What started as a hobby for Jack during lockdown has turned into a passion which takes him all over the world. Jack was initially encouraged by his mum to go on a bike ride with her using the spare bike in the garage that first gave him the bug for riding. Jack found cycling during lock down helped with his mental health by providing some regularity. Once having the taste for cycling, Jack has updated his bike a number of times with his most recent bike, a specialised 5 Works, purchased with his savings for a house deposit!
From cycling a leisurely 3 – 4 times a week, Jack now does an average of 20 hours a week keeping him fit both physically and mentally. Jack is a member of a local cycling club in Peterborough and also participates in district events only available to those with a racer license.
One of Jack’s most recent trips has taken him to Belgium to the World Tour Racing event that starts the racing calendar in Europe. Jack travelled to Belgium to watch the professionals race on Saturday 25th February and then to race himself the next day in the Open Event where he cycled 140km in just over 5 hours earning him a position of 143rd out of 4,400 cyclists.
Jack’s next big event is to participate in the Tour of Cambridge Time Trial on 3rd June for which he is planning to ride in 36 separate events to prepare for the race!
In addition to the physical and mental health benefits of cycling Jack has met friends from a diverse group of people that he would never have come across in his daily life. In Jack’s own words, ‘no matter how bad the day has been, getting on my bike just seems to make everything better!’
