It’s Thursday, so it’s time for Truls’ 21 Questions. This week, we have British framebuilder, Thomas Donhou.
Thomas Donhou is well known for his sleek, award-winning road bike frames, made in his workshop in East London, but he’s also been a Mega Avalanche racer, a BMXer and a cycle tourist. In fact, it was on a cycle tour in China that he realised that he wanted to make frames. So, he came back to the UK and made it happen. Since then, his beautiful fillet-brazed bikes have been the talk of the (online) town, winning him a ‘Best of Show’ award at the 2011 Bespoked Handmade Bike Show.
Full name?
Thomas Donhou.
Age?
32.
What’s your proper job title?
Custom frame builder.
What’s the best part of your job?
Handing over a bike and giving someone the freedom of the bicycle.
..and the worst?
Admin!
Where did you first start riding bikes off road – your home turf?
Ghost Hill woods and making jumps on the local building sites (before health and safety kicked off!). Then moved on to local BMX track in Costessy, Norwich. Sadly not there anymore..
Which bike that you’ve ever owned is closest to your heart?
All my bikes have an equal place in my heart, they each have something to offer and have allowed me some amazing experiences. If I had to pick one, maybe the first frame I ever built. It was the first steps of Donhou Bicycles. Or maybe my expedition bike I rode across the Gobi.. Difficult question!
In a perfect world, how would every ride end?
With a funny crash, next to a sweet swimming spot on a hot day…
Left foot or right foot forward on descents?
Right foot forward.
What’s your most epic day out on a bike?
I’ve had a few. I guess when the pavement ended in Mongolia and I was faced with trying to deal with riding across the Gobi Desert on my own. Was a serious head, er, flip! Getting chased by wild dogs and dealing with sand storms…
Worst cycling injury so far?
The one that kept me out for the longest was a dislocated knee… I’m getting to the age where I’m starting to feel the injuries again though, so ask me in a few years and it might be a different answer.
If you could go riding with anyone, who would it be?
Which cycling destination would you still like to get to?
I’m drawn to Japan at the moment. But that would be more of a touring trip, want to ride top to bottom. Can’t beat Asia. Want to get back to Mega(Avalanche) again, got taken out and broke my ribs in qualifying last time. Want to get back and do the actual Mega, smoke my friend!
You’re riding the best trail ever – what music would be the soundtrack?
Right now I’d be listening to Red Fang.
Tubeless or tubes?
Tubes. My MTBs are all pretty retro these days.
Who’s your favourite photographer (bike or not bike)?
George Marshall.
What was the last thing you fitted to your bike?
A 104 tooth chainring.
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever been offered as trail food?
Goat fat.
Man-made trails or natural?
Depends on the mood, I do like a good berm though…
What does 2013 hold in store for you?
Hopefully very high speeds and trying to get the live/work balance in a better place.
And finally, give us something that people don’t know about you.
Some things are best left alone!
For more details, see his website at: donhoucycles.com
