Fuelled by beans 'talk series' – Tom Stephenson on cycling
Featuring Tom - The Honest Bean Co Sales and Business Development Manager
WHAT GOT YOU INTO CYCLING?
It was a combination of a few things really! It was 2020, I was living in London and although I’d been there for a while it suddenly clicked how much more enjoyable my commute would be on a bike compared to being down in the tube or on a crowded bus.
Not long afterwards the pandemic began and all of the usual things I’d do on a weekend in London, like going to restaurants, bars, the cinema, weren’t possible anymore. I started going on rides out of London down into Surrey on my £200 single speed, Decathlon bike and before long I was hooked. I haven’t looked back since!
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT GETTING OUT ON YOUR BIKE?
The freedom! There’s just nothing quite like being out in the middle of nowhere, rolling along and exploring.
We spend so much of our time staring at screens and doing grown up stuff like paying bills, cleaning the house, going to work. I think, for me, putting my phone away and setting off for a few hours with nothing to think about apart from turning the pedals and watching the world go by is really important.
I remember those first few rides I did out of London, and the childish joy I felt just hammering down a big hill. I think it’s a real shame so many of us stop doing things just for the fun of it as we get older.
HOW DO FAVA BEANS FUEL YOUR ADVENTURES?
A big learning curve for me, the more I got into cycling, was the realisation that I’d need to get used to eating whilst exercising. If you’re not used to it, trying to take in lots of calories whilst still rolling along can be a little challenging.
Most of the obvious options are sweet such as chocolate, cereal bars, flapjacks but I’ve never had a massively sweet tooth and so I’m always on the hunt for good savoury options…such as our fava bean snacks.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR BIKE?
Lots more adventures! I’ve 100% bitten off far more than I can chew and signed up for a race in June between Madrid and Barcelona. I say race, the challenge for me will just be finishing the 700km route!
I’ll definitely need to stock up on beans.
