A MOUNTAIN biker who won his spurs on the national stage is getting his teeth into a new set of challenges this cycling season.

Antrobus man Giles Bett is the Guardian’s latest Pedal Power Ambassador.

The 33-year-old started cycling when he was 13 and has ridden for a host of national teams in mountain biking competitions.

But it all started with his granddad.

“My Grandad was my inspiration for cycling, having cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats when he was in his twenties,” Giles said.

“He bought me my first mountain bike – it was so heavy!”

But undeterred, a 17-year-old Giles, who is also hearing impaired, went into his first mountain bike race at Leisure Lakes in the ‘fun’ category and worked his way up.

Giles said: “From then I went to do the Nambs, SXC, Midlands, Welsh and National Point Series and in 2000 I came second in the Nationals in Sport category.

“In 2001 I rode for the Scott UK team and In 2004 I was with the Orange/U-Save team.

“During this time, I progressed through to Expert and Elite gaining top three positions in the Welsh, Scottish and Midlands Series.”

Due to family reasons, Giles’ racing took a back seat during the next few years until in 2009 he was asked to join the Praxis Pro Lebenskraft and AOK team in a 24-hour mountain bike race in Bavaria.

The team came seventh that year then first in 2010, second in 2011 and back at the top again in 2012.

Giles also joined the Buff UK endurance racing team last year, helping them to a win in a 10-hour race in Scotland.

A member of Weaver Valley Cycling Club, Giles has won the club’s hill climb road trophy seven times.

He has now been asked to mountain bike and road race for Dave Hinde Racing.

“I like mountain biking because I like riding through forests and it’s more interesting than riding on the main roads,” Giles said.

“But I thought I’d have a go at road racing for a change.

“I did a road race a couple of weeks ago and there were four riders in the team.

“It was all about working out how one rider can go ahead on their own and I was trying to hold the competition in the rest of the group so they can’t catch him up.

“That’s very different because with mountain biking you just do what you want to do, with road racing you have to think about what you’re doing.”

But as Giles embarks on a new road racing challenge, he also wants to encourage more people to try mountain biking.

“It’s enjoyable, it keeps you fit and you learn techniques,” he said.

“Delamere Forest is a great place to start with the trails – there are lots of places you can practice on your own.

“Just look at the British Cycling website for all the different categories you can start off with and work your way up.”