Andy Flint - Communications Secretary
Member of VCC since September 2012
My cycling story...
It was Christmas 2011, I was in Aberdeen, Scotland visiting my sister, it was my nephew’s Birthday, we were due to go skiing but there was no snow! My brother-in-law asked my nephew what he wanted to do, as us chaps weren’t interested in the shopping option my two daughters, niece and sister had planned! How about you take your new road bike out for a spin to Banchory, Andy can borrow my Specialised Allez (like yours) and I’ll hop on my other bike.
Sure says I, that will be fun, thinking when did I last do more than a short trip up the Nicky line with the kids?! 35 miles later, cold through and knackered, I’d hung on and found a sport that I had lost some 25 years earlier. Back home I found the very same bike on ebay, made the purchase and started on the road to fitness... After 6 months of solo rides a mate in Brighten suggested I join a local club. A quick call to the VCC and I was speaking to Don Andrews who just happened to live in the same road as me – I’d found a new neighbour! Don soon persuaded me to join the club runs and part with cash for new kit – I was hooked! Joining VCC for me was all about learning to ride in a group, meeting like-minded people and gaining confidence to take on the many Sportives that fill the calendar each year. It’s become more than that now, I can’t really fathom what I did before!!
About my role...
It’s my job to keep everyone informed. I see this as a two-way street seeking to ensure that members know what is happening with their club, whilst the committee has every opportunity to hear what the members want. This involves, in no particular order, our website, the weekly comms email, our social media activity (facebook, twitter, strava, slack etc.) attending Monday club nights, leading on Sunday club runs, organising our contribution to the L'Etape UK (and liaising with Human Race), Fete du Velo and organising the Verulam 100 (our summer mini-sportive club run) and attending to the notice board in Townsend Sports Club!
More about me...
I’m originally from Abbots Langley. I now live in Redbourn, having lived in Harpenden and London prior to that. I work in the publishing industry. I have two daughters, one working in London, one at St Andrews University. I have five bikes. I’ve enjoyed the VCC Mallorca training camp, done some interesting touring rides with other club members and taken on a number of Sportives including London Revolution, London Cycle Sportive, RideLondon, Chiltern 100, Wiggle Dragon, Dartmoor Demon and the Marlow Red Kite. I have plans to do more this year as well as enjoying our Sunday club runs. I quite like cycling!
