A WINTER Olympics star drew inspiration from an inclusive cycling project when he swapped his bobsleigh for a bike last week at its new Forest of Dean base.

Toby Olubi, who hit the headlines for self-funding his Olympic journey to South Korea by appearing on Deal or No Deal and other TV game shows, rode five miles with two Gloucestershire Wheels for All disabled cyclists earlier this year on specially adapted bikes to help raise £750 for Sport Relief.

And he found more motivation by popping back in the saddle again last week when he rode with cyclists at the project’s new Cannop Cycle Centre HQ.

Toby said: “After a disappointing Olympics, Wheels for All inspired me to keep going and to grab life by the horns like its participants.

“You’ll always find them with a smile on their faces as this project gives them the scope to explore their athleticism, using a great setup that is not always available elsewhere. I found their positivity to be contagious.”

Gloucestershire Wheels for All, run by leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire, was originally based at the Blackbridge Athletics track in Gloucester, where Toby trains and first met the group.

Mary Clare Faulkner, of Gloucestershire Wheels for All, said one of their clients, a woman with MS, visits the centre as often as she can with her husband, as it is the only chance they get to exercise together in the fresh air.

“Until she tried out one of our recumbent trikes, Margaret was limited to using a scooter, which didn’t give her any exercise,” she explained.

“Now, for the first time in her life, she has discovered the joys of cycling alongside her husband as he walks their dogs – and she finds it exhilarating and life-enhancing. 

“It’s thanks to support and funding from Cycling Projects, Pedal A Bike Away, the Forestry Commission, Active Gloucestershire and the Barnwood Trust – who were all with us on this journey - that this has been made possible”.

Martin Hawkins, head of social sustainability at the Barnwood Trust, said: “Cannop Cycle Centre is a wonderful place to enjoy the Forest of Dean on wheels. “We are delighted to see that our funding will enable the various adapted bikes to be stored easily so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to get out and about on their bikes.”

For more information, see www.leonardcheshire.org/wheelsforall