A total change followed, running his own landscaping business. A hobby interest led on to restoring and selling classic cars for a specialist dealer. With the sudden decline in the classic car market Phil moved into sales.

The urge to get fit saw Phil take up cycling again, not done seriously since age 16 when he got his driving license and first car in California.

The cycling bug bit hard and Harwood Cycles was established in 1992 after specialist training in the full range of cycle shop skills. Since then Harwood Cycles has been serving cyclists and the bike trade in its own uniquely flexible way - and going from strength to strength.

Meanwhile, bikes became a passion as well as a career. A fascination soon grew with preserving, restoring and riding old and antique cycles. Phil now co-edits the Veteran-Cycle Club bi-monthly magazine News & Views. A fun time trial led to an obsession with racing of all sorts, now regularly competing in road racing, time trials, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing and even recumbent cycle racing. Then there is reliving California childhood with Raleigh Choppers and muscle bikes . . .

A member of some 20 cycle organisations, an official in 8 of them and a frequent race and event organiser, he also participates in around 150 races and other cycle events per year. So, if not working on or selling bikes Phil can usually be found riding them.

Last updated October  2007                      Phone: 01296 712219  Fax: 01296 715229   email: phil@harwoodcycles.com