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7 Things Cyclists Do

Cycling can change your life in many ways: you get fitter, feel stronger and save money on transport costs, to name a few… but it can also lead to some strange behaviours. Check out our list to see how bad you’ve got the cycling bug!

 

1) Your bike(s) are worth more than your car

It’s a cliché, but frequently true – whilst many, if not most cyclists are also car owners; few have the same passion for their motor as they do for their bikes. So much so that for many bike riders, when buying a new car, the biggest consideration is asking whether or not you can easily fit your bike inside the boot!

 

2) You spend more time cleaning your bike than your kitchen

There’s no doubt about it: a clean bike runs more smoothly and is a joy to ride, and time spent polishing, buffing and tinkering is never wasted. So what if there are dirty dishes in your sink? You only get one life and there are hills to be ridden and Strava segments to be challenged…

 

3) You know everywhere that serves coffee within a two hour ride radius of your house

One of the greatest pleasures of cycling is the café ride. Whether it’s with your mates on a group ride, or a quiet reflective spin on your own, you can’t beat a decent mid- or post-ride coffee and a hearty slab of cake.

 

4) You plan your holiday locations based on the quality of riding and access to hire bikes

No matter what your partner or family might be thinking about when planning a holiday, there is always a little corner of your mind reserved for cycling. It’s perfectly normal to wonder if you can get away with a couple of hours of riding while the family chill by the pool… and to judge your destination by proximity to good roads and famous climbs.

 

5) You point out potholes and obstructions even when walking as a pedestrian

Shouting back to your ride companions has become such second nature to you that you now even do it on your own, or while you aren’t even on a bike! Pointing out potholes or even shouting “slowing” as you approach the traffic lights in your car is just another symptom of thinking like a bike rider.

 

6) Whatever happens to you, the first question is always “how is my bike?”

Bikes are not just treasured possessions – they are companions. Think how much you have been through together. Finding a bike that fits like a glove, never squeaks and is always reliable is akin to true love. For cyclists, concern for their bike after an incident is almost as great as concern for their own physical well-being.

 

7) Wearing Lycra in inappropriate places 

When you first started cycling, wearing Lycra even in the privacy of your own bedroom felt odd, and your first time riding in Lycra shorts made you a little self-conscious. Now you are strolling through cafes, eating breakfast in posh hotels in your kit and even nipping into the shops without a blink. You feel as fully dressed in your bib shorts as you do in a business suit.

 

How did you know when you were bitten by the cycling bug? Is there anything you do that mystifies your friends and family? Tell us on @Cycle_SOS!

For more information about our services or to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.

 

 

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.