My Passion with Scott Yates: The sheer exhilaration of enjoying life in the bicycle saddle

“Cycling’s your life isn’t it?” uttered my wife one day as I was, yet again, trying to organise our family weekend to accommodate some quality time on my bike. It was very hard to disagree.

Riding a bike is what I do when I am not being a shipping lawyer.

If I could combine the two I probably would. I have considered travelling to see local clients by bike but the logistics of what to wear and how to carry files has persuaded me against this – so far.

My company’s commitment to working efficiently and in a “green” way by embracing the most modern technology means that our rapid journey towards a fully paperless office makes even cycling to clients with no more than my iPad a distinct possibility.

I ride to work frequently (30-mile round trip), not just because it is good for the environment or because it saves me money, but because it is a great way to start and end the day.

You can enjoy a commute on a bike, making the most of crisp winter mornings or balmy summer evenings in a way not possible by car.

Even adverse weather is met, sometimes literally head on, like a challenge laid down, providing satisfaction when the elements have been conquer- ed.

I also enjoy the thinking time afforded by the solitude of cycling along a quiet country road.

Many an advice, strategy or legal argument has been honed whilst pounding the miles on my bike.

Cycling is, for me, cathartic. I welcome the burning muscles and lung-busting challenge of a steep hill climb and the heart-in-the-mouth moments when descending at speed on the other side.

At the weekends I get up early to fit in a bike ride, trying to minimise disruption to family activities and not completely neglect my parental duties.

I will head out either on a mountain bike to explore the local woods and trails or a road bike to devour the miles around the glorious Yorkshire Wolds.

It is not exclusively a solitary undertaking though.

Fortunately, my wife and three children share my love of the bicycle which eases my conscience and means family excursions and holidays can feature cycling, at some point.

When I am not riding my bike I will quite often be thinking about cycling.

Whether it is where to ride (roads, trails, woods?), what bike to go on (road, mountain or commuter?), or, dangerously, what item or accessory to acquire next?

So my wife was probably right, cycling is my life.