Five ways to ride to a harmonious Christmas
Published 23 November 2012
Female friendly bike shops are a massive asset to the cycling industry and throughout November and December we're highlighting just how brilliant they truly are. Catherine Turner from BEG Bicycles, Cambridge, gives us five tips on how to bring cycling into your life this Christmas.
No sooner has the tinsel been stashed away, the mince pie crumbs swept up and seventeen sack loads of shredded wrapping paper squished into the recycling bin, and tah-dah! Here it comes again. Indeed, we might have had a day or two or sunshine in the meantime and it may actually still be an entire month away, but it won’t have escaped your notice that Christmas is ALREADY nigh upon us, or so the TV ads and retailers would have us believe.
Christmas seems to be a period for goodwill to all men - and more likely good grief to most women! Thankfully, simply riding your bike and making cycling a key part of your Christmas cheer can counteract the hassle, stress and calorific pile up that the festive season brings. Here's five good reasons how taking to two wheels during the holiday period can free up a whole lot of time, cash and your sanity as you get ready to ding, dong merrily on high.
1. Leave the car at home, put the online shopping to one side, get your panniers and basket on and opt to do as much of your pressie-buying as you can by bike in your local neighbourhood. You’ll find surprisingly interesting small shops and businesses right on your doorstep that you’ve not noticed before, and in turn, you’ll feel more a part of your local community. Not only may this help solve the annual what-on-earth to buy Uncle Alan dilemma, but you’ll also support local businesses.
2. Cycle into town to pick up last minute turkey trimmings, and you will save so much time. Sail on by the endless queue of purple-faced drivers, manically drumming their fingernails on the wheel with frustration as they circle round in a futile attempt to find a parking spot. Hop off your bike, lock up and straight into the shops in no time. You’ll not only save time, but pennies on parking and petrol too, you might even be able to treat yourself for Christmas to that nice little pair of heels that you’ve had your eye on. Ho ho ho!
3. Set up a new Christmas tradition where you and your loved ones take time out and enjoy the simpler pleasures of the festive season with a special bike ride; why not saddle up to the cosy country pub to sip on mulled wine or cycle through the woods to find holly and mistletoe to decorate your humble abode. Could be a good time (after a glass or too) to drop some hints about that perfect new bike you’ve had your eye on!
4. Let cycling be your inspiration in choosing presents for friends and family! Take advantage of the inspirational female-friendly bike shops out there (here’s the list of female-friendly bike shops). These shops are packed full of fabulous ideas - and cycling expertise. A cool bike helmet, stylish wicker basket or shiny new bike bell will make a wonderful present for the cyclist in your life and give a lot of pleasure for years to come.
5. When all the hard work is done, sit there smugly during the Queens’ speech with a trim midriff and a glowing complexion to boot, when everyone else is looking comatose, bloated and blotchy from that extra glass of sherry. Cycling is a brilliant way to shift a few pounds before the onslaught of the turkey and you’ll look and feel wonderful for Christmas 2012!
Wishing all cyclists a very happy Christmas and a wonderful new year of cycling in 2013.
Catherine Turner Founder, BEG Bicycles
Catherine runs BEG Bicycles, a family company based in Cambridge. They offer a stunning collection of hand-built mens and ladies 'sit up and beg' bicycles and vintage-inspired cycling accessories that work equally well in the heat of the city and the calm of the countryside. Follow them on Twitter or Facebook.
