Life On Two Wheels

London has become a city of cyclists, with life on two wheels spreading across the country. I talked to Nic Johns — a local Bike shop owner and cyclist enthusiast — about the sport, the lifestyle, and the growing culture of cycling.

The Tour de France starts in Leeds this Saturday, and hundreds of thousands of cycling fans will line the route of the course finishing at the Champs-Élysées. The sport has seemed to take this nation by storm since Sir Bradley Wiggins crossed the finish line as winner in 2012. Across London, cycling shops have popped up, and it seems more common to spot middle aged men clad in lycra cycling to work that in their suits on the underground. For these men, cycling has become more than just a pursuit of pleasure; it has become a way of life. I talked with Nicolas Johns, owner of my local cycling shop, about how cycling changed his life, and those he comes into contact with on a daily basis.

I asked him what first got him interesting in taking up cycling seriously.

“The fitness aspect at first, I started commuting 14 miles a day on a 29er Mountain bike throughout the winter of 2008. Come spring I had lost a considerable amount of weight and was doing more leisurely riding in the New Forest. Then it was the social aspect, cycling put me back in touch with friends I hadn’t seen for a while.”

I could see his world was filled with cycling now, he showed me round the shop, pointing at the graphite frames and monochrome spokes. He showed me a picture of himself 2 years ago; I could barely believe it was the same man in front of me, now a lean mass of sinew and muscle. His transformation was more than just the result of leisurely pursuit. I asked him how cycling has changed his life, or perhaps more fitting, how he had changed his life for cycling

“At first it was just a hobby and means to keep fit — eating what I liked without feeling guilty! In March 2009 I bought a road bike and that’s when I started taking it a bit more seriously. I had become friendly with the staff in my local bike shop, and upon returning from a two-week holiday cycling in Mallorca, I saw a full time role advertised and said I wanted the job. 24 hours later I was offered the job.” Everyone in the shop laughed. Nic smiled, his blue eyes and blonde hair sun kissed from his latest riding holiday in the South of France.

“So cycling became my life. I stopped going out on Friday and Saturday nights because I wanted to get up early and go cycling with my mates.”

For Nic it was obvious this was a way of life that embraced others. However, as is often the case within sub-cultures, there are some elitists to consider within the biking realm. With cycling being a sport based on being the fittest and fastest, I asked him to shed some light on the more snobbish side of cycling life.

“Certainly there are a couple of groups of people who look down on others but not because of how seriously people take it. Mostly it’s the Middle Aged Men In Lycra (MAMILS) who have lots of money and the most expensive bikes and kit. These people are renowned for being a bit snobby.” He hinted over to the balding overweight man in the corner looking through the latest supplements and protein packs. He gave me a knowing smirk,

“Many of these people aren’t actually good cyclists, they’re mostly a bit overweight and slow up the hills. But at the coffee shop, they’re giving large about how light their bike is.”

Chris Froome is the reigning champion of the Tour de France, which Nic says he will be travelling up to Leeds to see kick off, and it felt like the whole room was buzzing with anticipation. Those that have settled down to watch a day of the race will know that the theatre of the peloton is as subtle and compelling as an Greek tragedy. The bell on the shop door rang and in walked a father and son, looking to grab some bits and pieces for their weekend bike ride. The bell dinged again and in walked two business men looking for a tune up.

“How much do you think cycling is on the rise within mainstream society?” I asked Nic after he had dealt with his clientele.

“Cycling is the new golf. There are people who don’t think twice about spending thousands on a bike they don’t actually need. They want the best; they want an advantage no matter how minimal. Lots of people now wouldn’t have been seen dead in very tight fitting cycling kit 5 years ago. Cycling is cool now, it’s social and it’s great for keeping in shape. One of the things I’ve noticed the most working in this bike shop is the biggest rise was the amount of ladies getting into cycling. It’s low impact on your joints so many women are enjoying the fitness side of it.”

“Have you ever experience any prejudice on the road, either from drivers, or other cyclists?” I probed Nic for something more shocking. Tales of drivers with road rage and bike on bike violence raced through my mind.

Nic smiled; “Cycling can be either. It depends on who you want to ride with. There are always those who take it more seriously, people who analyse their ride data via their cycling computer. Looking at heart rate zones and cadence. Some of these people are elitist; others are quite humble about their cycling. Other people are just groups of mates with a common interest who don’t train or race, just stop for coffee and cake! More commonly known as Cafe Racers.

I perused the shop, seduced by Nic’s talk of cycling holidays in the sun, and serene rides through the forest. Lastly, I asked him how much I would have to invest to get the right gear, enough for me to take it seriously.

“Easily over £3000 in just over an 18 month period. But starting out is the most expensive period, once you’ve got your bike it’s only maintenance costs, nutrition products and occasionally new kit that you need to buy.”

Sadly, as I checked my wallet and the metaphorical moths flew out, I knew it would be a while before people saw me cycling down Shoreditch high street in racing green lyrca. I loved the whole world of cycling though— the colours, and the smiling faces. It seemed buying a new racing bicycle would have the same sex appeal as buying a new sports car would. It would certainly have a better mile to the gallon. Although it seems a sport reserved for the wealthy at the moment, more exclusive than inclusive. For that reason it was hard to imagine little kids running home to go cycling, rather than play football after school. Nic assured me that come 2016 we would all be on bikes though, and I just about believed him.