From passion to obsession. Becoming a cyclist - my journey.

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a bike of some sort. It was always a mountain bike or a hybrid (usually one of the latest Carrera’s from Halfords) and it would be used for two purposes only: to get to work and back and to get to the pub. I was born in Solihull but ended up living in a small village in rural Herefordshire for 26 years (long story).

A young Chris with the obligatory basin hair cut as modeled by the majority of youngsters back in the day.

Drinking and generally having a good time was a big part of my life, mainly because there wasn’t much else to do. I suffered from quite severe panic attacks when I was younger, and alcohol both helped and fuelled these episodes. Thankfully I soon learned how to cope and manage the panic attacks and as the years passed I found myself drinking less and less. By this point cycling was becoming not only a means of transport, but something that I was almost starting to enjoy. I got married and moved to Cannock (my wife was from there originally) and that’s when “it” happened. I was sitting at home on a Saturday afternoon flicking through the TV channels when I stumbled upon a bike race. It was the Ride London - Surrey Classic if I remember correctly. Geraint Thomas was solo out front, so the TV cameras were on him a fair bit. Once I saw that sleek black Team Sky kit and the beautiful Pinerello Dogma bike I felt like I used to as a kid when the latest football shirt came out. I couldn’t quite understand why I was so mesmerised by it all, but I realise now that it was the start of something that would consume my life, but in a good way.

Ned Boulting photo Bombing Chris.

I watched every grand tour and any other bike races that happened to be on, I was like a sponge, I was desperate to absorb as much of this exciting new world as I possibly could. I’m not sure if I realised it at the time, but by now I was totally hooked. I carried on watching races and getting out on my bike whenever I could and although I always rode alone, I was quite happy with that. I always had a belly from my drinking days but by now my marriage had become quite an unhappy experience and I ballooned to 17 stone mainly due to comfort eating.

Time to change for the better.

Eventually my wife and I parted and got divorced and I lived on my own for 12 months or so before I met the absolute love of my life, Tricia. I decided that I wanted to loose the weight, partly because I was now in a relationship where I was totally happy and head over heels in love and partly because I wanted to finally start wearing Lycra! I had always been very self conscious of my weight - I had done my first ever century a few years before wearing baggy shorts, a t-shirt and trainers. I started by using a calorie counting app and carried on doing as much cycling as I could fit into my spare time. I managed to loose my target of 5 stone and finally bought some Lycra. “Right” I thought, “you’ve got all the gear, it’s time to join a club and do this properly”.

Chris now like a racing snake.

I searched on Google and PSCC appeared on my screen. I remember being very impressed by the professional looking website, and noticed there was a club ride every Wednesday morning called Codgers & Dodgers, which seemed perfect with Wednesday’s being one of my days off. I put on my Lycra, grabbed my helmet and set off towards The Old House at Home. Everyone made me feel so welcome and from the very first ride, I knew that this was the missing piece in my cycling jigsaw. It took a few rides to get used to cycling with other people, but I had some great advice and encouragement along the way, for which I will be eternally grateful. Chief Codger (Mick), John Bennett, Sallyann & Bobster to name a few were particularly helpful. Bob has become a mentor to me, and I’ve learnt so much already and had some great laughs along the way. Saturday club rides have also become a semi regular thing for me and when I’m not getting lost, I’m thoroughly enjoying every minute. Finally I’d like to say a massive thank you to Tricia for not only putting up with my cycling obsession, but actively encouraging it, and to every club mate I’ve ever ridden with for making me a better cyclist.

Cavendish, cheekily asking Chris for an autograph.

Blog written by Chris Probyn.