James Coxon emerged in the three-wheeled community and immediately shone as a star. Not only at races in the UK, but also at World Championships and in solo record breaks. The Australian trike he races on always gets a lot of admiration too. His recent move from trikes to recumbent bikes is also interesting.

What does cycling mean to you?
Sport and cycling mean everything to me. I have competed at sport all my life and after my disability took away my career, I am grateful everyday to get on a bike or trike and pedal! It gives me a purpose, a sense of self and relaxes my neurotic mind!

How long have you been riding recumbents?
4 years.

What was your first recumbent and what is your current model?
My first trike was an ICE VTX, purchased from Pedal Power, a cycling charity in South Wales who encourages cycling for all abilities. I acquired it after seeing a picture of Mat from Ice Trikes winning the world’s and thought I could have a go. 

I currently have a Phantom Mini T carbon trike (see later) and a Greenspeed Aero trike. Also, after 4 years on trikes, I have progressed to two wheels and my latest recumbent is the amazing Slyway Ultra bike.

How do you use your bike most?
Mostly on the turbo trainer in the shed; over 450 hours last year!

1 hour world record unfaired trike (50.4km), 100km world record unfaired trike (2hrs 3 mins), 4k world record unfaired trike, 3 x British Para National Champion trike, 2023 World Champion unfaired trike

Do you also ride upright bikes and if so, how do you choose which bike to use? 
I cannot ride an upright bike due to the weakness in my upper body. 

What do you think is the main reason why recumbents are not more popular and widely used? 
A few reaons but the main one is they are not seem as normal. This leads to tribalism and mocking by some in the cycling community. I feel we must normalise their use, especially with the younger generation. An example of the way to go about this is to look at the fun the children have on the Australian Pedal Prix circuit. The trikes are cool and fast, there are hundreds of people racing and they have a good laugh. A few of these will not ride after their school days, but many will. 

What is your dream bike?
I own them! The Slyway Ultra bike is a beautiful product with amazing frame compliance and predictable handling. It is so well finished. Really professional.

For the trikes, the VTX was amazing on the hilly roads I cycle on, the Greenspeed Aero is such fun on tight, twisty courses, but nothing is quicker than my carbon Phantom trike on a fast circuit. I deeply love that trike and feel my sweat and pain are ingrained in the carbon layup!

What do you think about e-assist?
Certainly the way forward, especially for living in Wales. Give it a few years and I will have one!

 
 

Do you have a region, country, or just one most memorable ride?
I have so many great memories associated with recumbents. The three HPV world championships I attended, the three world records I achieved in front of my family. However, the riding is only one part. The recumbent community are truly lovely, both in the UK and worldwide. I have never laughed so much as I did with my Aussie, Dutch and UK friends at this year’s worlds. They really are a great bunch.

Where do you see the future of recumbents and their development?
Recumbents will grow when they are seen as a normal means of transport/recreation. If we can get children involved in something like pedal prix it would be huge step forward, even if it is kids racing  little trikes around a car park. School champs, regional champs and then national champs. The kids would love it and recumbents are no longer strange or weird.

Moving on to adults, I feel we need to take ourselves more seriously as athletes. For example, at the world championships, move away from “whacky” type 100-meter races to proper epic “Tour” type races. I like Stefano’s idea (from Slyway) of having prize money, sponsorship and professional races. 

In terms of recumbent trikes, the UK is leading the way in allowing us to race as part of the national para series. I would love to see talented riders like Jochem Leemans winning a Paralympic Gold on a recumbent trike at some point in the future! 

 

James Coxon

Year of birth: 1975
Residence: Wales
Education:  up to University and then PhD
Job: Retired Dental Surgeon
Bike(s): Slyway Ultra, Phantom Mini T, Greenspeed Aero
Motto: Keep going!
Web: onegoodarmtriker.com

This is the first part of the interview. In the second part, which is exclusive to our Premium Members, you can read more about James’s training, riding and secret dreams. Becoming a Premium Member also helps this magazine to live and is only 10 USD a year.


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