Bridging the Gap

For the past three years I have called myself a cyclist, but in essence I have always felt a bit phony.
Each year I have trained and completed long distance rides from January until September.
I then put my bike away for the rest of the year whilst I bask in my achievements. This is often accompanied by out of season gorging, as I stuff myself like a turkey primed for Christmas.

Some people cycle all year long in rain, snow and shine as part of their daily lives, commuting to work, some have no choice. (that's the real achievement).
They then cycle for fun at weekends.
I read their blogs with huge admiration. Red bike being one of my hero's check out his blog.

For me living only a mile from where I work is hardly commuting, Its not even worth getting my tyres wet.

Last week things changed - I was offered a new role at work which means travelling about 12 miles away.

In deciding if I were to take the job I had to consider a number of factors, but the thing that appealed to me most of all was the opportunity to become a real cyclist.

To bridge the Gap between being a leisure Cyclist and environmental commuter, a proper cyclist.

It was a no brainer, I took the job.
I'm relishing the disciple in getting up early to set off to work and arriving at my desk within minutes of getting out of a shower.

Although it is only 12 miles I don't have to go the most direct route and on the return journey I can make it 20 or 30 miles or whatever I feel like, whilst pedaling off the stress of work before I get home.

I don't start for a couple of weeks which means the weather may improve and certainly there will more daylight time to play with.

This Saturday I had a test run, the most direct route is 'urban cycling' something I usually avoid. It presented a whole new set of challenges, including treating all car drivers as being blind as well as stupid.
Being a car driver myself I have nothing against car drivers, but for most of them the only pedals they touch are the accelerator or the brake.
Having such a strong views is aginst my nature but good for self preservation.

My new offices are quite close to the Humber Bridge, so after getting to the office in about 45 mins I took a detour on the way home, including stopping at the Humber Bridge Park for a nice warming Latte.
From there I cycled to North Ferriby, Raywell, Little Weighton and over to Newbald before returning to Beverley making it 37 miles in total.

As if in total approval of my new travel arrangements the sun came out the wind disappeared and even by feet remained at a temperature that was bearable.
As well as training for my future events in the USA, It seems I am now destined to become a real cyclist...............
I'm looking forward to cursing drivers, gliding past the lines of stationary traffic in the morning and feeling the sense of liberation as each rotation of my pedals moves me to and from my place of work

Energy does not always have to be generated by fuel.

Bridging the great divide.

Since the turn of the year I have been pedaling my way through the East Yorkshire countryside.

For those not familiar with Yorkshire, It is the biggest county in England and Yorkshire Folk are very proud of their heritage.

Due to its size, wherever I pedal I am likely to remain within its borders, unless I pedal into the next day or head south.

Despite the advent of the motor vehicle some Yorkshire folk see an excursion across the county line as the equivalent to Foreign Travel.

For the adventurous Passports would be sought or renewed and packing completed well in advance. Queues would form outside local doctors with vaccinations requests.

These shopping trips to London were a logistical nightmare.

For the more traditional they would ask

'Why would you want to go anywhere else when you have all that you want here?

I must admit the county is incredibly diverse both demographically and geographically.

They do have two very important commodities Yorkshire Pudding and Yorkshire Tea.

Although I firmly believe in cultural values, I also believe that we can not live in the past.

'Being an 'international cyclist' he says very smugly

(having cycled in the USA as well as in Yorkshire) I decided to take Addy on a day trip.

Today the great people of neighbouring Lincolnshire would become acquainted with me and my trusted companion Addy.

We would be modern day path finders and illustrate to our fellow Yorkshire folk that it is safe to go over the water.

So after my breakfast of Yorkshire Tea, Cumberland Sausage, Cornish Pasty, and Lancashire hotpot, Addy and I headed south over the Humber bridge.

It is not as impressive as the Golden Gate which I have also travelled over, but you could hardly compare Hull with, San Fransisco.

We did 72 miles in total at a steady pace and took some pictures on our way.

This international travel is great, although when I asked at the toll booth to have my passport stamped, I was a bit miffed that they said NO and called security.