y o u b i k e l o n d o n; Sally from North East London

Name and age?
My name is Sally, I'm, um, twenty... four. Twenty four years old; I had to think about it then!
Where do you live / ride to?
I've just started cycling very recently.  I'm going to try and ride as much as I can.  I live in North East London but I work in St Thomas' Hospital, and will commute.
What do you ride?
I've no idea - it's pink!  Let's see, it's a Challenge Spirit.  I got it second hand, and it's in pretty good condition.
How often do you ride?
Not as often as I'd like to yet, a couple of times a week.
Helmet or no helmet?
Helmet.
What's your primary reason for [starting] cycling?
To get fit and see a bit of London at the same time.
What's your least favourite aspect of cycling?
I'm not sure, I've had a few issues with taxi drivers, but nothing serious so far.  Just general 'bike ignorance' is frustrating really.
What's your most favourite aspect of cycling?
I like being able to exercise without having to think about it. It's better than going to the gym for an hour.
What do you never leave the house without before you ride?
My bike helmet. And my lock.
How many locks do you carry, and have you ever had a bike stolen?
Just the one, and no one has stolen my bike, yet!
What advice would you give to an aspiring cyclist, like yourself, thinking of riding in London for the first time?
Don't be afraid to just try it.
What can be done to improve the lot of the London cyclist?
That's a good one.  More cycle lanes, maybe that's a bit boring? But it would help, certainly. More cycle lanes for sure.

2 comments:

Sabinna said...

Better than going to the gym...that's an aspect of cycling that does not get a lot of attention. One hour at the gym, on a spinning bike especially, feels like an eternity. Much more fun to be outside in the thick of it...the bicycle is a time machine.

Sarah said...

It saves time whilst you exercise - instead of an hour i the gym and a 30 mins tube ride home, I just do two rides of about 20mins a day. Saves time, money and having to hang around grunting, leering men in the weights sections!