Let me set the scene - my seven-year-old self was refused a bike.
“There’s no pavements, you’ll get injured” my parents told me and that was that.
Ever the obliging child, I accepted it and I’d occasionally get a ‘backie’ or have a go on a friend’s bike, but my cycling experience was nil until the age of 22.
Then, freshly graduated, I decided to buy my first bike. It was £100 from the local bike shop and I was pretty pleased with my purchase - until I got on it and realised I didn’t know the first thing about cycling on the roads.
I was fine on the canal towpath, with only walkers, dogs and fishermen to dodge, but cycling on the road was a different matter.
As a result I have avoided roads, which also meant I have avoided my bike for almost a decade - until now.
Go:cycling is a West Yorkshire project designed to encourage people to cycle and the Tour de France coming to town is already inspiring adults to dig their bikes out. They understand the reservations many people like me have with road cycling and they run free adult training for people on their own or in groups.
Signed up and ready to ride, I met up with Kathy March, a go:cycling tutor.
“I’ve worked with many adults who can ride, but they don’t have confidence on the roads” she told me.
Phew, I wasn’t alone.
She answered the silly questions I had: can I cycle on the pavement (no), should I stay near the pavement or cycle in the road (nervous cyclists hug pavements, 1m from the pavement/a door width from parked cars), what do I do at junctions (more on that in later sessions).
On Monday morning I set off-road for my first cycling lesson - first Kathy gave me advice about maintenance before setting me a few challenges of doing a U-turn, cycling between cones, emergency stops, signalling, and gear changes - the latter I believe will be trial and error for a while.
After an hour off-road, Kathy talked me through cycling past a quiet junction which thankfully proved successful and uneventful.
Lesson two is on Monday morning and will see me take to the roads properly - if you see a cyclist on a purple bike with a go:cycling bib be kind as we’ve all got to start somewhere.
I’ve signed up for a few events on and off road over the coming weeks to improve my own skills and see how Huddersfield is embracing cycling in this special year.
If you’re hosting a cycling event you want to publicise then get in touch by emailing editorial@examiner.co.uk.
Forthcoming events:
- If you want to start or improve cycling skills visit wygocycling.com.
- The Social Cycling Group Kirklees Riders will host the Colne Valley Caper on Saturday, March 15 at 10am. It’s a mixed group and the route will be on and off road. Visit http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=36646 for details.
- A women-only bike ride takes place on Saturday, March 22, at 10am from Birkby to Mirfield for a brew. It covers 12 miles. Visit at: http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=34559
- The “Wednesday Warriors” Social group for mountain bikers is held on Wednesday mornings at 9.30am - the next on March 12 at Shelley and March 19 at Dewsbury. Visit http://www.goskyride.com/Search/Details?eventid=36968
- Streetbikes are launching three new cycling groups - the first in Slaithwaite tonight (Wednesday, March 5), from 5.30pm-7.30pm at the Youth Centre; Savile Town Wharf women only, Tuesdays 9.30-11.30am; Thornhill Cricket Club mixed starting Sun 23 March at 1pm. Visit http://www.streetbikes.org.uk/events for details.
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