Cycle Your Heart Out with... Colette Holt - Heart Route 47

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...

Step 1:  Follow your heart 
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First we sat on a sun filled bench and took some gentle mindful breaths to help settle into our bodies. We then searched for any 'punctures' using my NEW wheel of life activity sheet (see below). This led to Colette realising her tyre was a little flat around community, and just how much she wanted to pump it up. Ironically I had the same sort of puncture! 

We then listened to my heartful ride meditation and had a pleasant conversation (in our heads) with our ideal self. It's a lovely way to start your ride as it really helps to reinforce your intention, or sometimes shed light on things you may have been previously unaware of. 

INNER RIDE QUESTION

Looking at the wheel of life, can you notice any punctures in your life? What area needs pumping up the most? If you need some help getting clarity, listen to my Heartful Ride Meditation on Insight Timer or download it here.

"I love what you are doing and how you're creating a greener and sustainable way of living. I enjoyed our day and found that creating my own affirmations really helped me to focus and move forward. I feel more able to make clearer decisions for myself now, thank you"!
- Colette Holt

Step 2: Location 

Furzton lake in Milton Keynes, England. 

A beautiful lake surrounded by swans, ducks… and dinosaurs! It's also part of the route 51 cycle network that leads you all the way to Oxford.

INNER RIDE QUESTION:

Where would you like to cycle your heart out? 

Once you've chosen your country and place, take some time to collect physical maps / online maps.
If your route is in the UK, try looking on the Sustrans website for advice on bicycle friendly paths in your chosen area. 

Step 3: Create your heart route

I first made this 2.7 mile route when I started riding heart routes as part of my morning routine. I found it was a great way to start the day and help reinforce your intentions. 

After over 11 years in 10 countries of making heart routes, I can honestly say that the Milton Keynes redway maps are the best to use when it comes to finding heart routes! 

INNER RIDE QUESTION:

Need help with your heart route? Here are my top 3 tip:

1. Highlight all the bicycle friendly paths and quiet routes.
2. Circle all the areas and places you'd like to cycle past, and maybe a cosy coffee stop along the way
3. Dot to dot style now join them all together and create your heart!

Remember your heart routes don't need to be perfect, because neither is life! 

Step 4: Cycle Your Heart Out 

Before we rode I suggested Colette write down a short affirmation about how she wishes her community to be. Repeating this to yourself  before your route is such a powerful way to bring your intention to life. Always write it in the present as if it's already true, for example:

"I have a loving supportive community and I feel like I belong"

Once we had set off we then tuned into our 5 senses as it's such a simple way to ground yourself and enjoy the present moment. As we rode we soaked in the sounds of the chatty ducks, views of the sun bouncing off the lake, the cold sensation of the winter air on our cheeks, the smell of the half naked trees, and the taste of coffee on our lips. 

Here were some of the highlights along the route: 

Dinosaur Valley for scary crazy golf
Sul Lago Restaurant one of the best places for pizza in Milton Keynes!
Tattenhoe Valley for traffic free peaceful cycling and walking trails

INNER RIDE QUESTION:

How about you? Do you have an affirmation you'd like to write down and repeat along your route? 

Try practicing the 5 senses activity and see how it makes you feel, look for 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.

Step 5: Spread the love

After the route we practiced my 'Heartful world' meditation (coming soon) which is based on the well known loving kindness meditation. This is one of my favourite practices as it's all about sending compassion to those you love, strangers, those you find difficult, and every living being. 

Sharing your route with loved ones and your community is a beautiful way to spread the loving energy that you created on your route, and a great way to bring your ride affirmation to life!

Colette lives in Houghton Regis and is hoping to grow her community around here and central Bedfordshire in England. 

Here are 5 ways you can expand your community today:

1. Be grateful for all the people you have already in your life, maybe give one of them a call today and let them know how much you appreciate them.
2. Get super clear on what type of people you'd like to meet, and what sort of groups or events you'd love to join
3. Search for them using apps like Meetup and write down at least 3 you'd like to go to
4. Have a look for any festivals, and maybe apply to volunteer at one
5. Use the Cycle Your Heart Out hashtag #cyhoworld to share your heart route and connect with other heartful cyclists!

INNER RIDE QUESTION:

Have you created your heart route? Awesome! Now choose 3 loved ones or communities you'd like to share it with to inspire them too!

Are you also wanting to grow your community? What 3 baby steps can you do today to help?

Now available on Audible!