When cycling supremo Bradley Wiggins claimed a seventh sensational cycling gold medal at last year’s Olympic Games, the foundations were laid for a successful future of British cycling.

Organisers of the London games hoped the spirit of the Olympic legacy would inspire future generations of cyclists to one day emulate the great man’s achievements.

But such a dream won’t be possible without the likes of this week’s local hero Shaun Reed, from Eastbourne.

Cycling-mad Shaun, 41, who was shortlisted for British Cycling’s Local Cycling Hero award, is dedicated to encouraging others to get into the sport.

When he’s not running the family motor business, organising British Cycling Go-Ride races at Filching Manor or cementing plans for theEastbourne Cycling Festival, he runs a weekly cycling group to encourage youngsters to get on their bikes.

The weekly groups, dubbed Peddle Power, welcome children of all ages to try their hand at the sport.

Shaun said: “We’ve been going for about five years and it’s been a great success.

“I get a sense of achievement in seeing how the guys and girls develop and think that if you can achieve in sport, you can achieve in anything.

“We have one girl who started with us aged nine on a mountain bike, and now it’s hard to catch her on a racer. She’ll be a star of the future.

“Cycling is a great way for people to express themselves and watching people grow, achieve and develop is one of the best things about it.”

Shaun, who specifically loves road racing, said he has been cycling since he was 10 and rode competitively until he was 29.

He added: “I got to quite a high level but then had a hernia. Now I take pride in organising the events around Eastbourne and running Pedal Power. “

The success of the Olympics last year was incredible and if what we’re doing here helps the longevity of the Olympic legacy, then I’m happy.”

Hundreds of heroes go almost unnoticed in our local communities.

But The Argus is determined to give them the recognition they thoroughly deserve.

We have teamed up with housing repair and maintenance company Mears to launch our weekly Local Heroes Award.

We are inviting readers to nominate their candidates and tell us why they have put them forward for the award.

Contact Kimberly Middleton on 01273 544519 or email kimberly.middleton@theargus.co.uk.