Essex Pedal Power is a community-based cycling project, with an aim to allow residents in Clacton and Jaywick Sands an opportunity to find their active and to access work and education opportunities, with a low cost, sustainable mode of transport. With 1,300 free bikes currently being offered to residents, this exciting pilot scheme is already gaining momentum.
Cheryl lives in West Clacton and was able to try out one of the Essex Pedal Power bikes to help promote the community-based project around Clacton and Jaywick. Although excited to ride the bike at first, Cheryl’s nerves soon kicked in. It had been a long time since she’d cycled and she was apprehensive about going too fast; gear changes; getting hot and sweaty and ending up with a “Bright red tomato face!”
After slowly easing herself in and taking a steady pace, Cheryl’s mindset changed. She said: “The wind through my hair cooled me as I rode. The roads were quiet, which meant I was able to ride at a good pace. I felt confident, like I used to feel in my teens when I would ride my bike everywhere. The bike I had then was orange, too!”
Cheryl had good intentions to ride the bike to meetings the following week, but was put off by the weather. She said: “Old habits kicked in and I took the car instead. I only managed one ride that week around the estate where I lived. It felt good, but it was a little boring on my own.”
Cycling is a great way to get around town, but it also provides a fun, free and healthy way to spend some quality time with others. No sooner had Cheryl started cycling, her boyfriend was inspired to cycle, too. Cheryl said: “The end of that week my boyfriend, Steve, surprised me by returning home from work with his bike that had been stored at his workplace for the past six years. Removing it from the boot of his car, all I could see was a dust ridden, very tired looking bike. But as he wiped away the dust, a smart looking red a white bike appeared, perfect for our adventures the following week while we were on leave.”
As the sun shone and the weather warmed up, just in time for Cheryl and Steve’s week off, they took it as an opportunity to cycle around the local coast line. Starting steady at first, they spent some time cycling around their estate to get Steve used to riding a bike again. Cheryl said: “Once he was used to riding again, we rode further, along the beautiful seafront of Clacton and Jaywick. Thankfully, we had a lot of sunshine which made these rides an absolute pleasure to do, and a reward of an ice cold gin and tonic along the way also helped just a little!”
Enthusiastic about her new cycling habit, Cheryl started to tell her family members all about it. And it wasn’t long before they were joining her for rides. Cheryl said: “I was proud to tell my sister, Lisa, I had been out on an Essex Pedal Power bike. She laughed initially at the thought of me on a bike, but then she said ‘I want to join you.’“
Borrowing Steve’s bike, Cheryl’s sister joined in for rides around the estate to get a feel for the activity. The girls had a great time, finishing the day filled with nostalgia. Cheryl said: “Riding around we both commented that it felt just like the cycling adventures we’d had as kids. Riding our bikes around the estate where we lived, it was like one big playground. We’d be out all day long back then, having fun with our friends, only going home when we were hungry or because it got dark.”
Cycling for Cheryl and her sister seems to have opened up a new world, with opportunities to interact more with the community, and more with their friends, too. Cheryl said: “Lisa and I rode our bikes into Clacton to volunteer for Octopus Ahoy, using our bikes to do a good deed. We were joined by our friend Heidi, who also rode her bike to help us volunteer.”
Riding into Clacton that day with Cheryl inspired others to carry on. Cheryl said: “Lisa and Heidi spoke about how much they’d enjoyed cycling that day, Heidi and her boyfriend even rode the 14 mile return coastal journey to Walton the following day for breakfast!”
Cheryl is excited to see where the wheels will take her next. She said: “I wonder where our next adventure will be. Watch this space!”
If you are feeling inspired by Cheryl and are looking for a new cycling adventure in the Clacton or Jaywick Sands area, you can find out more about Essex Pedal Power and how to apply here.
