1Perfect PlanningUse Journey Planner at tfl.gov.uk orthe free TfL cycling maps to plan yourjourney on London’s cycle network, greenroutes and roads. Look at the weatherforecast and think about packing light-weight weatherproof attire for longerjourneys or commuting.

2Ready to rollCheck your bike is road worthy –especially that the brakes, tyres andlights are in working order. Ask at your localbike shop if you are unsure about anything.Cleaning your bike regularly is a good wayto get to know it and to find problems beforehaving to walk home.

3Safe and soundCarry a good quality bike lock if youare going to leave your bike anywhere(look out for Sold Secure label). Registeryour bike at www.immobolise.com to becontacted if your stolen or lost bike isrecovered. When parking your bike find animmovable object, preferably a cycle standand fix a lock through the frame and quick-release type wheels.

4Stay coolIn hot weather choose man-madefibres over cotton, which absorbssweat. Specific cycle clothing can makelonger journeys more comfortable and oftenhas the advantage of being reflective.Consider sunglasses but chooseshatterproof plastic lenses over glass incase of a tumble. When the sun is outprotect bare skin with suncream. Thinkabout investing in a rack and pannier ratherthan sweating under a rucksack.

5Be preparedIf you’re travelling for a few miles ormore, pack a repair kit or spare innertube, tyre levers and a small pump. Carrywater in a sports bottle on your bike or in aback pack or pannier. Even though it’ssummer, think about lights if you mightreturn late.

6Arrive in styleIf commuting, and you have the room,take a few days worth of clothes in ata time, maybe on the bus or tube, and cyclein on the other days with nothing to carry.Keep a towel and toiletries in a desk draweror cupboard at work if you want to shower.

7Use your headNever ride through red lights and don’tride on pavements unless there aresigns permitting it. Be considerate to otherroad users – you can always smile as youzip past the queues! If you wear a helmetmake sure it is done up and fitted properly. Ifin doubt, consult a bike shop.

8Don’t be a kerb-huggerAlways ride where you can be seen byother road users and stay aware ofwhat is going on around you. Don’t listen tomusic or use your mobile while riding –enjoy seeing London from a newperspective instead.

9It’s never too late to learnCycling is safe and quick but not thesame as driving a car. If you are newto cycling, nervous or just a bit rusty ask acycling friend to ride with you at first orphone your local council cycling officer tosee if they can arrange cycle training foradults or families.

10 Enjoy the rideLeave the car at home, join thegrowing ranks of cyclists, feelfitter and get around easier. To find out moreabout cycling and to stay up-to-date with arange of great London cycling events likethe 2006 Tour of Britain, Bike Fest or the2007 Tour de France Grand Depart, visitwww.tfl.gov.uk/cycling

How long have you been cyclingfor?

Since I was four, when I climbed outof the front room window andpedalled down to the local shops onmy tricycle. I was a cycle commuterwhen I was working in Burnt Oakbefore taking up the sport oftriathlon.

How often do you use yourbike?

Daily, to get to and from work inWatford and also for popping downthe shops for the odd item. As afamily we are cycling the Sustrans(www.sustrans.org.uk) routes in Kentwhen visiting grand parents.

Do you commute by bike orcycle for recreation?

My commuting also doubles as mytraining for competitions. I get fitwhile travelling to work.

How far do you cycle per week?

70 miles.

What kind of bike do you have? I have three bicycles: One is a racerused for cycling time trials, duathlons[running and cycling] and triathlons.The second is another racer but withmudguards and panniers for carrying

my lunch and change ofclothes for

work.

The third is a 40-year-old smallwheeled Moulton bicycle with frontand rear suspension.

What is your favourite cycleroute? The ‘on pavement’ route throughNorth Harrow as it permits the useby families with children andprovides easy and quick access tothe local shops.

Least favourite cycle route? All the ‘white line’ routes whereparked cars hide the routes.

Do you use the TfL cyclingmaps? I was involved in a minor way withthe production of the local area’smaps. When going to newdestinations the maps are used tofind quiet but also joined-up routes.They are very good when planning atrip with the family where less busyroads are required.

Do you think Harrow is cycle-friendly?When I first became aware that youcould have cycle facilities, Harrowhad only two locations in the wholeborough but it has improved. Somevery good cycle facilities have beencreated, although the big problem isa lack of space to allow cyclists,motorists and pedestrians to all havetheir own space. Loads of highquality [chrome] bicycle parking isnow available although there needsto be provision of more securebicycle parking at the borough’ssports centres. Harrow Borough iscycle-friendly and you can see thisin the work that has been going on.

We could do with learn to cyclecourses for adults.

What do you think of cyclinglanes in Harrow?There needs to be moredevelopment of ‘local’ routes, toprovide safer cycle paths to schools,shopping centres, and workplaces,quieter routes for the family users

and links onto the ‘backbone’(motorway) network.

