Our Team
Meet our Team
Our professionally qualified staff use their knowledge and experience to deliver a range of programmes suitable for individuals, groups, children, adults, schools, organisations and businesses. Our team is made up of guides, coaches, mechanics and all of us are passionate cyclists.
Artur Pajnowski
Senior Mechanic
Cytech 3.0
Favourite Bike?
Nukeproof Mega AM
What’s your favourite workshop job?
Bespoke bike builds – creating something special and unique.
Why do you love cycling?
Feeling of freedom, increasing my fitness level. I also love the adrenaline from riding MTB and engaging with a community of likeminded people.
What’s your longest ever ride?
200km – The Dirty Reiver!
Favourite Riding Snack?
Sesame bars and beer!
Chris Bush
Bike Sales & Bike Fitting
IBFI Bike Fitter, BC Level 2.0 Coach
Favourite Bike?
Whichever bike I’m riding today!
How old were you when you first learnt to ride?
About 5 years old.
What are your top tips for new riders?
Start small and build up – a little ride is better than none!
Why do you love cycling?
I love sharing the joy with others and opening up new adventures.
Favourite Riding Snack?
Coffee & cake
Dan Pietruszka
Mechanic, Ride Leader
Cytech 3.0, BC Ride Leader 1.0
Favourite Bike?
Either my BMX or Gravel Bike. Or maybe the mountain bike!
Favourite Workshop Job?
Wheel building is probably the most satisfying. Taking individual components and piecing them together to make something that is strong and durable is very rewarding.
Why do you ride a bike?
For enjoyment, socialising, fitness. Why wouldn’t you?
What’s your favourite thing about teaching someone to ride a bike?
Seeing the look of accomplishment when they learn a new skill is very satisfying.
Favourite Riding Snack?
Tea & flapjacks
Dan Wills
Marketing & Operations
BC Level 2.0 MTB Leader
Favourite Bike?
Either my enduro bike or my gravel bike – it’s fast everywhere!
Tell us about yourself
I’m Dan and I love cycling because it keeps me busy and out of trouble! But I love exploring new places, keeping fit and pushing myself.
What’s your favourite workshop job?
Winding up the mechanics!
Top Tips for new riders
Get some good clothing (it doesn’t have to be expensive). Being comfortable makes cycling much more enjoyable.
Favourite Riding Snack?
Tunnocks Caramel Wafters.
Jo Quinn
Cycling Activities Team
BC Ride Leader, Bikeability Instructor
Favourite Bike?
Raleigh Denim
How old were you when you first learnt to ride?
About 5 years old.
Why do you ride a bike?
It’s a great way to share some quality time with your friends and it’s good for you too.
Tell us a bit about yourself
Im Jo, I work as a cycling activities guide, Ive worked in this role for just over a year having previously worked in education. I still get to work with kids but now I get to take them on cool adventures outside of the classroom.
Favourite Riding Snack?
Jelly Babies!
Lukasz Hanysz
Mechanic, Ride Leader
Cytech 3.0, BC Ride Leader 1.0
Favourite Bike?
Specialized Gravel Bike
Tell us about yourself
I’m Łukasz – bike mechanic. I do cycling to spend time with friends, to meet new people, to see new places, to commute, to challenge myself, to be healthier, and it helps be more creative.
I love easy weekends, bikepacking trips but also love to push myself to the limits when all problems disappear. My bike is a tool which makes life easier.
Favourite Workshop Job?
Test riding bikes!
Top Tips for new riders?
Be patient and enjoy it!
Favourite Riding Snack?
Vodka & Sausage
Richard Wills
Director
BC Level 2.0 MTB Leader
Favourite Bike?
Ridley Helium
Favourite thing about teaching people to ride a bike
The moment when it ‘clicks’ and they’re off!
What’s your favourite workshop job?
Making cuppas.
Top Tips for new riders
Don’t be afraid of getting lost – it’s called exploring!
Favourite Riding Snack?
Flapjacks
Ronnie Edwards
Workshop Manager
BC Trail Leader
Favourite Bike?
It depends what I’m doing! I love my Juliana Roubion but for distance my Ridley Kanzo is a machine
How old were you when you first learnt to ride?
I don’t know but I remember the plastic whees and stabilisers!
Why do you ride a bike?
