ERIC GAUSTER: What gets you up in the morning?
ERIKA S: Teddy and his chum calling for attention.

EG: What is your earliest cycling memory?
ES: As soon as I learned to ride I was aching to leave the allowed cycling perimeter and to go outside and explore the world. Of course I did, and of course I got caught, but it was worth it!

EG: Where would someone most likely bump into you cycling?
ES: Anywhere in north and east London. High chance you will catch me on Dalston Lane after a Ridley Road fix.

EG: What’s the best and worst thing about current cycling culture?
ES: Best: Variety of people riding. Worst: Painful clothing.

EG: Where’s the best place you have discovered by bicycle?
ES: Northumberland. Took my breath away.

EG: Favourite post-ride foodstuff?
ES: Ale and crisps.

EG: What music currently moves you?
ES: Cumbia.

ERIC GAUSTER: What is your earliest cycling memory?
MARILYN P: When moving to Sweden at 6, all the kids were on bikes and I wanted to look Swedish…..

EG: Where do you live and how does cycling fit into your life?
MP: I live in Clapton, I can only go at the back of the tandem as I was brain injured in a car accident 6 years ago. I was in a coma and then a wheelchair, re-learnt walking and talking at 27. I always want to cycle but have to learn life as a co-pilot.

EG: You ride a tandem, what’s the story behind your choice of bike?
MP: See above!

EG: What would you always bring along on a cycle trip?
MP: A helmet and some cash. A pretty boy is a plus!

EG: A word of advice to Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, regarding cycling policy?
MP: Put on a smile.

EG: Favourite post-ride foodstuff?
MP: Fruit…………………salads rock my socks off!

EG: What music currently moves you?
MP: Anything by Catpower.

ERIC GAUSTER: What is your earliest cycling memory?
OLIVER S: Learning to ride a bike when I was 4. My dad letting go of me, me not realising and happily riding on, then looking back and feeling even happier, like millions of other children. One of the happiest shared cultural memories, no doubt. I remember exactly where it was, although sadly not the date – that’s one I’d like to know. (Too many ‘happies’ but you get my drift).

EG: Where would someone most likely bump into you on your bike?
OS: All over London, but particularly North-east London.

EG: What’s the best and worst thing about current cycling culture?
OS: Best: Variety,diversity, excitement. All the wonderful people you meet who love cycling. Worst: That many people (those who already cycle and those that don’t alike) treat cycling as something mundane and utiltarian, lacking skill and knowledge. It’s a major cultural preoccupation, and while it’s obvious that not everybody can sample all of culture, access to it is currently still suppressed and too few people have been able to discover it. False myths abound.

EG: Where’s the best place you have discovered by bicycle?
OS: Where I live.

EG: What would someone find in the bottom of your pannier?
OS: Hm. Nothing, I’m afraid, except maybe for breadcrumbs. I don’t do any touring and use a pannier only for shopping.

EG: Favourite post-ride foodstuff?
OS: Food

EG: What music currently moves you?
OS: Too much to list!

Eric Gauster: What get’s you up in the morning?
wiganwill: The older I get the more it feels, when I wake up, as if I am coming round after a not particularly successful operation. Obligations get me out of bed. That and my bowels. Will no one rid me of these turbulent bowels?

EG: What is your earliest cycling memory?
ww: Falling off my new Chopper on Xmas day. I was probably not covering my brakes.

EG: Where would someone most likely bump into you on your bike?
ww: At a T-Junction. Or at a bike polo session; taking photographs. Or going to Morrisons. I’m living La Vida.

EG: A word of advice to Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, regarding cycling policy?
ww: My advice to Boris Johnson would involve a loaded gun, a bottle of whiskey and somewhere quiet. Failing that the useless Tory clown should vote for Ken Livingstone.

EG: Campagnolo or Shimano?
ww: Campagnolo. Predictable I know.

EG: Favourite post-ride foodstuff?
ww: My diet is appallingly limited. According to the labels on pet foods the average cat or dog gets its five a day more often than I do and I’m a vegetarian. I eat pasta with stuff on it. Alone, funnily enough.

EG: What music currently moves you?
ww: I like the music on the internet, you know, that free music. It’s nice not to have to shoplift from HMV anymore.