Don Skene
Encyclopedia
Donald "Don" J. C. Skene (born 5 February 1936, Cardiff), is a Welsh
former racing cyclist
. He represented Wales
at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games on several occasions, the first time in 1954
in the 10 km scratch race, the kilo and the rod race (100 km); again in 1958
in the 10 km scratch race, the kilo and the sprint; and for the final time in 1962
competing once again in the 10 km scratch race, the kilo and the sprint. He was the bronze medalist in the scratch race in both 1954 and 1958. He rode many international races representing the R.A.F. and British national teams, in South Africa
, Guiana
in South America
and on the continent.
Skene began racing at the age of 15, joining the Tigers Cycling Club, and at 16 in 1952, he opened a small bicycle shop on Rhumney Hill, Newport Road, Cardiff. He ran the business for 53 years before passing on control of the business to his daughter Liane and son Jon in 2005. The shop also sponsors the Team Skene cycling team. Don has since retired and now lives in Florida
, in the United States
.
1958
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
former racing cyclist
Bicycle racing
Bicycle racing is a competition sport in which various types of bicycles are used. There are several categories of bicycle racing including road bicycle racing, cyclo-cross, mountain bike racing, track cycling, BMX, bike trials, and cycle speedway. Bicycle racing is recognised as an Olympic sport...
. He represented Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games on several occasions, the first time in 1954
1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Vancouver, in the province of British Columbia in Canada, from 30 July-7 August 1954. These were the first games since the name change from British Empire Games took effect in 1952....
in the 10 km scratch race, the kilo and the rod race (100 km); again in 1958
1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Cardiff, capital of Wales from 18–26 July 1958.Thirty-five nations sent a total of 1,130 athletes and 228 officials to the Cardiff Games and 23 countries and dependencies won medals, including, for the first time, Singapore, Ghana, Kenya...
in the 10 km scratch race, the kilo and the sprint; and for the final time in 1962
1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Perth, Western Australia, Australia from 22 November-1 December 1962. Athletic events were held at Perry Lakes Stadium in the suburb of Floreat and swimming events at Beatty Park in North Perth....
competing once again in the 10 km scratch race, the kilo and the sprint. He was the bronze medalist in the scratch race in both 1954 and 1958. He rode many international races representing the R.A.F. and British national teams, in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and on the continent.
Skene began racing at the age of 15, joining the Tigers Cycling Club, and at 16 in 1952, he opened a small bicycle shop on Rhumney Hill, Newport Road, Cardiff. He ran the business for 53 years before passing on control of the business to his daughter Liane and son Jon in 2005. The shop also sponsors the Team Skene cycling team. Don has since retired and now lives in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Palmarès
1954- 3rd Scratch race, British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1958
- 3rd Scratch race, British Empire and Commonwealth Games