The Bike Magician

General information

One of the worlds best cycle mechanics
A brief Bio for those that don't know me.
I’ve been into and around cycles since I can remember, building, breaking and rebuilding them all summer holiday as a kid.
I started racing at 15 doing Time Trials with Swindon RC
Competed in road races 2nd Cat licence, TT’s (a best of 20.57 for 10 miles, 55.08 for 25miles) Track, Cyclo-cross and MTB xc (pro –elite level).
1980 I began working in a bike shop as a mechanic on a Saturday
1981 Became full time shop mechanic.
It became clear very quickly that a cycle mechanic was the only job I wanted and it still is.
I stopped racing after 15 years in 1995 when I decided to become a team mechanic.

Teams and National bodies
Mechanic for British Cycling 1999 to 2002. Head Mechanic in 2002
Mechanic for the British Triathlon Association in 1995 to 2001
Pro Teams including, Rapha-Condor-Sharp. The Proflex K2 DH mountain bike team.
Events including.
Olympic Games Sydney 2000
World Road Championships, 1999 to 2002
Commonwealth Games 2002
Tour of Britain 1999 to 2002
World and European Triathlon and Duathlon Championships 1995 to 2001
10 day Milk Ras in 1995 and the shorter version in 2000 and 2001
Athletes I’ve worked with
World and Olympic Champions Cyclists: Chris Boardman. Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Bradley Wiggins. Chris Newton, Jason Queally. All the GB team from 1999 to 2002
Triathletes: Simon Lessing, Spencer Smith, Andrew Johns, Tim Don, Michelle Dillon, Annie Emmerson, and all those involved with the GB team from 1995 to 2001.
Astronauts: Helen Sharman. She was competing in a MTB race in the Malverns (I was racing in the Pro-Elite Class later in the day) while filming for Blue Peter. I happened to be in the right place at the right time to make good a repair after she had broken her chain.
Qualifications
I have completed level 2 and level 3 of the Cycle Mechanic NVQ.
I was an assessor for the Cycle Mechanic NVQ with Aylesbury Training Group.
Spent a week on a mechanic training course at Raleigh in ’81, been on numerous training courses since then, Mavic, Campagnolo, Shimano, Rock-shox, Giant etc.
Other cycle related stuff
Technical writer and photographer for 220 Triathlon magazine 1996 – 2001.
I had monthly section sponsored by Finish Line called “Gardners World”.
Author of 2 sections of British Cycling Level 2 coaching manual, including bike fit/positioning
Organised the Allied Dunbar Grand Prix for 3 years running along with smaller cycle races.
Present Day
I have set up a dedicated cycle repair and service workshop to provide the best mechanical provision for cyclists in Lancashire and beyond.
Based in Kirkham the workshop is extensively equipped with top quality and specialist tools to enable me to look after your bikes as they should be. I don’t sell new or second hand bikes as this would take time and money away from the important business of keeping you all on the road or off-road

Colin
Details at www.bikemagician.com