This is a sponsored article in association with Santander Cycles.
VT has been speaking to people who have used Santander Cycles in London to imaginative and uplifting effect, to enjoy a sense of freedom and purpose that has cemented close bonds and led to new interests.
For Alex, the coronavirus lockdown period presented a challenge: how best to safely see her parents and spend quality time with them. Thankfully, that challenge has led to an opportunity for father-daughter bonding time that can continue long into the future. The answer lay in a new hobby shared between Alex and her father, a hobby that was made possible by travelling on Santander Cycles.
You might not have heard of mudlarking, but one quick internet search will reveal articles effusive with praise for the hobby. It involves searching for potential treasures left behind by the Thames' tidal water when the high tide drains out of the city.
The allure of the past is obvious - searching for undiscovered treasures and items of interest. But for Alex there was another pleasure to be gained from the hobby: "Satisfaction in being outside of my flat, being able to get out, explore, discover and seeing my family," she said.
"I was able to get on my bike, cycle to different parts of the Thames to do something super nerdy but satisfying," Alex told VT.
Santander Cycles were invaluable to Alex in enjoying her new hobby and spending quality time with her father. She said the cycles allowed her to "explore places that would usually be really busy" and "get out of the area of London I live in."
Using the Santander Cycles was initially Alex's sister's idea. She said, "Why don't you get on the bikes and explore London?" And in no time, Alex was pedalling around the city to meet up with her father to go mudlarking. "I really regained my confidence - it was literally like riding a bike!" Alex told VT. "I got myself a helmet and bought the Santander [Cycles] Annual Pass."
Alex explained how her sister took her "around Hyde park corner a few times," adding: "She taught me how to look out for things, gave me tips and reinforced my confidence."
And she has found that the cycles are a useful way to run day-to-day errands, as well as visiting her parents at their home.
And what interesting things have Alex and her father found while mudlarking? "We found a really small dice, it had all the dots on it and everything. We bumped into a professional licensed mudlarker. She said that's a carved pig's knuckle." The history apparently goes that prisoners would make the dice and use them to play games in jail.
Alex said she has found the bikes easy to use, and recommends the app in particular for people wanting to experience Santander Cycles themselves.
As for whether she'll continue with mudlarking in the future, Alex says:
“I definitely think so, it's a nice way to spend quality time with your family. Your shoes are always going to get muddy, you've just got to embrace it.”
Meanwhile, to learn more about Santander Cycles, you can visit their website at https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles.
If you are new to cycling or just want to brush up on your skills for cycling in London, you can take the free TfL online course or find tailored cycle skills training to suit you. When you complete the online course you’ll be sent a free 24 hour access code for Santander Cycles, with all 30 minute journeys included. Find out more here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycle-skills