I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride my bike.....

I've never been the sporty type. At school I was always one of the last ones to get picked in PE and if there was a way of getting out of the lesson all together I'd jump at it, whatever it was! You see, I was the uncoordinated fat kid. 

I always had a bike though and used it a bit growing up. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't on it everyday clocking up hundreds of miles but I'd use it to get across town to friends houses and I'd ride around the estate dreaming I was going on an adventure. 

I've been car free on and off since 2007 - the off bit being for 4 years when we lived out in the sticks and there was no public transport whatsoever so I had no choice but to drive. Even then though for the most part I just drove to the next town, hopped on the train and cycled the couple of miles to work when I got the other end. I don't remember exactly what my motivation to start biking everywhere was but I think it was a combination of wanting to save the planet, save money, improve my health and to set a good example to the little man. Oh, and being told I couldn't do it! Tell me I can't do something and I will always find a way!

I cycle pretty much everywhere now and for the most part I love it. I can only think of a small number of times where I've really not enjoyed it and that has been down to not wearing the right clothing for the weather (think drowned rat) and incidents involving a HGV, a white van man, and sadly a number of parents driving to school who all at one time or another couldn't have given a monkeys if me and the little man lived or not. 

So last February we finally moved to Chester and I've been car free ever since. I feel lost without my bike. That feeling you get when you've left your mobile at home - well that's me and my bike. 

Clarry x