Luke’s journey on 2 wheels

I began cycling with Wigmore CC in the early 90’s when my Dad got me into some charity rides then club runs and later TTs.  As I got fitter and stronger I became more hooked into the culture of the sport. I raced circuit races having some good success as a Juvenile racer at local Eastway races and Town Centre Crits.

As a 1^st year junior I started racing track , because I got fed up of being beaten by trackies in sprints.  Racing track opened up a lot of doors. I represented an England team in the 5 Nations Series, racing full National Federation teams from Europe.  Although a steep learning curve, I racked up podium finishes in Madisons, TPs, and Eliminations, and was a regular strong team member doing all the endurance and team events.  I achieved 2 podiums at Junior National Track Champs, where Bradley Wiggins stood on the top step.

I then pursued Road Racing as a serious objective with aspirations to turn pro.  Despite serious setbacks, firstly with Glandular Fever, then with a chronic knee problem, I ended up racing in France with VC St-Lo in Normandy, and had some good performances in the UK.  I didn’t quite get where I wanted so gave up full time racing in 2002 to pursue a career in Retail Management.

Since then Cycling has been a serious hobby, but I’ve had some wins on the road and track, and more recently have become immersed in the wonderful world of Cyclo-Cross which is so much fun and always offers a challenge.

Cycling is a sport for the whole family, and quite unique in it’s breadth of activities on offer.  My two sons Miles and Kit love riding their bikes more than anything in the world, and it’s been a pleasure alongside my wife Kat (also a top level racer) to help them learn how to ride, try different bikes and environments, and to get better at their early racing, in BMX, circuit, Cross and MTB.  They already have a very vibrant social circle at the races and I can’t wait to see where their cycling journey goes next.