Introducing the doggo loving, fret-shredding, adventure riding, lusciously haired legend known as Pat Gallowing. He's our weekly rider.

Pat Galloway - @hellcomeshome - Adelaide, South Australia

What's your Dream Bike?

Pretty tough one really. I am a sucker for a soulless, cold, unforgiving carbon roady, but will always have a soft spot for steel. With so much cool stuff coming out every day it's hard. That Baum Orbis looks wild. But I'd probably say getting something special from JR at Rogers Bespoke in a sparkly fade with a crass limerick written inside the headtube. Something personal, y'know?

What's your favourite local ride?

I'm down for anything bike related. The Super's ride on Saturday morning out to Lobethal and down the Gorge is a decent training ride, and in summer it gets some real hitters showing up. Adelaide has too many beautiful roads (and off-roads) that a single ride is too hard to pick. Spruke the RCC Adelaide Tuesday social ride tho.

Photo: Bob Barrett - IG @bobbarrettphotos — Photo: Bob Barrett - IG @bobbarrettphotos

What is your current cycling goal?

My currently goal is to get back in to racing cross. I competed a few times late last year in Adelaide's summer series that Port Adelaide CC host and I felt like I wasn't terrible (by that I mean I placed better every race I did). I was all geared up to race the 2017 winter season for Bombtrack Treadly Racing, but earlier this year I had an accident that left me with a broken clavicle, a cracked rib, and very battered confidence. I've raced a couple of crits to get back in to the swing of competition (another goal is to buy legs that have something even resembling a sprint), but remain hesitant. The shoulder isn't back to full form yet so we'll have to see what the future holds. P.S. sticks suck.

When I am on the bike I....

Am probably thinking about where/what I'm gonna eat after. I would be larger than life if my hobby didn't involve being active because food is just really, really great. Also probably talking an infuriating amount of garbage, which probably makes me the bane of the bunch.

All doggos love Pat. Photo Andy 'fameandspear' Rogers - IG @fameandspear

How did your love of bikes come about?

I've never had a license so I always rode to school and work. I bought a geared bike to do some touring when I first went overseas and now I have multiple bikes for multiple uses. In a place the size of Adelaide I can't comprehend not having a bike to at least commute with.

Share a cycling memory

In October of 2015 I went to Japan for the first time with the plan of riding from Tokyo to Nagasaki. I was there for a month but upon riding out of Tokyo I suffered a damaged freehub, the pawl enclosure that holds one of the springs in cracked and shattered. With help from Nicholas at 25LAS, I sorted out a new freehub body but it was a week away (thanks for the $50 express shipping Jake and Treadly, forever in debt for that one). As I was sitting on the side of a highway in Nakameguro, looking for an unplanned hostel for the night, a man approaches me and asks what I'm doing, after I tell him about Nagasaki he asks if I want a coffee. We go in to his shop and a couple of hours later he's giving me a key to his so I have a place to sleep until the bike is fixed. I couldn't believe it. Eternally grateful to Junichi and Taylor! Due to the downtime I didn't get to Nagasaki, but I did ride to Mount Fuji for a few days and hung out. That was cool. The Hotline Bling video came out that week.

Photo:  Lana Adams - @lanaadams — Photo: Lana Adams - @lanaadams

I love to ride because....

It's what I've done for so long. It's my main transportation and I have met (most of) my best and most supportive mates through bikes. It's a momentary escape from any problems you might have at the time, It's meditation and reflection, at least to me. The feeling of rolling up and down some of my favourite roads, or just to get food or go to the pub with some world class people is second to none.