Introducing: Mathilde Martha Hilkea

What's your name and where'd you come from?
Mathilde Martha Hilkea (thanks grandparents/ other folks in that generation) Pauls. Born and bred in Berlin (west ;-p )
 
Tell us about racing...
I haven't really raced much for LMNH - 1 hill climb (I won!) and two cross races now (I fell over and made friends with the mud in both of them...but then it can only get better, right?).

I have raced my bike, and also combined it with those other two sports I won't mention here though - great stuff. Lot's of age groups, and as far as I can tell way easier to win stuff / medal in, as it was in my previous (sporting) existence as a rower (maybe I just didn't pick my opposition wisely enough there). More importantly: no weight limit (paunch = not flattering and makes going uphill harder, but certainly less miserable than constantly being on a diet!!).

I did race boats for years, and was quite good at that.

We hear you are a brain surgeon...

I am the medical side of brain surgery (Neurology and Stroke) - rather less exciting.

Currently I am doing a research job, and we are giving a tablet called 'Tadalafil' (aka 'Cialis', same type of medication as Viagra...) to people who have had little ('lacunar') strokes, to see if it will improve blood flow in the brain :o
 

Polkadot, green or yellow?
Oooh. Definitely not green. I think it'll have to do be the polkadots. Although if you are a rower, then yellow is a fast colour.... (and non rowers will go 'what the??' reading that. Empacher. Fast German boats.)

Recovery shake or beer?
My body is a temple, right? (So one of my colleagues tells me anyway). So Goji Berry and Spinach recovery shake. Actually: Beer.

Recovery shakes are b****t.

Have some chocolate (strawberry/banana/vanilla/whateve!) milk instead. Near perfect ratio of carbs:protein, and it's animal protein with the amino acids your body actually needs...

What's your fancy dress outfit of choice?
I did go as a yummy mummy once when I was about 10 (I was a real tom boy)...
Before that it was knight or pirate. Now...not sure. I think the latest I (remember) dressing up as was as a Pope. Turns out the papal outfit was a little see-through too...
 

Hah did someone peep the pope? Thank you Mathilde!

Follow Mathilde on twitter.

We are showcasing the rest of the awesome women who ride bikes featured in our photoshoot over the next few days.

Women's Podium Pants now available here.