Biker Boys                                                                        Click here for Biker Girls!

Luís Simões from Portugal Age: 33 
Job: World Sketching Tour 

The World Sketching Tour is a inspiring dream that Luis is living - 5 years 5 continents 1 dream sketching everything his eyes seize! Since for the the whole of October we are celebrating The Big Draw, I asked Luis for some top drawing tips, and where his favourite sketching countries have been so far. To check out Luis's  sketches and find out what country he's in visit his website here.

Calling all Creative Cyclists 

How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike and who taught you?
Five yrs old and it was my father.
Favourite cycling adventure
Cycling in Barcelona, it was just amazing to see the city like that for 7 days!!
Any advice or tips for those who don't cycle?
Start as soon has possible! It's good for the health and gives you independence.
Favourite quote
"Be creative and let the others quote you" 
Favourite song
Bon Iver - re: stacks
I love to cycle because....
I feel free and I love to feel the wind in my face.

I love to sketch because...
It makes me happy and I like to tell stories
Where has been your favourite place you have sketched so far and why?
Its hard to choose, because all have emotions. I would say that sketching the midnight-sunset was one of the best in Nordkapp, then in Tallinn when I sketched the whole square in 3 hours and drew all the people. That was a big challenge for me!
What are your top 3 drawing tips?
1. loose fear of sketching wrong and take the positive of an error. Less caring gives a better sketch!
2. - Think first where is the light before you start painting, afterwards use more water then pigment, and use different materials!
3. Sketch everyday all kind of subjects because you only get better,  and when you don't like the drawing, just put more text telling your feelings..

Sas Amoah from Milton Keynes 
Age: 29 Job Media assistant & writer/actor of Stunted Adolescence

How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike and who taught you?
I was 5 years old and my parents taught me
What type of cyclist are you
The best type
What type of bike do you ride and do they have a name?
Mountain bike called Keira
Favourite cycle route or adventure
Going round Tattenhoe in Milton Keynes
Do you have any advice for those who don't cycle
DO IT NOW, or perish.
 

Favourite inspiring quote
'Life is the means by which the universe understands itself'
Favourite song
At the moment 'Oliver Twist' by D'Banj
And finally, "I love to cycle because..."
It's fun, free and healthy!

Sas also took part in the Cycle Your Heart Our launch last year in Milton Keynes 

I spoke to three Sky cyclists to find out why they love to cycle! 

Jason Kenny 
               Age: 24 From: Bolton                    Team: Sky Track Cycling 

"It's just a great way to get around, it's quicker than driving and cheaper, and I genuinely feel better off it."

Alex Dowsett 
Age: 23 From: Essex 
Team: Sky

"It gets me out in the fresh air and I enjoy competing, so it just gives me everything I want in life!"

Alex will be competing at the
2012 British National Road Race Championships

Lewis 
Age: 20 From: South Wales

"It's a good atmosphere with all the lads I train with day in day out, it's a nice little set up, they always look out for you, it's nice to see the steady progression and you get to travel around the world. It's just a big mix of things that I really enjoy".

Matt Crampton

Age: 25 
From: Manchester 
Team: Sky Track Cycling

It was a pleasure to interview Matt at the Manchester Revolutions! 

Click here to find out more about his fantastic cycling career!

Click here to check out the Beauty of Manchester!

Sean Conway from South Africa!                                                                      

Name: Sean Conway From: London Job: Adventurer, Motivational Speaker , Photographer

I recently interviewed Sean at the Manchester Revolutions event. On the 18th February Sean Conway will be attempting to break the world record for cycling solo around the globe. He's aiming to raise £100,000 for Solar-Aid - a charity investing in solar power for schools in Africa. 

             Click here to enter our competition to win a signed bag by Sean!  
                                all money raised goes to Solar Aid  
                                    entries close 8th May so hurry!

Biker boy of the week Terry at the London Bike Show!                                      

Name: Terry Greenwood Job: Membership Manager at British Cycling

Click here to view the London Bike show gallery!

