Harry Fenton cyclists on road
On Your Bike
When I was a teenager in Bournemouth in the `70`s every child I knew owned a bike. We cycled to our friends` houses, to the beach and to the shops. If we missed the school bus we ran home, pulled out our trusty “treader” and pedalled off at high speed.
I can’t remember ever being driven to school. Many of us were paperboys and used our bikes to transport us around the streets.
The money earned paid for tyres and other spares. It is hard to believe now but we scavenged old bike frames on the local council tip and matched them up with wheels and other bits that we had found. Bicycles, therefore, came in all shapes and sizes and were prone to fall apart at any time.
One of my pals had a steering wheel instead of handlebars and another had a pair of old motorbike bars that were so wide he couldn’t reach the ends of them when sat on the saddle. Bikes gave us great freedom.
We would cycle up to 20 miles from home without gears and thought nothing of it. Fishing rods could be tied to our crossbars and tackle was in a polythene bag on the rack behind. And, most importantly, nobody was overweight. We all ate like horses and were incredibly fit and self-reliant. Food allergies were unheard of.
It’s a great shame that the bike as a means of transport for teenagers has lost some of its importance. However, cycling in the UK increased by 15% last year and is making a comeback.
Statistics show that most children would rather cycle to school than be driven. Children on bikes can get some of their freedom back and learn how to explore.
Owning a bike gives a child responsibility. Bikes don’t maintain themselves and punctures will have to be dealt with.
Mostly though, cycling is great exercise for children. Child cyclists are on average at least 30% fitter than non-cyclists. The improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle mass and reduced risk of obesity far outweigh the risks of being hurt in an accident.
To increase safety, local authorities organise Bikeability training for school children to increase their cycling and road awareness skills.
Adults too, are getting back on their bikes to commute to work. It’s cheaper than driving and you don’t have to try to find a parking space at the end of your journey. To get around Dartmouth it is quicker to cycle than to drive, especially in the tourist season.
Getting to work by bike is fun and exhilarating. You arrive with lungs full of fresh air, energised and ready for anything. Rain is a nuisance but it is less frequent than you think and if you keep a change of clothes and a towel at work then it’s not an issue. Cold weather isn’t a problem, just wear more layers. Commuting by bike is a great way of taking your daily exercise.
Adults that regularly cycle to work are, on average, ten years fitter than non-cyclists. They have more energy, feel strong and healthy and have more “puff” than non-cyclists. The smooth motion of pedalling is good for stiff knees and hips and strengthens tired ligaments and muscles. I have found that people that get back into cycling take more interest in healthy living generally. They begin stretching, eating healthier foods and drinking less.
Cycling does not require a high level of fitness. In fact, cycling slowly uses no more energy than brisk walking. Modern, light, bikes with multiple gears are far easier to use than the old 3 speed boneshakers that previous generations had struggled with. Nowadays, some bikes have 30 gears, suspension and even disc brakes.
There are four main types of bike for general use:
Hybrid bikes are comfortable to ride and ideal for getting around town and shopping trips. They have mudguards, padded saddles and are easy to use. Usually not expensive to buy, they are the ideal choice for women wanting to try cycling.
Mountain bikes are built for getting around off-road. Heavier, equipped with big knobbly tyres and without mudguards, they are not the best choice for the commuter. For anyone wanting to explore the bridleways and trails, however, they are the logical choice.
Touring cycles are ideal for commuting. Fairly lightweight with mudguards, a rack for fitting panniers, lights and a good range of gears, they are designed for fast travelling with a good degree of comfort.
Racing bikes are super lightweight and can be pedalled very quickly. The narrow tyres, clip-in pedals and low riding position can be a bit unnerving for the inexperienced cyclist. Definitely not for beginners.
If you are thinking of buying a bike first decide what type of riding you will mainly do. Then visit local cycle shops and try sitting on a few.
The retailer will check which size bike fits you best and can adjust the saddle height. With bikes, you generally get what you pay for. A really cheap bike will be a poor investment and will probably put you off cycling for life.
Cycle clothing is very well designed and looks good. Helmets, which I recommend you always wear, are lightweight and comfortable. Jackets are designed to be water and wind proof and padded shorts stop you chaffing. If it is cold you can add a tracksuit bottom, a buff and a couple of jumpers. Cycling gloves keep your fingers warm and sunglasses stop your eyes watering. I like to wear bright clothing on the bike as it gives motorists more chance of seeing me.
The South Hams is a great place to enjoy cycling. The roads are quiet most of the year and the scenery is breathtaking. I enjoy discovering the lanes and bridle paths that few other people travel down. Between Totnes, Dartmouth and Salcombe there are hundreds of miles of quiet byways where the wildlife, ancient hedgerows, streams and old ivy covered ruins can be seen close up whilst pedalling quietly by.
The steep lanes between Kingswear and Brixham that run down to the coast are challenging for mountain bikers and are great fun to explore. Racing cyclists can train for the Dartmoor Classic, a well organised annual event that is well worth entering. The coast road to Kingswear and beyond is a good training ride, hilly but with some stunning views.
Please don’t think our hills are too big to cycle up. With a decent bike, a bit of practise and low gears, most of you could pedal up College Way in Dartmouth. Give it a go!
Harry Fenton is a Personal Trainer with 30 years of training and competition. He will train you to get fit in your home or outdoors – sessions start at £18 per hour.
First published March/April 2013 By The Dart
Tel: 01803 770752 or 07702 811444 or email harrymfenton@googlemail.com