Try A New Sport

I got back into road cycling in early 2012 after a nearly a decade off. Cycling has become a real passion for me and has the benefit I can integrate it fairly easily around family life. When I have time I head out early and do a four hour spring/summer/autumn ride but if I only have 45 minutes I’ll use by turbo trainer in the garage with some high BPM music.

There’s been a lot written about the benefits of cycling and health, it’s a low impact sport in terms of stress on knee joints and other parts of the body, you can increase distances over time and train in different ways to improve strength, reduce weight or just to maintain a base level of fitness. If you don’t want to cycle alone, go with a family member or join a club, they are really welcoming now days! https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/

For me, I love being out in the elements, pushing myself but also just enjoying the fresh air and countryside. I’m often asked what I think about during all those miles, for me the first half an hour gets my head clear of work, the rest of the ride I think about very little, it’s a great way to get some headspace and I come back mentally refreshed if somewhat knackered!

The only downside is I have become slightly addicted to buying bikes and am slowly filling the garage with modern and vintage examples…

Elliott Harley, Design Manager, @one Alliance