The Voice of Cycling History: Book Chris Sidwells for Your Next Event
When you hire Chris, you aren't just getting a speaker; you're getting a curated experience. His presentations are often supported by rarely seen photographs that provide a stunning backdrop to his storytelling. He has the unique ability to make a room of 200 people feel like they’re sitting in a roadside cafe in 1950s France. Chris Sidwells is also the nephew of Tom Simpson, bringing a unique insight from growing up surrounded by professional cyclists.
Perfect For:
- After-Dinner Speaking: Witty, engaging, and perfectly paced anecdotes.
- Club & Presentation Evenings: Inspiring the next generation with the heritage of the sport.
- Festivals & Theater Talks: Deep-dives into cycling’s most iconic moments.
- Corporate & Venue Launches: High-impact storytelling tailored to your audience.
Chris' Talks
Chris is currently delivering his latest talk 'The Crazy Side of the Tour de France' all across the UK, but also has a number of titled talks to choose from. He has a whole host of stories and photos to share and his talks can be tailored to suit your audience.
If your venue or cycling club is interested in hosting a talk please email us on team@cyclinglegends.co.uk
Some example titles to choose from...
The Tour de France has produced some of cycling’s greatest sporting moments. It has also produced stories so strange you might struggle to believe they happened. Drawing on years of research, interviews and his own life in cycling, Chris Sidwells takes audiences beyond the race results and into the Tour’s more unpredictable side: extraordinary characters, unlikely incidents and the sheer audacity of racing around France. Funny, surprising and full of cycling history, this is a talk for devoted fans and anyone who enjoys a remarkable story.
For most children, cycling’s great champions were names in newspapers. For Chris Sidwells, they sometimes turned up at the family home. Growing up as Tom Simpson’s nephew gave him an extraordinary view of the sport and the people who shaped it, from Eddy Merckx to Jacques Anquetil and even Gino Bartali, who he'd me one way and another by the age of 10. Then later in life as a freelance cycling journalist, author of 1000s of articles in journals and other media worldwide, as well as 27 books, he interviewed almost every great cyclist alive, as well as team mates and top sports directors.
In this personal talk, Chris shares the encounters, family memories and stories that began his lifelong fascination with cycling. It is a journey through a remarkable era, told by someone who first met its heroes as a boy and later spent his career writing about them.
The Tour de France comes to Britain in 2027. It is a chance to look beyond the racing and ask what makes a team succeed when the pressure is high, the conditions change and no one can reach the finish alone. Drawing on decades of interviews and first hand experience in cycling, Chris Sidwells uses stories from the Tour to explore leadership, teamwork, preparation and the decisions people make when a plan falls apart. Entertaining and thought-provoking, the talk brings the world’s most famous cycling race into the room and gives your team ideas to take back to work. Available for business events and conferences in the lead-up to the 2027 Grand Départ.
Book Chris Today
From local clubhouses to international festivals, Chris adapts his delivery to suit your crowd, ensuring an evening that stays with your guests long after the lights go down.
If you are interested in booking Chris please email team@cyclinglegends.co.uk for availability.
Reviews
Thoroughly enjoyed Chris' talk about Jacques Anquetil. Interesting and informative information relayed in a relaxed and interactive style. Would be interested to attend another talk.
Chris gave a thoughtful, very well-planned and engaging presentation at Alf Jones’s place. Chris makes full use of his rich evidence and experience based on interviews with key members of the cycling scene and in-depth research to support his insightful presentation (s) - thus is the second session that I have enjoyed.
Great talk, an insight to how hard it was to get into the top flight of cycle racing back in the day, and stay there.
We enjoyed your show at Twin Lakes in Croston last night, I guess without you doing this most of the stories will be lost forever. Keep up the good work
Excellent talk by Chris. Full of interesting anecdotes and stories. Highly recommended.
A great night with Chris regaling inside stories about Jacques Anquetil. The sport is so much more colourful than imagined and Chris has great insight and brings it all back to life.
I loved every minute. The stories you told were so informative and interesting. I was hooked from the beginning and was disappointed when it came to an end. I was so enthused I went away with two of your books! I’m now looking forward to your next book and accompanying talk!
I could listen to you forever as your enthusiasm comes across so well and the riders and teams in the books and talks are part of, and form, a big part of our early cycling memories. Looking forward to the next talk.
We went to the Anquetil talk in Paddock Wood, just brilliant we all enjoyed it so much - if you get a chance to go to one - GO - you won't be disappointed.
Such a great talk! Chris has so many stories and shares them all brilliantly.
Outstanding talk delivered with a real depth of knowledge and personal experience. Thoroughly enjoyed the entire evening. Thank you