SOJ tells us about how Cycling has been the best option for keeping fit since the COVID-19 lockdown. He also discusses his experience city cycling in Lagos.
Interview
Tell us a little bit about you.
I’m SOJ. A cycling junkie and a dodo junkie. I did stuff in banking and I do stuff in renewable energy.
What fuels your passion for cycling?
The hustle to keep fit and have a flat tummy since I have no plans to cut down on junks. I got out of covid-19 lockdown and I needed something to get off the excess 20kg baggage. Cycling was the best option to stay fit and exercise social distancing.
How has your ‘Lagos city cycling’ experience been? and tell us about your funniest/craziest cycling experience you have had on Lagos roads
Cycling in Lagos has its ups and downs. You’re one second away from a bus shoving you into the drainage or a traffic warden stopping vehicles to grant you smooth access when they spot you.
One day, the voice of the crazy riders did supersede the voice of the normal riders. We decided to climb the Otedola bridge and also face headwinds on the Opebi link bridge before going to Cane Village, Maryland. All in one day. Kilode. I asked myself the question “What if cycling is a sin”.
The pain wasn’t funny. I got back home and couldn’t sleep. I felt like buying another leg. They were gone.
What is your advice for persons set to take up cycling as a sport or hobby?
Cycling is the best sport that you can engage in for fitness and fun at the same time without injuries due to contact from an opponent. Mind you, it’s also an expensive sport. The moment you get a cycling bin and stop wearing t-shirts. You’re about to be lost.
You’ll end up buying a helmet, gloves, sunshades, another bicycle. There’s no going back.
You start to stab owambes and focus on the after-party after your Saturday morning cycling rituals.
Tell us about your most adventurous ride.
Phew… That has to be a 100km ride I did in January 2021. You can never be sure of what happens on the road but you should be ready. I rode from Magodo smoothly until a bus moved in my direction at chevron drive. I swerved and I was on the floor. Bounce, not Rema, by my head. Helmet cracked; gloves ripped apart. Just 44km into my ride. I knew the use of PPE on that day. They took the impact my head and hands were meant to take. I dusted my body and rode back home to complete the 100km. I got home before I knew that I lost my glasses in the crash. I thought the blurry images were due to my crash. I made up my mind to quit cycling. 3 days later, I was in Ogba riding alongside a newbie. Lol
How do you think we can promote the cycling culture in this part of the world?
Err… I’m a firm believer in enacting a change with the people around you. Start with the people around you and be diligent. There are people around you who will see what you do and want to join. Infect them with the cycling bug and they do to others and it spreads like a virus. When it becomes acceptable by many. Making cycling laws and having cycling lanes will be accepted. With the community at city cyclers, anyone there who gets into a position to make any law in favour of cycling will do it. That’s the way to enact a change.
Blank Cheque: Road Bike or MTB?
Off-road or when I feel like I’ve missed suffering, I go with MTB.
If I’m on a good road and want the best output. I’ll go with a road bike. Life is good.
