Matthew Green is the project director for the Kentish Flats Extension project, which will be developed by Vattenfall this May. Vattenfall currently operates both the existing Kentish Flats and Thanet Offshore Wind Farms. Matthew developed a passion for cycling after he got involved in the KM Big Bike Ride two years ago when Vattenfall first decided to support the event. The wind power company has been a key partner every year since.

Why is Vattenfall supporting the event?

Matthew Green (MG): The Big Bike Ride is attractive to Vattenfall on a number of levels: it’s a community event, it involves cycling and quite a lot of our team are interested too - so there are a number of good reasons to get involved.

Why did you decide to take part?

MG: A few of my friends were doing it and lots of the project team are keen cyclists. It was at the back of my mind to do something like it but I wouldn’t have got round to it if the Big Bike Ride hadn’t come along. The opportunity was there to do something I hadn’t done before.

Did you enjoy your first Big Bike Ride?

MG: Yes, it was fantastic. I’d never done that distance before (65 miles), even in training. There was a stopping point halfway and a lot of our families met us there for a chat and tea, which I thought was very sociable.

There was a lot of camaraderie - cyclists are a chatty bunch - and you get into the company of others of a similar ability or better. We completed it much faster than we expected. You get involved and you’re swept along by the event.

Did you need to train for it?

MG: In my first year there was just one route and it was 65 miles, which you do need to do a bit of training for if you haven’t been riding for a while. We had a bike fit set up to be comfortable and I would definitely recommend that. If you can manage half the distance in training you can do it on the day - particularly because of the midway stop-off point.

Last year, a shorter route was introduced (27 miles), which most people were able to do without too much effort and a reasonable level of fitness.

What happened next?

MG: After the Big Bike Ride I was keen to do more cycling so I did the London to Paris cycle event to raise funds for the MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury, which was after final funding for a new building. Three of us took part in the three-day event and covered 300 miles to raise over £4,600 for the charity.

What do you enjoy about cycling?

MG: Cycling is one of those sports that is very sociable. You can do it in groups and it’s nice to be out there in the countryside all year round. You don’t need to plan anything and it’s very convenient to keep it up. The kids love it too; cycling is a real family thing.

I’ve definitely got a much greater level of fitness since that first Big Bike Ride - in fact I’ve lost two stone! And you notice things you can do much more readily than before, whether it’s running up an escalator to catch a train or taking part in other sports – even planning the construction of a wind farm.

Why should other people take part in the Big Bike Ride?

MG: There’s no downside to it! If you’ve got a bike or are thinking of getting a bike it’s ideal. I would say just sign up and you won’t regret it!

• The KM Big Bike Ride is being staged this Sunday, April 26 at the BayPoint Club in Sandwich. There will be a 100km route and a 50km route, both taking in beautiful East Kent coastline and countryside. Visit www.kmbigbikeride.co.uk for more information or to book - don't forget to use booking discount code KMPRBB15.
• Riders can turn up and pay on the day.
• The BayPoint Club is also holding a Green Travel Festival on the same day. Free to enter, the festival will provide food, music, stalls and cycle exhibitors as well as demonstrations by skateboarders and BMX riders.