Dan’s #frideday feature

Frideday Feature

- what’s your current teaching position/subject:

I’m part of the leadership team in a secondary school and my focus is on Careers Lead and Induction Lead for ECTs, with a few other hats that bridge Personal Development and Academic/Pastoral too.

- what’s your current focus in education?

This years big challenge is developing and launching work experience in two year groups. It’s something that hasn’t happened for a few years in my school, so building it up from nothing and making it meaningful is the aim. It’s now at the point where we’ve pressed that launch button and seeing how it lands, it’s been a great challenge and given me opportunity to liaise with colleagues in Trust and also in the Greater Essex Careers Hub too.

- how does riding help you?

It is the basis of my fitness, acts as therapy, also enables me to meet new and existing friends, and so much more. I ride with many different foci; competition, commuting and club rides, and each brings different benefits to my health; physical, mental and social wellbeing

(I took the opportunity here to show how it positively impacts all aspects of my health as defined by WHO; a state of complete mental, physical and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity)

- why did you start TCC?

It was a lockdown project to hold myself accountable for keeping active and staying connected with friends. It soon developed into a community beyond people we’d met, but the main focus is still there; connect with other teachers and get as many teachers cycling together as possible by building a community that breaks down barriers to cycling through support, discounts and opportunities.

- what do you think is special about TCC?

The people I’ve met along the way have been genuinely inspiring. The community is extremely positive, giving and is always there for support. It’s not a cycling club, but more of a big family, hence being called Teacher Cycling Community. Speaking with staff who ride to work, regardless of the lack of infrastructure, bike racks and changing facilities to name just two, shows just how resilient and resourceful teachers and cyclists are in their desire to achieve the benefits that come with both. It also gives me a grounding and escape from my teaching role, whilst also mirroring some of the reasons I teach, doing something I really enjoy with people who inspire me to want to support them be the best they can be and achieve their goals.

- what are your current bike(s) and dream bike:

I’m fortunate enough to now own my dream bike; Canyon Aeroad. The Cycle Scheme was the only way I was ever going to do it and I’m thankful that I now get to ride it.

I also have a Triban RC500 for the go everywhere, do everything workhorse.

I would quite like a Canyon Grail as a winter/gravel bike in the future too, but that’s further down the line.

- what’s your best cycling achievement or memory?

Beyond starting TCC, it would have to be taking on Ride London in 4hrs 50mins for a great cause; Inspire Malawi. It’s the only closed road event I’ve done and it was great fun! Plus, the focus of having a big event to train for was extremely motivating too.

- what’s your best teaching achievement or memory?

It still has to be going to Malawi with a group of colleagues from Uni in my final year to deliver CPD to 200 local teachers, it was a truly inspiring and humbling experience.

- do you have a golden tip for teaching and/or cycling?

Find the joy and excitement in whatever you’re doing, it’ll make it even better. I wrote a post caption about it earlier this year for a well-being Wednesday and I don’t think Mary Poppins was far off the truth; A spoonful of sugar and a smile goes a long way.