Lewis James Barry born 7th March 1995 at St James’s hospital Leeds
by Carol Barry
From his first days as a baby Lewis showed such energy and love for the outdoors and for play.
He began his cycling career very early on riding behind mum in a baby seat which progressed to a trailer, a tag along and finally, before going solo a tandem.
His famous moments on his home turf were his daredevil stunts of riding down the street in nothing but a Policeman’s helmet. Well known for his love of cycling and nudity!!
Cycling took a back seat for a number of years whilst Lewis’s love of football took hold. Dad taking things seriously as usual left no stone unturned and before long the Barry house hold was running the local football team, club and league! Taking Lewis and team mates as far a field as Barcelona in their bid to beat the world. Great times were spent standing in the rain on muddy Sunday mornings cheering the boys on to victory, running the tea stall and fundraising, not that much different to cycling really.
Cycling always remained our foundation however, and try as we might we couldn’t keep Lewis away from the lure of the new high profile side of cycling. As an 11 year old Lewis wanted to see the track and was immediately in love. We spread our selves thin over the following year or two trying to balance football with track but unfortunately as he became older and more serious something had to give.
It was a traumatic time for Lewis making the transition to cycling and leaving his football days behind, loss of friends, the camaraderie and becoming one of those ‘oddballs’ who rides around in LYCRA!! Loss of street cred was a heavy burden.
As the following couple of years passed Lewis’s obvious talent started to show.
From 14 years old Lewis started to blossom, long blond hair, trimmer physique, handing out lots of pain on the bike to the best in the country in his age group, he was loving it!
Recognition came from his school when they agreed to allow him the afternoon off in order to train. What an opportunity! Lewis lost no time in realising his moment for revenge on the drudgery of the school day, returning home he often missed lunch in his eagerness to get out the door on his bike.
Keen eh? Well, a short detour on the way out took him past all his envious buddies at school. He soon became idoled rather than ridiculed, sweet!
Some memorable things were said by him on his last day,
‘Do you know what mum?’ riding alongside her on the way to the grass track.
‘What sweetheart’
‘I’m really only happy when I’m riding my bike’
He grins at me as he rides off shouting ‘Come on mum you can do it.’ (My heart melts with pride)

Charity cycle ride in Lewis' memory from his home town of Garforth using a 50 mile loop over his favourite training route