This time of year, when mornings are dark, days are short, and night comes around in a jiffy, it can be tempting to sit and snuggle up by the fire. However, to alleviate falling into a sedentary lifestyle, I've taken up cycling— a healthy, quick, and fun way to commute, while appreciating the beauty of the fallen leaves and colour surrounding nature that autumn is.
It's been over 10 years since I'd last ridden a bicycle, and I got accustomed to riding a Schwinn trike for 7 years, while I lived in the Philippines. So, I struggled to balance this bicycle on my first attempt, which was a little embarrassing... but I did a short practice on the back roads, and as they say, "You never forget how to ride a bicycle." In no time, I was back in my groove, and I have been enjoying approximately 8 km rides daily, over the past week.
Cycle routes in the UK are not as cleverly mapped out as in some neighbouring European cities, so it's common to be riding in a cycle lane on the streets and come to a sudden stop in traffic that says, "End of cycle lane" without a warning.
This can be intimidating, because cyclists do not have priority on the streets, and are seen as more of an annoyance for motorists, and road rage in the UK is real.
So, I'm cautious and prefer to ride on cycle trails along nature paths and across parks, which is a prettier and more relaxing way to run errands.
My cardio is loving the activity so far, and I'm strengthing my muscles while going at a smooth and steady pace. It's a decent bike, and I went for the trusted Halfords Pendleton Brand, which does an impressive 7-speed Shimano gears that make riding easy and efficient, with hybrid tyres.
I even pimped my ride, with a phone holder for easy navigation of routes, side mirrors for safety, and rechargeable front and rear lights. For convenience, stability, and better manual handling, I also added a front waterproof basket and back twin pannier bags, that are safe for travelling with groceries and heavy items.
Every day when I hop on, I say a note to myself, "Don't ever live without a bicycle."
I'm like a carefree child, and I find that once I get pedalling, my mood is instantly elevated, as I feel confident going briskly against the wind. Right now, I particularly enjoy the aesthetics of colourful leaves on the pathway, and I feel safer riding my bike than I normally do when walking alone on some more secluded paths.
Cycling also suits my minimalist lifestyle and preference for a simpler way of living, and I feel good knowing that this action helps to reduce my carbon footprint.
It also gives me a sense of independence, without relying on public transport or taxis for longer commutes, and saves me a lot of time.
I find myself going cycling for hours on end, and this has helped my sleep, in that I sometimes get back to the boat, eat, and collapse on my bed, so I have increased my hydration levels, which is easier to neglect during these colder months.
For someone who finds winter months unfavourable, cycling is a great way to cope with being outdoors. My life feels more enriched, mentally, physically, and emotionally, and this is just the start, and I'm anticipating riding and exploring different towns across the UK when we start cruising again.
Overall, there's a certain sense of freedom in riding a bike, and autumn just got better.
Once I went for a bike ride in Jamaica wearing all the appropriate gear for the treacherous roads; helmet, knee and elbow pads. One of my staff saw me and greeted me saying, "Miss, you look like you're going for a fall."
I laughed so hard.
Well, I do believe it's responsible to follow the road code and wear hi-vis clothing and all. Wearing a helmet while riding a bike is not compulsory here in the UK, but as an extra element of safety on the roads, I've ordered one that should be available for me to collect tomorrow.
Are you a cyclists, or a motorist who detest cyclists? I'd love to hear about some of your pleasures and nuances of your experiences.
Until next time:)
All the images were taken by me in Tamworth, UK.
