Welcome to TPR Community Spotlight — a weekly series celebrating the riders who make our events what they are. Every week we’ll be sharing the stories, journeys and motivations of people from our community, showing that cycling is for everyone.
At TPR Events, the riders are what make the events special. Every rider plaqued zip tied to a bike represents a story — and this week’s Community Spotlight is Russel Waite.
Russell Waite has loved bikes since he was 16.
He remembers pestering his parents for a mountain bike, then heading out with his mates on long rides, tents strapped on and rucksacks on their backs. Proper adventure riding before it had a name. He still likes to say his generation invented bikepacking.
Then, like it does for many people, life moved on.
Work took over. Driving became the norm. Cycling slowly faded into the background.
Until his son was born.
A tow-behind trailer changed everything. Back onto the trails, back onto the singletracks, and just like that, the spark came back.
Years later, on his son’s 16th birthday, they bought mountain bikes together and rode the old railway lines of the Weavers Way and Marriott’s Way. It was a full circle moment, and from there, things quickly escalated.
With an indoor trainer and platforms like Zwift and Rouvy, Russell started tackling climbs virtually. Before long, that turned into taking them on for real, including iconic ascents like the Stelvio Pass and Alpe d’Huez.
Closer to home, his first major milestone came in 2023 with the 100-mile Tour de Broads. A day of sunshine, small group riding, and friendships that have lasted well beyond the finish line.
But for Russell, it is not just about pushing limits.
He has rediscovered his love for bikepacking and adventure riding. From tackling the Rebellion Way to riding Spain’s Via Verde Ojos Negros, and exploring gravel tracks and singletrack across 11 European countries, the focus has shifted towards experience as much as achievement.
His advice is simple.
If you can only have one bike, make it a gravel bike. It opens the door to almost any kind of riding and gives you the freedom to explore.
When it comes to events, two stand out. The Tour de Broads for the camaraderie, and the Suffolk Roubaix for the challenge.
Because for Russell, cycling is about more than just fitness.
It is about freedom.
It is about family.
It is about friendship.
It is about adventure.
Have you got a cycling story to share?
We love hearing from the riders who make up the TPR community. If cycling has helped you overcome a challenge, achieve a goal, or simply brought more joy to your life, we’d love to feature you in a future TPR Community Spotlight.
