Meet the Team: Adam Lock – Coaching Lead

From downhill mountain biking to inspiring the next generation of cyclists, meet Adam Lock, our Coaching Lead at The Cornwall Bicycle Project!

With over 20 years of mountain biking experience, a passion for getting people active and a love of all things on two wheels, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and experience to the team.

Whether he's coaching riders, delivering Bikeability sessions or getting stuck into bike mechanics, no two days are quite the same – and that's just how he likes it!

A Lifelong Love of Cycling

Born and raised in Cornwall, Adam grew up in a sporty family, with both parents being athletes who encouraged him and his brother to get outdoors and stay active.

Cycling was always part of family life, with both his dad and grandad keen road cyclists. But it wasn't until the age of 12, when Adam watched the Downhill Mountain Bike World Championships, that he discovered what would become a lifelong passion.

From that moment, he was hooked!

His love of mountain biking took him around the country competing in national downhill races throughout his teens and twenties, as well as enjoying countless cycling adventures and holidays along the way.

Of all the places he's ridden, the Lake District remains a firm favourite.

"It's got a bit of everything!"

And when it comes to choosing between hills and flat trails, Adam doesn't hesitate:

"Hills. Flat is boring."

From Mountain Biker to Coaching Lead

Adam first joined The Cornwall Bicycle Project in 2022 as a freelance coach before becoming a full-time member of the team in 2025.

After spending two decades developing his skills and experience in mountain biking, joining the project gave him the perfect opportunity to share his knowledge and give something back.

Now, as our Coaching Lead, Adam enjoys a wonderfully varied role, working with riders of all ages and abilities.

One day he might be coaching mountain biking skills, the next leading inclusive cycle rides on our adapted cycles or delivering Bikeability training to schoolchildren, and another working on bike mechanics.

"It really varies, which has its stresses, but that's something I love about this job. It keeps me on my toes and gives me a change of scenery."

For Adam, the best part is getting to work with such a wide range of people, helping them develop their confidence, learn new skills and discover the enjoyment that cycling can bring.

And, of course, being surrounded by a fantastic team makes it even better!

Going the Extra Mile – Quite Literally!

One of Adam's proudest achievements came in 2023, when he took on an incredible charity cycling challenge around Cornwall to raise money for defibrillators.

In just two days, Adam cycled an impressive 254 miles, raising £1,800 for the cause!

A fantastic achievement that combined his love of cycling with his desire to make a positive difference in the community.

Bikes, Basketball and Big Adventures

It probably won't come as much of a surprise that when Adam isn't working with bikes, he's usually out riding one!

"Bikes. My only hobby is bikes!"

Away from cycling, Adam is a big basketball fan and enjoys spending time with his family whenever everyone's busy schedules allow.

And while he's already had plenty of incredible cycling adventures, there are still a few destinations on his wish list.

Top of that list is Whistler, Canada, which Adam describes as the Mecca of mountain biking and somewhere every mountain biker should experience at least once.

New Zealand and California are also high on his list of dream riding destinations.

As for a completely new skill he'd love to master? Skateboarding!

Despite a few attempts, Adam admits he's never quite managed to get the hang of it. Perhaps there's still time!

A Quick Coffee Break with Adam

We couldn't let Adam escape without a few quick-fire questions!

• Tea or coffee? Coffee!

• Early bird or night owl? Either!

• Hills or flat trails? Hills – flat is boring!

• One thing you couldn't get through your working day without? Coffee!

• Describe yourself in three words: Happy, relaxed, fun.

• Favourite thing about Cornwall? Riding my bike!

We're definitely spotting a theme here… bikes and coffee!

Sharing the Joy of Cycling

For Adam, being part of The Cornwall Bicycle Project is about much more than simply teaching people to ride.

It's about sharing a passion, creating opportunities and helping others experience the same happiness and freedom that cycling has brought him throughout his life.

When asked what he'd say to someone thinking about getting involved with the project, Adam summed it up perfectly:

"TCBP is a fantastic thing to be a part of. We all just love having fun on bikes, and seeing other people get the same joy out of cycling as we do makes us happy."

We're incredibly lucky to have Adam as part of the TCBP team, (despite his elusiveness in photos) sharing his experience, encouraging riders and helping make cycling enjoyable and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

And if you ever need to find him, chances are he'll be somewhere near a bike… probably with a coffee in hand!

Ride – Connect – Change

Want to discover more about The Cornwall Bicycle Project? Whether you're looking to develop your cycling skills, join a ride, volunteer or support our work, we'd love to welcome you along!