Around Ealing Winter 2016-17 | Page 43

CYCLING not give the cycle training a go? Andy Brathwaite did just that. He has since rediscovered the joys of cycling and says there is ‘no looking back’. Andy, from Ealing, wanted to attempt a charity ride to raise some money in memory of a close friend who had died. The only catch was that he had not ridden a bike since being a teenager. Although Andy, 53, thought he would still be able to cycle, he wanted to make sure he would be safe and feel confident on the roads, especially when dealing with traffic. Andy said “The training I received really helped me to build my road confidence and learn the safest way to cycle around the streets of Ealing. I would recommend it to anyone. The training can be changed depending on what you need or want to learn – from new to more experienced cyclists.” E R: R OFF R E A DE secure bracket to ll a w a t tead Ge st £ 5 ins ju r fo e ik your b 0 840819 Call 0138 . 9 .9 9 2 of £ / 6 6. 25 LBES te o u q d an ity. availabil Subject to ‘CYCLING IS MY THING NOW; I LOVE IT’ His fundraising for Friends of Royal Brompton Hospital led Andy to cycle long distance routes such as the London to Brighton Bike Ride. He has just completed the Richmond to Windsor Bike Ride, and has already booked to cycle to Brighton again next year. “The training definitely helped with my long-distance rides, and cycling is ‘my thing’ now; I love it,” said Andy. “Through winter, I plan on cycling more to help me stay fit, and to regularly cycle to and from work, which will cut my journey from 45 to 15 minutes. The colder weather won’t stop me from getting on my bike. I’ll just wear warmer clothing. There’s no looking back, now.” DON’T GET OUT OF THE HABIT Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “As a cyclist myself I know how easy it can be to think ‘it’s dark, wet and cold, I don’t fancy the bike today’ but once you get out