used to overtake adrian chiles at hammersmith as he cycled to work at the bbc most days
Sold him a bike when I worked in a bike shop in Hammersmith, back in 2001, so way before anyone who didn't watch working lunch (I was a student, it was like breakfast TV to me!) knew who he was.
Have seen many famous people out and about, bumped into a couple, and even met a few, in the past, but Adrian Chiles was the only one biking related.
Boris Johnson saw me as I walked past him waiting at some lights on his bike.
He didn't wave or say hello, but he probably told his mates when he got to the office.
Overtook Alastair Darling riding his bike on Bookham Common.
A couple of weeks ago we had a chat to Jay Kay outside The Whip pub in Lacey Green whilst marshalling a road race - he turned up in his 1962 Ferrari 250.
Beryl Burton, Hugh Porter
My dad's got photos of me (as a junior) with them. One with BB at a time trial - I was off a minute after her - and with HP at a Crit in Wolvo (we were in different races)
But I've ridden WITH iDave.
Mark. It was Mark McGann.
Think I saw Bradley Wiggins on the Chesire roads a few months back. Him and a few others were all in British Cycling Team livery going the other way.
I bumped into Wade simmons, another rider i think was Tom Vanderham,and Sterling Lawrence on the Belachat trail in Chamonix about 8yrs ago.We didnt realize until we got back to zero g and was told who they were. I also got a day riding with Wade in 2005, which was nice.
Got a nice smile off Jessica Ennis in Eccy woods two weeks ago. She was out walking a dog.
In a Stan Collymore sort of way? Mmmmm.
In a reversal of the thread, I went to Monaco for the GP about 10 years ago, and as we were walking round the track the evening of qualifying day, Eddie Jordan and a few other Jordan shirted guys rode past us heading into the tunnel the wrong way.
Cue typical English calling and chanting of "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie" he turned, waved and smiled...
Tried to sell a bike to Shane Byrne (wsb rider) when working in a shop in Guildford (wasn't bling enough for him)
Julia Bradbury + film crew up on the Quantocks back in February - it was blowing a gale but she still smiled for me (blushes)...
I've seen Paxman up near Turville too- was riding up there last night and it seems several people have seen him there, so he definitely has a pad in that manor.
Sat next to John Hannah and family outside of the Cherry tree in Stoke Row post ride- trying not to be star struck...
Met Fabien Barel at Cwmcarn in Feb- they were on a Mojo jolly.
My favourite has to be riding in the same group as Ian Wright in the Brit Etape a few years ago- he had his personal trainer with him and he was still slow- apparently took him over 8 hours to finish!
I have nearly run over both Tony Greig outside Old Trafford Cricket ground and Malcolm Ri****d outside GMex when the Tories were having their party conference in Manchester.
What is it about being born in 1946 that means you can't look both ways when you are about to cross the road?
Sally Gunnell, running in the woods at the bottom of Chanctonbury Ring. I said hello, she told me my mate had fallen off so I had to dash back up the trail to make sure he was still alive.
(Mr MC posting)
Back in the '90s at liverpool uni I used to ride some cheeky mtb trails on the wirral (bebington IIRC). Whilst riding out there I saw some roadie in matching GAN kit in a riding position that just looked all wrong. As he got closer I realised it was a certain Mr Boardman...
in terms of incongruity rather than mega celeb points, whilst on the final climb of one of our regular chiltern off road routes recently I passed Jeremy Paxman gingerly descending in the opposite direction on a basic MTB, in jeans and shirt. Got a hearty guffaw from my "youre definitely riding this in the right direction" comment.
Tried to sell a bike to Shane Byrne (wsb rider) when working in a shop in Guildford (wasn't bling enough for him)
sounds consistent with the image of Shakey as a bit flash, dating page 3 girls etc...
I saw the mildly milfy scotish weather presenter off of bbc breakfast. She was doing an outside broadcast. I waved and she waved back with enthusiasm.
Paula Radcliffe a few weeks back (about to start running) whilst taking a trip on the dark side - shoute a cheeky hiya & got oe back too - said to the guys she'll probably run past us in a bit!!
Does Engelbert Humpadink count? (is that how you spell it?) - sure it was him!!
Malcolm Elliott.
Wunundred! 😀
Nearly ran Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds down in Islington once.
not on a bike, . . . but my missus saw Freddie Star in a hospital the other day, . . . he's very short! 🙂
I saw Rod Hull walking down the street today. He ain't dead. And a tramp that looked like Father Jack.