 The first Biker Boy of 2012 is Elvis Tørresdal  from Norway!                               
                           

Name: Elvis From: Norway, currently living in Australia Age: 26 Job: Field Service Engineer / motorcycle traveller

When did you first learn to ride a bike: 5yrs old, my mum refurbished a second hand bike and painted it like a new one to give me for Christmas ;)
What type of cyclist are you: Cruiser, when time slows down
Favourite bike route: Norway, Stavanger to sola by coast road
What type of bike do you ride: Mi Julie (kind of means wheels in norwegian)
Favourite song: Sébastien Tellier - La Ritournelle, this song makes you want to explore.
Favourite inspiring quote: Rude version;"putting feathers up your arse does not make you a chicken"
Oscar Wildes version;"Be yourself, all the others are taken" & my version;"Be yourself, and be all you can be"'
Random fact about yourself: I have done a motorcycle trip the same distance as equator. Have also seen cyclists do the same and beat my time. I crossed Iran and met the same cyclist on the Pakistai border as on the turkish border! 
I love to cycle because....it makes me feel free like a kid

In December Elvis left his motorbike at home and completed a fantastic CYHO heart cycle around Perth, Australia! Click here to find out more!

Elvis has been travelling the world by motorbike for the last couple of years, check out his amazing video below which shows him travel from Stavanger in Norway all the way to Perth, Australia!

Cycle your heart out in Perth!

Biker Boy Mark from Milton Keynes!                                                

Name: Mark Robson
Age: 30
Job: Internet marketer & Drummer in 'The Band'
From: Milton Keynes
When did you first learn to ride a bike? I was 2 yrs old on a blue bike which I inherited from my sister. My dad spent the afternoon chucking me up and down the back garden and within a few hours I was cycling, no stabilisers.
What type of cyclist are you? Most of the time for work, but I like to get out at the weekend too, either on the roads to put a few miles in, or something a bit more picturesque along the canals and cycle paths of Milton Keynes.
Favourite bike route? Loads, but so far my favorite has been along the tow path from Wolverton to Northampton.
What type of bike you ride? I've got more bikes than legs, but my favorite is my 1996 Kona Lava Dome. It's orange, just like all the rest, but when I was a kid this was the bike I always wanted. Found on ebay last year and completely original

Favourite song? Best of You - Foo Fighters
Favourite inspiring quote? Life's not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain
Any advice or tips for those who don't cycle?
Start with short rides. After a few trips your legs (and bottom) will get used to what it's doing, and take the time to look around you whilst you're riding.
Random fact about yourself?
I met Timmy Mallet when I was eight years old. 
I love to cycle because... 
I hate having to rely on burning petrol to get about. You very quickly realise that most trips around town are almost as quick on a bicycle as they are in a car, only better as you get to see a whole lot more!

Mark also took part in the Midnight Peace ride back in August!

Click here to check out Marks band!

Mark with the legend Timmy Mallet!

CYHO Midnight Peace Ride

Riding home from work

Biker Boy is Ian from Northampton!                                      

Name: Ian Lillis
Age: 31
Job: Data Analyst
Lives: Northampton
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike?  I was about 10 when I first started to learn. I learnt quite quickly and no need for
stabilisers!
What type of cyclist are you?  Laid back, I'm not one for going on 100-mile road races in my spare time. I'm also an accident-prone cyclist - the less said about that the better.
Whats your favourite cycle route? There's a short but picturesque route around a nature reserve not far from my flat in Northampton, and they've recently upgraded it to cycle-friendly

What type of bike do you ride? Reebok city bike, I've only got one bike so opted for one that would fill most of my requirements
Favourite song? Escape by Craig Armstrong Favourite inspiring quote? "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" from To Kill a Mockingbird. It helps me hold my judgement on people until I see the world from their perspective
Any advice for those who don't cycle? You're never too old to learn or try.It's great fun, great exercise, just keep a puncture repair kit to hand
And finally, I love to cycle because....? I can eat more without feeling guilty! :D

Check out some of Ian's cycle to work below!!

Willen Lake

Campbell Park

Biker Boy Roberto from Mexico!  
Check out his cycling partner Annika in Biker Girls!                     

Name: Roberto S. Gallegos Ricci
Age: 28
Born: Tijuana, Mexico
Job: Full time world cyclist and co founder of the Project Tasting Travels with Annika
What motivated you to start tasting travels? To fill my life with rich and fulfilling experiences of the world we live in.  
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike? 12 years old
What type of cyclist are you? Touring Cyclist
Whats your favourite cycle route? Always the last one I took.
What type of bike do you ride? Diplomat or something like that.
Whats your favourite song? Yeah yeah yeah song Flaming Lips

Favourite inspiring quote?
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving” Albert Einstein
Any advice for those who don't cycle? When you feel like grabbing a bike, don't let that opportunity pass and take a tour around your favorite place. Even if it's going to your favorite Pub. You won't regret the decision.
And finally, I love to cycle because....? It reminds me how far I can get if I just keep moving forward, no matter how fast or how slow. 

