From The Gym To RideLondon In Just A Year

Chris Blishen tackled the 100-mile race

Chiswick Cycling Club’s Chris Blishen has only been cycling for less than eighteen months but managed to take part in the the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 last weekend.

The race goes through the streets of London and through Surrey before ending at The Mall, and there were plenty of local wellwishers for Chris and his friends as it sped along the A4 and into Chiswick.

Chris says cycling has become much more popular in Chiswick and there were several local people participating in events over the weekend. He has only been road biking for over a year and is now treasurer at Chiswick Cycling Club. They now have a mailing list of around 50 people with a core of around 15 or 20 who go out on rides regularly. Everyone is welcome irrespective of age, or ability.

Chris had no intention of taking up cycling but had started going to the gym and got into spinning. Then a friend suggested that they take up cycling on a more intensive basis. He bought a bike and joined a group cycling to Amsterdam, a route of over 300 miles which the group completed in four days.

“It was a revelation cycling in France, Belgium and Netherlands – all the cars give way to cyclists and it’s brilliant.

“I can’t say I enjoy cycling in traffic around London, so I did enjoy biking on the closed roads last weekend. It is lovely not to have to cycle in traffic.

“Cycling is a great way to stay fit and something I really enjoy. I try to go out at least a couple of times a week and it’s to be sociable and stay fit.

August 6, 2015