Hands up everyone who’s been cycling this year?

Hands up everyone who’s thought of doing some cycling this year?

Hands up everyone who’s thought of doing some exercise this year?

One group of definites and two groups of possibles. So what can we do to convert the possibles into occasional cyclists, it’s not mandatory to live on a bike at this stage.

First of all, do you own a bike or can you borrow one?
Don’t forget that it has to be a reasonably good fit for you to stand any chance of enjoying cycling. As a very quick ball park figure, take 9 or 10 inches from your inside leg to get the correct frame size.

The frame size is the measurement taken from where the seat pin goes into the frame, to the centre of the bolt that holds the pedal arm on. No bike? Well, at the very least, we have one bike shop for every 16,000 people and if you don’t want to take the plunge just yet, you could always hire one.

Do you require any special clothing?
Not really, though a helmet isn’t a bad idea. When you get to the stage that you’re doing lots of cycling, then you’ll appreciate the padded shorts and the wicking cycling tops. In fact, when you do start to cycle regularly, you’ll discover that what seemed like a fashion statement does actually make cycling more comfortable.

Do you need to go anywhere in particular to do it?
No, you could even cycle around your garden if it was big enough. Many new cyclists consider the cycle track beside St.Aubin’s Bay as a good place to start, it’s certainly flat and scenic, but I suspect on a Sunday afternoon it gets like the M25.

If you live close to a cycle route or a Green Lane, why not try that for a short distance, it’d be unusual to find it busy, especially during the evenings or weekends. The cycle routes are very easy to follow, they are all inter-connected, and they cover the whole island.

You’d like to explore a part of Jersey that is too far away, as yet, to reach by bike? That’s easy to remedy. Buy or borrow a car rack, put your bike on it and drive to your cycling hotspot.

Can’t ride a bike?
A good way to learn is to find a bike that allows you to put your feet almost flat on the ground, when the saddle is at its lowest setting. Take the pedals off, and walk it around until you feel comfortable balancing, steering and braking. As you get used to it, raise the saddle gradually. When you’re happy that you’ve mastered everything so far, refit the pedals and have a try at pedalling.

If you don’t cycle much and this has encouraged you to give it a try, just promise me that you’ll do a little every day if possible, and that you’ll won’t throw the towel in until you’ve done it continuously for a couple of weeks. By then you’ll have toned up, lost some weight and you’ll feel 10 years younger!

For a change, here’s a few cycling quotes to brighten your day

‘When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn’t work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.’
Emo Philips

‘Bicycles are almost as good as guitars for meeting girls.’
Bob Weir, Grateful Dead

‘Marriage is a wonderful invention; but then again, so is a bicycle repair kit.’
Billy Connolly

Thanks very much quickrelease.tv

• Arthur Lamy is the manager of Boudins for Bikes, in Sand Street, and author of Jersey Cycles. He has spent 15 years as a tourist guide and writer, and is also a keen photographer. More information can be found on his website: www.arthurlamy.com/