James “HolyTen” Michael, a lively soul from Birmingham, was known for turning every cobbled street into a stage. An avid cyclist and local storyteller, he pedaled through his hometown with determination and joy. Last Friday, while navigating one of the city's winding lanes, a sudden accident claimed his life at the tender age of 26. Friends and neighbors alike describe James as the sort of person whose laughter was contagious—whether he was repairing his bike outside the flat, leading group rides down leafy trails, or organizing impromptu poetry readings at the local café. For him, life was a journey to be shared: every ride carried a story, every corner held the promise of new company.
The news of his passing has left the tight-knit Birmingham cycling community in grief. Candles and flowers now adorn the scene where James met his untimely fate, and cyclists wear his signature neon-green helmet tape in his honor. Plans are underway for a memorial ride—a slow, reflective pedal through the city’s most scenic routes—followed by a celebration of his life at the very café where he first earned the moniker “HolyTen” for his seemingly miraculous ability to fix flats in seconds. Though his time was cut tragically short, James’s impact endures: in the echo of tire spokes on brick roads, in shared tales of his kindness, and in every rider inspired to see the city through his joyful, fearless eyes.
