Ride Leader of the month: Laurence Collins

We're delighted to announce that our final Sky Ride Leader of the Month of 2012 is Laurence Collins from Manchester.

Laurence started as a participant back in the first year of the Sky Ride programme before training to be a Ride Leader the following year. Since then he's been a hugely enthusiastic member of the Sky Ride team, helping out on twelve rides in Manchester in 2010 and another sixteen this year. 

British Cycling Route & Ride Manager Craig Myers says: "Laurence is always happy to take a phone call on a Friday afternoon if somebody has unfortunately had to cancel. He's been pivotal in developing one of our new social cycling groups, and has been involved in many of our pilot projects this year. A bit of a comedian and a brilliant Sky Ride Leader. Well done Laurence!"

Laurence himself admits to be "absolutely gob-smacked" at receiving the award. "I love what I do in my role as a leader and I know all the other leaders out there feel the same," he modestly admits.

Cycling has been a part of Laurence's life, but social cycling and commuting got taken over by "girls, beer, football, marriage and kids" for a time. "Then I found Sky Ride and my life changed for the better," he recalls. "It was on these local rides that my enthusiasm was reignited. I looked forward to the next rides so much, the Sundays couldn't come quickly enough."

In 2009 Laurence realised he wanted to do more and give something back, so the following year he enrolled on the Ride Leaders course in Manchester.
 
"The last two years as a Ride Leader have been fantastic," he says. "I've met people who'll be friends for life. The whole experience has been amazing and I wouldn't change it for the world. There are exciting times ahead for cycling in the UK and I'm so proud to be a part of it."

Laurence has chosen Evans Cycles vouchers as his prize – congratulations from everyone at Sky Ride!