‘The c-word (cycling) is a little bit polarizing and off-putting, but actually it’s just about being outdoors and travelling,’ explains Kate. ‘We’re not about competitive rides – it’s about doing something new and outside of your comfort zone.’ Her company The Personal Cyclist work with individuals, groups and corporate companies to encourage people to get out on a bike by increasing their confidence on the roads.
After moving up to Harrogate to start a family, Kate decided it was the perfect place to get out and about on a bike, but quickly thought ‘there’s got to be a way to have a more civilised, fun cycling experience (other than competitive cycling clubs) and that’s how The Personal Cyclist came about.’
With around one in five of us having not been on a bike since we were a child, it can be a daunting prospect, but Kate is here to help – ‘our aim is to try and get everyone to get some confidence and joy on their bike,’ she explains. ‘We’re aimed at people with a sense of adventure, who are not a club. It’s for those who want to try something new in a civilised, reassuring, and friendly way.’
Kate acknowledges that safety and image are just some of the barriers that need to be broken down when it comes to cycling. ‘What I want to try and break down is that you have to be a certain type of person to be a cyclist. If you ride a bike for whatever reason, you are a cyclist. And I think this perception that it has to be super serious and competitive is ridiculous.’
To book a session with Kate, visit her website at thepersonalcyclist.com
• It’s brilliant for your brain. Jump on a bike for a triple whammy of brain-enhancing benefits; learning a new skill and getting out of your comfort zone into nature. Trying something new alongside someone who’s confident and can support you is massively rewarding and can help quash outdated and incorrect perceptions that it has to be fast, scary or serious.
• It helps the planet: we need to make fewer car trips and more short journeys by bike. Cycling’s a great way to empower employees; think of cycling as wellbeing on two wheels and you have the opportunity to build skills, build a team and network in one go
• See the world from a new perspective; cycling forces you to be in the moment, away from tech and phones; it’s mindfulness for people who don’t do mindfulness
• Lighten up. Cycling doesn’t need to be serious or worthy; you don’t have to go long or steep to justify it; sometimes a ride round the block is an achievement in itself. It’s about enjoying the ride and getting back to nature and is fantastic for your mental health and happiness.
High vis have a bad reputation; understandably! They tend to be more building site/ school playground than style statement but these by Dutch brand GoFluo are utterly brilliant
Hiplock; carrying a tough chain around is a pain but having had bikes stolen in broad daylight these are a selection of the best & most portable I’ve found
Back-Roller (ortlieb.com) - the best set of waterproof panniers you can afford; these have seen me through school runs with multiple children, supermarket dashes and micro adventures across Yorkshire
Vaela – vaela.cc - Ladies- you don’t always need lycra or padded shorts to cycle, and this UK-based B Corp make brilliant, sustainable jeans that look incredible on and off the bike with loads of brilliant features and details that are ultra flattering and practical for women
