I am a relative late comer to cycling and still struggle to change my rear wheel inside two minutes, let alone a puncture! I hate punctures and always ride with a 3 ply tyre. In my youth rowing was my summer sport, a way to get fitter and stronger for rugby, my then sport of choice. Eventually rowing took over and on the back of some reasonable results I was invited to a number of national trials across various age groups making a developmental Colt’s squad in 1977 as a pre-curser to the 1978 World Rowing Champs at Karapiro.

I never made the New Zealand team, but it was a great sporting time of my life. I learnt a lot about sport and the importance of proper training, preparation and socialization.Paul at Grape Ride

Commonwealth Games MedalCycling came into my family through my sons. Around 1996 I took them both on the 50km version of the Tour de Manawatu on mountain bikes. They also did the Sunday triathalons at the Lido. Long story short, the younger one, Simon really shone on the bike so we supported him and now he rides with the best.

I was elected to the Feilding Cycling Club Committee around 2003/04 and was President there for a number of years. In 2005 a few like-minded individuals started talking about the potential benefits of a single more powerful cycling club/organisation in the Manawatu. Over a period of time that seed grew and continued to grow to the point where we are today. I am very determined to see that Bike Manawatu is a success for all cyclists in our region be they recreational, competitive or somewhere in between.

I am definitely in the recreational group. I have completed one circuit of Taupo in 2005, in 5 hours 42 minutes. Since then, my favourite ride has been the Grape Ride in Blenheim which I have now completed four times.

Most of my training is done over the summer months around the rural roads of Feilding, Rongotea and Halcombe. I try to avoid the hills.

I am a director and owner, with my wife Heather, of Morgans Property Advisors, a property valuation business in the Manawatu. Heather and I have also been active in the local equestrian scene. Both our daughters have ridden competitively and Heather is involved with the Te Kawau and Rangitikei Pony clubs.

I am a past Chairman of Kopane School board of Trustees, a past President of the Manawatu Branch of the Property Institute and a Fellow on the New Zealand Institute of Valuers and Property Institute.

I aim to bring a balance to the Board from a variety of background experiences.

Cycling is a wonderful sport and great recreational activity for young and old. This region is ideally suited and through Bike Manawatu I want to see cycling here in our community become a real power house sport/activity.