Interview with Phil Hubbard (Brand Partnerships Manager) at Le Col
Official Kit Supplier of L2M2022
q1 For our readers that might not know, could you tell us a little bit about Le Col – who you are and how your services contribute to the overall L2M experience?
Le Col is a premium cycling clothes brand founded by former GB cyclist – Yanto Barker, who still remains very much involved with the day-to-day running of the Company. He is extremely passionate about providing high quality, comfortable kit that goes the distance, so ideal for an 8-day ride from London to Monaco! Having a personal interest in marine conservation and a desire to give back, Yanto was keen for Le Col to partner with L2M and support Blue Marine’s efforts to restore our ocean’s health. By providing this striking, head-turning performance kit, Le Col has helped make L2M2022 the cycling event that everyone's talking about.
q2. When and how did you first get involved with Blue Marine and the L2M ride?
We first got involved with Blue Marine and the London to Monaco ride back in 2016 and after two fallow years, we rekindled our relationship for the last ride in 2019. At Le Col we are always trying to use cycling as a force for good. As well as the physical and mental benefits you can get from cycling we truly believe that it can be used as a powerful tool in supporting charities and NGO’s such as Blue Marine.
q3. What is so special about Blue Marine and the L2M ride that attracts Le Col to partner with us once again this year?
Blue Marine’s objective of restoring the ocean to health and helping to combat pollution is something we feel strongly that all businesses should be trying to do and the L2M ride is an outlet that brings together like-minded cyclists that are passionate about conservation. Adding in the fact of the fabulous routes, locations and planning that goes into the trip it is something we are always happy to support.
q4. What has been your fondest memory from working with Blue Marine and the L2M ride in previous years?
I think the first year was probably one of my fondest memories. When creating a kit with a partner you always have a small amount of anxiety about how it will be received but there is nothing nicer than seeing a peloton of riders, looking incredible in one of our custom Le Col designs. The fact that it represented the charity so well and was well received by all the riders was the icing on the cake!
q5. What are you most looking forward to about L2M2022?
I think we are most excited about the opportunity for people to come together and ride as one at L2M2022. Although most of the time, cycling can be a solitary sport, cyclists love nothing more than being with like-minded people. The opportunity to support the charity and to give people a memorable experience is something we treasure each year.
q6. Is there any advice you would give our riders before they embark on this challenge?
Trust your training and take the ride day by day. The most important thing for any cycling challenge is to make sure you are comfortable on the bike before you embark and to also drink and eat more than you think. There is nothing worse than hitting the wall during a ride so eating regularly will help. Also, if you build up your training steadily before the day you will be able to relax and enjoy the ride more meaning you can soak up all the stunning scenery!
q7. If you could come back in an afterlife as a sea creature - what would it be & why?
Personal choice on this one, can I say penguin? They are my favourite animal so that would be an easy one to finish!