Autumn/Winter 2012 life, on my own, because of my direct actions. It was so empowering. I've never felt anything like it.' He was worried that he wouldn't complete that first trip, or that he'd be ridiculed. He even used an MP3 player and headphones to block out the jeers of passers by. (It's not against the law to listen to music while cycling although it is harder to track approaching cars, so you might want to stick to traffic-free routes and/or invest in mirrors for your bike.) After that first journey, Gary found that the cycling became gradually easier. 'Six weeks later I'd managed to build up to the full 13-mile round trip. By the time winter hit, the bug had bitten and not even snow could put me off. It took two years of cycling every day to go from super morbidly obese to a normal weight. There were days when I broke derailleurs or spokes or had three punctures, but it didn't stop me.' By summer 2011, Gary weighed just 13 stones. He had shed 26 stones, or two thirds of his bodyweight. His health problems had evaporated and for the last year his weight has stabilised at 13 stones. The Giant Yukon has been replaced by higherspecification ones bought through Cyclescheme and he has invested in road bikes too, so he can enjoy riding further. 'In the summer, my commute has consisted of Woodhead Pass, Holme Moss and even Saddleworth Moor,' he says. 'Just this week, I rode 35 miles and did 3,500ft of climbing before work. And when I arrived, I felt fresh and ready for the day ahead. It's a great feeling to be able to do that.' Gary continues commuting through the winter. 'If you're dressed correctly, there's no reason you can't 58
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Fact file
Name: Gary Brennan Lives: Hyde, near Manchester Occupation: Staff trainer Commute: 6.5 miles each way, or up to 20 miles each way in the summer Frequency: Every working day Cyclescheme bike: Two now. A Cube MTB and a Planet X Uncle John cyclo-cross bike. Why I started cycling: To lose weight, save my life, and be around for my kids in the future. Blog: theamazing39stonecyclist. wordpress.com
commute 365 days a year,' he says. 'In the winter, I saddle up on my mountain bike or cyclo-cross bike and head down a frozen, pitch black canal towpath, with high-powered lights for company. It's exhilarating. When the towpath is frozen or snowed on, there's no mud either!' He recommends metal-studded tyres for the icy days. His favourite piece of cycling equipment, apart from his bikes, is his Garmin Edge GPS cycling computer. This records all kinds of cycling data, which can be uploaded to the Strava website, enabling Gary to record his progress and to challenge himself. Gary's transformation from couch potato to cycling commuter has inspired other people get on their bikes. Some have read his online blog; others are work colleagues. 'When I started cycling, there were three cycle commuters in the office of 50 people. There are now at least ten, many as a result of me encouraging them.' He is proof that you don't need to be lean and fit to start cycling to work, but that you'll get that way if you stick at it. From someone who struggled to ride one mile, he has become an enthusiastic cyclist who can ride the 60 miles of the Manchester to Blackpool charity ride in around three hours. 'The longer I carry on at my current weight, the quicker I'm getting on the bike,' says Gary, 'and the more I realise that I have done this myself and I deserve the results. It wasn't easy but I enjoyed every second. It's made me into the person I am today – confident, with a thirst for life.' For more on the Cyclescheme 7, visit www.cyclescheme.co.uk