Ride to Work Day 2021
Monday 21st June 2021 is the 30th anniversary of Ride to Work Day in the UK. For 30 years motorcyclists all over the UK have put on their helmet, jacket and gloves and chosen a more fun way to commute to work.
A couple of months ago we asked Katie, a Wheels 2 Work beneficiary, to share her morning commute:
So I’ve had my breakfast and coffee and it’s time to leave, for once it’s not raining. My ride to work takes me along the A39, the Atlantic Highway. People come here on holiday to ride this road but for me it’s my daily commute.
I wrap up warm as the weather changes quickly around here, and jump on my scooter. I love this bike. It’s so comfortable and has just enough power for me. The usual folk on my estate are getting ready to go to work in their tin cans and I smile to myself. It’s a lovely bright spring morning and I’m leaving in good time. I pull onto the A39 and head South, the road isn’t too busy as it’s quite early but it’s dry and bright and I have a good feeling this ride is going to be FUN! Out of town the road to work is one of the best with long sweeping bends and some tight and twisty bits, you have to keep your wits about you here.
I drop into one of the many dips and feel the sting of cold air on my cheeks, the sun hasn’t made it here yet. I’m careful here too as a couple of drain covers make me adjust my ideal line, but I’m used to that, on a regular route you learn the road, who would have thought I would know where drain covers were on the road, but I do. I pass a couple of holiday parks with some early risers emerging from the gates, wondering what they will be doing today?
I pass the road to one of the many small coves, I’m early so I pull over, check behind me and do a u turn to head down to the beach. There’s grass in the middle of the road but no ones around so I bimble along scattering a few pheasants until I reach the car park. I ride past and down to the sea front, a fisherman is readying his boat for a day on the waves, we nod, I take in the view, take a deep breath and turn to head back up the hill.
Back on the A39 it’s still quiet. I hang right and head south. The ocean is on my right and I take in the view, Lundy Island is rising from the mist as I near Clovelly Cross, the next series of bends need my full attention, I feel so lucky to have this road as my ride to work, its so beautiful and today is no exception. The daffodils have all but died off now except in the odd sheltered spot but they are rapidly being replaced by a whole rainbow of wild flowers with rich scent filling my senses and the beech trees are almost in full vibrant, almost luminescent light green leaf, I love this time of the year its just the best. I pass a few other regular bikers and nod, I wonder if they are having as much fun as me?
Off the A39 and through a busy Bude, I slip through the traffic to the front of the queue, you can’t do that in a car! All too soon I approach work on the cliff tops, I almost carry on along the coast but hey, I need the job (and I love it!) One day I’m going to do this journey and carry on down the coast, I’m going to make a day of it maybe even longer, who knows? I arrive at work fresh and happy, ready for the big shift. In 30 hours I will be heading home, I can’t wait, I hope I have as much fun as I did today.
Find out more about Ride to Work Day 2021 here
