7 things I learned commuting by bike

I have been cycling to work since mid-June and love it.

I started commuting to work by bike because I was plumping up, in a nutshell. Several things happened last winter which culminated in a big loss of inserted-into-my-day type of physical activity for me and by the time we reached spring I was a more huggable version of myself, shall we say.

I decided the best thing to do was make the most of the summer and cycle to work. I prefer to have physical activity naturally part of my day, it’s easier to stick to it and you do it regularly. Going to the gym can be ok, but it can also be a pain and requires will power. Cycling to work is just how I get there and basically it’s either that or nothing… I should say I don’t have a car and lift sharing requires organising in advance, so I can’t just feel lazy on the morning; that helps too!

When I started, I had a bike I loved, panniers and my running clothes. That was more than enough to get me biking. A couple of weeks in and I realised I was in love with my new commute. So much so I started making plans to cycle through winter for as long as I could. A couple more weeks and I already had a pretty good idea of what worked for me and what could be useful to others thinking about commuting by bike. My commute is around 8.5K each way, which takes me 30-35 minutes on the bike (clearly I’m not the next Wigans Wiggins).

1. Start today*. 

I mean it. If you have a choice, commute to work on your bike. It’s healthier, ecological and great fun. I feel more energised and happier. For the first week, I was a bit more tired but once I got in the groove of it, my energy levels went up. If I feel tired for some reason, I cycle slower, and I have no problem with that. 

*unless today is raining; then start tomorrow. You can’t see potholes if they’re filled with water!

2. Eat breakfast. 

I repeat, eat breakfast. Breakfast is incredibly important to give your body energy for the day, and more so if you’re about to cycle a fair bit. I have a slice of homemade bread with cream cheese and some yoghurt or fruit. I have breakfast around 7am and then have a piece of fruit with cheese around 9:30/10:00. For me, it’s important to eat regularly and also more enjoyable ;)

3. Clothing.

I change in work, so I can cycle in more appropriate gear. When I started commuting by bike, I already had running stuff, which largely sufficed; some running capris and running T-shirts did the trick. For the colder weather, things are not as simple and I’ve had to invest in a couple of base layers which I wear under the summer T-shirts, gloves and a very basic lightweight high viz cover I picked up at TKMaxx. As winter settles in and temperatures plummet, I've had to wear a thinner pair of gloves underneath my decent winter ones. It's very important to keep the extremities warm, so I wear two pairs of socks or thick walking socks if it's really cold. I also wear a headband and a thin buff to cover my ears and head. I'm thinking of maybe getting shoe covers, but have survived without so far...

LINKS to my gear.

4. Be nice. Be careful.

Smile at other cyclists, say hello. It does brighten everyone’s day. 

Know the road code. And then always assume the car has priority… as a cyclist, you are the weakest link (even if you are in the right!). Whilst I’m not a nervous cyclist, I’m a cautious one and I would really recommend that approach, always!

5. Wear a helmet. 

Your brain rules your body. Protect it! Bike helmets are frequently overlooked by cyclists; reasons for this are plenty, but the most frequent one seems to be hair style. Without wanting to sound alarmist, your hair won’t protect you if you fall and it will get messy too! 

6. Have lights.

According to my favourite bike shop* guy, there are three types of bike lights: 1. Lights to avoid a fine; 2. Lights to be seen; and 3. Lights to see. I would strongly recommend you go for sets 2 or 3, visibility is key on the road. I have had lights to be seen forever, and have recently invested in a good set of lights to see. I cycle in dark areas and want to see where I’m going.

*Beeline Oxford

7. Get a sports watch (optional, but oh such fun)

Any sports watch. It really adds fun to your journey! Luckily, I was given a very cool Polar watch for my birthday. Originally, I wanted it for running but have since found it works beautifully for cycling and it’s such fun too! I know exactly how long it takes me door to door, I know exactly on how many kilometres I’ve done in a day, I know time and distance differences between routes instantly, I know if I need to speed up to make it, or if I can just chill and enjoy the scenery (doesn’t happen often in the morning!).

I hope these seven tips will encourage you to get on your bike and change your commute to work for the better. If you have any questions or comments, do let me know in the comment section. Happy riding :)

Fe-line contributor

I love writing. And I love writing a blog. I also love reading other blogs and naturally have a few favourites.

I had been an assiduous reader of the Fe-line blog for over a year when I saw the call for contributors which would get me all excited. That said, I knew just being excited wouldn’t cut it, so I spent a few days thinking of what I had to give to Fe-line and how I could contribute to it in an appealing and readable way. I put a proposal together and sent it across to Jo, the lovely and astute mind behind the Fe-line brand.

Even though I hadn’t been selected yet, I started planning posts in my head and decided on two possible first pretty quickly. I think all that positive thinking helped, because I did get in and I’m now part of an amazing group of contributors! I can’t quite explain how exciting this feels… I get to write monthly for a big blog which I’ve admired for ages! So. Very. Cool!

My first article has been submitted and you can read it tomorrow, Wednesday 20 November here. Until then, check out what the other contributors are sharing - there's a new post every day from Monday to Friday - and enjoy the Fe-line vibe.

Porto eye candy

From my recent trip this October... How I love this light and this ocean!

both sides of me

As I thought about what I could write for the Day of Multilingual Blogging, I came across an excellent article in the Economist on the subject of bilingualism. The article asks if different languages confer different personalities and then goes on to explore the answers brilliantly. 

This question is one I often think about and have mentioned in previous blog posts [1, 2]. My writing style and subject matter are very different in Portuguese and English. In Portuguese, I tend to be nostalgic and let the hand do the writing straight from the soul. In English, I’m happier and determined to focus on all the good in my life. Interestingly, this applies only to my writing and not me. 

