Interview With Sir Bradley Wiggins Ahead Of Harrogate Show

Five times Olympic gold medalist and Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins is going out on tour this autumn with a visit to the Royal Hall in Harrogate on 23 September.

ITV cycling presenter Matt Barbet will compare the night which will feature Bradley sharing stories about his career, sharing memorabilia and there will also be a question and answer session with the audience.

I spoke to Bradley about the tour and he also shared that one of his favourite cycling routes crosses into Yorkshire!

What can the audience expect if they attend the Harrogate show?

Naturally it's going to be about cycling and the history of my life, everything really. I am a good storyteller. It is going to be very informative and will tell how I ended up from there to now. I love to do these types of shows and there will be a question and answer session during the night too during the 90 minute show.
I have been to Harrogate many times. We did the show in York last year and that was really good, I really enjoyed it as I like coming to Yorkshire.

When you were competing what was your diet and fitness regime like every day?

It was very brutal and demanding, there were no off days - it was a constant effort. I had people supporting me with my diet and nutrition too. Now I'm not really conscious of my weight, life takes over me now - it's nice to be able to go on holiday, I'm nearly 40 now and not have to go back to training when I got back from holiday is something I do not miss. It was a case of letting go of the past.

How many bikes have you got?

I've got a lot from my racing days, probably 60 in total of my own and then a few of other people's.

Have you a favourite cycle route here in the U.K?

Although I live in Lancashire I do like a route that goes through the Trough of Bowland through Bolton-by-Bolton and then crossing over to Yorkshire through to Gargrave and Grassington. There is a famous cafe there that cyclists go to, The Cobblestones Cafe that I like to go to, the route really has the best of both worlds and counties.

Is it true that you have a collection of classic motor scooters and guitars?

Yes, that's right. I have always collected them, they are like an extension of your personality.

Do you have any favourite bands?

I grew up listening to Oasis, they were the anthem to my childhood. I like Paul Weller, The Smiths, Stone Roses, Richard Ashcroft. I have seen a lot of these bands in their other incarnations. It would be great if The Smiths would reform, they have been offered millions to reform but I don't think it will ever happen.
All these bands were a voice for the working classes because they were working class. Probably the last band to come through from the working class was The Arctic Monkeys who are from Yorkshire!

Do you still go to concerts?

Absolutely, I went to see Ocean Colour Scene last year, they might have a cult following these days but they have still got it.

Do you think the Tour De France will ever return to Yorkshire?

Yes, I think it will because Yorkshire has that cycling heritage with names like Barry Hoban, Michael Elliott. Also there is the UCI Road World Championship that starts off in Leeds in September which will be good for the county.

How do you keep fit now?

I go running a lot these days, I like running because it gives you time to think. I can put my running gear on and just go out for an hour or so.

An Evening with Bradley Wiggins
Royal Hall, Harrogate
Monday 23 September

https://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/Bradley-Wiggins-An-Evening-With