To find out more about Roberto and Annika's fantastic project Tasting Travels & see where they are in the world please click here

Follow their amazing journey also on their facebook page

Previous Biker Boys.....

Name: André Stache (left) & Yaun (right) 
Lives: Berlin, Germany
Age: 31
Job: Ricepipes (sushi on wheels!)
How did Ricepipes start selling sushi from a bicycle? We wanted to bring a totally new type of food to the streets of Berlin, compared to all the burgers and döners available.
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike? 4 yrs old
Whats your favourite cycle route? 
Through Berlin!
Favourite song? Boy sets fire by Eulogy
And finally, I love to cycle because....?  
I love the feel of the breeze on my face, it´s the best way moving through the city streets! 
Yaun: It's the best feeling in the world!!

I met Andre and Yaun last month in Berlin while they were working at the Stroke Art Affair. I instantly fell in love with their bike...three of my favourite things all rolled into one...ART, SUSHI & BIKES! 

More and more businesses are using bicycles as a way of advertising and selling food, lets hope this continues to grow! 


Check out photos of beautiful Berlin in the new gallery 'The Beauty Of....'

Name: Sam
Age: 21 plus VAT, plus 10% inflation, plus 20% fuel duty.
Job: Leighton Buzz Cycle Club
Lives: Mostly in the woods next to a cycle trail, but sometimes in a house in Leighton Buzzard.
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike? About 2 1/2yrs
What type of cyclist are you? Usually a muddy one with a big grin on my face and a beer or two in my belly!
Whats your favourite cycle route? The Oak Wood Cycle Trail, it's permits only, but it's well worth the few quid.
What type of bike do you ride? One I built from bits and pieces.

Whats your favourite song? If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise!
Favourite quote? “Its pretty much flat all the way home from here...” as we faced a 1240 foot climb out of a valley in the Peak District!!!
Any advice for those who don't cycle? Borrow a friends bike, ride to a pub (only a few miles) enjoy a refreshing beverage and then ride back. Next time, choose a pub further away and so on...
And finally, I love to cycle because....?  There is no better way of enjoying the wonderful wildlife & countryside in which we live.



Sam took part in the CYHO launch back in July! Click here to view the Gallery!

Name: Thomas Barthelmas
Lives: Berlin, Germany
Age: 23
College: Food Science
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike? I think I was around 4yrs old, my dad taught me!
What type of cyclist are you? I cycle all the time! I prefer to ride to college in the morning instead of take public transport as people always seem to look grumpy. I love it when the sun is rising it makes me feel so relaxed and ready to start the day.
Whats your favourite cycle route?
Along the beautiful river Isar in Munich  
What type of bike do you ride? I ride a Hercules city cruiser, just trying to decide a name for her... 

Whats your favourite song?Bowerbirds, Crooked Lust
Your favourite Inspiring quote? "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step" - Lao Tzu
And finally, I love to cycle because....? It makes me happy, you can see the whole beauty of the wonderful world we are living in.

Thomas recently took part in the CYHO Midnight Peace Ride! Click here to check out the photos!

Name: Ryan Cox
Age: 31
Lives: England  
Job: Graphic designer 
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike? I was 4yrs old when I learnt to ride with my funky silver stabilisers! 
What type of cyclist are you? Leisure cyclist  
Whats your favourite cycle route? Probably the one we just did for CYHO in Tuscany!

What type of bike do you ride? Roland the Raleigh
Whats your favourite song? Us by Regina Spektor 
Your favourite Inspiring quote? "Minds are like parachutes, they only function properly when they are open"
If you could cycle anywhere in the world, where would you go? The Patagonians in South America
And finally, I love to cycle because....? It makes me happy, and there is no speed limit!

Name: Jordan Cox
Age: 32
Lives: England 
Job: Accountant
How old where you when you first learnt to ride a bike? I was a Toddler and I learnt to ride on my little green tricycle
What type of cyclist are you? I cycle for leisure & fun!  
Whats your favourite cycle route? Probably the same as Ryan, the one we just did in Tuscany!

What type of bike do you ride? A mountain genesis called goubert
Whats your favourite song? Cuckoo by Belle & Sebastian
Your favourite Inspiring quote? "No wonder you're late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow!" by the Mad Hatter!
If you could cycle anywhere in the world, where would you go? The Lake District
And finally, I love to cycle ....? To blow away the cobwebs!

Click here to read more about Ryan and Jordan's fantastic heart route around Tuscany!