Questions
Name, position and where do you live?
Rob Bentley, Business Coach and Director, Acuity Group, Perth
What is your first memory of riding a bike?
My Dad built me a bike for my 5th birthday, made in his shed from scratch, and it broke in half on my maiden ride down the driveway!
How many bikes and how do you know when you have too many?
I have three bikes, a 30 year old Avanti Gazelle touring bike, an Eddy Merckx aluminium road bike, and my pride and joy, a titanium Baum Corretto, which took 20 months to build and cost $13k. The Baum was a 50th birthday present to myself, and designed to climb the Alps comfortably and descend safely. So far, so good.
What is your dream bike and equipment?
I do have my eye on an electric road bike, after hiring one at Le Mans in 2017, and riding half of the famous racing circuit. I was instantly sold on the technology! Mercedes Formula 1 Team has brought out an e-bike range recently. I wish Bentley would hurry up and do the same, as I don’t want to confuse my branding!
Has COVID-19 forced you to change anything about riding; e.g., your regular ride or travel plans?
Every two years, we go riding in Europe, and 2020 was supposed to be a tour of the Jura in France, the Black Forest in Germany and the eastern lakes of Switzerland over 10 days. The Whatsapp group chat title is now “2022 – Dare to Dream”
What kind of riding do you do (e.g commuting, leisure, racing), when, and with whom?
We mostly ride the roads and hills of Perth on the weekends, with the occasional gravel ride to mix things up. The regulars are Duncan, MD of AQ2, Daragh, Associate at Nicholas O’Dwyer, Andy, Project Director at APP, Jim, MD of Radlink Communications, and myself.
Any tips for cyclists wanting to be better riders?
Yes, don’t ride with us, you’ll just pick up bad habits and become coffee addicts.
How many kilometres per week?
When training for the French Alps, up to 300kms per week, and in the off year, 100-150 kms per week.
Do you prefer hills or the flat?
Flat for fun and hills for training and complaining.
What do you love most about cycling?
Two things. Firstly, the freedom that comes with cycling is something that has stayed with me since childhood. It was an escape from parental control, and that freedom was exhilarating and intoxicating. And secondly, no-one ever seems to talk about the incredible descents in the French Alps, its always about the climb. The descents go on forever and are the best ride in the best park in the world!
What do you dislike about cycling?
Nothing
Who would you most like to go on a long ride with?
The Dutch women’s cycling team. They have the most incredible depth of talent at the moment.
Do you think you will ever be too old to ride?
The legendary Australian cyclist Sir Hubert ‘Oppy’ Opermann passed away while riding indoors on his wind trainer at 91. That’ll do me!
Favourite refuel station (e.g coffee shop)?
Hands down the best coffee and croissant in Perth is at Willing Coffee in Guildford, owned by Tim Willing, a former Australian track cycling champion, and top bloke!
What is your favourite piece of cycling gear?
My Selle Prima TRK saddle, like riding on a Chesterfield lounge.
Favourite ride?
The circular rivers ride from Perth city to Fremantle and back is one of the best and most scenic city rides in the world. Such a pleasure in an aquatic city with 270 days of sunshine.
What is your dream bike holiday?
Any tour organised by Geneva-based www.cyclomundo.com, as Bruno Toutain knows the best routes and extraordinary places to stay in Europe.
How do you feel now about overseas cycling adventures?
Can’t wait to dust off the passport and head to Europe again. Worth a vaccine booster every year to make that happen! When I travel for business, I rent a bike. On my last trip to Paris before COVID, Dean Gallagher of www.fivesenses.com.au and I hired Uber Bikes and road the Champs-Elysee and around the Arc de Triomphe early one morning.
Crashes? Catastrophes? Catharsis? (Please tell us about your disaster stories or memorable moments)
We climbed over the top of Col du Torini in 2016, and disappeared over the top down toward Sospel, on the way to Monaco. I quickly got to the front, leaning into the hairpin corners, releasing the brakes as early as possible. Except for this one corner. I underestimated my speed, and the tightness of the bend. I pulled a bit harder on the brakes, and my rear wheel locked up and let go.
As my back wheel passed underneath me, my legs flew in the air and time slowed down. Andrea Bocelli started singing ‘Nessun Dorma’, I put the kettle on, popped a couple of pieces of gluten-free toast in the toaster, and settled back to read the Financial Review. Page 3 was all about the election, and it looked like a close one, especially in the seat of Cowan. Then, the toaster popped, Andrea stopped singing, and some fool was shouting loudly.
“Whoaaaaahhh!!!”
My suspension three feet off the ground came to an end, and I slammed hard on my back. The contents of my bike were strewn across the bend, and my camera had flung from my pocket. I was far enough in front of the boys that I had time to stand up, collect my detritus, pick up my bike, and began to put on my windbreak for the remainder of the descent. Daragh came past and pointed out that I had dropped my bandanna.
“Thanks mate!”
Have you ever felt scared on a bike?
Yes, when Jim Reid crashed hard into the tunnel wall while descending the Stelvio in Italy in 2018. I was scared for him, but mostly for the tunnel wall, which needed repairs.