TIM Guy admits he’s still coming to terms with his decision to give up cycling.

The 20-year-old stopped competitive cycling four months ago after what he described as one of the hardest decisions of his life.

Guy said late last year he realised he had lost his passion for cycling.

“My team (RideSport Riding) folded again. That was the third time,” Guy explained.

“I could have gone and looked for another team but I was burnt out. I decided to step off the bike.”

Guy said his decision had allowed him to focus on things outside of cycling but it wasn’t easy.

“It’s been really weird and one of the hardest things ever to get off my bike. It was really hard to make that decision,” Guy said.

“I’ve been riding since 1999. Since 2003 I’ve been competing at State competitions and for the last three years it’s been international comps. This is a massive readjustment.

“I really want to want to ride again but deep down at the moment, I don’t.”

In 2005 Guy was the NSW under 17 cyclist of the year and in 2007 represented Australia at the Junior World Road Championships in Mexico.

Guy said part of what pushed him to give up his sport was a lack of enjoyment once he reached senior level.

“When I went to those big races I was riding with guys who were my idols as a kid. It turned out they weren’t my idols and I didn’t enjoy it,” he explained.

Guy says he is enjoying spending time with his friends, travelling and doing things he missed out on when he was focused on cycling.

“Now I can do more with the church. It’s been really cool to get some time off and do more with my faith,” he said.

“It was really important for me to take a step back and settle back down. The bike is just a piece of metal and there are bigger things out there.”

Guy said he hadn’t ruled out making a return to the sport and said there were a few positives if he did come back.

“I’m still young enough that I can come back if I want to,” he said.

“Plus I had some awesome opportunities while I was riding and made a name for myself.”