WHAT started off as a childhood hobby has fuelled this adrenaline junkie to claim national glory.

John Crinson may earn a living number-crunching, but at the weekend, he enjoys nothing better than powering around some of the country’s most rugged terrain on a motorbike.

Now that spirit of adventure has led the 30-year-old to fulfil his ambition of winning the British Expert Trails Championship.

The Sunderland University data analyst, who is unbeaten in competitions in the North East, competed for the Beta UK team, taking the title 20 years after sitting on his first motorbike.

Having taken up the sport as a 10-year- old, John followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps in taking the sport seriously and began to compete regularly throughout his teenage years.

John, who grew up in Fulwell and moved to Whickham, Gateshead, said: “The feeling I got when I finally won the championship was pride. My main aim has always been to win the British Championship and it’s what has kept me going over the years.

“I’ve been close to winning the title in the past few years, but now I’ve finally done it.

“It can be a gruelling sport, especially as I have a full-time job, but I try to go out for a couple of hours after work as much as I can.

“If I’m not on my bike, I’ll do my best to stay fit by playing football or going to the gym three or four times a week. I certainly benefited this year as I was much fitter than I have been in previous seasons.”

The championship took place from Fort William to Devon and Sheffield to Wales over seven different rounds throughout the past year.

And the business and marketing graduate had to show his mental and physical strength throughout. John was lucky to have sponsors for his bike, tyres, clothing and general parts.

He added: “In terms of motor sports it’s relatively cheap. A local event could charge £10 for the day’s entry, compared to a road race that could be up to £100 for the event.

“It is certainly a sport you have to be mentally and physically strong to succeed in. It is essential when you have the different challenges and rocks that you have to negotiate, to stay in focus on the task in hand and in the zone.”