- Nick Name
- Racing snake or Sammy G, definitely not Fireman Sam!
- Date of Birth
- 29.4.75
- Sport
- Mountain biking and off road extreme triathlons (Xterra). v
- Battleground
- The Surrey hills, Maui and as many warm, sunny and exotic places as I can get to.
- Favorite Fat Face Kit
- The new technical jacket is great for Skiing and Mountain Biking in the winter
- Hometown
- Egham, Surrey
- Best result
- Ex National MTB hill climb champion. Vitruvian Half Iron man winner 2005. Xterra British champion 2007. 7th Overall European Xterra series 2006 and 2007. 14th Xterra World champs Hawaii '07. Masters National Mountain bike champion '07, Mountain Mayhem Elite mixed team winners '07.
- Other Sponsors
- Cannondale, USE, Maximuscle, Bell, Canterbury
- Why this sport?
- A damn good excuse to get muddy and get home late as a teenager. Now I do it for the adrenaline rush, the amazing scenery, the friendly podium girls (I wish!), and the free helicopter that my sponsors gave me (now I really am dreaming…)
- How did you get into it?
- Through my local scout group, 21 years ago!
- What next?
- More Xterra (top 5 European series and top 10 in Maui i hope).
- Any other sports?
- Running, swimming, skiing and playing pool; hand-eye coordination is very important as a triathlete!!?
- Favourite event and why?
- Mountain Mayhem 24hr race, huge crowds, top prizes and an amazing atmosphere. Xterra Austria and the World champs in Maui for great atmosphere, courses and post race parties!
- Favourite place in the world?
- Vancouver, Canada. Maui, Hawaii.
- Training regime?
- 25 hours a week or more, including 7 hrs swimming, 7 hrs running and the rest on the bike. I try to have at least one moment of blind terror on my bike every week.
- What makes you good at your sport?
- Temperament, Endurance and a season long commitment to training. As I get older, my ability to read a race and choose the right tactics are getting better.
- Advice to others wanting to get into the sport?
- Enjoy it while you’re young, there’s plenty of time to get serious later.
- Married, Single, kids? Tell all!
- Not married quite yet, no kids. Offers from rich single women will be thoughtfully considered!
- Website
- www.samgardner.com
