John Wood: Q&A

What do you buy someone who owns a bike shop? CW speaks to the boss of the NFTO team and owner of Hereford bike shop The Shed to find out

When I was younger I used to ride in Wakefeld for a team called Calder Clarion. We used to ride with the likes of Raleigh and the Manchester Wheelers, and there always used to be a lot of racing there.

I joined the army when I was 16. I didn't pick up a bike again until I was 41.

At the moment I am riding a Swift equipped with Shimano 11-speed Di2 with Enve wheels. It's black.

My bike collection is reasonably big. But that's kind of because I've got a bike shop! I used to have a lot, but I got rid of a lot of them. I have a nice Cipollini track bike and two Swifts: a time trial bike and a road bike. I also have an old Raleigh with 531 tubing and I've got an old Colnago.

I don't know how Cavendish sprints on his McLaren Venge. I've got one but it's a little bit floppy in the back end.

I've had nearly every bike you can have. I've settled on the Swift which is an extremely good bike. There's isn't really anything else I'd like. I think I've got the bikes that I need - I'm happy with the ones I've got.

I don't read books. I think the last one I read was Room on the Broom, which I read to my eight year-old daughter.

The last film I watched was World War Z. The one with Brad Pitt in it. It was a really good film.

My favourite rider has got to be Peter Sagan. He hadn't done a huge amount towards the end of last year following the Tour de France, but he's got a lot of talent. He's a very, very class rider.

The best present I've ever received? Well, I've got two of them: my little girls. They're six and eight and they're a handful. Lily is six but she's a racer. She races at Castle Combe.

I order a decaf skinny cappuccino and a piece of carrot cake, generally without fail. I can't have caffeine, it doesn't agree with me. It's a bit unfortunate because I love coffee.

I'm certainly driven. I can't say I'm brave. I'm certainly persistent. I'm reclusive too. I'm not really one for being in the spotlight, I prefer to be in the background.

This article was first published in the January 9 issue of Cycling Weekly. Read Cycling Weekly magazine on the day of release where ever you are in the world International digital edition, UK digital edition. And if you like us, rate us!