Passed Billy Gibbons out of ZZ Top giving some skills pointers to a father + son on the bottom section of Lee Quarry last year.... Looking fit for his age.
(he bore considerable resemblance to Ed Oxley, 'mind)
Steve Claridge, when I was riding to college on my BMX one day in Portsmouth.
Stuart Pearce, when I was riding along the Kennet & Avon Canal.
And I often ride past Kenny Lynch's house, although I tell this to everyone and haven't had any response other than "Who?". He couldn't be more friendly, I want to try and blag a cup of tea one day.
Steve Peat and Greg Minaar in Wharncliffe..
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Marin County, Cali
I once rode to the top of a mountain in the middle of the night with Bob Weir, guitarist for the Grateful Dead, and Gary Fisher.
We sat around and talked with my tape recorder running, and later I transcribed the conversation and sold it to a MTB magazine.
I've ridden with Chris Hollins and Carol Kirkwood from BBC Breakfast, for Children in Need, betwixt Glasgow and Edinburgh. They were on a tandem and she fell off it.
I tore the fixed cog off of the Langster on the way to the ride start, and had to bodge it onto the freewheel thread...
Jeremy paxman seems positively common in the Chilterns! Suppose he's got nowt to do during the day I guess?!
Still he's the only famous bod I've seen whilst out on a bike!
I saw Rolf Harris the other day in shepheards bush, on my way to the station to go to dorking.
I can honestly say I've caught up with, and overtaken Graeme Obree when he was out and about on his pink bike ...
suffice to say, he soon caught me back up
Has anyone met Mark Webber out on his bike? I'm sure I read he goes to Aston Hill sometimes.
I've seen his wife walking their dogs - my mate Steve has ridden with him.
Back in 2000 before the Sydney Olympics I bumped into Alison Dunlap out riding near Wollongong, she didn't want to chat...
I saw Lord Lucan, Elvis and Shergar in Manchester the other day. Apparently they'd been hiding in Man City's trophy room, but got turfed out last week.
Saw Bob Carolgees (sadly without spit the dog!) 🙁 whilst on a ride from Frodsham round Delamere. Well known in these parts and i see him quite a bit walking his real(!) dog on Woodhouse Hill. Owns a candle shop now 😆
Yet another paxman spotting in the chilterns and also Philip schofield. Seen Kate middleton many times in west berkshire.
Saw and heard Clapton playing his guitar and singing to his daughter up at the judges seat - sounded pants.
I saw Lord Lucan, Elvis and Shergar in Manchester the other day. Apparently they'd been hiding in Man City's trophy room, but got turfed out last week.
🙂
Were the crew of the Marie Celeste also in there?
Saw James McAvoy having a pub break in the Stag and Huntsman in Hambleden. He'd been on a road ride.
Were the crew of the Marie Celeste also in there?
they've relocated to the new anfield domestic trophy room I think...
On a cycling theme...: went for a road ride with Lance Armstrong from Paisley (the route, not Lance) back in August 2009. He was an absolute gent and took the time to speak to individuals in the 30-odd strong bunch that remained after a frantic blast out of Paisley and up onto the Glennifer Braes which shredded the 300-odd 'peleton'.
Was at the World MTB Champs in Chateau D'Oex in 1997 and John Tomac stayed in the apartment above ours for the week. Spoke to him a few times and a mate even blagged some of his old tyres out of the bin in the basement. Whilst a the the event i took a piss whilst Gary Fisher used the adjoining urinal :|.
convert - how did u come to be taking Jude Law out on a ride? Is he into his biking?
Folk singer/comedian Mike Harding.
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About 20 of us were an MTB/pot holing/drinking weekend in Chapel-le-Dale. After a hard day of MTB/pot holing/drinking we left our bunk barn to go to the pub over the road where we had booked a meal. When we got in it was deserted apart from Harding and a few of his mates who were having some sort of folk-off banjo duel. He didn’t look happy when we all trundled in and spoiled his private party. We weren’t rowdy or anything and sat listening until they had finished then even gave them a round of applause. The miserable sod just looked at of like we’d up turned his wheelie bin. Meh.
He buggered off and we played pool until about 3:00am. The landlord didn’t care as we probably spent about a grand in there.
Did Mike Harding not do a documentary series years ago when he cycled in the UK or US? I seem to remember him with Karrimor panniers and a 'Skid'Lid' helmet, which was one of the very first hard-shell helmets.
I seem to remember the strangest things...