The first thing Stuart Woodman does when the alarm goes off at 6:45 is check the weather. “If it’s dry -- I will do it” says Stuart, referring with some enthusiasm to his frequent cycle trek to work. The stimulus is better than caffeine: “I find I’m more awake when I get to work, even though it takes an hour. I take a shower (at the office) and feel really refreshed. On days I get a lift, I arrive really tired and need coffee. Even though I’ve had an extra half-hour to sleep, it doesn’t make me more awake.”

Woodman is one of several Oxonians taking advantage of the area’s congenial environment for commuting by bicycle. In this regular column, we’ll meet a variety of people who replace caffeine with a good cardiovascular pickup on their way to work. While some cycle as a way of life, many are just people with no greater-than-usual fondness for bicycles per se -- like Stuart.

Woodman had BMX bikes as a kid, and a racer as a teenager -- mostly to get to and from friends’ homes. Before moving to Oxfordshire a year ago, he hadn’t considered cycle commuting -- particularly since his previous job was in London. But a brochure about the Hanson Way in Abingdon got him thinking -- the route passes by his employer in Milton Park. When that employer offered its workers a no-interest loan for bicycles to be used for commuting, he signed up, and has commuted on clear days ever since. His commute from Jericho in Oxford is about 30 miles round-trip. Cycling on average about 3-4 times per week (“pretty much strictly during British Summer Time”) he clocks up as many as 120 miles per week -- more than he’d do in a gym, he reckons.

Stuart says the most frequent reaction to his 30-mile self-powered commute is bemusement. But he says that several people have noticed the extra energy it gives him, and have been inspired to try it themselves. One of the biggest obstacles, he figures, is lack of familiarity with routes. He’s picked up colleagues in Oxford to show them the way, and has offered to do so for others who haven’t yet taken the plunge. “Oxford needs to explain the cycle routes better, to make people aware of the alternatives (to buses, trains and cars). Big employers should make staff aware of the cycle commuting opportunities” he said. “It’s amazing that they tell you about the bus from St. Aldate’s and the train from Oxford but not the cycle route. The staff would be more productive if they cycled. Employers should encourage it. Our employer has a link to the (Didcot) shuttle bus but not to Sustrans (responsible for the cycle route network).”

Woodman figures one way is to institute a mentoring scheme. A nominated employee would help anyone who’s interested in cycle commuting, by helping them research routes and giving tips on proper bicycle preparation and repair skills. (Employers in the region can already take advantage of the Oxford Cycle Workshop’s cycle commuting advocacy work, by having OCW come in to train staff on basic cycle maintenance and repairs. Interested parties should contact OCW directly for details.)

For Stuart, it comes down to the pleasure of the daily ride. “When I’m at the end of the day, I’m feeling lethargic. The prospect of cycling home is something I really look forward to, even if it’s raining, because it’s going to wake me up. When I get home, rather than put on the telly, I’ll take a shower and feel refreshed. I’ll have a good appetite and enjoy a nice meal.” As most cyclists have discovered, the minimalist pleasure of cadence and heartbeat is addictive. “I enjoy cycling by myself. It’s a time to think. The repetitive cycle stroke and fresh air help clear my mind.”

Scott Urban