Not long after I started designing BMX bikes I needed someone to race/test ride them on the national circuit. I put a message on BMXtalk and Joey Gough replied recommending a fella called Ben Forwood. I'd never heard of Ben, let alone met him, so I asked Dale Holmes if he knew Ben, and Dale's reply was "Yeah, Ben's a good rider and a nice guy". So I arranged to meet Ben one sunny day at
Peterborough national, we clicked immediately, and that's how the Dialled Bikes
BMX race team was born.

Ben had his biggest successes in BMX racing for Dialled Bikes, winning his
first ever Elite Men national (ironically at Peterborough, the track where we first
met) and notching up E1, E4, W2 and W4 plates along our BMX journey together. Ben was a sponsor's dream. Always gave 100% but with a smile on his face. Never demanded anything, and was always grateful for what I gave him. Finding long enough race pants was a problem though!

Ben and I became great friends over the years and along with the Bolehills, Hardcore Hobbies, Norwich and Ipswich crews, we shared many great times on road trips on and off the bikes, in particular Steve Taylor's stag weekend in Warsaw and Ben's stag weekend in Prague bring back great memories.

At 6'5" Ben was the epitome of a gentle giant. I think it speaks volumes about the man when I can say in all the years I knew Ben I never heard anyone utter a bad word about him, which in BMX terms makes him a saint! On that fateful day in 2007 when I learned he had cancer I actually thought he was calling me to quit the team for another team as he said "sorry Mike but I won't be able to ride for you next season", which I was disappointed about because we said we were going to the China worlds together for him to become Dialled Bikes' first ever world champ (I am adamant that Ben would have been the 2008 world champion in his age group had cancer not robbed him of that opportunity at the peak of his racing career). When he actually told me he wasn't going to be able to race because he had cancer, I felt like I'd been hit over the head with a sledgehammer and burst into tears.

Ben's fight against cancer was amazing. He couldn't indulge in his first love of BMX, so he became a runner, completing many park runs, 10Ks, etc. I do not know where he got the strength, motivation or dedication from while also undergoing treatment.

I've shed many tears for Ben since 2007, none more so than since Monday morning when I received Nic's message of his passing. But my memories of Ben will
always bring a smile to my lips. I feel blessed to have met him, honoured to have him represent my company, and humbled by his dignity in the face of adversity.

This is my tribute to my friend Ben Forwood. Scholar, gentleman, husband, father, son, brother and one hell of a BMX racer. See you on the other side Longshanks. Make sure the dancefloor is clear so me and Mardy Boy can do some break dancing for you!

Big love, Dialled Mike