Linda Tyley shares her story of achieving an eco-friendly commute, while regaining her fitness and health with an electric bike.
Diagnosed with type II diabetes 2 years ago, Linda decided to incorporate exercise into her day by cycling to work in order to get back to fitness levels last enjoyed before raising her children. She talks to Pedelecs about the ease of finding the right e-bike and passes on tips, based on what she’s learned 5,000 cycling miles later, for others thinking of doing the same.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I live in Derbyshire and work for Rolls-Royce PLC, currently within the Manufacturing Systems Centre of Competence as a Capability Lead for the Simatic IT Manufacturing Execution System (sounds fancy but in plain English I am part of the global implementation and support team for our shop floor execution system, Simatic IT).
How did the idea of cycling to work come about?
RR has been an active participant of the Cycle to Work scheme and some time ago my initial purchase through the scheme was a lovely Pashley. However, at that point my commute was 11 miles and the Pashley wasn’t really good for commuting, with only a handful of gears it was too heavy on the knees, so it soon became abandoned. Of course, any experienced cyclist would correctly question my choice of a Pashley for commuting, but I wasn’t an experienced cyclist and it is such a stylish cycle with a lovely upright riding position.
So until 2013 I had very little experience of cycling. My father witnessed a lorry crush a cyclist through no fault of either lorry or cyclist and was determined that no child of his was going to be similarly at risk, he therefore instilled a fear of road riding in me, one which I only managed to overcome when my children were younger and we had family bikes but even then my cycling was limited to pleasure cycling on cycle paths like the Tissington Trail.
In early 2013 however, at the age of 51, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes but was told that it was early enough to control through losing weight and increasing my fitness level. In my youth I had been very active in all sorts of sports but had given it all up whilst bringing up my children.
I have had a couple of spurts of serious activity when in training to power walk the New York Marathon in 2005 and the Lake Myvatn Marathon in 2008, with the Walk the Walk charity for breast cancer research, but had allowed myself to relax a little too much since then.
What I know about myself is that I am not someone who can just exercise for exercise’s sake without a goal (i.e. getting fit or preparing for a marathon) or it being a lot of fun – I would lack the time and motivation to get off my butt.
I felt the answer was to build exercise into my daily routine of things I have to do – but in a time-efficient and enjoyable way. Getting home to walk the dogs meant that after-work activities weren’t an option and if I then got inside I would soon be distracted by other household chores.
In addition I had a growing desire to be more environmentally conscious and lead a more sustainable life. Getting rid of the reliance on a motor vehicle is still my ultimate goal.
So, in summary, a mature, overweight, unfit woman needing fun exercise that didn’t take up masses of additional time and a growing need to be more eco-friendly.
How and where did you first hear about electric bikes?
I’m not actually sure; I think I read about them online just before a visit to Buxton with my friend Susie, where we spotted the Eco Republic shop with its Juicy bikes. We were encouraged (not that we needed much prompting) to give them a go.
We were really impressed with how easy they were to ride and how much fun too. Serendipity then played her hand and the following week I received another invitation to join the RR Cycle to Work scheme.
How did you go about researching e-bikes ahead of purchasing one?
My research was primarily led by the number of cycle shops selling e-bikes in the Cycle to Work scheme that were within a reasonable distance from Derby. At the time there were only 3, including Eco Republic and the other two, whose ranges were outside of the Cycle to Work’s scheme financial limit … so my decision was kind of made for me that it had to be a Juicy Bike.
How did you find the Cycle to Work scheme process?
Totally painless, easy and quick. Once the forms were submitted and approved, I rang up and within days was being talked through how to ride and look after Lucy. The JuicyBike chaps really made it so simple and were quick to respond to my early use queries and cries for help (see charger incident below!)
What made you choose your Juicy?
The model I tried at Eco Republic was the Classic Dutch Style, which is perfect for me. I like the erect style, having never previously mastered the looking under or round one’s arm to view traffic behind without wobbling. I did consider and discount the commuter version on the basis of looks, style and speed. I also opted for two canvas panniers so that I could carry my laptop and shopping and not have to wear a rucksack.
How many miles have you travelled on your e-bike so far?
In nearly 2 years I have cycled over 5,000 miles in rain and sun, through all seasons.
How easy have you found sticking to your e-bike for the daily commute? Do you use your bike for any other journeys?
