A Photographer with a Bike

I'm not fast on bike. I don't have amazing stamina. But I do really enjoy the simple experience of zooming along country lanes with a group of like-minded friends. but how did I discover this? What is my story?

Like most others, I had a bike as a youngster but this was to get from A to B, to get around and to be part of the gang but this interest faded as I got older, I had motorbikes and cars. A family grew up around me. I started digital photography when digital cameras first came out and I was totally hooked. Holiday pictures at first but then landscapes, portraits, weddings, racing and music events. It is a great way to memorise the events.

I returned to bikes when when my eldest son, Ben announced that he had enrolled to a charity cycle ride at his work and he needed a training partner. I was reasonably fit, I had time on my hands and I wanted to help - it all made good sense. With a basic bike from Halfords we went out a few times for training. His work colleague lived in Newport and was a member of NRCC and we him for a few club rides.

This was all new to me - I never had done distance, never followed a route, never with a group, never for simple pleasure. But something crept up on me - I found peace, quiet, a space to contemplate - things that I did not realise that I was missing. My fellow riders would leave me to my own thoughts but were friendly and I soon got to enjoy the chat. In my time with the club many have repeated the same message - cycling is therapeutic.

After his charity ride my son had a young family and no time for cycling but I stayed on becoming a regular each week. My photography connected with cycling when a GoPro got added to my helmet and I took many photos during the rides and posted to Facebook. These were (mostly) well received and I felt that I belonged.

I have always been shy, quiet, a bit of a loner but I am not selfish - I have talents and skills that do benefit the club - I manage the list of club members and this website is my creation. It is my way of showing my gratitude to a group who (to some degree) shaped my life.

But I am still a Photographer with a Bike - not the other way around!