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5

In a new monthly column,

Jonathan Hopson looks at life

from the other side of 50.

It’s never too late to try

something new and for 2017,

he’s encouraging people to take

up cycling.

G

rab life by the handlebars and ride a

bike!

As the US president John F Kennedy

noted, “Nothing compares to the simple

pleasure of a bike ride”.

It’s also good to know there’s no such thing as

elderly when you’re on a bike.

Research from Cycling UK shows that during

2015, 40-49 year-olds on average each cycled

87 miles during the year, outstripping all other

age groups.

The average cycle mileage in 2015 for all age

groups was 53 miles.

As a recent addition to the world of MAMIL’s

(Middle-Aged Men in Lycra), my take on

cycling is that it’s extremely rewarding and a

great way to improve general fitness.

It can also be a great way to raise money for

charity.

For example, the annual London to Brighton

bike ride takes place in June and covers

around 54 miles.

Over 25,000 people took part in the 2016

event, helping to raise more than £2m for the

British Heart Foundation.

It starts in Clapham Common, London, with

start times staggered every 30 minutes from

6am to 10am.

The first riders home take

about two and a half hours to

complete the course, with the

majority taking four to seven

hours.

Keen riders will probably

succeed in conquering the

Ditchling Beacon, the famous mile-long hill with

a maximum 16 per cent gradient, a few miles

outside Brighton.

The view from the top of the Ditchling Beacon

is well worth the pain of the ascent, and it’s

mostly downhill from the top of the Ditchling

to the finish on Madeira Drive on Brighton

seafront.

Maintaining sufficient forward-momentum to

ascend the Ditchling Beacon without walking

at any point is a significant challenge –

particularly as you’ve had to cycle around

45 miles beforehand – but conquering

the Ditchling generates a feeling of great

satisfaction.

I’ve taken part in the L2B ride three times in the

last five years, finishing in around four hours.

Although it’s physically quite challenging, the

route takes in some scenic countryside and

there’s also the feel-good factor of knowing that

you have participated in one of the UK’s largest

single fundraising events.

A helpful place to start for anyone to learn

about cycling is the British Cycling website

www.britishcycling.org.uk

and a great place for

anyone in

the Newbury

area looking

for a regular

organised

road cycling

ride is Banjo

Cycles in Hambridge Road, Newbury.

Most Saturday mornings, weather permitting, a

group of around 15 to 20 men and women set

out at 8am on a two-hour ride.

Led by an experienced Banjo rider, the group

covers around 30 to 40 miles, averaging

around 14 to16mph.

I’ve been taking part in the Banjo Saturday

morning rides for the last nine months and they

are a great way of exploring the countryside

within a 20-mile radius of Newbury, as well

as helping to improve one’s general level of

fitness.

Banjo also offer a comprehensive range of

coffees, teas and home-made cakes to help

replenish energy levels.

Whatever your age and fitness level, as five

times winner of the Tour de France Eddy

Merckx said: “Ride as much or as little, or as

long or as short as you feel. But ride.”

Jonathan Hopson

Jonathan Hopson gets on his bike

Ride as much or as little,

or as long or as short as

you feel. But ride.