My dad tells a story of a time he was looking after me when I was little, probably about 3 years old. He tied the handle of my bike to the washing pole on a long piece of washing line, so I wouldn’t ride off and I would happily cycle round and round until the cord was tight and then he would turn the bike around and I would go the other way! Whether this is a true story or not it still makes me smile. This is me with my Grandpa when I am 3 years old – 1976.
I have many memories of cycling around our estate in my childhood, with my sister and friends. As I got older, I did the cycling proficiency course at primary school and finally got a racer bike when I was about 12 years old and started to ride to secondary school regularly from about 14 years old. I absolutely loved my racer bike.
There has been a long pause in my cycling journey since those years at primary and secondary school. Although I cycled a few times over the years on holiday in places like Centre Parcs, I didn’t own a bike again until April 2017 when we had the opportunity to join in with part of the Tour de Yorkshire as it came through Bradford, cycling with them from Lister Park.
A few years ago, I met Jane Bridges at work, we are both Occupational Therapist’s. She talked to me often about Bingley Belles and after a year and a half I finally found enough courage to go on a ride and become a member in 2022. I remember thinking at the time – what am I doing? I haven’t cycled for years, I don’t have any bike clothes, I won’t be able to keep up and I don’t know how to fix a puncture! I did like the idea of the cake rides and the promise that no one would be left behind! In fact, I secretly hoped there might be the odd cake visit planned without cycling but no, I quickly realised – I needed to cycle to get cake!
I booked onto my first 1 cake ride going from five rise locks to low wood along the canal. Everyone was so friendly, and I felt I could go at my own pace which was quite slow! I took comfort that we were cycling past my house on the canal so I could always walk home if it all went wrong!
Since my first ride it has been a bit of an ongoing battle with aches and pains including Achilles Tendonitis and Plantar Fasciitis. Last year I thought it would be best if I left the Bingley Belles group as I was getting nowhere with my injuries. Every time I booked onto a ride I had to cancel. Jane came to my rescue and encouraged me to continue, I looked for opportunities to join in with events that I could attend. There was a walk during the Be Active January month, which I limped along with, I went to the AGM, the Cancer Research fundraiser, the recent literature festival evenings and the picnic in the park at the June fundraiser.
I am so glad that I did not give up on cycling. I now have access to an electric bike and I can’t put into words how grateful I am for this opportunity to get back into cycling again. I joined a ride recently that Sarah said, ‘was the wettest ride she’d ever been on’, I absolutely loved it, even though we all got incredibly wet and my trainers were like swimming pools – the freedom of being outside – riding, when for the last 5 months I could barely walk from my lounge to my kitchen felt exhilarating. Hopefully I will be able to continue to join in with the rides and gradually get my strength back.
Ally Chadwick's favourite ride
- 5 Rise Locks to Cliffe Castle
- Distance: 12 miles
- Terrain: Towpath and quiet roads
- Type of ride: Two cake