Member Profile - Chrystal Sheldon

Chrystal is our second member to be profiled here and to tell us a little bit about her cycling and time trialling.

Chrystal Sheldon

What’s your bike ownership history or what do you currently ride?

I currently have 3 bikes.

Geoffrey Butler steel (good trusty friend about 13 years old).  That was the very first bike I started racing on with the Kingston Phoenix.  It is now used for commuting on mainly.
Steel Pinarello Sestriere (Pearlescent Blue).  This is my winter training bike and has been purposely fitted with mudguards to ensure a perfectly dry ride during the winter.

Titanium Omega Radius.  Campagnola throughout with DT Swiss carbon wheels.

 



How did you start cycling?

In 2000, I was over here and decided that I wanted to ride the Cape Argus (fun only), when I returned home to see my Mom in 2002.  I needed to join a club to have the motivation to get out on regular rides to be fit enough. 

 What made you join Kingston Phoenix?

My first contact with a Group Ride was with the Beginners on a Saturday, and then I met up with the Cheam and Morden on a Sunday morning in North Cheam.  Thanks to Ann Bath, who convinced me to join her in a race with the Surrey League (as they were short of riders!)  I joined the Kingston Phoenix and enjoyed many years time-trialling and road-racing and although now not competitive still continue to ride in the Surrey Hills most weekends.

 What has been your most memorable cycling experience?

Riding the 24 hour, and realising how hard it was at about 3am.  Thanks to the support and not offering to collect me from the bottom of the hill when I wanted to give up, saw me finish that event.

Taking part in my first Tour of Flanders, and having no idea what if entailed.  I was slightly put out to find there were 16 cobbled sections to ride, the evening prior to riding the event. In my naivety I had no idea there were so many (thank goodness I had stamina – not speed)

 What has been your worst cycling experience?

Probably commuting into London for a 8am start, in the heart of winter.  That was tough ! 

Now, it’s trying to regain my fitness, which seems to be eluding me.

 What cycling / sporting achievement are you most proud of?

Completing 1x 24 hour and my 12 hour club record in 2008.

 What are your plans for the rest of this season or next season?

To try and compete in a handful of time-trials.

 Do you have any particular cycling or sporting heroes?

Ann Bath.