Retired Dublin footballer Paddy Andrews has taken up cycling as a new way for him to keep fit and have fun at the same time.
Speaking to Cliona Foley to promote AXA Community Bike Rides, Andrews discussed how he got into cycling and how he never thought it would be something he would enjoy.
“It is something different and I kind of got into it,” Andrews said. “I hadn’t really done it before because when you are training with Dublin, it is all-encompassing.
“You are training pretty much every second day, the day you are not training you are recovering and getting ready for the next day. You literally don’t do anything else.
“Now, I want to do different things, and I got into cycling last summer during the lockdown, as I am sure sort of 90% of the country seemed to!
“I loved it; it is challenging but it is at your own pace.”
'I am not going to win the Tour de France, but I like doing it' | 🚴♂️
Dublin legend @PaddyAMetis tells @ponyyelof about his new-found love for cycling | ⬇️@AXA_Ireland | #KnowYouCan
Sign up at https://t.co/4DAyPWNGzY to take part pic.twitter.com/bJvVSLP6dP— Off The Ball (@offtheball) March 3, 2021
Cycling does not feel like a chore
Coming from a background of elite sport fitness, Andrews unsurprisingly took to cycling fairly quickly.
“I was fortunate that I didn’t find it that difficult to go on a cycle when we were allowed past the 5 and the 10 km to go for a cycle to the coast,” Andrews said.
“[It is] nearly exercising when you don’t even realise you are exercising. It is not a chore; it is not a challenge.
“You are not thinking: ‘Geez I don’t want to go on this run later on’.”
For Andrews, cycling is not a competitive or athletic endeavour; it is purely based off of his enjoyment.
“I have done sport at the elite level where it is full on and it is all-encompassing,” Andrews said.
“Any activity that I have now is more for the enjoyment. I am a terrible cycler, I am not going to win the Tour de France, but I like doing it.”
AXA Community Bike Rides offer group rides all over the country, and while these are currently on hold to keep everyone safe, you can still get out and feel good by taking part in a solo ride. Sign up at axacommunitybikerides.com to take part.
