I love working at Cambridge Baby for so many reasons, the biggest being the wonderful people here. But one reason struck me even before walking through the front door. I can cycle here.
After years of commuting on stuffy buses I can merrily propel myself through the countryside over the commons, through the buttercups and past the cows to work. One of the wonderful things about Cambridge as a city is that so many people cycle to get around.
All of us at Cambridge Baby cycle on a variety of both beautiful and battered bikes. On a Wednesday my husband brings the children from the woodland kindergarten on the box bike and I take them on from there. Yesterday we went and enjoyed the sunshine, splashing happily at the lido in the park. Freddie snuggled up in the box for a sleep, whilst Isla and I enjoyed lemonade ice lollies. Isla was fascinated that I could cycle and enjoy my ice lolly at the same time. So here are the Cambridge Baby team's ten wonderful things about cycling.
- So peaceful you can hear the birds sing and the cows snort (if its just you on the bike - can be noisier with the kids!).
- You can cycle somewhere beautiful for a picnic and don't have to carry heavy hampers. (I even got a ride in the box bike for our anniversary picnic.) Agnes's bicycle picnic food of choice are apples, as strawberries bruise to easily when she goes off road.
- Rosy loves the feeling of freedom at being able to propel herself and the wind in her hair.
- Children don't have to wait until their 17 to get that feeling of freedom. My 4 year old cycled 8 miles and was so proud she grinned the entire way.
- Rosy loves feeling part Cambridge (wherever you live) rather than been encased in your own metal bubble.
- Quicker than walking and even driving when the traffic is bad.
- Children notice their surroundings and you've got time to talk about them,
- Its brilliant exercise and your putting the calories to good use rather than wasting them on a treadmill.
- You can still fix your own bike.
- None of the stress of parking.
Here's Wendy on her bike in her Merino gear.