Thank you Darren Kenny

I’ve already mentioned the theft of our bikes on this blog several times. I’m not a mercenary person and although I’m really sad that it has happened, I believe that all possessions can be replaced. However, what made me most devastated is the fact that Stuart’s main bike was taken just a week ahead of his first ironman.

Stuart has spent countless hours on his bike this year. He has been for a couple of bike fits to tweak his position and tried out various saddles until it was made as comfortable as it’s possible for a bike to be. He had also splashed out on a power meter that he has used for training and has seen significant advantages in using this technology. Completing an Ironman before his 40th birthday was his goal, but deep down I know that Stuart will have had a time in mind, even if he’s not voiced that goal to others.

The loss of Stuart’s bike could have shattered his dream, but the generosity of others has been overwhelming. So many friends have offered their bikes from shoppers with baskets to top of the range time trial bikes in all sizes imaginable. However, one of the most generous (and tempting) offers came from the Paralympic cycling hero, Darren Kenny (OBE).

In 2009 Darren started Estrella Bikes, making lovely one-off bikes, more as a hobby and a way to learn and make connections until the time was right to go full scale. A chat over coffee in the spring of 2015 made them both realise that the time had arrived to get back together and use their individual expertise and expand Estrella bikes.

Darren kindly offered to lend Stuart an Estrella, so that his Ironman dream would not be over. Thank you, Darren.

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