Follow Your Heart
Trying to convince people of my worth was ingrained into me since my teens. Insecure and unaware, I'd often get into relationships where I'd constantly be trying to please them, and forget my needs entirely. I thought the more I showed my love, the more it would be reciprocated.
It wasn't. For my 51st Heart-route in Battersea park, I share my new poem 'Half-hearted' plus my tips on how to break this cycle, and set yourself free!...
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Follow your heart
There’s a beautiful quote by bicycle author & designer Grant Petersen that says; “Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world”. I first heard it in Rio, Brazil when I was creating my 27th heart-route back in 2018. In this post I’ll be sharing a pretty crazy story about how that quote sort of comes true... Heart-route number 50 is rather different from my other routes, as the idea for it actually came from my future 100 yr old self! Apparently I ended up in the 23rd century, and was a guest on a podcast called ‘Tests from the Future’. Simon and Dirk started their unique show when they discovered they were able to actually send episodes back in time! It was incredible to hear that the Cycle Your Heart Out movement still exists in the year 2223! An annual event called the ‘World Heart Relay’ ended up creating millions of heartful cyclists over the centuries, which amazingly led to a more peaceful, loving world! Keep reading to find out what the ‘World Heart Relay’ is all about, and how heartful cycling may be able to help save the world...
Heart-route 49 is all about letting go, and finding joy again. Letting go of someone, whilst also letting go and moving your body to the rhythm of your own soul.
I decided to celebrate Cycle Your Heart Out's 12th Birthday in London, after dancing my heart out with Ecstatic Dance UK at the Hackney Wick Sauna Baths... Meet Colette, we met back in 2013 working as British Cycling Breeze ride leaders. Ten years later I invited her on a heart-shaped route to help her ride inwards and get clarity on her 2023 intentions...
The Reunion Scrabble Night Time Golden milk by my side Loved ones competing to win Reminiscing, laughing Silence outside Just the odd passing car Content, cosy, happy Surrounded by family Soaked in love Follow your heart: A heart route to celebrate my long awaited family reunion! Location: Loughton, a cute ancient village in Milton Keynes England, and the city where I first gave birth to Cycle Your Heart Out over a decade ago! It's also one of my favourite areas in the city to find some peace and walk the dog. Heart Route: It was thanks to my amazing sister's that we managed to come up with this short but beautiful 4.78km ride in Loughton! The route is also part of the 12km Millennium cycle route around Milton Keynes, a quiet picturesque ride that takes you past the river Ouzel, the Grand Union Canal, ancient villages and the famous concrete cows! Cycle Your Heart Out: Meet my mum, she hadn't rode a bike in ages, and had pretty much lost all confidence. She would stop and walk the bike to cross a small road, avoid adjusting the seat to the correct height in case she fell off, and rode the same speed as someone walking. But little by little with the help of me and my sister, her confidence bloomed as we rode along peaceful paths, canals and lakes. No rush, nowhere to be, just us and our bikes. We stopped to pick freshly fallen plums, pick juicy blackberries, and to simply admire the horses. The more we rode, the more her fear faded and her smile grew! We celebrated our ride with some delicious Victoria sponge cake and tea at the Grumpy Cook. If you have someone you love who is a little hesitant to get back on their bike, here are 2 tips from my mum that helped her get over her fear of cycling: 1. Walk and cycle... Like when you start running, you walk/jog/build up a few mins at a time... 2. Avoid cycling on hills or in bad weather until more confident Spread the love: To help spread the love around Milton Keynes I gifted a copy of my new book to the wonderful Alchemise Yoga Studio in Newport Pagnell. Ran by the lovely Wendy, it was thanks to her amazing classes that I first fell in love with yoga over a decade ago. Thanks Nicole for reading my poems in your relaxing cello classes. "Building community, bringing art from the heart, a perfect offering. Thank you so much for bringing your wonderful poetry into the world and sharing your book with us!" - Wendy Loughlan - Founder of Alchemise Yoga Studio The Route to Friendship Sometimes in life you’ll visit somewhere and fall in love Destined to return That place for me was Brighton It stole my heart not once, but twice Recently made fuller Thanks to the beauty of Friendship Sometimes it’s weeks Months Years Time passes and not a word exchanged between you Yet put together in the same room The stories The memories Retold as if they’d occurred last year Jobs, partners, cities, may have all changed But some friendships remain the same Unable to budge for anyone Not even time Follow your heart
I dedicate this heart route to my friends Jimmy & Kieron, and their wedding coming soon! It was also an amazing opportunity to be able to reunite again with old friends, and dance our hearts out to Britney Spears at Gay pride!! Cycle your heart out... the route to friendship Location Brighton, England I first fell in love with this city about 7 years ago after visiting a friend. The minute I left the train station it was as if I'd arrived home. The warmness of the people, the charm of the North Laines, the endless choice of veggie restaurants, and then of course the cycling! Riding along the coast, the scent of fish and chips in the air, and views of scattered of deck chairs. Coming back here after so long, all those feelings remained. Heart route 4.73km route Cycle your heart out Highlights: Bike rental: Brighton Beach Bikes Brighton Palace Pier Brighton West Pier Brighton Beach Royal Pavilion North Laine Bazaar The White Rabbit pub Iydea Vegetarian Kitchen Spread the love Thanks so much to Mark and Mel at Brighton Beach Bikes for advising me on how hilly Brighton is, and helping me create my heart route! My amazing friends, for making a ton of new beautiful memories together! If you would like to create your own heart route click here to learn my top 5 steps! |
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