Profile: Gary McInally

We’d like to introduce you to another of our cyclists who’ll be tackling LEJOG – meet Gary McInally, Chief Actuary at Flood Re. Having grown up in Scotland, Gary is looking forward to returning on his bike and taking in some scenic Highland views.

Name: Gary McInally

Age: 45

What spurred you on to put your best foot forward and cycle the #FloodReTour Land’s End to John O’Groats bike ride?

I’ve done a few charity rides in recent years – this seemed like a great way to increase awareness of Flood Re, whilst also raising money for good causes. I was due to do ‘only’ 6 days, but I’m now doing the full route to take the place of one member of the team who was unable to make it.

How has the training been going?

I’ve had very limited time to train for family reasons. But as I’m not a lightweight, I’ve been focusing on climbing hills.

What is your longest training ride?

I generally get out once a week – 30-50 miles – so not nearly enough to consider training for this ride.

Any embarrassing or proud moments during training?

Proudest moment was completing one of my training routes with my nine year old son – he was so pleased to get up the hills.

What are you most looking forward to on the tour?

The scenery cycling through Cumbria and Scotland, as well as demonstrating the level of commitment of the Flood Re team.

What are you least looking forward to on the tour?

Having grown up in Scotland but not cycled long distance rides there, I know the wind is the thing to fear. As a teenager cycling on the east coast of Scotland, I recall being blown backwards and having to get off and push my bike when the wind was blowing.

Have you ever done anything like this before?

I’ve done shorter rides with similar daily distances, but nothing like the distance I’ll be doing on the #FloodReTour overall.

One thing that you won’t be without during the cycle ride e.g. memento (excluding the obvious water etc)

Avon Skin so Soft Dry Oil Body Spray with Jojoba and Citronellol. Not because I’m a fan of body moisturiser, but if it’s good enough to keep the Highland midges off the SAS – then it’ll do for me!

Do you have a message for the flood affected communities you are going to visit en route?

I saw first hand earlier this year how the community of Kendal was affected by the 2015 winter floods – the impact on the lives of thousands was simply devastating. With Flood Re supporting the UK insurance industry, even those domestic properties at highest risk will be able to find more affordable insurance. At Flood Re, we recognise the need to try to make homes more resilient to flooding, but know that the help available to individual households for property level protection after past events could be made more effective. We will be carrying out research looking at better understanding the benefit of different measures, with the aim of better informing the choices made by homeowners and also helping the insurance industry formally recognise the level of risk reduction (and so offer lower premiums). We hope, in time, this knowledge will help remove one of the major barriers to improving the resilience of the existing UK housing stock.