“Choose a hobby that isn’t going to cost you.” These were wise words once said to Dave Morgan, who had moved to Tendring nine years ago. Dave is 67 years old and loves to keep active, however, some activities are more difficult than others. He played semi-professional football in his younger years, but had to stop at the age of 22 after struggling with his ‘dodgy knees’.
Following on from the sound advice, Dave purchased bikes for himself and his wife, Lin, and they’ve been on the move ever since – encouraging others along the way. Dave now leads Clacton’s Get Cycling group – a free, local cycling community of all ages and abilities that meet twice a month for an hour’s cycle along Essex’s “Sunshine Coast”.
Dave’s dodgy knees mean that walking can be difficult but by cycling, he can keep himself moving – travelling further for longer, with an added bonus of taking in the beautiful views along the seafront. He believes that cycling gives him a sense of wellbeing and changes him from “A person who limps and struggles to walk, to an active person who can cycle for miles.”
Along with regular exercise and racking up the miles, Dave has gained a lot of friends cy-cling with the group. He’s noticed that many who were joining in with the rides were older than him and some have had serious illnesses but still manage to come out for a Sunday bike ride. He sees the members of the group as an inspiration to keep going. At this stage in his life, striving to be his idea of “Fit” is no longer the goal as he feels this is an impossible task. He aims to maintain being regularly active – a more realistic target that can be achieved by people at all different ages and abilities.
The Get Cycling group offers an opportunity for people of mixed abilities to cycle in a safe way, building confidence for beginners and creating routine for others, along with connect-ing cyclists to the community. He gives out “Get Cycling” badges and leaflets on their rides and encourages members to be considerate riders, greeting shared users of the coastal path whilst they’re riding along. Dave has made good connections with local cafes and hotels and uses them as meeting points, getting offers on refreshments for the group. He’s found that food and drink are always good rewards at the end of a bike ride.
Dave has plans for Get Cycling in Clacton and would love to see more people joining in. A Pier to Pier charity bike ride – the first of its kind in the area – was organised for the sum-mer of 2020, however due to the pandemic it has been postponed until next year. He also has ideas about incorporating a ‘Get Active’ scheme within the Get Cycling brand, encour-aging walkers, people in mobility scooters and parents with prams in the Tendring area to get outside and moving more.
Dave’s enthusiasm for cycling is infectious. His riders love getting out on their Sunday ses-sions. Regular rider, Christine, Said: “It’s never too late to start cycling!” Since joining, Christine, 69 has encouraged her friend, 72, to get a bike and join the group. She and her friend enjoy the regular bike rides and getting out in the fresh air along the coast.
We at Active Essex love to see people like Dave in our community supporting others to keep going and to keep active. If a leisurely, traffic-free cycle along the seafront is a bit of you, you can meet Dave at Kingscliff Hotel, 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 10ish for a 10.30 start.
