LIFESTYLE

Leah Eades is a born-again cyclist.

I am not what they call naturally sporty. I do not get a “buzz” out of running around for no reason. I do not feel the “thrill” of imminent cardiac arrest as I push myself past my limits! And I still suffer from panic attacks caused by Post Traumatic Stress every time I have a school PE lesson flashback.

My point is that I am probably the last person that anyone would have expected to turn into a cycling enthusiast. But shows like ‘Supersize vs Superskinny’ were making me feel bad. Every time I shouted at the ball of lard crawling across my screen “Just MOVE! Do some bloody exercise!”, I’d get that sharp little stab of guilt, reminding me that I wasn’t one to talk. Let’s be honest, the only reason I’m not clinically obese is because my metabolism hasn’t slowed down with age yet, but give it time. Add to this the fact that I quite often need to get home on my own in the early hours, and walking is judged too dangerous and taxis are dear, nipping home on a bike seems the quick and safe alternative.

And so I dug into the back of the family garage, found the rusty old bike from my childhood, dusted it off and brought it to Bristol. Initially undeterred by the hills, I soon realized that I had drastically overestimated my own fitness, and before long had determined the flattest, most pain-free routes around Bristol; when all else fails I employ the genius tactic of dismounting, getting the old phone out and pretending to text whilst I push the bike uphill. So far, I think no one’s noticed (apart from Nine Tree Hill residents, who have seen me pull this trick every morning for the past year).

Hills aside, Bristol really is one of the best cities to cycle in, having received an £11m grant to improve its cycling infrastructure after being declared England’s first Cycling City in 2008 (visit http://www.betterbybike.info/ for more information). And after a year of inner-city cycling, I’ve even begun to branch out, signing up for this year’s Bristol’s Biggest Bike Ride – which was sadly cancelled due to a traffic accident closing a road (though I was kind of secretly glad because it was raining). Next year, if I’m feeling liberated (and it’s sunny), I might just sign up for the so-ridiculous-it-has-to-be-true Naked Bike Ride.

The other day I even braved the 20-mile Bristol to Bath Railway Path for the first time; having spent two years trying to convince other people to do it with me, I finally gave up and went on my own. In Bath I didn’t really know what to do so just had my fringe trimmed and returned home, but as I cycled along in the sun, listening to the Learn Mandarin track on my iPod (I like to multitask in the summer) and contemplating stopping for chips at the halfway-home stage, it felt pretty good.

If anything, I’ve now gone overboard. I think cycling appeals to me because it lacks the scary competitive edge that put me off sports at school. As long as you’re off the stabilisers, it’s hard to be bad at cycling. You can bimble along at your own pace, and feel virtuous and superior to all those foolish car users who pollute the roads, and the pedestrians travelling at a snail’s pace. Anyway, somehow I have found myself not just agreeing to, but actually suggesting, that me and an old school friend cycle the Danube Cyclepath this September in order to raise money for Oxfam. Following the river, you start in Germany and end in Hungary. And travel through Austria and Slovakia en route. That’s 700km, by the way. I better get on the training – I’m actually writing this whilst cycling the Avon Gorge Loop, I’ll have you know. I told you I like to multitask. I’m a woman. We can do these things. See you after September – if I’m alive.

IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A DONATION TO OXFAM AND SUPPORT LEAH’S FUNDRAISING EFFORTS, PLEASE VISIT WWW.JUSTGIVING.COM/LEAHANDHOWARDCHARITYCYCLE YOU WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THE TRIP VIA LEAH’S BLOG http://www.backpacksandbooks.com/ IT’S FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

Copyright Leah Eades 2011