Ed Clancy needs no introduction. The three-time Olympic and six-time World Champion British cyclist is a sporting legend and one of the most successful names in the sport.
Beginning his cycling career aged 20, he won his first gold medal at the 2005 World Championship as part of the Great Britain Team Pursuit squad. He subsequently won gold at three successive Olympics between 2008 and 2016, making him the most successful Team Pursuit cyclist in history.
Now, in his retirement, Clancy continues pursuing his love for bikes, but in a different way. As the number of cyclists on the road in London increases, so do potential hazards which is why cycle safety is becoming of paramount importance.
We caught up with him to find out more about how he’s changing the conversation around biking safety with Clancy’s Crash Course, what he’s doing in his retirement, and of course some of his favourite things.
What are you up to at the moment?
At the moment I’m enjoying retirement. Very much enjoying riding my bikes for fun. I’m still involved in British cycling, so I work with the commercial team, the research and innovation team, and I’m also doing some coaching for them. I work with British triathlon as well, and it’s great to stay involved with Olympic sport. I still have a passion for that so it’s great, I love it!
Can you tell us a bit about Clancy’s Crash Course?
I’ve partnered up with rapid delivery company Jiffy to create a course which is designed to get riders through the streets of London quickly and safely. Now having pivoted to a software company, Jiffy are enabling more businesses to put their own riders on the roads - meaning an even greater influx of two-wheeled delivery services. I’ve always been about bikes, not just Olympics and winning medals and that, but also cycle safety. It’s been nice to partner up with Jiffy and help them make a short film to keep riders safe and do it all within the rules of the highway code.
What are your training essentials?
I think a well-maintained bike underpins all riding. If you want to go out and enjoy your mountain bike, you’re not going to if you’re having flat tires all the time, where your breaks or gears aren’t working. If there’s one training essential it should be a decent maintained bike. One of my favourite bikes is the Custom Condor Track Bike (the Edvard Munch Scream edition).
What are your favourite sportswear brands?
To be honest it’s all about getting stuff that fits well, feels comfortable and that you’re happy to be seen in. That’s not unique to one brand, it takes a bit of time and consideration to get the right kit, and again that will just add to your cycling experience. My Oakley Prizm Radar shades and Kalas PRO jersey and bib are a must for me.
What are your desert island must-haves?
A boat to get out and come home. I do like being at home, so I guess with that in mind I’d trying making it very much like home. I’d take a small fleet of select bikes out there with me. I’m very fond of my cat so I’d take the cat and the girlfriend. I’d take a million and one ready meals so I’d never have to cook.
What would be your advice to budding cyclists?
Identify what you want cycling to look like for you. First of all, control the controllables – you can only control what you can. Set yourself pragmatic, logical and attainable goals. With simple steps to help you on the path of where you want to go and what you want to achieve. Don’t think too much about results, just concentrate on yourself and your own performance.
How do you treat yourself?
To be honest it hasn’t really changed from when I was a cyclist to life in retirement now. I treat myself by having fun on my bike. So when I was a professional I would take a day off or two and go and play on my mountain bike. I wasn’t rattling around on a track or riding a road race but I still enjoyed the freedom of pottering around on my mountain bike with my mates.
