Made in Britain exhibition to look at the life histories of Black-British champions in cycling

I hope Charlie Reynolds is included in the exhibition. In the 80s he was one of the UK's leading BMX racers. Note too that while other cycling sports are very white, the same is not true of BMX. The UK's Shanaze Reade was on the Olympic team in 2008 and 2012. In more recent times we've seen Tre Whyte and Kai Whyte and Quillan Isidore all riding internationally in BMX for the UK.

Very pleased to see Russell Williams included in this exhibition. As a kid riding at Herne Hill in the late 1980's, Russell was always around on Saturday mornings, giving me encouragement and advice. He once gave me some of his old Kirk Precision shorts that I wore religiously, even though they were knackered, 5 times to big and needed braces to stay up. He still waved at my dad as he rode past their house, years after I'd moved out and overseas.

A proper British cycling legend, winner of the points jersey in the Tour of Ireland amongst other things, who doesn't get the credit he deserves. Hopefully this exhibition goes some way to fixing that.

Mark McKay fantastic road racer; Star Trophy Winner; Scotish Coach. Top top talent.

It's Germain. He was riding with JLT Condor, saw him ride in the Revolution at the Chris Hoy Velodrome last time. Not sure what he's up to now.

de Ver used to be my local shop when I was still in London. Bought a couple of 2nd hand frames from them and various bits and pieces over the years. Maurice was always super friendly and used to see the club out on London to Brighton etc. There should be a film made about him. Plenty potential in that story.

It's a very white sport cycling isn't it..  I wonder why that is? Beyond Maurice who I only know from the odd documentary he pops up in, I couldn't name one other black British cyclist and none in recent years. 

It's probably more a 'cycling' issue though as in it's never been a sport with much historical coverage, even now the only people who pop up from 'british cycling history' are pundits and those still trying to make a living out of cycling. However I bet there's a raft of british cycling heroes, in most people's vicinity, just going about their lives without fanfare.

Maurice Burton, first British black champion, as nice a role model you could wish to meet. He was the Guest of Honour at the National Clarion annual Easter Meeet held at Southend-on-Sea  March/April  2018. It was a pleasure to meet and hear Maurice regale us with tales from his professional cycling career. Perhaps not so much a gentleman competing against his fellow pros in the track ampitheatre but away from the arena a perfect gentleman, meeting him was the highlight of that Easter weekend.