Fergus

Fergus Hamilton is an ordinary nine-year-old boy with an extraordinary imagination. He lives with his mum and grandpa, and his faithful dog Chimp, in a flat above a shop, and he dreams of following in the tracks of his hero, world champ Steve “Spokes” Sullivan. But first he’s got to get a new (secondhand) bike, and beat his arch-rival Wesley Wallace to earn a spot on the cycling team. What’s even more extraordinary than his imagination, though, is the adventures he has when he spins the pedals on his bike backwards . . .

Fergus wants to find his dad, and with the help of his family and friends he’s determined and works hard to overcome any difficulties or fears that could stop him from achieving his dreams.

Favourite food: marmalade sandwiches
Favourite colour: orange

Grandpa Herc

Grandpa Herc is a whizz at bike maintenance and make-do-and-mend – he can always see the value in things and if something’s not quite right he knows how to make it better. Once upon a time he was a canny racer himself, but now he stays behind the scenes as team coach and chief fixer-upper of bikes and bruised feelings. Grandpa Herc also loves telling stories and first told Fergus that his dad had gone off to live in a land called Nevermore . . .

Favourite newspaper: The Evening News
Favourite quote: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”