Ian from Northumberland loves a solo blast in time trial mode as much as socialising with his club and describes cycling as "pure therapy."

Name: Ian Stanners   

Age: 55

From: Hepscott, Northumberland

Club: SC Gothic  

What kind of riding do you do?

Mainly road now, but did a lot of mountain biking until a couple of years ago.

What do you enjoy most about cycling?  

A good physical workout in the fresh air and the mental peace that it brings, pure therapy! Even better doing it with friends

What’s your favourite ride?

It’s a combination ride. It starts by meeting club friends  at Morpeth and riding a 30-mile loop in the foothills of Northumberland to one of the great ‘cyclising cafes’ then on return to Morpeth going for a further 30 mile solo blast in time trial mode to the beautiful Northumberland coast and Tynemouth Priory.

What’s your top cycling tip to share?

When you least feel like getting on your bike, resist the urge to sit on the sofa and take the easy decision. Prep your bike, pump up the tyres and just get out there and ride, get the right gear so that weather is not an issue. Within five minutes you will know you’ve made the right choice – life will feel so much better. I’m 55 now and still getting fitter and faster because of this philosophy.

If you had a tandem, who would you like to ride it with?

I recently had an operation on my left eye and while it healed I was effectively blind for a few weeks. What kept me going was the thought that if the operation wasn’t successful, I would make a good stoker for someone on a tandem. Luckily my left eye has made a good recovery and I’m riding well again. So, the person who I would like to share a tandem with is someone who can’t see well enough to ride themselves and just wants to get out there.