Why this £4.4Million Lotto winner won’t ‘tyre’ of cycling
As a keen cyclist, Gary Henry knew exactly how he wanted to mark the 15th anniversary of his incredible £4.4Million Lotto win. The 62-year-old has splashed out on his dream bike and is already clocking up the miles.
Gary, who scooped his massive National Lottery prize in 2008, has treated himself to the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of electric road bikes: an S-Works SL Creo. It’s the perfect gift for a man who has clocked up more than 22,000 miles in the saddle in the last 5 years.
He said, “The last 15 years have absolutely flown by; I can still remember the phone call to The National Lottery and it all felt like a dream.
“I’ve always loved cycling, discovering new routes and taking in the fresh air, and have had the S-Works on my radar for a while. I promised myself I would buy myself this bike as a little celebration and it’s more than lived up to its reputation!
“It’s got electric gears and you can do more than 80 miles on a full charge.”
The bike’s electric motor will provide some useful assistance when Gary tackles the steeper hills near his home in County Durham. He said, “We have hills with a gradient of more than 12 percent and I find them a lot easier now with my new bike.
“There’s no better feeling than waking up and heading out on the road on my bike – I’m extremely lucky to live in such a beautiful area so I’m never short of new routes to try or fresh scenery to take in.
“I also find that, if I’ve had a stressful week or need to take a step back from the ‘busy-ness’ of everyday life, cycling is my way of switching off and taking time out. It forces you to focus on what you’re doing so any other stress or worries take a backseat to enjoying the ride.”
Gary is looking forward to trying some new routes in 2024 and has his eye on a demanding ride along the Yorkshire coast.
He said “I’m still planning where I’d like to take the bike next, but I’m really keen to explore more of the UK, especially the Scarborough to Whitby Cinder Track.
“It’s a 21-mile route which takes you through the North York Moors National Park, with views of the North Sea and over some beautiful hillsides – it will be challenging but will be a fantastic experience, so I’m looking forward to getting that in the diary!”
Having cycled from a young age, Gary is passionate about encouraging others to take up the hobby.
He said, “Many of us learned to ride a bike when we were children but have not carried it on into adult life. It can be daunting getting back on a bike after a number of years but there are ways to make it more enjoyable and easier.
“For example, I often find cycling as part of a group helps with motivation and confidence. There are lots of groups right across the country that give you the opportunity to cycle with others and stay safe, plus you might make a few new friends along the way!
“To anyone thinking about starting up, I would say to go for it – you will not regret it!”
Gary’s tips for getting back in the saddle include:
- Look for a local cycling group – being around others gives you confidence and you’ll meet new friends.
- Start small – if you’re worried about going too far or unsure on how much you can push yourself, start by cycling around your local area.
- Stay safe – stock up on brightly coloured clothing and do your research on the best helmet. There’s lots out there to choose from so it’s important that you pick one that is both safe and comfortable.
- Enjoy it!
31st January 2024
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