In a rush? Get on your bike!

I love my bike. I honestly do. I feet it’s as much a part of me as my legs or arms are. Fast, fun, eco-friendly – what’s not to like?

Well, there are the angry taxi drivers on London streets. There are huge, scary lorries (my route from home to work is mostly on dual carriageways). There are pedestrians who step on the road without even looking, there are crazy Jeremy Clarkson wannabes who demonstrate their hatred of cyclist by driving like they were insane, there are exhaust fumes, difficulties finding a parking space and security concerns once you have found one and D-locked your bicycle in place.

But there’s also the joy of breezing past motorists stuck in traffic, not worrying about station closures, engineering works or signal problems on the Tube and being where you want to be when you want to be. Since I started cycling, I haven’t been late to work once. Actually, scrap that. I have. That was on the day I had to take the train.

Don’t get me wrong, I think transport in London is quite good, if not totally reliable. Still, given the choice of taking it or cycling, I’ll always stick with the latter. It’s just who I am.

Speaking of cycling, next month I’m doing something really extreme. I’ve done long(ish) rides before, but this is unlike anything else: a 120-mile ride to the coast, only to see the sea and have breakfast at a cafe on the beach. Yes, I did say “breakfast”. Yes, that means we’ll be riding at night. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but I want to challenge myself and I know I can do it. I can barely think of anything else now. Anyone up for it?

Thought not.

June 21, 2010. Uncategorized.