Do you cycle with colleagues,friends or solo?

My cycle commute is a soloaffair but en route I see up to 12other cyclists.

What is your local/favouritebicycle shop?The unusually named The Bike Shopin North Harrow, as they cater for thewhole range of cyclists from the two-year-old on their first bike to topnational cycling athletes.

Any further comments oncycling in Harrow? Employers need to be made aware ofwhat can be done to encourage theiremployees to cycle to work –changing areas, showers and secureparking for the bicycles would do this.

The railway stations need toprovide secure parking for bicycles.Also, the Tour de France is starting inLondon next year (2007) and avelodrome is being built in EastLondon for the 2012 Olympics.Harrow could do something, sayconstruct a mountain bike coursearound Halls farm.

● Want to cycle in Harrow? CallJacob, who is the local LCC(London Cycling Campaign)contact on 020 8866 8894.

My favourite isthe ‘onpavement’

route through NorthHarrow as it permits theuse by families withchildren and provideseasy and quick accessto the local shops ”

“

leisure leisure

Baker StreetBankBarbicanBlackfriarsBond StreetBoroughCannon streetChancery LaneCharing CrossCity ThameslinkCovent GardenEastcoteElephant and CastleEmbankmentEuston SquareFarringdonGoodge StreetGreat Portland StreetGreenfordGreen Park

Harrow & WealdstoneHarrow-on-the-HillHatch EndHeadstoneLaneHillingdonHolbornHydeParkCornerIckenhamKentonKnighstbridgeLambeth NorthLeicester SquareLondon BridgeMarble ArchMaryleboneMonumentMoorgate

North HarrowNortholtNortholt Park

Northwick ParkNorthwood

NorthwoodHillsOld StreetOxford

CircusPiccadilly

CircusPinnerRayners LaneRegent's ParkRuislipRuislip GardensRuislip ManorRussell SquareSt James' Park

St Paul'sSouth HarrowSouth RuislipSouthwarkSudbury & HarrowRoadSudbury HillSudbury Hill HarrowSudbury TownTempleTottenham CourtRoadUxbridgeVictoriaWarren StreetWaterlooWaterloo EastWest HarrowWestminsterWest Ruislip

■ TfL publish 19cycle maps, covering

every borough, availablethrough www.tfl.gov.uk/

cycles■ Bicycles can be taken free ofcharge on some sections of theunderground network outsidepeak times (7.30-9.30am &

4-7pm Mon-Fri, exceptpublic holidays). Ph

020 7222 1234

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now...

London train stations where you can park your bike

Top 10cycling tipsHow to enjoy the borough, on two wheels

Cycling Harrow

Meet JACOB GLOOR. He’s 42, lives inHarrow and is married with two sons, aged10 and 13. Apart from commuting to workon two wheels and riding for sport, Jacobenjoys the quality time cycling lets himspend with his family

Local activities LONDON cycle events range from spectatoractivities, local small-scale sustainable travelevents, mass participation rides, internationalevents and competitive racing.

Visit www.goodgoing.co.uk or phone 0208866 8894 for events in Harrow.

Cycling for allFEW disabilities need be a barrier to enjoyingLondon by bike, thanks to developments inbicycle technology. The London CyclingCampaign’s guide to disabled cycling has lotsof useful information about people, places,clubs, trainers, holidays and specialist bike andtandem suppliers.

For more information visit www.lcc.org.uk orcall 020 7928 7220.

■ Bicycles Cash & Carry, 279-281 Kenton Lane, Harrow HA38RR ph 020 8907 5676 ■ Halfords, Manor Parade,Sheepcote Road, Harrow HA12JN ph 020 8427 8803 ■ The Bike Shop, 511 PinnerRoad, North Harrow HA2 6EHph 020 8427 5454 ■ Bike Wise, 61 SwakeleysRoad, Ickenham UB10 8QD ph 01895 675376 ■ Northwood Cycle Depot, 118

Pinner Road, Northwood HA 31BP ph 01923 824174 ■ Cycle King, 451-455 RaynersLane, Pinner HA5 5ET ph 0208868 6262 ■ Action Bikes, 47-49 HighStreet Ruislip HA4 7BD ph 01895 623333 ■ Halfords Victoria Road, SouthRuislip HA4 0QE ph 020 8864 4468 ■ Halfords, 2 HarefieldRoad, Uxbridge UB8 1PHph 01895 810557

Bike shops Harrow/Hillingdon

■ London hasseen a 72 per cent

increase in cycle journeys onLondon’s major roads since 2000.

In summer months that increaserises to 100 per cent.

■ It is estimated that there are nowapproximately 450,000 cycle journeys aday across London as a whole.■ There are more than 500km ofLondon Cycle Network routes and

12,000 new cycle parkingspaces in London.

Did you know...

On yer bike!

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