Television presenter and roving reporter Ned Boulting first fell in love with cycling by accident.
Having forged his career in the world of football, he found himself catapulted into the unfamiliar and alien territory of the Tour de France back in 2003.
On his debut appearance, he recorded a bumbling piece to camera about Scottish cyclist David Millar kissing goodbye to the "yellow jumper" after a mechanical mishap on the opening stage of the Tour. Think of it as his Bridget Jones moment. A legend was duly born.
These days Boulting possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of all things cycling and is a beloved member of the bike-loving fraternity. Past books include the heart-warming and brilliantly hilarious How I Won The Yellow Jumper and On The Road Bike: The Search for the Nation's Cycling Soul. His latest offering 101 Damnations: Dispatches from the 101st Tour de France is published next week.
How old were you when you learned to ride a bike?
I think I must have been about five, which makes me utterly unexceptional. In fact, "unexceptional" probably best describes my entire cycling career to date. But I think we should celebrate a lack of exceptionality. That way lies the future.
What are your earliest memories of cycling?
I have strong memories of entire Saturdays spent aimlessly circling the park, and the surrounding streets in Bedford. Before I knew it, I had invented a ludicrous narrative in my head. I was lost in stories which no one ever heard. God, that makes me sound like the loneliest kid. Perhaps I was. I'm worried now.
What was your first bike?
Not strictly speaking a bike: it was a black steel tricycle of unknown origin. I have a picture of me on it. It looks like something Edwardian, and so do I. But in fact it was the 1970s.
What kind of bike do you own now?
Embarrassingly, I have four. Two of them are Boardmans (it may not surprise you to learn), one is a Condor Barrachi. But my favourite of all is my dented, creaky, slightly rusting, heavy mongrel of a bike which I use every day. It has Tofosi frame, Campagnolo chain set, Dolan forks and God knows what else. As the bits wear out, I replace them with random new stuff. It also has a bell, lights, mudguards and the bar tape is held on with gaffer.
How would you describe your cycling style?
Improving. There's nothing like the scrutiny of a TV camera filming you to make you concentrate on not looking ridiculous. I have no great speed on the flat, but I can climb OK.
Who is your favourite cyclist?
Right now? Germany's Tony Martin.
What is your motto on the bike?
Bella Gerant Alii. Translation: let others wage war.
All-time ultimate cycling moment?
Stopping off at the Simpson Memorial on Mont Ventoux on race day itself during the 2013 Tour de France.
What is your favourite route?
The one mile from my house in Lewisham, London, to the butchers in Deptford.
What is top of your cycling bucket list?
I want to ride from Munich to Hamburg. I used to live in Germany and I want to revisit it by bike.
How has owning a bike changed your life?
Beyond measure. Beyond any measure.
What is your top cycling tip?
If it has stopped being fun, slow down.
101 Damnations: Dispatches from the 101st Tour de France by Ned Boulting (Yellow Jersey Press, £14.99) is published on November 6
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