Pashley People - Steve Deeks
The latest in our regular series of profiles of riders of Pashley and Moulton bicycles.
Tell us a little about yourself
I’m a racer, that’s what defines me. I moved to live in Clifford Chambers during the lockdown, and I live with my partner JoJo and our two #insane Bengal Pusses; ‘the Puss’ and ‘Little Lord Lockie’. We live in a cottage about the size of a Christmas cake decoration, or a Monopoly piece. I live each day like it’s my last, because one day it will be. Especially the way I ride. I love my life, and I’ve been incredibly lucky.
What do you do for a living?
Always things I love, that’s the truth of it. Racer, show presenter, automotive trainer, race instructor – things that it’s hard to persuade people are ‘real’ work. And get paid for. But I set it up that way. I have a website that explains it all. Just as well, because as I’m getting older, I’ve forgotten half of what I’ve done, I have to look at my media gallery to remind myself. Trying to collate it all on a CV is impossible – it's no sort of ‘career’ – more a series of lucky chances. In-fact that’s probably what I am: a lucky chancer.
What are you passionate about?
Many things. Freedom. Truth. Integrity. Courage. Personal development. Racing. Flying. Riding motorcycles. Presenting shows. Coaching. Mentoring. Music. Film. Art. Coffee. Pusses. Playing guitar. Singing. Fitness training. The Marx Brothers. Classic musicals. Oh, and since mid. 2021, cycling.
What is your earliest memory of riding a bike?
Raleigh Chopper. Mid-seventies. Easy Rider.
What was your first bike?
See above. Wish I still had it. Cool as.
How long have you been a cyclist?
Redux, only about eight months. I wish I had got involved earlier. I only re-started to cycle as an adult because I tore a load of core muscles in April last year, and for the first time in my life, could no longer run. I was so keen to maintain my life fitness, and keep my weight under control for racing, discovering Stratford had a bike manufacturer was a revelation. Actually my partner had a Pashley first – almost as soon as we moved here. She detests buying Chinese made goods, loves watching ‘Call the midwife’ – always wanted a bike - the instant she saw the ‘Pashley Princess’, it was ‘game over’. Both Pashleys live in our front room. It’s chaos. Thanks Fran, thanks Blake.
What bike are you riding?
Pashley ‘Tributo Beetle’, based on the Pashley Morgan 110. They custom-built it for me – in the exact same RS orange that the HSCC 911 racer is painted in. It will be liveried with the same numbers and sponsor logos as the race car. Oh, and a selection of tasty Moulton’s that Fran keeps lending me, to make sure I end up with more than one bike… and divorced.
How many bikes do you own?
The Pashley. A Ducati Diavel 1200. And an electric Scooter that I use for covert handbag and mobile phone snatching in Stratford old town to supplement my meagre income.
What is your dream bike?
I’m riding it. The Pash, no question. But I do have a hip-hop sensibility; speccing up a bling Moulton is appealing, I mean the full thing in carbonfibre, with a black suede saddle and ultraviolet led projector lighting…
What appeals to you about cycling?/What does cycling mean to you?
Everything appeals to me about cycling – it feels like I am flying, especially at night slicing up the Tramway. I love flying powered aircraft, but gliding was a unique trip too. Same vibe, exactly, with cycling. No engine, bar my wheezy old lungs. Since I got the Pash, I don’t think I have driven to the gym even once. Cycling’s become part of my training regime, and my daily life. I’m hooked. Also, (and I shouldn’t really admit to this); I am both fascinated – and inspired - by Lance Armstrong. This, despite having worked with Sir Chris Hoy. Armstrong’s comeback from cancer to win the Tour, (regardless of the doping), is one of the most courageous sporting achievements that I have ever witnessed. I know hard it is to win from my many years racing; to win coming back from a tangle with the reaper? Balls of steel.
What do you dislike about cycling?
Idiot car drivers, kerbs and punctures. The British attitude to cycling. Lycra. Did I mention car drivers?
How often do you ride your bike, and for what purpose?
Most days – at the moment to the gym – but I love cycling into town with my partner and friends, back along the greenway, across country to a local pub – anywhere actually. I also plan to use it as a pit-bike this season, racing nationwide in the Classic Formula Ford and Porsche 911. It’s going to be carving up paddocks the length and breadth of Europe.
What’s your favourite cycle route or destination?
At the moment that would be the cross-country routes all around Stratford-upon-Avon – but that’s also because I only picked up the Pash at the end of Summer. I plan to explore further in the coming months… Plus, I was working in Paris recently, and the hotel I stayed at was annexed to a proper velodrome. It blew my mind. Must have a go at that at some time in the future. On the ‘works’ Pash…
www.stevedeeks.com
Instagram: deeks.steve