By Eddie Barkla
Hardly a week goes by without someone commenting how much they miss the “Cycling with Eddie” column. As the cycling landscape across Greater Bendigo and the wider region is constantly changing, it does seem there’s a need to track it, to talk about it.
There are no boundaries when it comes to human-powered transport on two – or three – wheels. Just as you see everything from a business suit to comfy track pants to stylish lycra on a bike, there are different bikes for different people and disciplines. The important thing is that people are getting out on wheels and the cycling demographic is expanding rapidly.
There are still many stories to tell and insights to share from the old hands the new riders alike. So the column is restarting, but with a new twist. This time it’s members of the cycling community itself who are writing.
A number of keen riders have put their hands up to share the work load. Every two weeks they’ll share stories about their own and others experiences of life on two wheels. While the new writers will bring different perspectives to the task, we all agree on the fundamentals.
Cycling is good for your health: it helps with weight loss, keeps your cardio vascular system healthy, and reduces the risk of heart attack and diabetes
That might be why some people start riding a bike, but the fact that it’s also good for your state of mind is probably why people keep riding. True, regular exercise releases endorphins that clear your mind and make you feel at peace with the world. (It’s widely known as the “cycling bug”.) Except for those times when a rider inadvertently makes contact with the ground (also known as “falling off the bike”) cycling is a low impact activity allowing sustainable freedom of movement .
Almost more importantly, if you ride with a group it’s an activity built on camaraderie and fellowship. For that short time each week you’re sharing life’s journey. More and more business networking is now done on the bike. Support groups use riding as a vehicle to keep people active and engaged. And that engagement extends to coffee times which are as important as the ride when it comes to social connections. (These days you’re welcome even if you’re not a coffee drinker.)
The cycling community is inclusive and operates on a very informal basis. Yet its cohesion is based on an etiquette that requires all members treat others as they would be treated. There is a high emphasis on the safety of the group which comes from an individual commitment to the group ethos. In that respect, it’s the same as any other community.
When you’re on two wheels the barriers of gender and age break down. Cycling provides a place for everyone and finds everyone in the right place.
We, the new columnists, hope you enjoy the new stories. Our different perspectives will be united by a common theme. We’ve all experienced the freedom (and sheer fun) that cycling can bring. Just as much, we’ve all enjoyed the benefits of sharing quality time with family members or like-minded cyclists. We want to share that with you.
We are looking forward, God willing, to what lies ahead.
Life on a bike in Bendigo 