Cycling

Off-road cycling and mental health

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Off Road Cycling

I’m no professional cyclist and neither am I a doctor. I do however know a thing or two about health and happiness. I think the two are very much interlinked. 

My workouts tend to be 7 out of 10. I train to stay lean both in body and mind. My consistency tends to be 9 out of 10 though. I very rarely miss a day I don’t do ‘something’. There are several reasons why I do. All are important. Perhaps the most important is for my mind. Without it life is like climbing Mount Ventoux on one of my mountain bikes. It can be done but it’s going to be a bit of a challenge.

Table of Contents

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Cycling Indoors vs Outdoors: A Balanced Perspective

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As a dad who loves spending time outdoors with my family, the decision to invest in an indoor spin bike was a shift in mindset. Being out in the fresh air, exploring parks, National Trust sites and local Yorkshire gems with my kids has always been a huge part of our weekends. But there’s also much to be said for indoor cycling, especially when life gets busy, the weather isn’t cooperating or a combination of both means you can’t reach your fitness goals.

At heart, I’ll always be a trail cyclist. There’s nothing that compares to cycling outdoors on traffic-free trails, the varying terrain, switching off your mind, and the feeling of time standing still. 

In January 2024 I bought a spin bike. I know what you are thinking. It’s another one of those January purchases gathering dust! That couldn’t be further from the truth!

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The Monsal Trail cycling for families

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The Monsal Trail Cycling For Families

Route at a glance

Total distance~8.5 miles / ~13.7 km
DifficultyEasy (wide path, well-lit tunnels)
Top things to see
  • Headstone Viaduct & Monsal Dale
  • Four re-opened rail tunnels
  • Old stations (Hassop, Monsal Head, Millers Dale)
  • Riverside limestone scenery

The Monsal Trail is located in the heart of the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, England. This scenic trail runs along the former Midland Railway line and offers a unique experience for families to enjoy the beauty of the English countryside.

We parked at the old Hessop train station (Hassop Station, Hassop Rd, Bakewell DE45 1NW), which has been converted into a fantastic cycling dream, along with a lovely cafe, play area and ice cream truck. 

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A Dads Fitness Journey 2024 24/2/2024 – 8/3/2024

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Damflask Low Bradfield

I am still finding my groove with these updates and have realised weekly is probably excessive. Consistency is the key so it’s more of the same.  The tumble on my shoulder at football turned into real agony as the weekend went on. I battled through some low-impact body weight exercises however it was uncomfortable; so … Read more

A Dads Fitness Journey 2024 4/2/2024

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Bike Fitness

I rolled into the 5th week of my focused fitness journey with a change to our usual schedule as a family. My wife a trained primary school teacher was taking part in her Bikeabilty training to become a qualified instructor. She’d signed up for this via Cycle North in September 2023 but this was the … Read more

How the Lack of Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Fuels Obesity in the UK

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UK Obesity Crisis

In recent years, the United Kingdom has witnessed a troubling surge in obesity rates, both among adults and children. A significant contributor to this epidemic is the glaring deficiency in walking and cycling infrastructure across the country. The prevailing car-centric culture, coupled with inadequate active travel opportunities, has set the stage for an alarming rise … Read more

How we use our bikes as a family

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Making the transition to riding your bike as a family can be daunting to some. It’s easy to jump in the car and drive to your destination irrespective of how close it is. As a country, we have become heavily dependent upon cars with over 40 million in circulation. Even journeys under 1 mile are now done by car. It’s a frightening statistic.

Biking as a family doesn’t have to be scary though. To start with we have a car and use our car. We only have one but it’s something we couldn’t live without as aspects of our lifestyle are made better by having a car. Visiting family, National Trust sites, driving to the South of France on holiday are all parts of our life we wouldn’t change.

We love our car and arguably the car is actually one of the greatest inventions (behind the bicycle of course) ever created. It’s unfortunately become overused and inefficient as a mode of transport.

Monday – Friday we rarely use our car and opt for walking or cycling as our choice of transportation. We are a family with a 3 and 7 year old and here are some of the ways we use our bikes as a family both as a mode of transport and for fun. 

We hope these will inspire more people to do the same.

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East Riddlesden Hall National Trust Review

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East Riddlesden Hall For Families

Place at a glance

Visit length2–3 hours
AccessibilityCompact site; paths generally good; historic interiors
CostMembers free; day tickets for non-members
Dog friendlyDogs on leads in grounds (not in house/play areas)
Facilities
  • Tea room · Toilets · Baby changing
  • Shop · Plant shop · Free parking
Top things to do
  • Great Barn & gardens
  • House rooms & exhibits
  • Children’s discovery/play area

Nestled in the heart of West Yorkshire, East Riddlesden Hall, a National Trust property, offers a delightful escape for families seeking a day filled with history, outdoor adventures, and natural beauty. Managed by the National Trust, this picturesque estate offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s a hidden oasis on the edge of Keighley, promising a blend of rich history, stunning natural beauty, and a range of family-friendly activities that make it a memorable day out for young families.

As we arrived in March, we took a leisurely stroll around the grounds surrounding the hall. Despite the early spring weather, the proximity of the hall to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal provided a picturesque setting. The kids loved taking in the scenic views, and we were struck by the tranquillity of the area.

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Brimham Rocks National Trust Review

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Brimham Rocks For Families

Place at a glance

Visit length2–4 hours
AccessibilityUneven terrain around rocks; some easier waymarked paths
CostMembers free; charges for non-members/parking
Dog friendlyDogs on leads welcome
Facilities
  • Café kiosk · Toilets
  • Picnic spots · Visitor info
Top things to do
  • Scramble unique rock formations
  • Panoramic viewpoints
  • Waymarked trails & family activities

Brimham Rocks is located in the heart of the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, nestled within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s a fantastic spot for families looking for a blend of adventure and natural splendour, providing both peaceful surroundings and a plethora of activities to engage little explorers. Our children Matilda and Barney loved venturing around Brimham Rocks but if you have kids under the age of 5 it can be challenging to tempt them away from some of the climbing.

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