麻豆约拍

A few weekends ago I travelled to London by train, but with my bike. I鈥檓 quite new to cycling, I鈥檓 what I call a casual cyclist. I don鈥檛 race, I don鈥檛 belong to any clubs and I ride my bike on leisurely routes around my city and to and from work.聽聽I鈥檝e travelled to London with my bike a few times, but each time was scary and something would always go wrong. My previous experiences were enough to leave me so anxious,聽I left it at home.

After writing and posting about my cycling journey, and taking part in the Black Unity Bike Ride last year I was asked to be a part of a photoshoot in London to promote this year's event. I got my friend to stand in for me, but at the last minute, she had to cancel. Aware that it was important to have as much diversity as possible I decided I would go.聽

My stomach was in knots for days. I kept checking the weather hoping I could use it as an excuse not to go, but each time I looked, it said clear skies. I booked my train ticket and hotel, and resigned myself to the fact I鈥檇 have to face my fears.

I woke up early that morning, I got ready, jumped on my bike, heading for Bristol Temple Meads.聽聽The moment I started pedalling the negative energy disappeared, the streets were empty, I could smell the fresh aroma of the dewy greenery around me. I know it sounds corny, but the bike started to hum and for the rest of the journey to the station, it felt like the bike and I were one.

The weekend was lovely, I hung out with old friends, made new ones, discovered cycle routes, and on top of that the Black Unity Bike Ride photos were stunning. 13th century Persian Theologian Julaludin Rumi said聽鈥楤eauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it.鈥櫬燭hat weekend I learnt that if I only stay in my comfort zone, it is likely that I will miss out on beauty of all kinds.