Alex James gets back in the saddle finding cycling a better alternative than hopping in the car.
Whether it’s the sunny weather we’ve been having or the start of the Tour de France something inspired me to start cycling to work.
I used to cycle to the bus for school but since passing my driving test five years ago the bike was sent to the shed.
And that’s where it’s remained ever since. Until last week when I fought back the cobwebs and dragged the old girl back into the glinting sunlight.
After a quick wash and a healthy dose of WD40 she was as good as new (well almost) and I took her out for a quick test drive, to make sure I could still ride as much as to ensure everything functioned properly.
And after a slightly unsteady start it all came back to me, after all it’s like riding a bike.
Satisfied I was able to cruise competently it was time for a dry run from my home in Muxton to the office in Ketley, an eight mile round trip, which takes about 25 minutes in the car.
After just five minutes on two wheels it dawned on me that the saddle was hardly comfortable. In fact it was a lot worse than I remembered it.
Fortunately I spent plenty of time out of the saddle discovering to my cost that the route it is mostly uphill. Now, it’s hardly scaling mountains, but there was plenty of ‘false flats’ – the road from Muxton to Asda at Donnington Wood, for example, seemed perfectly flat in the car, but on a bike it felt like riding through treacle.
Nevertheless I pounded on, reaching the office a tad out of breath, just 20 minutes after setting off.
Pleased with the progress I returned home at a more leisurely pace occasionally holding up cars and enjoying the fresh air.
Scaling a small incline I spotted another novice cyclist in the distance. I could tell he was a novice because he was barely moving, his legs looked laboured as he twiddled the pedals, his bike unsteady as he swayed from side to side like a toddler taking his first steps.
And he was wearing jeans.
Jeans, while perfectly adequate attire for a night in the pub, do not strike me as the sort of clothing to be cycling in, particularly if it starts raining.
As we passed Wrockwardine Wood School I made my move and streaked past. I felt like punching the air in celebration but was concerned it might turn into an embarrassing fall, so I settled for a smug nod in his direction.
Within an hour of setting off I was home, having showered and stored the bike.
And today I cycled to work for proper, arriving in good time, feeling more awake than ever and having enjoyed a stress free ride, rather than sitting behind the wheel worried about speed cameras and running over school children.
Alex James writes a weekly blog published every Monday on www.newportadvertiser.com
View his latest blog here
