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Here was a troublesome youngster who caused his local community many sleepless nights and who could be described as a tearaway in his younger years. A chance meeting with a well known Manx local, Geoff Quinn, gave the youngster the encouragement he needed to ride his bike and it wouldn't be long before race wins started to come and the rest they say is history.
 
Steve is well known for the colourful stories of his racing days and  not so well known for the dark times after the winning stopped and the alcohol dependency began. Steve, along with Richard Allen, has recently published his autobiography which proved to be an addictive read. I caught up with the 'Pocket Rocket' at a recent book signing at Wolverhampton based Fred Williams Cycles. Steve has been sober for over four years and was more then happy to chat about the years after the racing bubble popped and the battle he fought and won with his addiction.

 
Andy Whitehouse: You talk about your addiction with alcohol in your book, would you like to talk about it now?
Steve Joughin: Yeah, to be honest, I never realised alcohol was such a big problem in society today. I found that out when I stopped racing and like other athletes be they cyclists, runners, footballers, etc, was looking to get the same 'buzz' as I got out of being a very successful sportsman? I found it hard to cope with and slid into a depression very quickly. I started my own business but it didn't give me the same excitement I got from racing and being the best bike rider in the country. I used to drink to switch my head off and at the end of the day, I was drinking for effect.
 
AW: Do you think there can be anything put in place, at a National level, in all sports, that can help prevent this depression you went through when you finished you sporting career?
SJ: One of the reasons I decided to bring the book out wasn't to list what I'd done or which race I'd won. It was to carry a message about what I went through. I carried out some research into the problem and was surprised to find there were so many sportsmen who have addictions and struggle with them after their careers have finished. Every successful sportsman has to realise that one day, the winning will end and they will have to find something to fill the hole in the doughnut and its something they have to be aware of. I filled that huge void with alcohol and it nearly killed me. I was living the answer and living in the problem.

Two Isle of Man Pocket Rockets, the original in Steve Joughin (left) and the new record breaking sensation, Mark Cavendish.

AW: On a lighter note Steve, things are going well for you these days. How is the book being received?
SJ: It's going well. I was on the Isle of Man a few weeks ago doing a book signing at Waterstones and the Lexion and we had a load of old friends and old faces come down which was exceptional. We had a great day at Brian Rourke's shop in Stoke which is where I live now and we had a signing at the Exmoor sportive recently and today we're at Fred Williams who my company, Provision, has been trading with since '92. So yeah, the book has been going pretty well.

 
AW: On another success story, your company was involved with the Tour of Britain last year.
SJ: Yeah, we actually have the clothing contract up to 2012 and the Olympics, so it's a massive deal for us and things are looking up.
 
AW: Does the 'Pocket Rocket' turn a pedal in anger these days?
SJ: Not these days. The last time I put a number on my back was at the Newport Nocturne in 2007 (below) for the old Masters race. I went for the first prime, thinking I'd have a string on the back wheel, looked round and was on me own! That was an all out sprint effort and I forgot how much it hurt. I only ride these days for me. No pressure, I enjoy spinning and the rowing machine but I only do it to keep the rough down.

POCKET ROCKET (The Autobiography of Steve Joughin) ISBN 978-0-9564092-2-5 is available from www.provisionclothing.com