Cycling has been a constant for me throughout my life. For those that share my passion for cycling, it’s a freedom, a release and a pause in a frenetic life.
I started my serious cycling career as a spotty teenager with the Central Road Club in Scarborough, where the NY Moors and Wolds became familiar, through those cold and long winter training rides.
As a result of my accident in March 2000 I could no longer ride a standard diamond-frame bike. I invested in my first handbike, a Varna II, designed by the legendary Georgi Georgiev from Gabriola Island in Canada. And I took to it like a duck to water.
It’s a close second to the old way but handcycling has taught me a few life lessons along the way. I have been fortunate enough to have experienced the following:
May-July 2002 Around Britain Challenge Guinness World Record for furthest distance on a handcycle ever – First person to handcycle around the UK. 3500 miles in 76 days. Raised £15K for TRBL Poppy Appeal and recruited 100K new blood donors for the National Blood Service
2004-2007 UK representative on European Handcycle Federation [EHF] and established the framework for a world governing body for the sport, the World Handcycling Federation [WHF] with sponsorship from Mastercard.
7 August 2005 CYCLEFEST 2005 – Director of Festival of Cycling at Castle Coombe Race Circuit, Wiltshire
3 September 2006 Director for first ever handcycling event within Tour of Britain
July 2007 In conjunction with Transport for London [TfL] organised the first ever Handcycle race within the Tour de France programme – London Hyde Park
2004 Competed in Sadlers Midnight Sun Ultrachallenge in Alaska – widely regarded as the hardest wheelchair/handcycle race in the World. Came 3rd
Summer 2004 Completed the widest Coast to Coast cycle route in UK [Lowestoft to Lands End]
2005-2007 Member of Great Britain Disabled Cycling team – representing GB at IPC World and European events.
2005-2007 Rider for Mastercard Semi-professional handcycling team.
8 May 2005 Rode the 112 mile Fred Whitton Challenge in the Lake District [first handcyclist to ever attempt the race – regarded as one of the hardest RR in the UK]
July 2005 First handcyclist to complete Lands End to John O’Groats [raising money for Douglas Bader Foundation]
24-25 September 2005 broke 24hr World Handcycling record – a Guinness World Record distance of 462km
2006 BCF National Road Race Champion – Handcycling
July 2006 handcycled Tour De France infamous Alpine climbs – Alpe D’Huez, Col de la Madeleine, Col du Glandon, Col du Galibier, Mont Ventoux
