Nob off ... Nick Frewin

Now a fixed wheel stalwart answers a few questions. This ex-Bournemouth Jubilee Wheeler was the terror of Ringwood in the 70’s. He is none other than Nick Frewin who many may remember from his DQ at the 1979 ‘25’ National Championships when seeded and a favourite for a medal. He came to the start line without his lock ring would you believe! Thanks to the Legends Thread on the TT forum he came out of hiding and has made a recent comeback, once again on a trusty fixed wheel machine. He says he will give it a serious go next year even if he’s moved up ‘norf’. We say good luck to you Nick - Old Skool would be game on for you!  ï¿¼ï¿¼

Full name? Nick Frewin despite what my Mum thinks - don’t know why but she thinks my name is Nicholas. I used to get called Nicky by Bill McMullen, long time president of BJW.

Height? 6’ 2"

Weight? Around 13st at present.

Place of residence? Sheffield now, I ended up here in a round about way, but mainly due to work.

Current club? JE James RT.  I ride for them mainly cos I’ve bought most of my new equipment from them.  Still might rejoin BJW, but being with JE James means I should be able to get on to the V718 easier!  

Most memorable moment? 3 things here - 1. Being part of the most important 25 ever.... Alf’s 49 on E72; 2. Getting stopped from riding the 79 National 25 due to not having a lock ring fitted to the sprocket of my fixed machine; and 3. Going under in the ‘79 Crabwood medium Gear 25 - 59:18 to Tony Doyle’s 58:44 and thereafter being on chatting terms with a World Champion.

Most embarrassing moment? Same as no 2 above.  Getting a start number of 90 in a National (when the National field was still only 120), being mentioned in the pre-race article in the comic as a contender, and then not even being allowed to turn a pedal having driven 150-odd miles to get there.

Who was your boyhood hero? My dad, I used to like to look at the few photos he had of himself when he was racing at Herne Hill.  And of course Eddy Merckx, still in my opinion the best ever.

Biggest influence on your career? There are a few, Eddy Merckx as already mentioned, but also within the Jubilee, ’Atty’ (ie George Attenborough), one of those stalwart, rock steady, totally dependable clubmen and William Suttie, who was my best mate and a fast junior when I started. Getting to be good enough to beat him was my objective for the first couple of years.

Campagnolo or Shimano? Definitely Campag in the 70s/80s.  No preference now, very little these days has the beauty of the original Campag Nuovo Record rear mech.

Favourite musical group or singer?Pink Floyd and Christina Aguilera

Educational attainment? 5 GCEs

What’s the most trouble you have gotten into? Never really got into trouble!!

Pet hates? Germans, Americans and Australians.... order variable depending on what’s happening at the time. And dickhead drivers!!

Your best achievement is? 59:18 on a medium gear.

Current job? Higher Executive Officer with a Govt Department.

Current make of car? Nissan Qashqai

Married or single? Married

Best TV show? Heroes or anything on Eurosport.

Best film? Top Gun

Favourite actor and actress? Long time favourite is Erica Eleniak... people will have to Google her... but a few clues Baywatch and Under Siege. But she’d have to fight Lindsay Lohan for me.  Not got a favourite actor.......... just as well you’re not asking the Missus this question, there wouldn’t be room in one addition of Testing Times.

Favourite drink? Grolsch

Favourite food? Pizza

Which country would you most like to visit? Japan

Is there anything you would change throughout your cycling career? Despite having some talent at TTs my love was probably track racing. My ultimate would have been to be a 6 day rider.  Unfortunately, living in Bournemouth there was no opportunity to really give the track a go.  We had Poole Track League which was a circular path round a cricket pitch, or Southampton 30 mile away, which was at least track shaped but with a very shallow banking. We also had Calshot for winter training. There was no league like there is now.... so there was no chance of progressing on the track without moving away, and that just didn’t happen in those days.  I really am envious of the current set up with the BC Academy for up and coming riders.

Favourite piece of cycling kit you’d like to own or own? My Roy Thame track frame, which did come out to play this year and got me a 22, although it is way too big by today’s standards.

Favourite Time Trial Course and why? P201... because it was my local course and where I had my greatest successes.  Also the H1, because of the nostalgia that went with it. How many great riders will have lined up to start in Pangbourne Lane?

What advice can you give to up and coming cyclists? Set yourself targets with rewards to go with achieving those targets, e.g. new bits of kit.

10 years from now you will be...? No idea........ Retired and hopefully riding my bike.  After my recent incident with a car, I’ve yet to get on my bike again, even on rollers or the turbo. 

What can’t you live without? Tootifrewti.......... errrrr that’s Mrs Frewin when on the time trialling forum.

What other interests do you have? How much paper have you got .........? Bonsais, flying model gliders..... and more recently a rekindling of my enjoyment of sailing since me and Helen... (That’s yet another name that Mrs Frewin uses) bought a small yacht on Derwent Water in the Lakes.

Who would you share a desert island with if marooned and why? Tootifrewti... cos she’s my soul mate........... but I’d have to hide Vicky Pendleton in a palm tree somewhere.

Favourite clothing material (PVC, Lycra, wool etc..)? Lycra....... women cyclists in Lycra ... mmmmmmmmm.

Thank you Nic for being so candid and wish you success in 2010. 

May I wish all our readers and our Editorial Team and Contributors a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope my small articles have been entertaining and that Lord Cammish has been pleased with my efforts on nearly 1 year of Testing Times. 

1 December 2009