WATCHING the sun rise over the Cheshire countryside makes a 40-mile round commute to work – by bike – an absolute joy for one determined cyclist.

John Boundy, technical manager at Lostock Gralam-based INEOS Enterprises, tries to cycle to work at least three days a week.

But as a Runcorn man, who delights in cycling off-road and on quiet lanes, this is a feat that takes more than an hour each way.

“It’s a long way and I do a couple of miles out of the way to stay on the quieter roads and off road,” the 56-year-old said.

“I enjoy it – it’s just nice to be out in the Cheshire countryside and seeing the sun rise.

“Those days where you see the sun rise and the frost disappear, I’m surprised I ever get to work because it’s mesmerising.”

John explained that he had commuted by bike throughout his career, which included working in Germany where there was an abundance of good cycle lanes.

The dad-of-one has worked at the Lostock Gralam site for the past 20 years, but only took the plunge to cycle the 20 miles each way during the fuel strikes about 10 years ago.

“I had been thinking about getting back on my bike and had done a few trial runs in the car down different lanes,” he said.

“I’m glad I just did it because I would have got to now, 2013, and regretted it if I hadn’t.

“It’s just hard at first but once your body gets conditioned you’re fine.

“I cycle to work about three days a week and the other days I have to carry things and need the car.

“As long as it’s light I keep up the three days.

“Some days though I come out of the house and I’m riding along and think ‘I’ve made a mistake’ because there’s ice in front for 300 yards.

“But I do it mainly to keep my heart beating – I do it for the exercise because I’ve got a desk job and you’ve just got to keep moving.

“And I enjoy being outside.”

He also said it was a perfect way of avoiding traffic jams.

“On a Friday when I’m crossing the M56 all I can see is a line of stationary vehicles as far as I can see but I can keep going,” he said.

“There have been some days when we’ve lost the M56 or something bad has happened on the M6 and the whole north west has been gridlocked but I can just ride through it.”

He added: “To anyone thinking of cycling to work I would say get out and do it, don’t spend too much time thinking about it.”

 

John’s commuting advice:

• John rides a cyclocross bike which enables him to ride any terrain – “It looks like a road bike but it’s got bigger tyres, like mountain bike tyres, so there’s no problem if I have to go across fields.”

• Wear a helmet – “No matter what people think about cycle helmets, if your head hits the floor it’s better to have a barrier between your head and the floor.”

• Keep visible – “Wear high visibility clothing no matter what the weather, day or night. If you’re approaching a junction you’ve got to be careful and make sure drivers have seen you.”

• Ring your bell – “The first thing you should put on your bike is a bell. They laugh at you in sports cycle shops but people have got to know you’re there.”

• Lights – “Always have lights on your bike, even at this time of year.”