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JE James Cycles to open first Barnsley store

ACT member and Cytech-accredited retailer JE James Cycles – one of the largest independent cycle retailers in Europe – is to open a new 7,874 sq ft store shop in Barnsley town...

7 Mar 2024, more…

Cytech training to help Go Outdoors boost number of cycle mechanics by offering apprenticeships to store staff.

Go Outdoors, which operates 75 stores across the UK, has announced an apprenticeship scheme involving Cytech training with the aim of addressing what it terms a nationwide shortage of...

15 Jan 2024, more…

Funded training available for Cycle Maintenance Apprenticeships

Fully funded training for school and college leavers is available for the Cycle Maintenance Apprenticeship for those under 19 years of age at the start of the apprenticeship.

9 Aug 2023, more…

A third of drivers want cyclists banned from public highways, new research suggests

New research has suggested as many as one in three drivers believe cyclists shouldn’t be allowed on public highways and should be confined to cycle paths.

3 Nov 2022, more…

ACT member looking to offer unit to independent bike mechanic in London

The Family Bike Club, a non-profit family cycling social enterprise project, is seeking to collaborate with a proficient cycle mechanic to offer repair services to the passing public from their...

10 Aug 2022, more…

England peak time for hiring government-funded apprentices in bicycle mechanics

This time of year offers a great opportunity to find and recruit new apprentices, as there’s a large influx of school and college leavers looking for their next step.

29 Jun 2022, more…

Activate Cycle Academy to open a new north-east Cytech training facility

 Based within ZyroFisher's Head Office, one of the country's leading distributor of cycle parts, accessories and clothing, this brand new workshop is the latest addition to the expanding...

27 Jan 2022, more…

Applications for additional Apprenticeship incentives open

Applicationsfor the Government's latest additional incentive payment of £3,000 opentoday (11 January 2022) for employers who have hired an apprentice(s) over the winter.

11 Jan 2022, more…

Activate Cycle Academy's Opens New Cytech Training Facility

Based at Activate Learning's Bracknell & Wokingham College campus this brand new workshop is the latest addition to their expanding number of Cytech training workshops across the country.

7 May 2021, more…

Activate Cycle Academy's New Cytech Training Facility Opens

The new cycle mechanics training facility at Merrist Wood College in Guildford, managed by Cytech training provider Activate Cycle Academy (ACA), has oficially opened and courses are being...

7 Sep 2020, more…

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Jules moves on from ATG Training

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Jules moves on from ATG Training

Posted on 8 Aug 2019

ATG Training LogoAfter 15 years at the helm of Cytech at ATG Training, Julian Thrasher (aka Jules), is moving on to a new role at Madison. During his distinguished time at ATG Training Jules spearheaded the development of the Cytech range of bicycle maintenance courses, having helped create and evolve the course content and structure to keep Cytech at the forefront of cycle maintenance training worldwide.

Jules, Cytech trainer at Activate LearningJulian’s infectious and infamous teaching style has been a key part of building Cytech into the internationally recognised brand that it is today, and it’s great for the cycle trade that his passion, drive and in-depth knowledge of cycle maintenance training will continue in his new role at Madison.

Matt Grant, ATG Training’s sales and marketing manager, managed to catch up with Jules before he tidied up his workshop for the final time in Oxford, to look back at his time at ATG Training and find out a little bit about his new role at Madison;


Jules, you joined ATG Training to deliver Cytech 15 years ago. How has the cycles market changed in that time?

In a couple of ways really. It’s become much more mainstream – it’s great to see the increase in cyclists on the road and trails and it being a recognised career, something I could only have hoped for when I was younger. It’s also got way more technical, using a phone to adjust your gears? Bonkers!

What sort of impact has Cytech training had on the cycles sector?

A positive one! When I man the stand at the bike shows, it’s always great to see people who attended the Cytech training courses having advanced through the trade to some quite high up positions working with the likes of Zwift and major race teams, or setting up their own businesses and being successful. I’m really proud to think that I’ve played a small part in that.

Where do you see Cytech/ATG Training going in the future?

I know there are a few exciting plans in the pipeline so, watch this space!

How has the role of a trainer changed?

Keeping abreast and accepting change. Cycling is a sport of tradition, but products are changing at such a pace that it’s important to accept them. E-bikes are a prime example. They are here to stay and it would sorely limit us if we weren’t to have an e-bike course to help people service them.

You see hundreds of current and future mechanics coming through the training centre, have there been any changes in the kinds of people coming through?

Not really, everyone coming through the doors has been passionate about the subject and keen to learn and better themselves. It’s always a pleasure to train!

What one piece of advice would you give to anyone wanting to train to be a mechanic?

Be open to advice. No one knows everything and adopting that mindset will be severely limiting in the future when it comes to working on new products.

What have been the biggest technical changes?

There’s the obvious ones of e-bikes and electric gears so we’ll go with those.

How would you describe your personal contribution to Cytech and the cycles sector?

I’d like to think that I’ve helped people both start and progress through a career in cycle maintenance and have helped with the constant improvement and development of the courses and course material.

Tell us about your new role at Madison?

I’ll be working with the Shimano Technical team training people to the highest standards in the latest Shimano products. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to hone my delivery skills with ATG Training and hope to see many familiar faces in my new role!


Mike, ATG Training

Courses being delivered in the state-of-the-art Oxford workshop will continue to be run by Cytech trainer Mike Sullivan, who has been working alongside Jules for a number of years and has plenty of experience in the cycles trade to boot.

To book onto a course you can use the course calendar here, or alternatively get in touch with ATG Training on 01865 550 324 or at cycles@activatelearning.ac.uk.



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