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Madgetts Cycles: The Diss cycle store that played its role in Team GB cyclist Chris Boardman's gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona




Few shops in Diss can trace their roots back 100 years, and even fewer have managed to stay in the family all that time.

“We’re the oldest shop in Diss which is still in the family,” said Mick Madgett, 69, who runs Madgetts Cycles, in Shelfanger Road.

Opened by his grandfather, Albert Madgett, in 1924, the shop grew from a family shed in Victoria Road, later moving to Wills Yard and then its current home, where it has been trading for three decades.

Mick Madgett (left) and Sean Cole, of Madgetts Cycles in Diss. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.
Mick Madgett (left) and Sean Cole, of Madgetts Cycles in Diss. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography 2022.

After later being passed on to his father, Eric, the shop eventually ended up under the stewardship of Mick.

It has sold, repaired and refurbished bikes for cyclists across East Anglia in its near-century on the high street, but current global events, from the pandemic to rising fuel prices, have sparked a renewed enthusiasm in cycling, said Sean Cole, who works as a manager at the store alongside Mr Madgett.

“The cycle industry has grown a lot since lockdown,” said Mr Cole, who is originally from Roydon but lives in Norwich.

The 31-year-old, who began working at Madgetts when he was 16, added: “It was one of the few things you could do during 2020, and now, with rising fuel prices, a lot of people are cycling to work and realising how much they are enjoying it.”

Sporting moments have often been the catalyst for an increased interest in cycling, added Mr Madgett, who recalled Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France success in 2012 and the Olympic Games of the same year as two such examples.

Remarkably, Madgetts itself has been involved in some of British cycling’s biggest moments.

Mr Madgett also offers a custom wheel building service and was involved in building wheels that were used by Team GB cyclist Chris Boardman during his individual pursuit gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

“It was quite a privilege to be able to be involved in something like that,” added Mr Madgett, who lives in Diss.

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