I commute a 26 mile round trip to work (I am currently living in Belper), aiming and mostly succeeding for at least 4 out of 5 days, whatever the weather. I always make an effort to get out of breath, but this is safe in the knowledge that if I am having an ‘off day’ I can also commute without much effort at all.
I am lucky to have good changing/ shower/locker facilities at work. On the days that I drive I always stock up my locker with clothing and toiletries so that I have no excuse for not cycling on the other days. I also use it to cycle to the local shops, cycle into Derby at weekends and cycle to visit friends instead of driving. I will often plan my route home around the shopping that needs to be done and have amazed myself at being able to fill my panniers with enough shopping to host a dinner party (and 3 bottles of Prosecco!). The additional weight is easily managed with Lucy (doesn’t everyone name their bike, or is it just me?).
The only thing I don’t actively use it for is recreational cycling … but then I enjoy every journey so there is no need to!
What difference has your electric bike made to your life would you say?
It has revolutionised my life, I am so much fitter but without having strained anything in the process!
With some small dietary adjustments (I aim to be 75% vegan / 20% vegetarian / 5% carnivore) my HbA1c (the measurement of average blood glucose concentration over prolonged periods used to track diabetes) is steady at around 5.0 mmol/L, which is out of the diabetic range, but aside from the health benefits I have been surprised by how enjoyable even the wettest of journeys can be, even when soaked to the skin… Following the perfume trail of a pedestrian, smelling the freshness of the leaves, feeling the breeze and smelling the damp chill at the northern corner of the woodland that I pass. I try not to be smug when I pass the static cars in their rush hour jams, or even when I overtake lycra-clad cyclists up-hill with a cheery “hello”.
Cycling gives me a wonderful feeling of being more connected in the world and to the people I pass and can greet, I love not being in my hermetically sealed bubble of a car.
Do you have any tips for other women, and men, considering purchasing one for themselves?
1. Go and try one out, the Eco Republic and JuicyBike team are great and put themselves out to be helpful (emergency posting of replacement charger after my dog chewed through my original springs to mind).
2. Read the instructions on how best to maintain the battery life … and then follow them!
3. If you are going to use your bike for commuting, invest in a 2nd charger. I have one at work and one at home to ensure that I am always charged up and ready to go … but do remember to switch the charger on at the mains! 🙂
4. Get your bike regularly serviced so that it is reliable. Brake pads and tyres will need replacing, especially if you do lots of miles.
5. Make sure you get a good water-proof/high viz jacket to remove any excuses for not saddling up and to reduce the risk of not being seen by motorists. I have taken to masquerading as a belisha beacon, albeit one that is travelling at speed.
6. If road riding doesn’t appeal, explore the network of cycle paths. I am lucky in that I can almost travel the entire route to work on cycle paths if I choose to. Even though it added a couple of miles to my journey, when I first started cycling I did stick to these until my cycling skills and confidence increased.
7. You don’t have to get all hot and sweaty if you choose not to. Cycling with an e-bike can be effortless. Indeed, after the only accident I’ve had (just fell off on a steep hill and a very slow speed but landed awkwardly) I managed, using just the twist and go, to cycle 2 miles to get home safely.
8. Get a good helmet and don’t be put off because they aren’t stylish enough. There are a number of great styles around now, I use a Bern which doesn’t look at all like a normal “cycle” helmet.
9. Get panniers! Shopping locally and frequently is now so achievable. I have found that changing my route home in the evening means that I no longer have to visit a supermarket … ever!
10. Invest in good bike locks and an Immobitag. The bike will be a significant investment and you’ll want to make sure that any would-be thieves are deterred. Derby now has a several places to leave bikes securely, including the Derby Bikeworks facility.
11. There will be the occasional time when something might go awry. I’ve had a burst tyre and the chain coming off a couple of times. Putting the chain back on is easy but you should perhaps practice before you have to do it as an emergency and keep some disposable gloves in your panniers for that eventuality.
12. Always have handy a witty response for all those wise-arsed affronted men that accuse you of cheating. Mine is a smiling: “That depends on whether you think a cycle is a mobile gym for you to flex your testosterone in public or a mode of transport for you to live up to your environmental ethics”. I generally find it leaves them aping a goldfish as I pull away at junctions/on hills/from the grocers’ with my panniers full!
Our thanks to Linda for sharing her life-changing story with Pedelecs.
