In our latest blog series we’re shining a light on the J’s Cycles team. Kicking things off is Elliot Smales, the manager at our newly opened Guiseley store.
What is your name?
Elliot Smales
What is your role at J’s Cycles?
Store manager at Guiseley
Ironman 70.3 Weymouth
How did you get into triathlon?
I started out as a competitive swimmer before having a go at some junior triathlons around the age of 14. I did them on a mountain bike and came dead last. I continued to do sprint distance races on a borrowed road bike before getting one second hand. At 16 I entered my first olympic distance race and won.After that I got a little more serious, eventually moving to Leeds to study for my sports and exercise science degree, and join the great triathlon setup they already had in place. I raced internationally at elite European cup events before taking the leap into long distance triathlon at 21. In 2017 I was granted my professional license for long distance events and finished 3rd at my debut Ironman 70.3. The following year I won 3 70.3 events, with multiple other top 10 placings.I qualified for multiple 70.3 World Championships and raced to top 20 placings.In 2019 I entered my first full Ironman, where I finished 4th in 8:01
What achievement are you most proud of?
Probably winning 70.3 Jonkoping in Sweden. I didn’t take the lead until the last lap of the run, which doesn’t happen a lot in long distance racing. One of those races where you have to go deeper than you probably have before.
Do you have any tips for people getting into triathlon?
Find a good group. If you enjoy the training, and can have a laugh with some friends, it makes it easier and the sessions will fly by. Also just turn up. There is such a variety of competitors in triathlon, that’s what makes it such a great sport.
Talk us through your hardest day on a bike?
I’ve had plenty of tough days on the bike over the years. 3 back to back century rides from Leeds to Edinburgh on fixed gear, Ironman Barcelona where I absolutely blew in the second half of the bike, and was so uncomfortable I could barely use my aero bars. Another that stands out is eating birthday cake behind a wall in Hawes on my way back from Keswick to Leeds on a particularly rainy day in the dales.
Where’s your favourite place to ride in the world?
For year round cruising about in the sun it has to be Mallorca, but does anything really beat a bluebird day in the Dales?
Everyone has a ‘go to’ local loop – what’s yours?
Leeds-Burnsall on backroads with a stop at Riverside for a fat boy (sausage roll). Weekly staple year-round when training hard.
What’s your favourite product available at J’s Cycles?
Tubeless tyre setups. They’re the future and if you’re not riding them already, well you should be.
If you could do one sport everyday, another once a month, and one never again which would you choose? (swim/bike/run)
Never swim, run everyday and 1 big bike adventure every month.
You’ve just finished your target race/event – what are you having to eat/drink that evening?
After my first Ironman I had pushed so hard that I only managed half a pizza and couldn’t even finish my beer. Normally a roast pork sandwich with stuffing and a bitter shandy would go down a treat.
