We’re encouraging as many colleagues as possible to sign up to Love to Ride and trial commuting to work by bicycle, even just once! In addition to the obvious health and money-saving benefits, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint too.
One 5 mile bike journey prevents 5.8kgs of CO2 from entering the atmosphere!
Recently, we shared Bob’s story, where he talked about how cycling helped him look forward to his Monday morning commute. Today, Tom and Gareth share their stories.
Tom Harvey, Senior Architect
“I’ve been cycling to work since 2016. The reason I started was because I knew from our Nuffield health assessments that I needed to get more exercise. But with a busy job and a young family, I found it hard to create the time.
My ride to work takes me from home, through Eastleigh, through Riverside Park in Bitterne and into central Southampton, alongside the river in Northam and some of the quieter roads in Southampton. It’s not the fastest route but it’s a nice balance between speed and lower traffic. It’s 10 miles each way and takes me around 45 minutes.
At first I cycled to work once a week, but now it’s pretty rare for me to come to work any other way.
Commuting by bike is a really time efficient way to get a workout. In my case, I exchanged 60 minutes in the car for 90 minutes of exercise. Beyond the health benefits, it is so much fun to ride a bike. I love the sense of speed (when it’s safe!), being out in the fresh air and the feeling of freedom I get from being on a bike.”
Gareth Reast, Partnerships Executive
“My friends and family are always asking me why I cycle every day to work. It’s a 14 mile round trip, which I could drive or scoot. But it’s simple really and here’s why:
Nothing can beat fresh air and exercise in the morning especially as I know I will be sat down for the best part of the next 6-7 hours. I leave Marchwood at 07.30 sharp every morning and cycle into work which takes me about 40 minutes. I then leave work at 15.00 to meet up with my daughter after the school run.
I also find cycling is great way to clear your mind and reset. I either have my music or my favourite radio station playing, but I know by the time I get to work I have de-clunked most of what’s going around in my head. It sets me up perfect for the day.
I’m also in a competition to see who can cycle the most against my best friend Paul who lives in the United States. It’s safe to say I am currently winning that competition, not that I am competitive! I would encourage anyone who has the means to try it at least once and see how they feel afterwards.”
Join our friendly community!
If you haven’t cycled into Carnival House before then please notify Facilities in advance (by emailing the Carnival House inbox) so they can give you information about accessing the undercroft, showers, lockers and access rights. We also have a friendly community of Carnival House cyclists on our Teams site, click here to join the group.
Sign up to Love to Ride.
Whether you’re a leisurely Sunday cycler, or you use your bike to commute, with Love to Ride, you can track your bike miles, see your carbon savings and find support to ride more often. They also do regular challenges, where you can win cash prizes just for riding your bike.
Southampton City Council are encouraging this initiative as part of their aim to evolve Southampton into a congestion-free, clean air city. The more people who choose to cycle to work, the quicker they will expand their cycle-friendly infrastructure. Sign up here.
Want to buy a new bike?
We have a fantastic cycle to work scheme which is a very tax efficient way of purchasing a bicycle. Find out more here.
For more tips on having a #GoodDayAtCUK, click here.