“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.”

~William A. Foster

In 2014 the Tour de France visited York, millions lined the streets of Yorkshire for the first two stages of the Tour, the race itself was a fleeting affair. But while the peloton whizzed by in seconds, the memory lives on of what the Gallic organisers called the “grandest” Grand Départ in the 111-year history of the event.

In advance of the Tour we sourced some small die cast racing cyclist figures from a small family run foundry in France. We wanted to offer a small authentic souvenir to mark Le Tour in York. 

The models fit our criteria of a product with charm and authenticity, they are not generic mass produced plastic rubbish. Each cast cyclist has a personality which is determined by the casting process and the hand painting. No two are exactly the same.

Business boomed with Angus, through his store Snowhome and his team Kyle and Hannah, growing a broad customer base of local cycling clubs, brands and even pro racers, however it is the bespoke paint jobs for loved ones across the world that have become our specialty.

As Kyle and Hannah left to pursue their own paths. I joined Angus and became the dedicated bespoke painter, My name is Tom Dale, I’m a passionate artist with a love of small scale art. Now as Angus moves on to new projects I am the sole operator of The Model Cyclist. I look forward to helping more people capture the memories they have made cycling.