A guide to cycling to events.

The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart. ~Iris Murdoch, The Red and the Green

Pros

• Exercise, and better health
• Better Sleep
• Fun
• Free
• Don’t have to use trains
• Sponsor money
• You can eat more
• Better views
• Get closer to nature/countryside
• Grow knowledge of UK
• Don’t have to carry heavy rucksacks on your back
• Gives you loads of freedom, can leave in your own time
• Does not need road tax, an MOT or breakdown cover
• There aren’t any fuel bills
• More environmentally friendly
• Ten bikes can be parked in the space of one car
• Don’t have to pay for parking.
• Can fit them in a tent
• You look cool
• You can get interesting bikes/accessories (e.g. Penny Farthings)
• Get to wear Hi-Vis
• Get (a legal) high
• Cleaner air quality
• Sociable

Cons

• Tiring
• Good bike/accessories are expensive
• Can’t take lots of stuff
• Bikes can get broken at camps
• Awkward to store (they get rusty in the rain)
• Easier to get lost on the way
• Busy roads aren’t to everyone's taste
• Hard after long events/camps
• Isn't easy to take bikes on the tube

Cycling to CoCamp

'I live in Derby which is 44.8 miles  away from Walesby Forest Scout Camp. As I cycle at an easy leisurely pace of around 8mph I estimated it to take me  5 2/3 hours to get there. Because I’m not a morning person and so that I’d arrive at a reasonable time at camp, I decided to share the journey out over 2 days. I cycled 16 miles to a Derby districts person’s house in Stapleford on the 30th August.

Then on the 31^st I set off to the best place in the world. I cycled into Nottingham, which was mostly main roads but with lots of bus lanes and shared pavements, to Nottingham train station. Where the High Vis is useful. I caught the train 1 stop to Hucknall, only 80p, to avoid a particularly  large hill I’d been warned about. (Having a bike on trains is never too much hassle.)

The route to Mansfield was clearly sign posted as I was following the national cycle route 6. Also this particular day had lovely weather with lovely paths and lovely views. Making this cycle ride very enjoyable.

I had ignored the ‘Not for road bikes’ warning on the website I’d used as I have a hybrid bike so I had to drag my bike through a very sandy path. Whilst doing this I missed a vital turning point and once back on my bike managed to take a 2-3 mile detour. Ending up at a farm/wind farm in the middle of nowhere. After a while of talking to a not very informative farmer, my father on the phone and looking at maps on a dying ipod, I was back on track.

After a quick icecream stop at a Co-op I found I was soon in a gorgeous forest with the sun glittering through the massive pines where I had to stop for a minute or two to take in its beauty and enchanting smell.

Seeing a lake and leaving the steep wind-in-your-face hills of this forest meant I was not far, but meant joining another main road. After 20 minutes of not so nice roads I was in the charming village of Ollerton with buildings dating back to 1713.

Quite soon after,  just after following a flowing river, I arrived at the best place in the world: CoCamp.

                                                                                          ***********

After a very long tiring CoCamp, cycling 44 miles didn't seem very appetizing so my brother Joe and I cycled to the nearest train station of Mansfield. This didn't take very long, only about an hour and we were soon on our way back to Derby.

Other things to know about cycling

• Make sure you wear High-Vis ( available from IKEA and pound shops, though probably not the most ethical material from theses places...)
• Make sure you have a map and directions.
• Look at Google maps, street view is a wonderful invention. I look at the whole journey before hand, not all on street view though.
• Make sure you have a charged phone and/or iPod.
• Take spare money for emergency drinks/ice cream/train.
• Don’t wear denim, especially shorts. I have 3 pairs of ripped jeans.
• www.cyclestreets.net is AMAZING. Also has a free app.
 

Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling. ~James E. Starrs