Crank It Cycles

Phil recently had a virtual chat with up-and-coming local rider Ben Somerton. Most Mt Bikers will know him as the single speeder who whips everyone except Mat Waghorn at Club events and he is well-respected on the road scene as well.

Crank It: How long have you been cycling?

Ben: I started both Mountain Biking and Road Cycling in Levin when I was 11 (1994), and that same year I did the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in 7h 24mins. My first MtB races were the King of the Forest series in 1997, which were organised by Brent Hoy in the Wellington region and Waitarere forest. So I have been riding for 17 years now.

Crank It: How many bikes do you own?

At the moment I have 5 bikes: 1 FS XC MtB, 1 single speed MtB, 2 road bikes (I’m trying to sell one of them), and 1 DH MtB.

Crank It: Favourite Mt Bike ride?

My favourite place to ride in NZ is the Whakarewarewa forest in Rotorua, but the best trails I’ve done are in Whistler, Canada, called: ‘Comfortably Numb’ – a 4hour non-stop single track ride, and ‘Kill me, Thrill me’ -  the most technically demanding XC course I’ve ever ridden with lots of drops, rocks and skinnys.

Crank It: Favourite Road ride?

In Palmy it’s the Pahiatua track and Pohangina Valley, and my favourite road cycling event is the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

Crank It: What are your Cycling goals (the Single Speed World Champs I guess, but beyond that)?

The marathon Mountain Bike events appeal to me, so I’d like to do the BC bike race and the Cape Epic, both 7 day stage races which journey through British Columbia, Canada, and South Africa, respectively. I’d also really like to get into endurance DH Mountain Biking and do the Alp D’Huez Mega Avalanche in France and look forward to seeing similar types of events increasing in popularity both worldwide and in NZ.

What other sports are you interested in?

Surfing, snowboarding, and I would like to learn how to kite surf.

Crank It: When you're not cycling, what's your day job?

Microbiology PhD student with Massey Uni and Fonterra

Crank It: What would you be doing if you didn't need the day job?

Pretty much riding bikes as much as possible, and if I won lotto I’d develop a chair-lift accessed mountain bike park somewhere in NZ.

Crank It: Is there anything else you'd like to mention?

Thanks to Crank it for their hard work and support and thanks to the Manawatu Mountain Bike Club for organising events and getting young riders into biking.

Crank It: You're welcome, Ben and best wishes with your biking and study (and let us know if you need staff for the shop at that park.)