Background
Atkins was born in Coventry, the son of Edith and Roland (Ron) Atkins. His mother was a prolific breaker of long-distance cycling records in the 1950s.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
John Atkins
Edit ProfileCareer
He was a professional cyclist between 1968 and 1979. John Atkins began cycling on the cleared areas and bomb sites that followed intensive bombing of Coventry in the Second World War. He started racing at 17.
He was in a group of four and passed them by taking a longer route to the right around bushes where the others had ridden to the left.
lieutenant gave him a few seconds" lead that he held to the finish. He dominated cyclo-cross in Britain for the next 10 years.
He came fifth in the 1968 world championship, then turned professional for a sausage-maker, Mash & Baxter. A year later he moved to Carlton Cycles for five years.
He rode for Viscount-Shimano from 1975 to 1978 and then for Harry Quinn Cycles.
He retired in 1979. Atkins founded John Atkins Cycles in Coventry, now known as Coventry Cycle Centre. After retiring from professional cycling, Atkins ran a cycle and toy shop in Pwllheli on the Llŷn Peninsula.
