Blackpool ironman on the road with hi-tech endurance hub

Scott Leadbetter has opened Cybele Velo in Coleridge Road, a one stop shop for specialist training which caters for beginners right up to triathletes.

Scott, who competed at the Ironman 703 World Championships last year in Tennessee and qualified for this year in South Africa, said the idea was to offer world class facilities and wellness services as well as giving Blackpool a social hub for like-minded people of all abilities.

The gym has specially designed indoor bikes linked to a computer which can be adjusted especially for each member's height and fitness levels. They are arranged in front of a screen on which scenes from races such as the Tour de France are played, along with the personal data each rider needs to monitor his or her performance.

Scott said: "I designed the bikes myself and had the frames specially made by a precision engineer in Marton. They can be adjusted ready for the member when they come in and can fit anyone from four foot eight inches up to six foot eleven.

"The individual's analytics such as heart rate, cadence (speed at which the pedals are rotated) and power output for example are monitored and the bikes adjust the resistance to improve performance.

"The analytics can be immediately uploaded to the rider's social network for their records."

He said the bikes can be used to train specific muscle groups and personal training programmes with the centre's qualified coaches can be arranged.

The centre also has a gym area for strength and conditioning work, a yoga and pilates studio and sports therapy for rehabilitation massage and assessment.

"We have a dedicated bike mechanic area where we can set bikes up or even build them to specification of the rider and we have a coffee shop and wellness bar for healthy food and the Italian Rocket coffee favoured by cyclists."

It also has a retail area with high-end professional bikes, training gear and swimwear.

Scott said with growing interest in cycling and distance running, he said the aim was to make Blackpool, with its history of unhealthy lifestyles, a centre for technical fitness training.

He added: "Endurance sports are increasingly popular. More and more people are taking part in triathlon and we have events such as the Bolton Ironman on our doorstep. People can take part at various levels for example 400m swim, 10km bike ride and 2.5k run right up to standard triathlon distances of 1,500m swim, 40k ride and 10k run.

"Anyone wanting to get fit could do it, it is just a matter of understanding how to get to that point. Reasonably fit people could get going in four to five weeks. We will be coaching people from entry level right up to elite level.

"We are teaming up with Palatine to stage swimming sessions and run in Stanley park. Park run is just around the corner and we will offer discount in our cafe for people with their Park Run bar codes. We want to be the hub for all adults on the Fylde coast wanting to get into fitness. We are all about the objective - setting the objective and helping people to achieve it."