The Beginning

For a while I’ve been thinking about cycling as part of my regular commute. I haven’t been to the gym for the last year (despite paying for it every month) as I never have time.

Cycling seemed to be the perfect solution:

• It doesn’t really take any longer
• I get some exercise in the time I would be sat on a train
• I avoid the horrible sweaty hot tube during the summer

It took a while to get around to it but a couple of weekends ago I finally bought myself a bike. It’s been around 15 years since I last cycled so setting out in London was a bit daunting. The day I got the bike I went for an initial cycle to try it out. I covered this first ride and some details about my bike on my other blog here.

The main reason I want to start cycling is to lose weight. I am a big bloke and do like my takeaways. I also have a sedentary lifestyle and sit behind a desk all day (I am a programmer, more details here).

A side benefit is that I used to, and still do really enjoy cycling. Cycling along the Thames is really nice in the morning when the cycle paths are nice and empty.

I am planning on starting gently. and slowly building it up:

• Week 1: Train between Waterloo and Wimbledon. Cycle from Waterloo to Canary Wharf one day, cycle back the next. Rest on Friday.
• Week 2: Train between Waterloo and Wimbledon, cycle between Waterloo and Canary Wharf. Rest on Friday.
• Week 3: Train into Waterloo, cycle to Canary Wharf. On the way back cycle from Canary Warf to Wimbledon. Rest on Friday.
• Week 4: Forget the train completely. Rest on Friday.

I’m not sure if this is too ambitious or what. I am giving myself a month to get used to it but I will be cycling around 24 miles a day in week 4. It’s about 6 miles between Waterloo and Canary Wharf and about 12 miles between Canary Wharf and Waterloo.

I’ll just see how it goes. That plan can easily be altered.