Ice-skating legend Jayne Torvill describes her fondness for Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex, where she enjoys running, cycling and rollerblading with her family. Interview: Alex Reece
I come from Nottingham originally, and for summer holidays we used to go to Mablethorpe, which is close to Skegness on the east coast. We had some neighbours who had a caravan and they let us hire it for a couple of weeks each year. Prior to that, we went down to Cornwall on the train, which was quite a big adventure in those days. I remember jumping over big waves there with my parents – they probably weren’t that big, it’s just that I was small!
One of my favourite places nowadays is Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex. It's one of those old-fashioned seaside resorts and the architecture is beautiful – there are some lovely Art Deco buildings. The De La Warr Pavilion on the seafront is amazing. Bexhill is about half an hour from where I live and I’ve done a couple of duathlons there. I’ve also taken the kids rollerblading on the seafront (pictured). Afterwards we might have an ice cream, and I’ve been in the Pavilion a few times for lunch – they do fantastic cheese on toast.
I’m not a strong swimmer, and I don’t like being cold – which is strange after being on the ice for so many years, but you get warm there because you’re working. So I never do a triathlon, just a duathlon, which is running and cycling. I like cycling because I enjoy being outside, taking in the countryside we live in. And at the same time you’re getting good exercise, too. I’ve had my bike just over two years now – and I got it so that I could do the duathlon in Bexhill.
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