Booths L2P Rider 2024 Martyn Baker

Written on May 17th, 2024

Martyn Baker is an Architect at Shape Architects Ltd and has been working with the Booths Team on store development projects for over 25 years. He is married with two teenagers and two rescue dogs, so sees cycling as a great way of escaping when time permits!

How did you get into cycling – any tips for beginners?

As a teenager I practically lived on my bike and enjoyed many a trip away with friends, a first taste of independence. Then about twenty years later I returned to cycling, again enjoying the social aspect, whether it’s escaping into the local hills or adventures further from home. My biggest tip for beginners would simply be to enjoy your cycling, it doesn’t matter how fast you are or what kind of bike you ride, just get out there and enjoy it!

What’s your favourite cycling snack?

Ah this is an easy one, sausage rolls and pies! The benefit is that they’re very difficult to eat whilst riding so the perfect reason to stop at a café and supplement them of course with a latte and cake, so more of a meal than a snack really!

What’s the one piece of kit that you need for a long ride?

Always make sure you have enough clothing layers, in cycling it’s tricky to get the right balance, up hills needs lots of effort so you get hotter but without a nice breeze as it’s usually slow going, then down hills there’s the wind chill without any effort so it’s much colder.

Why are you keen to support Cure Leukaemia by riding the London 2 Paris?

Cure Leukaemia is a great charity and to support them, raising awareness and funds, by participating in London 2 Paris with the Booths team seems like a great combination, I’m very much looking forward to the event!

What’s your favourite kind of weather?

It’s the sort of weather that seems rare in the uk! Perfect cycling weather for me is 20 degrees, dry, and sunny.  A tail wind all the way around would be perfect, but as that’s not really going to happen, then a tail wind on the way home is a bonus and a nice way to finish a ride.

Donate to Martyn’s Just Giving page by clicking here.