A Short History
KEYWIN's Founder: John Winkie
Born in London’s east end in April 1941, Johns love for sport in general has been intertwined with bikes from a very early age. He began cycling at age 6 which led to competition from 18yrs of age with both road racing and motocross.
He did enduro riding throughout the UK and Europe but didn't crack the professional cycling world.
Instead he emigrated to New Zealand where he had a series of general manager positions in logistics, steel component manufacturing, and engineering component import and distribution. In the early 80's John witnesses a rider , trapped in his toe clips, fall into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Within 12 hours the seeds of the "Speed Pedal" were born. The "twist-out release" principle is now adopted by the vast majority of road pedal manufacturers with John being named inventor in some 15 Patents.
The pedal was enormously successful and led the world in the change to clipless pedal systems through the 80's. Since then, many other manufacturers have followed the lead but no manufacturer has managed to duplicate the lightweight, performance and practicality of the speed pedal. Continual improvements to manufacturing processes, quality of available materials, and incorporating valued feedback from customers has only increased the KEYWIN SPEED PEDAL's competitiveness.
Today, Keywin Sports' single-minded focus is to continue the tradition or producing the most competitive road pedal on the market. John, meanwhile, is happily enjoying retirement with golf, motorcycling, the cycle road race (2023 age group Gravel Road Champion) and stays involved with Keywin as Development and Innovation consultant and General "Yoda".
John's 80 years of learning
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Keep at it – fitness, reading, social interaction. Few real successes come without perseverance.
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Leave people as friends if possible – but at the very least respecting you. Don’t burn bridges. Most of my later life opportunities have come directly from friends made from business associates.
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Focus on family but don’t forget friends.
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Ensure the big decisions are well thought out. But then take them even if it’s against conventional wisdom.
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Learn from mistakes but learn more from successes. Recognise your strengths and weaknesses and get outside help for the weaknesses. Never hesitate to ask for help. Always employ the very best.
80 years of learning
6. Don’t be dishonest especially to yourself. Remember where you’ve come from.
7. Focus yes – but diversity in interests brings a rounder life. There are few more boring people than those with a single focus.
8. Travel whenever and wherever. Mix as widely as possible.
9. Listen. There’s a lot of wisdom out there (but also a lot rubbish especially from self-proclaimed experts). Don’t confuse either wealth, sporting ability, fame or IQ with wisdom. Even wonderfully presented rubbish is still rubbish – I learnt this during my years with multi-nationals.
10. Don’t take anything but family (and climate change) too seriously.
