The Cycle Group.

There is evidence to suggest that people who belong to social groups tend to have happier, longer lives. If you add exercise to that, well naturally it becomes even more beneficial.

If you were a young person, possibly a mid twenty/thirty year old, on seeing up to twenty-four men and woman who are senior members of society (I refuse to use the term old) cycling together, what would your thoughts be? Hopefully the words astonishing, amazing and inspirational would spring to mind.

You may be amazed as they ride by at a decent pace. Possibly you are bemused by the fact that most of the group are dressed in the appropriate cycle kit, perhaps also noticing a fine a collection of MAMIL’S (Middle Age Men In Lycra.) within the group – there is currently no acronym for senior men and woman wearing Lycra but give it time ….as numbers grow…

You could mistakenly have thought it’s a charity ride, a one off perhaps. If you live in Knowsley it is more likely to be a group from Pedal Away. *

As a group they cycle on some of Sustrans well maintained cycle tracks and also along quiet lanes within the borough. Pedal Away have been featured on BBC News at Ten as a good example of how one group of seniors are making efforts to improve or maintain their health and well being. They have also won local awards for promoting the same health and well being ideals. One also needs to consider the social benefits of such a group meeting weekly or for some members three times a week.

They say that “you don’t find things, things find you.” Well it seems true when it comes to bills, junk mail and litter in your front garden. However, I do understand the thought behind the phrase. So did I find the cycle group or did they find me?

If I hadn’t run for the train and missed it like the other person from the opposite direction who also missed it (well, technically we did not miss our train but tried to catch an earlier one that was late!) We may never have chatted and I may never of heard of the Pedal Away Cycle group. Thanks “T” for being a man who likes to be early.

I first rode with the group in June 2014 and continued to do so until the week before going in hospital for my first procedure (May 2015.) They, as you will see later, play an important role in my story. My daughter refers to my cycle group as the Aldi Cycle Club, its true we do all look similar and some of us do take advantage of the sale of cycle clothing at the store.

Remember the words of my consultant “You are so fit and well you can handle any anything we need to do to get you well.” Riding with Pedal Away should be seen as part of my fitness regime.

*Knowsley Pedal Away. Is a cycling initiative set up by the charity Cycle Projects.

It began in the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley Merseyside in 2008 and since then has grown to have cycle hubs across the borough. The rides are supported by a strong group of volunteers and ride leaders. Their friendly approach has seen many people go from cycling novice to regular weekly cyclists.

www.Austrians.org.uk

www.cycling.org.uk

Tractor Man

GBNHS & KPA!

Time for an adventure. A trip to the Northeast.

So there it was, all activity had come to a halt. Nothing further could be done until I entered the next phase, which would be the treatment.

I had a week’s walking holiday pre booked. I was to walk the Northeast Coastal Path. It would not be possible to complete the walk as I had an appointment at the hospital for my Pre-op towards the end of the week however; cancelling it was never in my mind. Adapting the holiday to provide some walking on the costal path was the option I chose. I understood that the fitter you are, the quicker the recovery. So mentally it seemed to make sense to keep as active as I could.

The normal walking routine changed from what it had been on previous expeditions

This time, as I was walking and enjoying the beauty of the coast, my mind would wander and think of the next stopping point. For the first time in my life toilet stops were vital. There were two of us on the walk. At the approach to a café my focus would be on finding the facilities, theirs would be solely on the selection of cakes. Sometimes they would be lured into a quicker pace by the smell of cooking bacon drifting on the breeze. The quicker pace suited me!

On arrival, my rucksack quickly dumped, I hastened to the facilities returning moments later to a hot mug of tea and whatever had been selected. I know that you’re thinking that it was a good way to avoid paying! I am not sure who suggested we had a “kitty” – I think it was me! I would imagine, as we stopped several times in the day, the calorie intake exceeded the calories expended by the walking. It may well have been that we went home heavier than when we arrived!

The accommodation had been booked for a while. There were seven overnights stops in B&Bs along the route. Each accommodation provided a room with en suite bathroom, which was pleasing as other guests would never need to be disturbed and in the case of a “sudden urge” private facilities would be available.

I am not sure if it’s just me or others are the same but when I first enter my room I immediately look out of the window and admire the view before beginning my ritual of entertaining myself with the light switches to see what operates what and how the shower works. After a hard days walk I normally go for what I call the ‘Golden Hour’. Within that hour, I like to have a cup of tea, unpack what I need for the stay and also shower; it is a constant stream of activity. Having completed everything within this time means that I can then relax. My walking partner operates the ‘Drop and Flop’ routine in which the rucksack is dropped, they flop on the bed and enjoy a cup of tea, which I must point out was prepared by me; they are then entertained by my continuous hullabaloo.

One of the B&B’s was called the Old Vicarage and when looking out of the window all that was on view was a cemetery… The graveyard on that dull dark evening was not the view that I had expected. I had thought that I might have had my sprits lifted by observing a beautiful vista over the surrounding hillsides and valleys. However my eyes could only focus on that limited view below my window as trees and bushes surrounded the entire burial ground. There was no distraction to be had from the stark, cold headstones of others who had departed this life some time hence… Sorry, I have been reading far too many books by the Bronte sisters.

The week was very enjoyable and at times made me think of my imminent procedure, the recovery and then… returning to some great adventures soon after.

Always positive, always looking on the bright side.    

Tractor Man

GBNHS