Volunteer star: Ian B

Hi, my name is Ian and I’m a volunteer spin buddy with Preston pedals. 

My love of cycling started early when my parents bought me a Raleigh Grifter in the early 1970’s – the sense of freedom and independence that being on a bike brings is a joy that hasn’t left me to this day. But to be honest, until I was 40 most of my cycling was short leisure rides with the family and commuting to work, which was never more than a few miles a day.

Then out of the blue a colleague asked me to participate in a sponsored ride from our Army base in Germany to Switzerland covering 100 miles a day over 5 days. This required significant training and with that began a new chapter in my cycling experience which featured longer rides and the necessary considerations of physical endurance, diet & nutrition and route planning, amongst others. 

Since then I’ve done many one-day club rides, Audax and Sportive rides, various long-distance multi-day rides, plus the occasional self-contained cycle tour in UK and Europe. But whilst my cycling has developed over the years, the fundamental act of cycling for transport remains important to me. Whether it’s cycling to the local shops or cycling to the train station, I still get a buzz every time I make a journey by bike and a satisfaction from any journey without a car. 

Through my involvement with Preston Pedals, I’ve recently become a qualified ride leader with British Cycling so I look forward to being paired as a Spin Buddy and helping others find the joy in cycling. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you on a ride in the future.