Red Cross Blogs

What’s big, red and worthy all over?

By Alix Miller
July 6, 2009 at 3:01 pm

I am passionate, some would say evangelical about cycling. So I have loved the recent sunny snap in London. Because it’s been so warm I’ve been cycling just about everywhere, not just the 7-mile commute I do to work and back.

I realised last week, after doing two combined trips, I’d notched up 20 miles in one day. Suffice to say I was quite tired… and very hungry afterwards.

I have been cycling seriously for ages and can’t recommend it highly enough. It brings such simple pleasure to cruise down a leafy avenue with the sun streaming down on your back and birdsong (between the roar of traffic) in your ears.

Although you do have to watch out for the flocks of pedestrians wandering into the road without looking.

Cycling also offers a multitude of other benefits quite apart from getting you from A to B quickly and cheaply. It’s stress-busting, calorie-blasting and is so eco-friendly. Best of all is its laughable simplicity and yet – during rush hour at least – it gets you to your destination faster than by any other means. Except, perhaps via private helicopter transfer. I have never owned a car and now I cycle everywhere I rarely have to even take the tube…a welcome blessing.

Many people believe urban cycling is dangerous. However, you can limit the risks with a bit of urban bike training (I learnt masses from a course at Cycle Training UK). Their short courses teach you vital skills and techniques to make you street savvy and safe.

You can also pick up a London Cycling Campaign map for any area of London which clearly shows bike-friendly routes and those with dedicated bike lanes.

If you fancy taking to the saddle why not kick off your cycling career by signing up to the British Red Cross inaugural Big Red Ride, on 26 July. The 75-mile route takes you from London to Eastbourne and registration is just £25. Hurry though as registration closes on 17 July.

You’ll be freewheeling with British Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton (pictured) and pass through stunning Sussex countryside along the way. It’s the perfect summer day out to enjoy with a gang of mates…and for such a good cause.

I would love to join you but I’ll be trekking up mountains in the French Alps that day as part of my training for the gruelling 3 Peaks Challenge by Rail, in aid of the Railway Children.

Go on…join Victoria Pendleton and get that bike out of the shed. It could spark a lifelong love.

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Comments (4) »

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Tags: 3 peaks challenge, Big Red Ride, Victoria Pendleton

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 6th, 2009 at 3:01 pm and is filed under Fundraising and events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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