Hooray for cycle trainers everywhere!

So, I have a friend up in Shropshire who is fifty years old and has never ridden a bike before. He's an academic type and always thought he would be too awkward and clumsy to be able to stay upright on a bike, so for years he's told himself he'd never possibly manage it.

He really liked the thought of cycling to work (8 miles each way) and saving on petrol whilst getting fit though, and two years ago I borrowed Bluequinn's Brompton and took it up to Shropshire where we got absolutely nowhere whilst he panicked and fell off it several times. But earlier this summer, he heard that his local council offered free cycle training for adults, so he booked himself a lesson. He had a three hour lesson in the local leisure centre carpark this morning, then I got the following two texts:

"OMG CYCLING AMAZZZZZZZING"

and

"I CAN DO IT!!! MY MUSE HAS RETURNED!!"

This cycle trainer chap must have been amazing because my friend is now brimming with confidence and can't wait to get an old bike to practice on, and when he feels he'll be safe enough to cycle to work he's hoping to get himself a big solid Pashley. The guy started him on a balance bike, getting him to run and do bunny hops, and then added one pedal after an hour, and added the second pedal after another hour.

So here's to all the cycle trainers of the world who can turn nervous 50 year olds, who have lived a life convinced they cannot ride a bike, into cycle fanatics (cos that's most definitely what's going to happen now!) :D

made me smile.
Like this post.
Like teaching adults to swim or similar.

that.
is
all
WIN

What an excellent story, that's put a smile on my face this morning and props to the good work done by the trainer.

In related news my friend from work who followed my lead into riding to work about year ago texted me the other night saying how much she now loves cycling around and making short trips by bike rather than bus. In her words, "The fear has gone." Which also made me smile.

This can be one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

This is a fan letter to cycle trainer Gavin if he's on here, who phoned Julia Hartley-Brewer on LBC this afternoon.. He recounted how his entire group of 12 primary school pupils were downed by someone kicking his car door open without looking. His case was the most spirited championing of cycling I have ever heard in this sort of phone-in. Warmed the cockles it did..

She was endorsing the decision by magistrates to fine a 14 year old boy for cycling on the pavement alongside the A12 because his Dad thought the road was too dangerous.. I would love to set her off on two wheels up to Brentwood and beyond and see how she gets on.. Very well done Gavin!