Meet the Team

We are mad about biking and have chosen to make this passion our livelihood. Getting more people to enjoy cycling is what motivates us. Our team has a broad range of skills and experience, from Department for Transport qualified National Standard Cycle Instructors to Mountain Bike Leaders and British Cycling Coaches and Ride Leaders:

Andy Skinner – National Standard Instructor, British Cycling Coach and Sportive Fanatic

He’s seen a picture of a bike somewhere and is not sure he’d recognise it again……but thinks he prefers drinking Skinner’s beer anyway….

The things he enjoys the most…mapping challenging road and MTB rides for local cyclists to develop their endurance riding capabilities and then putting the training into practice to improve times in local sportives....come and join in! Andy is a keen sportive rider with a number of top 20 placings.

 When not on a bike...You can find him on a snowboard in the Alps looking for the perfect descent.

Bettina Kluettgens – British Cycling Mountainbike Leader, Breeze Ride Leader ...and Sportive Fan

Bettina is a life long cyclist having been brought up in that world renowned cycling country of Belgium. Her daily 30 mile commute keeps her fit and energised, ready for a days work. She is keen to support and promote womens cycling and organises local 'Breeze' rides for women of all ages and abilities.

The things she enjoys the most...mountain biking in the Alps or looking for the best piece of single track in the lavender hills of the Provence, or taking part in local 60 mile sportives where she has been placed in the top ten women.

When not on a bike...you will find her with her head in a book 'reading for Belgium' or snowboarding through the trees. 
 

James Kitson - National Standard Instructor and British  Cycling Level 2 Coach and Sky Ride Leader

James discovered the social benefits of cycling aged 10 as he pedalled around rural Somerset on his Raleigh Micron 5 to meet up with school friends at the weekend. Thirty years later James is still pedalling around helping children and adults discover the social, health and financial benefits of being on a bike.

 The things he enjoys the most...James has a background in education and loves the buzz of seeing people of all ages realize new skills and abilities. There is no bigger smile than the smile of someone who has just learned to ride – whether they are 5 or 65!

When not on a bike... James is usually looking for an excuse to get back outside.

Carol Booth - National Standard Instructor

Carol discovered the joy of cycling with brothers and friends at a young age as her parents let her out to explore her neighbourhood in Birmingham, with the instruction to report back every half hour! She also has fond memories of early cycling holidays. She enjoys staying in Youth Hostels and holidays and trips out with her children.

Carol is a Primary School teacher and although she does some supply teaching, Bikeability has taken over and most working hours are spent delivering Bikeability Level 1 and 2 Training. She has also taught Level 3 and adults and finds teaching children and adults to ride particularly rewarding.

The things she enjoys most: Helping others gain confidence in themselves.

When not on a bike:  days out exploring new places with family or friends.

Stephanie Houghton  - National Standard Cycling Instructor and British Cycling Ride Leader

Stephanie has always owned a bike – as a teenager in her one car family, the only way to meet with friends and listen to vinyl was to get on her bike! She remembers the excitement of coming home from school one particular day, crossing over a railway footbridge and looking down, catching sight of her Dad with her first “real” bike – a dark blue Raleigh Wayfarer! In recent years she has taken to cycle touring, loving the freedom of two wheels and having with the joyful anticipation of an open map.

Stephanie had a previous career as an Occupational Therapist and has worked with people living with physical and mental health challenges. More recently she specialised in working with children with additional needs.

The things she enjoys the most... supporting people to develop their cycling skills in a way that avoids the scars she  received on her first ride without stabilisers!

When not on a bike... Makes Honiton Lace (after having scrubbed chain oil off her hands), reading accounts of cycle trips and planning    her own.

Chris Johns  - National Standard Cycling Instructor and British Cycling Ride Leader

Chris has been keen on anything with two wheels from as far back as he can remember.  It started with BMX and later MTB before becoming a cycle tourist in his 20's.  A fully signed up member of the "Slow bicycle movement," he prefers to enjoy the journey rather than be head down blatting from A to B. He is also a keen MTB'er, Woodbury, Haldon Forest Park and Dartmoor being on the doorstep is a blessing and he is always looking for more opportunities to get out there.

Things he enjoys the most...He loves the challenge and reward of getting non cyclists on a bike.  The 'Cycle Confident' Sessions for adults are great at getting people back on a bike or maybe even teaching them from scratch!

When not on a bike... He could be driving them in 'The Bike Bus,' this is a bespoke cyclists transport service based in Exeter.  The service offers organised tours and transfers for cyclists to get to the start and back from their ride route.

Peter Maycock - National Standard Cycling Instructor and Spin Class Coach

Peter got involved in cycling and Bikeability in Dorset during his employment at West Dorset District Council. He became a Spinning Class instructor and National Standard Cycle Instructor at Gryphon Sports Centre in Sherborne and delivered bikeability training in the holidays as a children's activity.

He remembers the enjoyment of teaching his son and daughter to ride at the leisure centre and has fond memories of taking them exploring on the Somerset and Dorset railway path from Sturminster Newton to Blandford Forum. You often catch him on a tandem with a stoker on a sportif or the Tarka trail taking in the Devon coast and countryside.

The things he enjoys the most...coaching cycling, swimming and kayaking to any wannabes. 

When not on a bike...He's on the ocean in a kayak, stand up paddle board or practising for the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Challenge.

Charlotte Wilson - National Standard Instructor and Breeze Ride Leader

Her father cycled to work and her brother cycled to school, it was their 'normal.' From a young age she would cycle across town to get to school. A bike was a mode of transport, rather than as an activity itself. When she lived in India for six months, the money her parents sent her for Christmas, enabled her to buy a bicycle and private yoga lessons!

When Charlotte had her first child, she remembers how exciting it was to carry her in a seat on the back of the bike. Later, working as a childminder she could fit two children in a trailer, "double the fun." Charlotte was invited to become a Breeze Ride Leader, encouraging mums and children to cycle. It was a wonderful to offer new mums in Cranbrook, who were often new to the area, the chance to meet other mums, enjoy the fresh air and the exercise. It inspired her to become a Bikeability instructor and she wanted to help cycle her daughter to high school. 

The thing she enjoys the most...sharing the skills of cycling and enable children and adults to enjoy themselves on a bike. 

When not on a bike... She works part time as a yoga instructor.