April 22, 2020

Wordsworth said “Silence and solitude, the soul’s best friends” I think he forgot to mention bikes!

My name is Tim, often known as Grouchy, From Swindon, England.

I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t ride. I ride never to be anything other than free and present in that moment. Almost always alone on my bike, but never lonely. Rides through Essex as a young teenager to the roads and trials of the Lake District in my 20’s. Now in my 40’s challenging myself a few times with 1000 cold winter mile challenges, for Cycle Down Dementia.

Over 30 years of solitary cycling has led me to where I am now.

Having delt with mental health issues in 2018/19 due to work pressure, when I needed it most the thing I couldn’t do was ride. Even though I knew riding was that opportunity for time and space, the pressures I felt were too great to get out other than to commute!

Changing my job freed my mind and put me back on the road. The country lanes of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire are my current parcours. Cycling the medicine to keep myself moving forward and maintain my balance mentality and physically.

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/the_grouchy_cyclist/
Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/23460111

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