A TOP international cyclist has decided to make Ipswich the last stop of a mammoth ten-year tour that has seen him cycle across many thousands of miles through countless countries.
A TOP international cyclist has decided to make Ipswich the last stop of a mammoth ten-year tour that has seen him cycle across many thousands of miles through countless countries.
Irishman Phil Simmons, 28, of Fairfield Road, Ipswich, retired from competitive racing three years ago but has no plans to completely get out of the saddle because he has just opened a new cycle shop, Action Bikes, on the town's St Matthew's Street.
He said: "I have been involved in cycling since I was out of school but I stopped racing in 1999. I probably competed for the best part of ten years, from 1989.
"It was a pleasure to do something you like doing and getting paid for it at the same time. It is probably harder than a nine-to-five job but it is a lot more rewarding."
Road-racer Phil spent much of his time competing in, and winning, international races in Europe and Australia, where he lived for three years. He arrived in Ipswich after meeting his current girlfriend, Ipswich-girl Sandie Bennett, 30, while on holiday in Crete five years ago.
He said: "I want to offer the people of Ipswich the benefit of my experience and I don't think anywhere else in Ipswich can do that."
WEBLINKS
www.bikinguk.net
www.bcf.uk.com
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