Nickname: Robbie (well, that’s the printable one)
Age: 32
Lives: Brunswick
Occupation: University Lecturer
Bike’s Name: Plain wrap
Looking Forward to:
- Admiring the view from the top of the Tourmalet (and staring off at the road to the Pic du Midi…just maybe if we’re way ahead of schedule
- Handing over some money to Damian for CCA.
- The bragging rights if I can make it to the top of the Tourmalet in a reasonable time.
Not looking forward to: A sore back and, um, “seat area”
Nervous about: Bad weather on one of the big descents (a friend of Robert’s is still recovering from a broken elbow from an “off” going down Hotham).
Strengths: Short and skinny (these days, after losing a lot of weight). Handy for going up hills.
Weaknesses:
- Feels the cold, will be taking lots of layers, even though it’s summer.
- Only speaks three words of French, “Parlez-vous anglais”
Likes:
- Nice scenery.
- Cooked recovery food.
- People who wave/nod.
Dislikes:
- Abusive drivers.
- Getting dropped by the bunch.
- Falling branches. (While training for the Crusade near Mount Donna Buang, east of Melbourne, a tree branch freakishly fell directly on top of Robert and his bike! Both Robert and bike escaped with a few minor scratches).
Why are you involved?: I’d thought about riding over big cols in Europe some day, “ I just didn’t think “some day” would come so soon! When I found out about Damian’s crazy plan, the chance to do that and help raise money and the profile of Crohn’s was irresistible. I’ve got Crohn’s myself, and until I was diagnosed and treated I was constantly sick. If, by doing this ride and publicizing the condition, we can help other people get diagnosed earlier, I’d feel very satisfied.
Favourite rider: Stuart O’Grady. Just finishing Paris-Roubaix is hard enough. Winning it - “ one tough bloke.
Cycling background:
- 2008: fat bloke on a hybrid.
- 2008: thin bloke on a $900 road bike who did a couple of challenge rides and liked it.
- Summer 2009: Slightly fitter thin bloke. Buys more expensive bicycle. Does a few crits over summer. Notices that his more expensive bicycle is the cheapest in the bunch. Hears about Crusade.
- Autumn 2009: trains furiously after buying non-refundable air ticket! Does his first road races in D grade.
Robert says: Finally - a sport where it’s an advantage to be short!
Robert blogs at - http://larvatusprodeo.net/
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