I had been riding sportives for a couple of years after giving up Triathlon (I hate running and loath swimming), so to join a cycling club was the inevitable.  Having been in clubs as a teen, it took some courage as a 30 something to make a come back.  I had no real idea of my level of fitness.  Eventually I made the step, and I have never looked back.  When you see 30 odd blokes gathering round a Rackhams, it is very daunting indeed to make the step. more...

I followed my dads footsteps in road cycling and touring from an early age. Unskilful and stupid I quickly learnt that gravel is painful to wipe from a knee wound - fortunately it didn't put me off. I went from Racing bikes to BMX to Mountain bikes and back to Road bikes. My dad bought me a Raleigh Record Sprint which I loved. I'd spend almost as much time polishing it as riding it. As a kid I gloried over Tour de France heroics by Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and Robert Miller, before attempting to conquer our local hills from Alsager bank to Mow cop. more...

I had a great time cycling in my teens and twenties, having a go at touring, time trialing and even a bit of road racing with the Wansbeck CC in Northumberland. Then just before I reached 30 a back injury stopped me in my tracks and, although I didn’t realise it at the time, it would be another 17 years before I rode again seriously. The back problem has never gone away but after becoming bored to tears with swimming and being a hopeless runner I decided to get back on the bike, pain or no pain. more...

From an early age I’ve always been into sports and always kept myself fit in one way or another. Riding a bike was part of that and I’d had a bike of one kind or another for years. Before joining Seamons my riding consisted of riding to work and the odd weekend ride. I also did a bit of mountain biking but nothing serious. I did the Manchester to Blackpool ride a couple of times and at the time the 60 miles of that ride was a major achievement for me. more...

Coming from a cycling family, bikes have always made an appearance throughout my childhood. Something which is firmly engraved in my memory was a tour through Ireland at the age of 11, this may have sown the seed of interest and in turn my fear of dogs, after getting chased up hills often.  It was only after graduating that I decided to take up a sport, the first being swimming. more...

As I grew up in the 1950s and 60s you’d be forgiven for thinking that I’m one of the more senior riders in the club. Well, you’d be wrong! Even though I’m certainly not one of the many younger members, there are plenty of clubmates far more, lets say, “experienced” than I am. So, if you think you’re too old to try cycling, or too old to return to two wheels, think again! more...

Having allowed my weight to balloon to 20 stone (see picture) following the end of my rugby playing days I decided I need to get fit otherwise I would be meeting my maker earlier than I hoped.  I began mountain biking in 2004, a great choice given it involved lumping my considerable bulk up hill and after 2 years the competitive juices started flowing and decided I wanted to race. more...

I wasn’t big into sport at school but “made up the numbers” in the cross country running team. Scouting was my thing and I was one badge short of being a Queens Scout when I “found” cycling.

I consider myself a “born again cyclist”. Having spent my youth around the 1960’s, cycling was then an essential requirement to get to school, deliver papers, socialise, and explore further a field. Then, cycling to work until I acquired my first car and babies. Family life, whilst active, kept me “out of the shed” until in my mid 40’s, when a friend persuaded me to buy a mountain bike - then the latest thing - and do some “rough stuff”. more...