As part of our pedal to parkrun community series, Leon Brunt tells his story…
How it all started
I had always been something of a binge runner (a few weeks pounding pavements before the Great North Run then nothing for another year) and a casual cyclist mainly limited to fair weather commuting. I got my current bike 10 years ago on the cycle to work scheme, a modestly priced Voodoo Marasa hybrid from Halfords which has served me very well.
A bad chest infection during which I was out of breath climbing the stairs had convinced me to try and maintain a level of all-year fitness. A colleague told me about parkrun and my endeavours were subsequently limited to a dozen or so runs at my local event Whitley Bay in 2018/19.
Then a friend recommended another parkrun in Blyth about 5 miles up the coast. I recalled the website saying wherever possible walk, jog, cycle or use public transport – so I got on my bike and that was the start of combining the two activities.
By the time pandemic restrictions were lifted in 2021 I was chomping at the bit to get going again and enjoyed some decent summer rides.
A game changer
I started cycling to some of the more easily reachable parkruns in the North East of England and while at Jesmond Dene heard somebody mention “getting their J”. Already a bit of a stats geek, discovering the 5k app and all the challenges was a game changer!
The lockdown had put me in a nostalgic mood reviving some old interests including train travel. I visited Scotland twice in 2022 for a couple of cycle /rail adventures, pedalling from Inverness to Fort William and Glasgow to Edinburgh.
It seemed logical to add parkruns into the mix, heading to locations beyond the reach of same day cycling. Taking bikes on trains is fairly smooth once you get to know the quirks of the different train operators.
Four categories
My pedals to parkrun can be roughly split into four categories:
1. Classic
A circular route that involves cycling from home to a parkrun and coming back a different way – good for parkruns up to 20 miles away or a 40-mile round trip. These often include multiple river crossings making for an interesting ride.
One of my favourite trips was to Herrington Country parkrun near the fabulous Penshaw Monument and back along the coast taking in Tynemouth Longsands and Whitley Bay lighthouse.
2. Out and Back
Pedal in one direction and take train the opposite way. Can be reversed dependent on season i.e. on dark mornings it is better to get the train to parkrun and cycle back. Good for parkruns over 20 miles away. I check the forecasted wind direction when considering which way to head!
Durham parkrun and the famous cathedral.
Up the coast to Druridge parkrun then on to Alnmouth via Warkworth Castle.
Train to Hexham to Tyne Green parkrun and cycle back following the river Tyne with a nice tail wind.
3. On Location
Catch a train somewhere, cycle to a local parkrun and have an extended scenic ride in that area before catching train home, either from the same or a different station.
Took the train to Glasgow for the 5k at Queen’s Park, followed by a ride up the Clyde and back towards the city along the canal.
Another Scottish excursion included a cycle across the Forth Bridge to Inverkeithing after visiting Edinburgh parkrun.
4. Only Connect
Main purpose of the bike is getting to and from stations and arriving on time. Usually the most stressful as it typically means a longer trip with multiple trains to rely on and a very early alarm!
Getting to Isabel Trail meant a 3am start cycling through the streets of Tyneside to catch the 04:23 Newcastle to Manchester Victoria, delays meant a quick cycle to Piccadilly station for a connection to Stafford finally arriving at the parkrun at 08:57!
Some trains have generous bike spaces, others can be a bit more awkward…
Final thoughts
Two new parkruns appeared in the North East in 2023, great for cycling to!
I tend to enjoy the spring and summer pedals the most as the days are longer and warmer with less time pressure plus you can travel light clothing wise.
Not everything goes perfectly of course – a puncture on the way to Durham meant arriving about 5 minutes late on a flat tyre but managed the run with the bonus of a palindrome time!
Then after a 6am start cycling to Chopwell Wood last summer, I missed a turn off and got lost in the woods, the first finishers were coming through by the time I found the start line so it’s back on the list for this year!
Regular parkruns and cycling have helped me a lot in terms of fitness – I can run a half marathon in my 40s quicker than I could in my 20s and have signed for my first ever full marathon in May 2024 – still a lot of work to be done though!
On a Friday night my wife often asks where I’m going in the morning – she is very supportive of my pastimes and has got me some great running and cycling gear but sometimes thinks it’s a chore avoidance tactic. Most importantly the cat is fed before I leave!
I’m often back home before our teenagers have had breakfast, although my son has joined me at three venues so far and my daughter is keen to take up running having enjoyed some good bike rides together.
Of course there’s also the mental wellbeing and we all like a bit of recognition occasionally – it’s a nice talking point when you arrive early at a parkrun far away on 2 wheels (not that I’m usually that early…)!
Next…
I should hopefully soon just need a Z for the alphabet challenge – 20 of those letters will have involved cycling (14 all the way and six including trains), the other four were by public transport although there’s scope to revisit those letters with a bike at some stage.