JACK WARD
Owner
For as long as I can remember I have always enjoyed the freedom of cycling, and mountain biking has always been one of my passions along with many other outdoors activities.
I started working in the bicycle industry at the age of 14 when I enquired about a Saturday job in my local bike shop. I quickly gained mechanical knowledge and spent a number of years working part time improving my sales techniques and learning to work on all types of bikes, whilst earning the money to pay for my bike obsession.
When I left school I spent 10 years travelling the world, visiting over 30 countries, experiencing other cultures and ways of life. After returning to the UK, I worked in forestry and conservation. In 2013, an idea formed whilst sat around a campfire, became reality and Velocipede Cycles was born. From then to now the shop has come a long way. We have continued to improve the business and we are evolving all the time, but our emphasis is still on providing outstanding customer service and establishing good customer relationships and a hub for the community of cyclists in Tunbridge Wells, whether you’re an occasional leisure cyclist or an avid amateur racer.
CURRENT BIKE: EVIL OFFERING V2
ROCKSHOX LYRIC ULTIMATE
ROCKSHOX SUPER DELUXE ULTIMATE RCT
SHIMANO XTCRANKS
SHIMANO XT DERAILLEUR
SHIMANO XT 4 POT BRAKES
BIKEYOKE DROPPER POST
HOPE FORTUS WHEELS
EVIL CARBON BARS
PEMBREE PEDALS
DEITY GRIPS
MAXXIS MINION DHF / DHR
CHRIS BALL
Workshop manager
When not working, I’m riding. Cycling is in my blood, whether it’s working, competing or racing for pleasure.
Having ridden many different types of bikes and disciplines, including Downhill, Enduro, Dirt jump, and bmx, and also having worked for a high end road brand, I have a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience. Combined with that I have more than 20 years’ experience in the cycle industry and like to keep up to date with developments in all the newest and current mountain bike technology.
For several years before joining Velocipede Cycles, I built and assembled tailor-made bikes for a custom road bike manufacturer.
I completed the Mega Avalanche endurance race in 2013 which was as enjoyable as it was seriously hard work! On a less strenuous note, I enjoy road trips to Wales, riding around the Surrey Hills and local trails as well as a good session at the local pump track.
If I'm not riding or working on bikes I enjoy nothing more than some time with the family, pizza and a cold stella.
CURRENT BIKE: TRANSITION SENTINEL ALLOY
ROCKSHOX PIKE ULTIMATE
ROCKSHOX SUPER DELUXE ULTIMATE SHOCK
SRAM CODE STEALTH ULTIMATE BRAKES
SRAM GX T-TYPE AXS
INDUSTRY 9 HUBS ON DT SWISS EX511 RIMS
RENTHAL FAT BARS
CHROMAG BZA 50MM STEM
ODI GRIPS
ONE UP DROPPER POST
CRANK BROS STAMP ONE PEDALS
MAXXIS MINION DHF / DHR
OLIVER BOWDIDGE
Customer Service / Workshop
I am the newest member of Velocipede Cycles, and relatively new to the industry, but I am a very keen rider and just as keen consumer. Having come back to mountain biking after a long love affair with powered two wheel vehicles, I have been shocked at how much the modern mountain bike has evolved. They still work (mostly) the same, ie you have to pedal and steer, but the light, incredibly capable, full suspension bikes that are available now from the likes of Orbea, Mondraker, Yeti, Evil, NS, and Kona (yes those are the brands we stock) are almost as enjoyable for the engineering as they are to ride. And they are FUN to ride.
My first year back was on a good full suspension electric mountain bike and I have a lot of time for them, it definitely made coming back to riding more fun. The latest versions with the smaller batteries and clever management systems keep them well under 20Kg, meaning they are great to ride and feel almost like a normal bicycle, so the future looks good!
One of my biggest weaknesses has to be trying not to buy half of the new stuff that turns up at the shop, we stock so many drool worthy parts, accessories, and clothing from all the right brands its hard to go home empty handed!
CURRENT BIKE: ORBEA RISE M_TEAM
FOX FACTORY 36
FOX FACTORY DPX2
SHIMANO EP8 RS MOTOR
SHIMANO XTR DERAILLEUR AND SHIFTERS
SHIMANO XTR FOUR POT BRAKES
FOX TRANSFER KASHIMA POST
RACEFACE TURBINE WHEELS
ONEUP CARBON BARS
CRANK BROS STAMP 7 PEDALS
DEITY GRIPS
MICHELIN WILD ENDURO
Claire competes for Great Britain in her age group team and has won multiple World, European and National titles across triathlon and duathlon (both road and off-road).
She got into triathlon and biking relatively late in her sporting career. But since then, she has happily thrown herself into all things bike-related: time-trialling, cyclo-cross, mountain biking, cyclocross, BMXing, triathlons and duathlons. When not training and racing, she’s happy triathlon coaching, with a passion for giving children opportunities to be active and enjoy sport.
In 2017 Claire decided to have a career change as her job meant too much time away from her family and triathlon coaching seemed an obvious path. Claire is particularly passionate about giving children opportunities to be active and enjoy sport and she gets a real buzz from seeing people improve.
Claire's current focus is on mountain bike racing for Velocipede Cycles Racing.
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:
• British Triathlon Federation Level 2 Diploma triathlon coach
• Sports first aid trained
• Attended the sports coach UK Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop
• Attended the NSPCC Designated Safeguarding Officer course
• BSc in sport science and a PhD in sport psychology
• Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
• Awarded Fellowship of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
McKinley has been riding bikes for as long as he can remember and loves nothing more than smashing single-track, sending jumps, and just generally being out on the bike having a good time. If there are daunting gaps, questionable lines, and downright scary descents, its highly likely you'll find McKinley nailing them.
Alongside university and all that airbourne madness he still finds time to do a bit of racing, in both enduro and downhill, and will always be pushing himself to his limits (and occassionally beyond).
McKinley has been one of our shop riders for several years now and continues to represent us when both racing and sending it big!
We realise that buying a bike can be a big ticket purchase, and being able to spread the cost on either finance or a cycle to work scheme can help a lot.
We work with several cycle to work schemes to offer a chance to spread the cost of the bike and also everything that goes with it such as helmets, locks, lights, and all of the other things you may need or want.
If you are interested in applying for finance give us a call, send us an email at info@velocipedecycles.co.uk or pop in,
and we can send you a link that can be filled in at your leisure.
Opening times
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
10am - 5.30pm
10am - 5.30pm
10am - 5.30pm
10am - 8.00pm
10am - 5.30pm
09am - 5.30pm
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