What best than to just write in both languages now? Thanks to this year's Day of Multilingual Blogging, I sat in front of a blank screen and wrote. What you can read below is what came out of me in either language, unedited (sort of). In the name of science, the exercise was kept the same - fill an empty screen with a blog post. 

Sou Portuguesa.

Sou nostálgica, é uma característica que me assiste. Tenho em mim toda a nostalgia do mundo (e o drama, ao que parece). De mim saem palavras de outroras que foram e memórias que nunca existiram de dores que senti sem saber como. No silêncio dos dias, há uma angústia que me dilacera a paz de espírito. Se me sentar aqui tempo suficiente, esvaziar-me-ei de lágrimas que não tinha por tudo o que foi e não chegou a ser. Penso, como tantas vezes, no calor feliz da curva de um pescoço que me aqueceu a alma, mais do que outra coisa qualquer. Sempre a curva do pescoço, essa certeza quieta da intimidade... ainda que não certa. Lembro-nos a nós, ou outros como nós éramos, tão novos e quase felizes, que não se é feliz quando se é novo, só depois, quando o mundo não pára e os dias lentos podem ser, por fim, felizes na memória. Quero guardar-nos, ainda e sempre, no lugar fechado das recordações tristes porque tão felizes nos fizeram… um dia. 

I live in England.

There’s tea, always chamomile as it soothes me and helps me focus. My red notebook sits next to the laptop, a list of possible posts I’d like to write half crossed; this business of brainstorming post ideas is great! It’s not Monday yet but I can think of all the things which are making my belly turn with happy butterflies. Our home is one, perpetually happy with the new red cushions. And oh how I love the beautifully crisp morning light that comes in through the living room windows. I could sit here forever in awe of that light; in fact, I could sit here forever thinking of that light. 

As I read above, I realise how great this Day of Multilingual Blog has been for me. It's sometimes painful to write in Portuguese as I seem to go deep into the unknown and bring a gentle sadness with me, but at the same time... it's a part of me, the writing and what I write. Rediscovering that connection felt amazing! It also felt good to know that my happy colourful style can roam free in English. I just love the freedom multilingualism gives me!

Photo credit: Vivacious Mel Photography

Little birds update

Perhaps you’re not on the edge of your seat to find out how my Little Birds red cardi turns out, but I am and want to share my enthusiasm with you!

Knitting is a relaxing hobby for me. I like to take my time with all I do and prefer not to rush to see the final thing. What this means in practice is that real life has more of a chance to get in the way and some projects take me a little while to finish. Cute little birds red cardi is one such project.

This project is particularly dear to me because I had to cut it in half. Yes, you’ve read correctly, I took a pair of scissors to it and just cut it – it’s called steeking and I can assure you that just because there is a proper name for it, it doesn't mean it's not painful to do it! When you spend so much time on a piece, the thought of cutting it can bring tears to your eyes. I thought I’d need vodka to help me through it; turns out all I needed was to lose my patience with not being able to progress until I cut it. So I did. And it was fine!

Whilst I don’t want to rush it, I am determined to wear it (please let it fit me!) this winter! Watch this space.

colour in our home

A home needs colour. It needs a bunch of other things too, especially to be lived in, but colour is an essential thing to me. Happy cheerful colour that makes your heart pop with joy at the sight of it. To me, that home colour is largely red.

I also think that a house should reflect who lives in it and let our personalities shine through the decoration we choose. Our house came with nice furniture, perfect to sit quietly in the background and be brought to life by colourful personal touches.

I already had a red ottoman pillow and wanted something to go with it. I used fabric from my stash and sewed the cushions above in my new (and yet to be organised) studio. I love them. They make our house feel like a home, feel like our home, and I love them for it.

::inspiring Mondays::

Very few things compare to a crisp and clear autumn morning... especially when viewed from my bedroom window. And whilst the photo was taken on Sunday, it reminds me of how lucky I am to live in this house.

The short winter days in the UK are one of the hardest things for me to cope with. Every week from now until the 21st December, I'll cherish the Monday a bit more as it's still not as dark as it will become; today is no exception. For now, I still leave the house in daylight and that is something to enjoy and make the most of.

:: a moving business.
:: being a Fe-line contributor. so very exciting! more here.
:: feeling creative and inspired.
:: pumpkin with goat's cheese. the joys of cold weather.
:: the coolest safety shoes ever - mine!
:: my work colleagues. brilliant!

How's winter and its Mondays were you are? Hope you had a lovely start to the week!

November goals

November is chestnut month in Portugal, or that’s how I think of it anyway. We roast the chestnuts with sea salt and do magustos throughout the month; it’s one of my favourite winter childhood memories and one which warms me in this cold. It's funny how memories have that power, isn't it?

I can't quite believe we're almost through this year. Like never before, I think time just flew me by and yet as I look back, so much has happened during these 11 months. The main thing for me has been my approach to change and what I ask of November is that it gives me some tranquility, in the present and in the future.

:: finish the little birds red cardi.
:: plan a baby quilt for my new cousin.
:: write here at least twice a week.

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You can read all my monthly goals posts here and my change :: one little word posts here.

change :: October update

Little brother has turned 30; I have been the luckiest sister for 30 years and really think Mum and Dad gave me the best present ever – my brother!

I have settled into our new home and feel I’ve always lived here. There are still things to do and bits and pieces to add, but it’s a home, our home, and it feels just like it.

I’ve sewn three cushions for the house and have plans for a few more things, little touches of comfy colour.

I’ve knitted four gifts, two of which are with the new owners and the other two are wrapped to be gifted.

October was a good month filled with the beautiful colours of autumn and the amazing Portuguese sunshine.