Meet The Team

From formative years to my forties, there has always been bikes and cycling in my life. Repairing old Grifters, borrowing mum’s shopper to racing modern carbon fibre high speed machines, I’ve tinkered and played with them all. From that first adventure with a mate travelling on the train from home to the big smoke, fresh faced 14yo’s and our bikes tearing up and down Oxford St, whizzing round Trafalgar Sq and racing up the famous red asphalt of Pall Mall I knew then there is no other form of travel that could bring so much adventure and excitement. Since those days a lot has happened both on and off two wheels but sport and the humble bicycle has always been the one constant through my life.

For most of it, I have been involved and participated in competitive swimming, cycling and running events across the south of England and even some unexpected success has come when crowned regional champion of a sprint triathlon series - ok, it’s not exactly team GB or the Olympics but i’ll take it.

I have traveled and cycled through most nations of Europe and even a brief sojourn into North Africa and recently South Africa competing in the pro-am Cape Argus (Cavendish came 2nd...not to me btw).Now I enjoy watching my two daughters grow to enjoy the outdoors and participate in sports and all without too much coaching interference from their dad (well, maybe a bit).

My passion for the outdoors and cycling really took off when beginning work for an outdoor adventure challenge company which took me to a new level of travel and exploring the world of adventure cycling. Organising and leading cycle tours and events right across Europe for charities and corporates, I soon learnt anything, and I mean absolutely anything is achievable when you put your mind to it. Inspired by my peers but mostly by the people participating who were not seasoned adventurers or cyclists but doing it because they believed they could it was nothing like anything I’d seen or experienced before...I knew this was the industry and lifestyle for me.

Since then I’ve not looked back, now with European Cycling Tours and also qualified as a Personal Trainer I’m able to give more in depth guidance and advice on training and welfare as well as delivering first class tour cycling organisation and events to help you succeed in your next cycle challenge / adventure. Along with myself and the massively knowledgeable team here at ECT we aim to bring you the experience of a lifetime that you are seeking all the safe hands of professionals. Contact us today for a chat and find out how we can help you achieve your dream.

Long serving ECT crew member, Paul, Is probably the most knowledgeable support crew member you will ever chance upon. He was there in the year clunk, for the beginnings of Mountain Biking, when he raced to a professional level around the world. He has worked in bicycle design and manufacture, as well as getting involved in designing Mountain Bike courses, teaching mountain biking skills and even publishing a how to ride skills book! ...What Paul doesn't know about bikes isn't worth knowing! He has worked with various cycle adventure organisations for several years on cycling events of all nature from single day sportive's to 1000km epic adventure rides right across Europe in just about every nation you can mention, not to forget of course plenty of miles in his 'home' country of New Zealand!

Now an integral part of the ECT team, a talented cyclist, Oli is however relatively new to cycling compared with rest of the team. He spent most of his teens and a good proportion of his twenties as a runner, competing in many marathons and half marathons across the UK and Ireland. After a long knee injury Ollie decided to take a shot at cycling as a form of functional rehabilitation and the flame was lit and has never looked back! When at home, Ollie works full time as a fireman and will always been found outside whether it's cycling, running, snowboarding or hiking whatever the weather. Hid sharp sense of humour will be sure to keep you smiling and his safety skills will be sure you're in safe hands all the to the end.

After twelve years in the army James’s admin and ability to think ahead of the current situation are second to none! A keen cyclist, runner and triathlete, he can also be found enjoying the great outdoors come rain or shine all year round, as well as favorites, surfing and trekking and he holds a BASI Silver qualification, JSMEL qualification and has tried his hand at Rock climbing, Canoeing , windsurfing and has sailed extensively in his youth.

On the bike he has ridden with Garmin Cervelo, Garmin sharp and Cannondale Garmin for a bit of fun and the Katusha pro team during their practice ride of the 2015 La Vuelta team time trial, his favorite cyclist is Nathan hass of Team Dimension Data, having ridden with him a couple of times, he found him to be very down to earth, and not too dissimilar to himself.

