Dave is our Mapping/Orienteering/Organising maestro. He plotted the routes and booked the hostels for most of the Ryton Adventure Club rides/walks/whatevers. Dave rides a 2002 Kona Colin McRae hardtail, but has been planning to trap a Haro Extreme X1 or X2 for 2 years now. He also owns a Claud Butler road/hybrid for leisure riding on roads (yuk) with panniers and gas cookers hanging off it. Loves beer, camping, walking, The Lakes and Amsterdam.

Dave's Kona is fitted with a triple chainset and eight speed cassette but he himself has only two speeds. Stop and Slow. (Dave's own words, not mine!) He doesn't believe in wasting energy by pedalling downhill just to make it easier to get up the other side. One thing you can guarantee, though - he WILL get where he's going - ALWAYS! Dave's greatest attribute, apart from staying power, is his uncanny ability to provide for your every need while out on the trail. Ask him for a set of interchangeable lenses and frames, and he'll find them for you. Spoke key? - No problem. Waterproof coat? - Easy.

This probably explains his speed on the trails - he's searching for something to complete someone's order instead of watching for obstacles and finding the right lines. He probably has the biggest collection of riding spares the civilised world has ever seen. Why not put your name down?

Got a couple of texts from the man himself Sunday 5th Feb - been off the bikes a while but set to return soon - crap! Do I feel the onslaught of a Coast to Coast ride?

mail Dave at dave@midaircrisis.org.uk