In this article we hear from Leanne Farmer, Breeze Champion and owner of A Wee Pedal, a cycle tour business based in Edinburgh, and Fiona (not her real name), who has been supported to cycle by Leanne.

“I want to get outside more but I don’t know where to go and I don’t have anyone to go with. I don’t like running, walking bores me, I quite like swimming, but pools aren’t open at the moment.”

Leanne tells us she has often heard these thoughts in the past year. “Mainly, but not exclusively, it’s been expressed by women who live on their own, recognising that they want to get some form of exercise but their usual routine of going to the gym, the pool, or fitness class, is not allowed at the moment.”

She continues “we are not designed to be locked down in our homes. We are a social species and we thrive on physical and social activity. Working from home is a necessity at the moment but the consequences are that we are actually ‘living at work’."

"We understand the benefits of exercise but, during this bizarre time with so many uncertainties, it becomes too easy to get out of the habit and find reasons not to be active.”

Leanne suggested to Fiona (not her real name) that she should try a bit of cycling. Fiona shared that she has always struggled with her mental health - not enjoying school, not finding her place or a ‘tribe’ and so didn’t really feel she fitted in anywhere until she was in her late twenties. She said she struggles to get out bed at times, doesn’t pick up the ringing phone and falls into the pit of ‘scrolling the screen’ - looking on at others having a better time on social media. She revealed she used to enjoy swimming and pilates class, but without those things, is lacking the motivation to get outside for exercise. Leanne learned Fiona had been on a bike and could ride, but had no confidence in her cycling ability. After some gentle nudging and overcoming obstacles, such as lack of bike (borrow one of Leanne’s fleet) nothing appropriate to wear (just wear jeans and trainers,) don’t have the time (an hour will do) they managed to make a date for a ride.

Leanne told us “I had planned to take Fiona on one of my ‘mindful rides’ to a nature reserve, going the short way so we could do a return trip within an hour. We set off slowly, letting Fiona chat and giving her time to let off her nervous energy. I watched her turn the pedals and adjust her feet and smiled as she eased into the ride. We followed a flat, empty cycle path and for the first time for a long time, I saw Fiona smile."

She took a deep breath and looked across the vast expanse of fields ahead and behind us and said ‘Wow, I never knew any of this existed - you see so much don’t you?’”

She continued “Fiona’s face seemed to open up and totally relax. We talked and focused on being ‘in the moment’ - blocking out all other noises, except that steady metronomic beat of the pedals going round and round. We rode for around 20 minutes, feeling the cold fresh air on our faces and Fiona was now sitting upright, confidence creeping in, shoulders relaxed, head up. We sat looking over the nature reserve and watched the birds land balletically on water, whilst others flapped furiously to take flight again. We talked openly about her mental health and practiced a bit of mindfulness to quieten the mind and focus on the details of what we were seeing and hearing at the reserve.”

Leanne said the return journey was slightly downhill and described Fiona as a different person from an hour earlier. “We laughed, cheered loudly and whooped all the way back like loons! She texted me the next day and told me it was the earliest she’s been in bed and the best night’s sleep she’s had in years!”

After that day, Leanne and Fiona met once a week for a few months and rode to various locations on cycle paths and quiet back streets. Fiona revealed she bought a second-hand bike and started riding some of the routes on her own. She said one of her targets was to see her dad and surprise him by cycling there. This was a critical point - she now had the confidence and desire to visit someone she missed. She described seeing the joy and pride on her dad’s face and how she felt proud of herself. 

She said cycling gave her control of her daily exercise without the need to rely on an organised class or a scheduled ride.

Fiona reports that this has overspilled into her mental health; her self-confidence has soared - she is now feeling more content, calmer, has more energy and is sleeping better.

Fiona admits she still has some dark days, like everyone else, but is generally so much more positive. She reveals she has been on her bike almost every day and says she never knew that riding a bike could be so much fun. “It’s easy, I feel free, I feel in control and I go for as long or as short as I want.“ We couldn’t agree with Fiona more!