cat. And start next year in better shape than I did this year. To improve over the next 2 years and see how well I can do.

Do you have any training tips you are prepared to share?

Yes – don’t crash into chickens – it hurts. I did , 4 weeks ago, whilst 20 miles from home. Blood and guts everywhere. The chicken was fine apart from a pile of feathers in the road.

A word of advice. If you have deep section wheels make sure that your spare inner tubes have valves long enough. Mine weren’t but fortunately a passing cyclist had one to swap.

What achievement or happening has given you most satisfaction?

Winning the club Track Championship two years running.