1-Minute with Tamsin Jones!
Who is Tamsin Jones?
In January 2010 Tamsin Jones made history by becoming the youngest British woman to complete the world famous Dakar Rally in Argentina and Chile. It underlined her status as one of Britain’s top extreme sportswomen. A keen cyclist, as part of her training, Tamsin undertook the cycling challenge of the Lands End to John O’Groats ride.
What was your first bike?
TJ: My first bike was a purple chopper (sounds a bit dodgy!) which got passed around the kids in the close I lived in.
What are you riding now?
TJ: Santa Cruz Chameleon - Yamaha 450 WR
Can you fix a puncture?
TJ: Of course... and a change a moose (motorbike solid inner tube)
How quickly?
TJ: Inner Tube - 10 mins, Moose - 1 hour
Do you wear a helmet?
TJ: Not unless I’m on a mountain bike course. Yes for the motorbike!
What’s the one thing that could make your cycling life easier?
TJ: Being fitter, having a road bike and having proper tools. My tool-kit whilst racing downhill was some tape I'd once used to tape my broken fingers together, a knife I’d used as a tyre lever and the end of a bicycle pump.
Race pace or leisurely dawdle?
TJ: Definitely dawdle - me and Kate Burcham did the Lands End to John O'Groats in October. She was race pace I was dawdle.
Tarmac or dirt?
TJ: DIRT!!!!! Every time.
Baggy or skintight?
TJ: Baggy, man.
Where do you see cycling being in 5 years’ time?
TJ: I can't think 5 years ahead.
Where’s your dream cycling holiday destination?
TJ: I loved riding in Morzine but I quite fancy China. I rode a bit in India last year - crazy!!
What are your three top cycling tunes?
TJ: Dunno but artists - Chemical Brothers (Brighton days), ld rave tunes and, at the mo, Florence and the Machine.
What’s your top cycling tip?
TJ: Go with a good mate.
Tell us a secret.
TJ: I haven’t got any!!!!
Tell us a joke.
TJ: What's orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot. I’ve been hanging round with my boyfriends nine-year-old too long!
