Im based in Gosport in Hampshire, although I am originally from Radstock in Somerset. A long time ago I used to ride time trials for Somer Valley CC, when bikes were steel, wheels had 36 spokes, and changing gear involved taking your hands off the handlebars.
I started cycling photography in 2008, when I visited the South West stages of the Tour of Britain, with a pocket Kodak camera. In 2009 I once again photographed the Tour of Britain, but also the Exeter stage of the Tour series, this time with a 'proper' camera, albeit a basic DSLR.
In 2010 I once again went to Tour Series and Tour of Britain stages but wanted more, the Tour de France maybe?
In early 2011 I decided to spend all week following the Tour of Britain from Dumfries to London. I thought that I ought to practice some photography techniques before the Tour so I didnt miss any shots. I decided to photograph a few domestic races, the first race being the Severn Bridge RR in March 2011, and loved it so much, decided to do some more domestic races.
After going to the Roy Thame and Wally Gimber, I wondered what the point of having these images if no-one saw or used them, so I emailed a few teams, to ask if they wanted to use any for websites etc. The only response I got was from Becky, the team manager of TeamUKYouth, who was keen to use my images for their website. I was happy to oblige. We then agreed I would do some specific race shoots for the team, the first being 2011 Dengie Marshes. This progressed to the Lincoln GP and some of the Tour Series stages.
Whilst TeamUKYouth were racing in other races in the North of the country and in Sweden, I went back to visiting a number of Road Races and Time Trials across the south, finally meeting back up with the guys from TeamUKYouth at the Python Summer RR in August.
I'd like to say a big thank you to TeamUKYouth, who are great bunch of people and I will always have a soft spot for them and the team, as they gave me my first break, thanks guys.
I'd also like to thank Team Axiom, and Andy West especially. Team Axiom is a cycling club local to Gosport and Portsmouth, who must have felt I was stalking them at the beginning of the season, as I was at every TT they ran with camera in hand, both club and open events. Thanks guys, hopefully some of the shots turned out OK.
Cant wait to see what 2012 holds.
Photo of me by Andy West.