012 was quite a rollercoaster wasn't it? We had our first
Tour winner in Bradley Wiggins, an Olympics which will live in the memory for some time, the less than graceful fall of a giant of our sport and a dismal summer
that washed away business, both figuratively and, in some cases, literally. The cheers and tears of the London Olympics
were perhaps the most striking of that bunch for me – particularly, viewing at my desk Victoria Pendleton's last career race. The torch now has been passed to a new generation, where David Brailsford garners the same faith. If ever there was hope for a scandal-free future of pro cycling, one in which the heroes on our TV screens fully deserve admiration, surely now we have entered that golden age. At grassroots, this was a year that will be
looked on fondly, perhaps as the beginning of a new heyday for cycling. Numbers are swelling in towns and cities, as well as a growing enthusiast base venturing further afield. Granted, we are still figuring out how to convince the fair weather cyclist that rain is just harmless water, but things are looking up. There is, perhaps for the first time, sensible discussion taking place on the future of our country's infrastructure and the numbers to ensure that politicians hear the voice of a voter. It may be a long road ahead, but with any luck it'll be one eventually inspired by our mainland European friends who have the statistics to prove a cycling city is an efficient, healthy and productive one. It's therefore encouraging to have overseen nearly 3,000 businesses, large and small, submit their details to this year's BikeBiz Bible, each more eager to make their name in cycling than the last. Good luck to all of you. 2013 will be pivotal for many.