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The New Bike

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Leo cried himself to sleep that night. He had been desperate to have the new bike, the   culmination of all his hopes and dreams. He had wanted a bike ever since he had seen Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins win gold medals in the 2012 Olympics. And then one day, passing Hennessey's Cycles, he saw it in the window, blue and silver, glinting in the morning sunlight, just the right size for a ten-year-old, who would soon be celebrating his next birthday. He would ask all his relatives to give him money for his birthday. That way, he was sure to have enough to buy the bike.

But now his birthday had been ruined. The party had been great, even though his best friend hadn't turned up. There had been a barbecue, homemade popcorn, masses of jelly and ice cream and a scrumptious birthday cake. His dad had even dazzled everyone with his amazing dancing. But when it had all ended and Leo had counted his birthday money, he had realised that he was £30 short of his target for the new bike.

The next day was Sunday. When Leo came downstairs, his mum was already seated at the breakfast table and a delicious aroma of sausages, bacon and eggs filled the air.

"Did you enjoy your birthday party, dear?" she said.

"No" said Leo and stormed outside to sulk under the apple tree. Later, his dad came out. He intuitively knew what the problem was.

"You can't just give up like that," he said, "you have to take life by the scruff of the neck."

Leo did just that. For three months he was frugal with his pocket money (despite the temptations of Rowntrees randoms and Sid's Chip Shop) and always offered to help with chores like washing up and cleaning the car in exchange for a few pennies. He was too young to get a paper round, but that didn't stop him helping his older brother when he was too lazy to get up in the morning to do it or when he wanted to hang out with his girlfriend before school.

Finally the day came when he proudly handed over the money to Mr Hennessey and received his glittering prize, the silver and blue mountain bike with 15 gears, a bell and a water bottle holder. He was a bit wobbly at first, but was soon riding proficiently, delighting at the thrill of the wind in his face as he rode downhill. On his bike, he was a Grand Prix driver racing to take the chequered flag, or a knight riding into battle, helmet in place and sword by his side.

It was his teacher, Mr Passmore, who first suggested Leo should join a cycling club. He saw the excitement on Leo's face when Sir Chris Hoy came to speak at the school assembly. Soon Leo was great friends with Martin Hicks, the son of the club's president who had almost won the 'Tour de France'. Martin and Leo went cycling together every day and it was inevitable that they should both be selected for the county team.

As Leo grew older and more proficient he outgrew the small club he had been a member of for five years and joined Dorchester and District Dynamos, the biggest club in the county. This would suit his growing ambition. Leo had already been selected for the English Junior Cycling Team before he left home to study sports science at London University. His college trained in the Olympic Velodrome, scene of those famous 2012 victories by Hoy, Pendleton, Clancy and others. Leo's four-year university course also taught him the science of cycling: physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, aerodynamics, sports psychology and many other topics. As well as allowing him to train on one of the best cycling tracks in the World, with the best cyclists and the best coaches, it also brought him to the attention of the Great Britain Selectors. Leo would never forget his first bike and how hard he had worked to get it. As he stepped up onto the podium to receive his gold medal he remembered the two men who had kindled his interest in cycling and stimulated him to buy that silver and blue bike. Yes, the 2012 Olympics really had been the "Games to Inspire."