As a cycle commuter, I find myself silently berating people who drive short distances to work instead of cycling.
I’ve been cycling for quite a number of years (no I’m not that old!) and I think nothing of totting up 30, 40 or even 50 miles in a day. In fact that, to me, sounds enjoyable. I have even been known to cycle much much further and still enjoy it. It is easy to forget how hard cycling can be, at least initially, for someone trying it for the first time.
I recently managed to entice my partner onto a bicycle. Actually, it didn’t take much enticement at all. I think her not driving and me not having a car seemed to tip the balance quite well in favour of her giving it a go. All that said, I don’t think I should overlook the role my partner’s sense of adventure played in her agreement to give it a go! A sense of adventure and also a calm attitude for when it all goes wrong are both essential swhen trying anything new, especially cycling.
We took a trip to a supermarket to do the weekly shop, using a cycle trailer to haul it back. It was 3.5 miles each way using busy roads and on the return journey the gradient was mainly set against us. Normally I wouldn’t have noticed most the climbing we did but I’m amazed how hard it made things for my partner – which I don’t believe is a reflection on her general level of fitness.
I was also amazed by her grit and determination to as she cycled all the way home. I felt tired out for her! (And slightly guilty for even suggesting the trip in the first place!). The best part is that the ice cream had not melted by the time we got back!
For those of us who are passionate about cycling, maybe we need to be doing more to encourage people to cycle instead of smuggly riding past them all the time in traffic jams!
Tags: new cyclist, reality check, shopping, starting out, trailer