Not an out and out mountain biker, he has competed in the 24hr Mountain mayhem, and a 14-year- old son following in his father’s footstep who is a keen mountain biker too.

Always looking for a challenge he has trekked in the Sahara, cycled up Mont Ventoux and completed two stages of La Vuelta including riding up the Ermita del Alba with the final three kilometers touching 30%, it’s not something he wants to repeat very often.

Although not the fastest on the bike by his own admission he has ridden several 100+ mile rides and in 2016 has a target of a single ride of 200+ miles in a day, he gets much more enjoyment from spending 8/9 hours in the saddle than just going out for an hour or so, especially if the sun is shining.

Growing up in rural Dorset a bike was the only realistic for of transport (apart from mum’s taxi) when I was young. Alas when I learnt to drive the bike fell by the wayside. Leap forward a couple of years and it is all reversed. The only way to travel is by bike! I started on a mountain bike when I rediscovered my love of cycling, cross country mainly, exploring the local highways and byways. Inevitably I succumbed to the dark side as I saw it and purchased a road bike. Why did I not do this earlier? As well as leading local group rides on both mountain and road bike, I've had the pleasure of working with ECT leading and supporting cyclists over 2000km through no less than 5 nations across Europe on epic cycling challenges. Away from cycling I am a fully qualified fitness instructor and regularly take spinning classes at my local sports centre.

Jim is a 45 yo, father of two boys, Personal Trainer and British Cycling coach. Some of Jim’s achievements include: BMX champ as a teenager, kart racing champ in the 1990’s, competitive Mtb racer since 2005, 1st home on the South West c2c on all three years he entered, 2017 southern off-road Duathlon Vets champion. Jim’s passion for cycling is unparalleled and will always have the time to spend with you discussing all things in cycling adventure.

Former Jnr Road Racer and Mountain bike convert...Giles was the founder of the UK’s largest Mountain Bike Stunt Team, MAD back in 1996. He's been all over the word with his Bike shows and loves watching people pull a wheelie or two! (he still blames Paul Hinton!). He’s owned and run three bike shops and has a background as a MTB mechanic. He was involved with the original Pedal to Paris bike rides for 4 years on the trot, working as support mechanic and back up crew. Giles has worked in the bike industry for over 25 years, and in 2017 sold his MAD business to pursue a new career as a Paramedic. When not cycling, he keeps himself in shape running and regularly competes at events from 5km to Ultra distance, he has run four marathons, including London (twice!), Giles is chairman of two running clubs and is a Parkrun Event Director. Giles is also a fully qualified paragliding pilot and when he’s not busy crashing it, gets some airtime now and then! Giles motto is- KIIYP! ...Just ask him!

I have been guiding cycle tours for over five years all over the uk and Europe and love to be riding, exploring new places, discovering new cultures and riding the best roads Europe have to offer always with a smile on my face.

The mountains of Europe are really where I feel most at home on a bike beautiful scenery, magnificent roads, clean air, ice cold lager and blue skies - perfect!!! I look forward to riding with you on a ECT ride in the future.

An avid cyclist from a young age with a passion for bicycles of all types, I have developed not only my cycling and leadership skills, but also some awesome mechanic skills. Not always orthodox but 95% successful at getting you back on the road to complete the day’s route.

Having spent the last five years pursuing a career in outdoor pursuits and cycling, I have managed to rack up a suitable list of itineraries which I have both supported and ridden. Including Trans-European trips such as the epic Trans-Alp Munich to Venice, to the staple London-to-Paris trips (3 and 4 day itineraries), I have participated and completed many of them too.

Being a person with a strong sense of duty, I will do whatever I am able to help my group to achieve and finish the challenge. Having earned the title ‘The Motivator’ with many of my repeat trip customers, I will get you there, every time!