Your commuter profiles - Graham Denny

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British Cycling member Graham from Norfolk loves zipping past cars stuck in traffic and saving money at the same time. No wonder cycle commuting always puts a smile on his face!

Name: Graham Denny

Workplace: Education Federation in Norwich

Tell us about your commuting rig: Either a Boardman Team CX with SRAM Apex and Avid BB5 road disc brakes, or if the weather is fine and I am feeling adventurous, my vintage Colnago Super.

What’s your commute like? 15 miles each way into Norwich, on quiet roads through glorious Norfolk countryside. Norwich is a deceptively hilly city and the route is definitely lumpy, but the quiet tree lined avenues make up for it.

How many days a week do you commute by bike? Usually three to four – I’ve upped the days recently as I discovered a new route that I really enjoy riding. I work four days per week, and my aim is to consistently ride in every day.

What do you enjoy the most about bike commuting? Being out of the car and in the open air, regardless of the weather. Zipping past cars stuck in traffic. Spending less money on petrol and treating myself to new cycling kit as a result! Getting in the extra miles and starting a cycle club at work. Cycling to work always puts a smile on my face.

"You don’t have to drip lycra – urban/city cycle clothing is easy to come by now, performs well and looks so much cooler in the office…"

Graham's top tip is a sartorial one.

What’s your least favourite thing about commuting by bike? The dreaded P word making me late for work. Country lanes after the farmers have been muck spreading. Aggressive (jealous?) drivers, although these are thankfully a rarity.

What are your main reasons to commute by bike? To save money, or rather to spend less of it on petrol, to keep fit and to just for the fun of it. To blow the cobwebs away before and after work.

Have you got any funny or interesting bike commuting stories or experiences to share? I regularly see interesting wildlife during the rural sections of my commute, but last week I had a Barn owl flying head-height alongside and a little later a honey buzzard circling not too far above me. It was an amazing sight, and the buzzard was enormous. It did cross my mind that perhaps it saw me as a breakfast snack…

What’s your killer commuting tip? Invest in decent quality cycle clothing – it’s worth it in the long run as it performs better and lasts longer. You don’t have to drip lycra – urban/city cycle clothing is easy to come by now, performs well and looks so much cooler in the office… Oh, and stick with clipless pedals even on the commute.

Are you a British Cycling Member? If so how does your British Cycling membership support your bike commuting? Yes I am – the BC website is full of useful tips and information. And words of encouragement!


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We want to know about your commuting experiences; how far you go, why you choose to ride, your killer tips and your commuter grumbles. Download, complete and email back your commuter profile to editor@britishcycling.org.uk and tell your story. Feel free to include a photograph/photographs of you and your trusty commuting bike!

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