I love cycling for many reasons, I like the challenge of long distance through lovely scenery and being away remotely with friends or even out by myself, recently discovered I seem to enjoy racing on the gravel bike too! I love Mountain biking though, the progression is fun (sometimes frustrating but that’s just a small bit) and the challenge and thrill of riding off road, through scary steep stuff and over jumps is great, especially with good company.
Favourite Riding Snack?
Nutty bars and Torq energy drink!
Stephen George
Cycling Activities Lead
BC Ride Leader 2.0, BC Coach
Favourite Bike?
Raleigh Team Panasonic
Tell us about your cycling
I’ve always had a bike since being a child but I took up cycling more seriously in my 30’s when some friends took me to some trail centres, I disengaged my brain, and fell off. In my late 30’s I bought a road bike……..or two, and started getting out in bigger groups and riding further, introducing me to cafes with cake.
For me cycling is about being out and around friends, whether it’s flying off a hill, long days in the saddle or racing through muddy trails on a dark night.
Longest Ride
318 Miles on the Ride24 Newcastle to London
Favourite Riding Snack?
Haribo!
Stuart Page
BHK Customer Services
Studying Cytech 1.0
Favourite Bike?
Cotic Soul
Tell us about why you love cycling?
It’s a great escape and it’s just fun!
What’s your favourite workshop job?
Indexing gears – it’s satisfying.
What’s your top tip for new riders?
Enjoy yourself.
Favourite Riding Snack?
Simple – Water & a bananna
Veerle Noben
Community & Business Development
BC Ride Leader 1.0
Favourite Bike?
Dawes Galaxy Touring bike.
What’s your longest bike ride?
This year I rode from Germany to Italy crossing the Alps covering approximately 1000km.
Why do you like cycling?
Because I’m from Belgium! I’m a born and bred cyclist, it’s part of who I am, it’s our national pastime!
Favourite Riding Snack?
Water & Snickers
Nick Zuiev
Apprentice Mechanic
Studying Cytech 1.0
Favourite Bike?
I think my favourite bike is my gravel bike – second place is my MTB
When did you learn to ride a bike?
10 years old 😀
Tell us about yourself
Hi, my name is Mykola (Nick). I am from Ukraine, now I live in Wallsend. Every day I use my bike. I am really happy use it because this is make me happy, and cycling really helps if I need time to relax or think about something.
What’s your favourite workshop job?
I think full rebuild the bike, and clean 🫧
Terry Coaker
Ride Leader & Coach
BC Ride Leader 1.0
Favourite Bike?
The one I’m on!
Tell us about yourself & why you love cycling?
I’ve enjoyed the freedom of cycling for as long as I can remember. Since retiring from the NHS, coaching, leading, guiding, inspiring, teaching, and fettling have become my passion.
What’s your favourite thing about teaching people to cycle?
Enabling progress.
What’s your favourite workshop job?
Fixing punctures in winter!
What’s your favourite riding snack?
Strong black coffee with cake.
David Buchan
Director
BC Ride Leader 2.0, MBLA Leader 2.0
Favourite Bike?
My old Joe Waugh road bike
What’s your longest bike ride?
380km in one day, the tour of Mont Blanc
How old were you when you first learned to ride?
I don’t remember!
What’s your favourite thing about teaching people to cycle?
Smiles!!! and the sense of adventure you have brought to them.
What’s your top tip for new cyclists?
If there’s ever a choice between going out or staying in, always head out!!!
Favourite Riding Snack?
Bananas
Michael Halliday
Ride Leader, Coach & Bikeability Instructor
Tell us about yourself and why you like cycling.
Cycling has always been a part of my life to some extent and I became involved in club cycling, amateur racing and epic day rides in my mid 20’s. For the last 13 years I have been actively involved with cycle training initially as a Bikeability instructor and started working with Bike4Health as a ride leader in 2016. My professional life allows me to inspire riders of all ages and abilities and to share my passion for all aspects of cycling.
What’s your favourite thing about teaching people to cycle?
Seeing the reward they get from their efforts.
Why do you ride a bike?
It doesn’t matter whether I’m commuting, guiding or just out exploring the back roads, cycling gives me a sense of freedom.
Favourite cycling snack?
Bananas!
Get in Touch
Workshop:
Cycling Enquiries: 0191 250 9357 | cycling@bike4health.org