Can I cycle with children?

It’s now easier than ever for you to ride with young children:

Good foot support makes the journey much more comfortable for children, and good padding protects young bottoms from bumps
Straps and padded headrests are essential because children will sometimes fall asleep on a ride
Look for seats that can grow with your child and are compatible with panniers.

I beat diabetes by getting out on two wheels

Tuesday 1st February 2011

When retirement came round for Eileen Lees from Redruth in Cornwall she decided it was time to make some serious changes in her life but she had no idea that she would be taking up cycling at the age of 59 or that it would change her life.

Eileen worked as a midwife doing shift work at Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust and had some health issues. She classed herself as unfit and following a health check was diagnosed with high cholesterol, which she managed by medication, and had developed Type 2 diabetes. Although Eileen mainly travelled quite locally, she usually used her car to get to work, see friends or to get to her local shops, and other than at work, rarely exercised. When Eileen retired in 2008, she like many people, wanted to find a hobby to enjoy where she could meet new people and she soon came across a local walking and cycling project run by UK charity Sustrans.

It was a big step to get started, but Eileen bit the bullet and went to meet the group. “I was quite apprehensive at first but once I realised how welcoming the group was, I never turned back, Eileen explains.

Eileen hadn’t ridden a bike since childhood, even when raising her young children Eileen never thought to get back on her bike. After so many years she found it relatively easy to remember how to cycle and once hooked she never looked back. Now not only does she cycle everywhere, her diabetes remains within the normal range through keeping active and eating healthily and she has decided to help others get more active too.

Now cycling regularly, Eileen is really feeling the benefits.“My fitness and stamina have definitely improved,” she says. “I have more energy and through losing a stone in weight, my shape has changed and I am more toned.” And more importantly for Eileen her diabetes is no longer a worry.“Since I’ve been cycling, it’s made me think more about my diet and made me want to take more control of what I eat. Now, my diabetes is not longer a problem which is fantastic and as long as I keep this up, hopefully I won’t be again.

” Cycling has also helped Eileen form some good and supportive friendships.“Cycling is definitely keeping me busy in my retirement,” she says. “The rides are a good laugh and it’s a great way to make friends and have a chat as well as do some exercise. We all feel like we are achieving something together.“

Eileen wanted to give something back after the health improvements she had experienced and decided to become a volunteer for the project. She is now a support rider for cycle rides which involved making sure participants cycle safely on and off the road. She also supports activities at cycling events and has now completed courses on emergency first aid as well as basic bike maintenance.

“I never thought retirement would be this fun or this challenging – but I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”

Sustrans’ Mobilise! Project is a Cornwall-wide initiative that aims to get people more active, more often, through cycling and walking. Mobilise! is a free and friendly way to gently exercise in Cornwall's great outdoors and we welcomes anyone, regardless of age or ability. It organises regular cycle rides and walks on beautiful trails and paths in Cornwall. If you would like to get involved or find out more about the project, please call: 01209 313419, email info@mobilise-cornwall.org.uk or visit www.mobilise-cornwall.org.uk

To read more about Eileen Lees and her role as a volunteer support ride click here.