We are thrilled to introduce you to Felix Young, the new Programme Manager for Bike the UK for MS. Felix is an avid cyclist with an extensive background in coaching and event organisation. He has been a part of the Bike the UK for MS community since its inception in 2014 and has experienced it from all angles – as a rider, a Route Leader, and a Board Trustee.
Felix shares his personal Bike the UK for MS story, including the memories, friendships, and experiences that have had a lasting impact on his life. He also explains the charity’s purpose and how it has evolved over the years, highlighting the shared sense of excitement, adventure, and camaraderie that exists throughout the MS community.
The Many Hats of Felix Young: Coaching, Event Organisation, and Cycleball
Hello everyone, allow me to re-introduce myself! I am incredibly excited to have taken up the role as the Bike the UK for MS UK Programme Manager and am looking forward to a new chapter in my Bike the UK for MS story. Working alongside James, Ella and the rest of the Bike the UK for MS team I can’t wait to build on the tremendous projects running in order to make this year’s trips the best yet and to do even more to support those with MS through the work of the charity.
My Bike the UK for MS story began all the way back on the first ever John O’ Groats to Land’s End trip in 2014 where I was a rider. The two weeks spent on the trip have had an everlasting impact with memories, friendships and experiences that will last a lifetime. The sense of excitement, adventure and camaraderie on that first trip have become part of the DNA of the charity and continues to exist through all of the rides and riders who have been part of the last nine years.
Finding Purpose and Meaning Through Bike the UK for MS
The purpose of the charity was clear for all to see, even at the very beginning, with the event held alongside the Bath branch of the MS Society. There are lots of personal benefits to take away from being part of a trip like those on Bike the UK for MS, but sharing the ride and riding for those we meet at the MS Society brings a whole new level of meaning and drive. They truly felt part of our adventure and it was with pride and thrill that we turned the pedals as our part to play in their lives.
Of course, after such a great first time, I had to come back for more and so, despite being unable to join for a full trip, I was back the following year to ride a segment of the End to End ride: the final three days from Bath down to Land’s End. It was a great way to get another taste of that Bike the UK for MS goodness.
Bike the UK for MS from a different perspective: Behind the scenes and on the board
I have also experienced Bike the UK for MS from the other side of the organisation. Having been a rider in those first two years, I was back for the third trip in 2016, this time behind the wheel of the support van as a Route Leader. Bike the UK for MS is a real community with the shared experience across the different trips from year to year; it felt amazing to be able to not only benefit from the hard work of the support teams as a rider, but also to help others benefit and experience what it was that I loved about the trips. You get to see and feel it all again through those who you are supporting.
I have also been a member of the board of trustees as James continued to nurture and develop the scope of the charity: a valuable insight into the mechanics of the organisation that goes on to facilitate the delivery on the road. It is a real honour to be part of a charity that is so keen to innovate, explore and push the boundaries of what is possible to be achieved.
Professional Experience in Cycling and Expertise in Cycleball
The rest of my working life has been in cycling across both coaching and event organisation. I was a staff member at British Cycling working as an events officer and oversaw the delivery of a wide range of events from Paracycling National Championships and BMX races through to sportives and cyclocross leagues. I am also the head coach of Avid Sport, a cycling team for young men and women based in the Bath and Bristol area. Over the years I have supported and organised cycling trips both in the UK and abroad and my life as a cyclist started with a charity bike ride at school from London to Paris.
Finally, a left-field fact about me: I am the UK’s leading expert (self-proclaimed but then it is a small field!) in Cycleball and took the first ever British team to the World Championships in 2022.
One Response
Hey Felix,
Amazing to have you (re)join bringing so much experience. This will be my first event of this type so it’s very exciting but also equally terrifying, especially now I’ve added some of the routes to Komoot!
Can’t wait to chat to you in future. I will say that cycleball looks far beyond anything I can manage and I play five-a-side twice a week. Amazing skills.
Cheers,
Steev