Whilst avoiding the afternoon rain, I found myself watching the popular UK daytime television program This Morning. Strangely there was something I found of interest on it and, stranger still, it was related to Fern Britton.She seems to be taking part in one of those all-female charity cycles along the banks of the river Nile and this week This Morning was showing a series of little snippets of her training over the past six months. Just to explain that, they were showing the snippets this week and the training had occurred over the past six months. Now I've got things straight, I shall continue.
The main reason I thought it worth a mention is that it's good to see people mentioning cycling on very much mainstream television. However, I guess that depends in what 'light' it is mentioned.
It would be very easy to criticise the coverage and say 'She didn't promote how safe cycling is compared to its general perception' or 'She could have mentioned about how much fitter it has made her or the psychological benefits' but I've not seen all the snippets and, even if I had, who the hell am I to judge and comment? It's not as if her job is to promote the benefits of cycling. If Fern Britton tries cycling and finds hills tough going and gets a bit of pain from it, isn't it only fair she mentions this?
When I started cycling again, only a few years ago, I avoided hills completely, thought they were completely beyond me and was of the opinion I would never be able to climb them. Now those self same hills are enjoyable parts of my cycling. Still, it's important for me to remember it took some time for my perception to change and enjoy my cycling evolution. Sorry, I'm off on a bit of a tangent. I'll start a new paragraph and try to get back on track.
Now where was I? Oh yes, Fern Britton's cycling. Before I get away from the subject again, I should put a few relevant links down here:
Something I did think came across in the couple of minutes airing of the little pieces (okay, I admit I saw both yesterday's and today's) was that Fern Britton seemed to be enjoying herself and how someone who isn't particularly athletic or young (I don't mean that as an insult, more that she's not an Olympian) can still cycle a reasonable distance (250 miles in five days). Hopefully it will have that 'If she can do that, then I could easily use my bike to go a couple of miles into town instead of using the car' effect on some people. Even if only a few people are coaxed into using their bicycles or it makes someone think before shouting abuse or throwing things at cyclists, it's good.
Just as an asides, I noticed she was wearing Gore and Assos cycling clothing. I don't know what model it is but you can bet the Trek she's riding wasn't cheap either. The shop she went to get kitted out at must have 'stuck the arm in' a bit. Still, I imagine the combined funding of Fern Britton and ITV could afford it without having to cut back on too much.
Here's hoping seeing someone very normal on bike inspires others to get out of the habit of taking the car everywhere and do some cycling for themselves.
Enough of this. I better get off before I miss Loose Women. They might have Jeremy Beadle cycling the Great Wall of China.
Just as an asides, I noticed she was wearing Gore and Assos cycling clothing. I don't know what model it is but you can bet the Trek she's riding wasn't cheap either. The shop she went to get kitted out at must have 'stuck the arm in' a bit. Still, I imagine the combined funding of Fern Britton and ITV could afford it without having to cut back on too much.
Here's hoping seeing someone very normal on bike inspires others to get out of the habit of taking the car everywhere and do some cycling for themselves.
Enough of this. I better get off before I miss Loose Women. They might have Jeremy Beadle cycling the Great Wall of China.
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