Your Team Lockton Ride Captains

Meet the Ride Captains for Team Lockton for this year's Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM. With a radio in their ear and their eyes on the peloton, the Ride Captains volunteer their wisdom, skills and cycling experience to make sure that everyone stays safe, while dispensing Jelly Babies, humorous anecdotes and/or words of encouragement as needed. 

Here’s an introduction to the Ride Captains of Team Lockton - Neo Combarro (Lockton Companies LLP), Rebecca Nixon (Allford Hall Monaghan Morris), Samantha McClary (EG) and Timo Haedrich (Haptic Architects):

Neo Combarro, Lockton Companies LLP:

• Your favourite memory from last year’s relay? My last ride with CP was Cycle to MIPIM and there are always so many good memories it’s difficult to choose a favourite. The clearest is the stop at the beautiful château with the classic car collection. It followed what had been a dreadful wet and very cold start to the day and miserable (wet and cold people) feed stop. The weather had cleared on the lead-in ride and mood lifted with the pace (the team shall remain nameless but without question the best stage of the tour). On arrival the mood had gone from dark to very light, the château was stunning, as were the classic cars. It was high tea in the ballroom with slippers (provided and compulsory, and to be returned), not bike shoes. 
• What’s your top tip for this year’s riders? Don’t miss stage 5 of day 5 – the ride ride into Valance (assuming it hasn’t changed) – no matter the weather (to be discussed). 
• What’s your best training tune? Opus – Eric Prydz 
• What is the one essential bit of kit you absolutely cannot be without? Same as every year – hot flask for coffee in the morning which fits in your bike cage. I have it on Stage one every morning. 
• Link to your sponsorship page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/neo-combarro

Rebecca Nixon, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris:

• Your favourite memory from last year’s relay? Spending a stage listening to Paul Burke describe his garden through the seasons in detail.
• What’s your top tip for this year’s riders? If your legs can manage it, always ride the first stage of the day.
• What’s your best training tune? Lethal Bizzle – Pow 
• What is the one essential bit of kit you absolutely cannot be without? Cosy buff.
• Link to your sponsorship page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rebeccanixon23

Samantha McClary, EG:

• Your favourite memory from last year’s relay? Day five, stage 5. The stage most people hate but I had the right gear on (warm and dry), a boombox in my back pocket and was pedalling away next to fellow ride captain Gareth Atkinson, singing our little legs off. Loved it.
• What’s your top tip for this year’s riders? Enjoy every second. If you’re not, take a break. You’re already a hero just doing this ride, you don’t need to prove anything.
• What’s your best training tune? Wednesday Adams playing Iron Maiden on the cello, obvs.
• What is the one essential bit of kit you absolutely cannot be without? I’m cheating and going for two as it is all about the combo. I cruised through stage five, day five because I had my super warm Café du Cycliste lumberjack fleece jacket on with my shakedry over the top. Perfect for cold and wet.

Timo Haedrich, Haptic Architects:

• Your favourite memory from last year’s relay? Nothing beats seeing the Mediterranean after all that hard pedalling but the pizza stage is great, too
• What’s your top tip for this year’s riders? If you have a niggle, see the fantastic physio team, they will sort you out.
• What’s your best training tune? Night Nurse, Gregory Isaacs.
• What is the one essential bit of kit you absolutely cannot be without? Gloves, when it is cold. A good waterproof jacket when it is wet.
• Link to your sponsorship page: Cycle to MIPIM 2023