How cycling changed my life...
Nick Garside, 54, a garage owner from Essex has ridden off six stone on his journey to a new life…
THEN 155kg (24.4st) NOW 120kg (18.8st) HOW WAS LIFE BEFORE THE BIKE?
“Years of no exercise, rich food, plenty to drink and a sedentary lifestyle saw my weight rise to just shy of 25 stone. The only sport I did was clay trap shooting. I competed at international level and it engendered a spirit within me that would come in handy with cycling.”
HOW DID CYCLING CHANGE YOUR LIFE?
“I brought myself a bike for my birthday in May 2018 and went out for a ride. I struggled with a two-mile journey, but that gave me the incentive to build my fitness levels. Two miles became four then six and so on, giving myself challenges to go a bit further every time.”
WHAT DID YOU DO TO LOSE WEIGHT?
“Along with diet changes, I ride four mornings a week, leaving the house at 4.45am. I do this in a ‘fasted state’ with just a double espresso inside me. I take bottle of water with an electrolyte tablet. After work I do a 17-mile circuit.”
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO KEEP GOING?
“I believe the competitive spirit from the shooting has helped me push myself to achieve what I want. My family are great. We look at old photos of me and it spurs me on. I’ve also lost close friends to cancer and had health scares that make me realise I need to get in shape to enjoy time with my grandchildren.”
WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT GOALS?
“I’ve been working up to the Essex 100, which will be my first century. Every Friday I meet my mates at the village pub. I’ve convinced them to all ride there and back. I also did London to Southend – 65 miles – but I rode to the station too – 10 miles – and to the pub afterwards – six miles. Basically cycle whenever you can and reward yourself with the odd beer.”
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT CYCLING?
“It really has transformed my life. I don’t have any excuses not to ride as I now have a Specialized mountain bike for rides along the sea wall and in bad weather, plus any off-road routes I take, as well as the road bike – a Specialized Roubaix with a Hope Hoops wheelset.”
GET IN TOUCH...
Has cycling changed your life? Email us at cyclingplus@immediate.co.uk
I BOUGHT MYSELF A BIKE FOR MY BIRTHDAY AND STRUGGLED WITH A TWO MILE JOURNEY