Welcome to CCC Introduces, our series spotlighting our amazing community of contributors.
From: Grenada
Lives: Southampton, UK
Club/team: X-Speed United
Instagram: @the_redster
Tell us about yourself.
Hey guys, I'm Red Walters, 25, a Southampton-based, Grenadian Pro cyclist. I always cycled to school and with friends since I was a kid, but I started cycling for sport when I was around 17. Since then, I've slowly but surely improved and progressed up to where I am now where I'm proud to say I represent my country around the world.
What do you love about cycling
I've always been a super competitive person. From day 0, I'd be racing my mates in the playground or trying to win some made-up competition. I also really enjoyed the fresh air and feeling of speed that cycling brought me on my daily commute... so imagine my surprise when I discovered bike racing was a thing! Now, it's the challenge of a race that really gets me going. There are uncountable factors that go into being a good bike racer, and that pursuit of improvement is something I really enjoy! Trying to calculate how you're going to win a race while your heart is beating at 180 beats a minute with adrenaline running through your veins is just unbeatable for me.
What barriers have you faced in cycling
I'd say I've been fairly fortunate in that no obvious barriers have been put up for me in cycling. My local cycling club were incredibly welcoming and really made that introduction to the sport so enjoyable and memorable. If anything, it's the invisible barriers that are the worst. In a sport where any opportunity could be pivotal in one's career, there have definitely been moments where I've second-guessed if I'm getting my fair share. In my opinion, though, It's always better to focus on the opportunities I do get over the ones I don't. I try to have a more optimistic outlook because regardless of the barriers that might or might not have been put up, there have definitely been a few great doors opened too!
Why were you interested in contributing?
Diversity in cycling is definitely on the rise, but it's still got a monumental way to go. In the UK and around the world. I've been the only black guy in the race at most races I've done this year and in my career as a whole, so if contributing here and sharing my story helps even 1 person view cycling as more inclusive, then I'd like to help.
Your fondest memory on the bike.
It's hard to look past a win. That feeling of pure euphoria. Time completely stops for that moment you cross the line. Sometimes disbelief, but always pure joy. My first pro win came last year at a stage in the Tour of Bulgaria, and that's a moment that will be with me for life.
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