Cycling is an Escape.

And so I ran away…

I grabbed my bag, pulled on my jumper and left. I never had the chance to say goodbye. Removing myself from such an uncomfortable situation was the only way to deal with it…

Water bottle: Check. Jersey: Check. Helmet, gloves, overshoes: Check, check, check!

Round and round, my legs spinning. Both eyes are totally focused on the road. I signal right, then left. Down towards the Surrey hills, I feel like I’m gliding with each full circle, my legs ticking over consistently.

Climbing. This time, my gear is unchanged. I heave out my saddle, pushing down each leg with all my might. Faster. Steady rhythm for a 6 minute climb. My breathing is now heavy, lungs aching for oxygen and my legs stinging with lactic acid. Sweat pours from my brow as I grit my teeth and scream through to the summit. For that 6 minutes, everything is forgotten.

When you feel suffocated by the stresses of everyday life, pick up your bike and head out onto the roads. Breezing down a descent, there is a huge sense of freedom and escapism. Feel the cold air on your cheeks, and forget about everything else… but remember your helmet!