The distance from Edinburgh to Athens? About 2,800 kilometers. In a car, that’s a 40-hour trek, and on a BMX bike, well, it could take months! Imagine trying to cover that distance as a kid, on a tiny bike, with a wild dream. But 42 years ago, a six-year-old from a sleepy Edinburgh suburb dared to dream big—he wanted to touch the sky and jump over buildings on his BMX. Fast forward, and that kid didn’t just reach for the sky; he soared all the way to the Athens Olympics. The rest is the legend of Sir Chris Hoy.

Now, here’s a fun twist. As a kid, Hoy wasn’t exactly living and breathing cycling. Nope, his obsession was sparked by ET, of all things! Yeah, that Spielberg classic with Elliott flying through the night sky gave him the inspiration to ride. Pretty unexpected, right? But while ET inspired millions, it lit a fire in the greatest Olympic cyclist in history. So, what made it hit differently for Hoy?

Sir Chris Hoy and his accidental BMX obsession

In his 23 years of career as a track cyclist, Sir Chris Hoy has snagged 19 global titles. Among those, six came from the Olympic Games! An unbelievable achievement! But before six years of age, Hoy didn’t find the wheels amusing. In an interview given to The Guardian, the legend reminisced about those early days. Eventually, he said, “The bikes I’d seen in Edinburgh just seemed functional things for getting from A to B.” Yet, according to The Sun, his entire viewpoint changed after watching ET on a large screen. It was his first experience to witness the innovative use of the BMX bikes. 

At just six years old, Sir Chris Hoy wasn’t analyzing the technical magic of animation; he was completely captivated by the world of speed and balance that ET brought to life with BMX bikes. In a later interview, he revealed more about his unforgettable experience watching the 1982 film. Before that movie, bikes were simply a way to get from point A to point B in his mind. But ET? It changed everything.

Hoy explained, “It wasn’t the scene where they cycle across the sky, but when they get chased by the police and they’re doing jumps and skidding round corners. It was the most exciting thing I’d ever seen. I wanted to do that.” Naturally, he ran to his parents, begging for a BMX bike. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t easy! After some classic parental resistance, little Hoy’s persistence won them over.

It cost £5 ($6.51) for his parents. But for Chris Hoy, his BMX bike was priceless. His relentless practice on the bike reached him at the semifinal of a BMX World Championship race. By then, his age was 10. But every good thing has an ending. One day, Sir Chris Hoy, as well, had to say goodbye to his BMX biking stint. In 1992, Hoy faced a pivotal choice: stick with BMX or transition to track cycling. He opted for the latter, but don’t think he left his BMX days behind entirely. His love affair with cycling didn’t end there; it just shifted gears.

The sport has not left the legend alone in his dark days 

In February this year, Sir Chris Hoy announced that he had discovered he had cancer last year. The disease has taken a toll on him and, according to his interview given to the Sunday Times, he has between two and four years left to live. His cancer has spread to his bones and shaped the stage four category. But the champion of life is adamant about not bowing his head before his illness. Rather, for Chris Hoy, this time seems to be “bigger than the Olympics.” From time to time, it can be “bigger than anything.” So, he needs to stand firm and unputdownable. In such a situation, he can think about the wheels. 

In March this year, Sir Chris Hoy shared a few details on his suffering last year because of the disease and the chemotherapy to nip it. He narrated it as a “long hard winter.” Additionally, he mentioned not to miss his fitness regime because of the painful treatment. But what could have been his tool to gain the motivation? As per Hoy, in that dreaded condition, he found light in the presence of wheels. The 48-year-old continued his indoor exercise bike riding during the phase.

For him, the result was phenomenal. The soothing memory led him to concede, “These two-night cycling weekends promise unforgettable rides through the tranquil countryside with breathtaking views of great glens, lochs, and Munros, coupled with genuinely world-class hospitality, dining and deep relaxation.” Even after all he’s been through, Sir Chris Hoy continues to be an inspiration—proof that even in the hardest of times, the wheels can keep turning. How’s that for motivation?