A Lifetime of Learning to Ride a Bike
A collaborative piece written by Alison and Ben Alldis. Alison is a maker of nonsense, wife, mother of 4 grown-ups (one of which is Ben - UK Peloton instructor), and a shameless electric bike rider.
Growing up in the countryside in the 60’s and 70’s my memories of cycling are of complete childhood freedom, I have no recollection of any parents being involved at all. Heading off with my older brother with a slab of buttered bread and a shout of ‘Make sure you’re home before dark’ following us down the lane. My Mum and I shared ‘the big adult size bike’ from when I was about 9 (my ‘little’ bike had been run over by a friend’s father when left on their drive), so stretching to reach the pedals and riding no handed for what seemed like miles was made all the more fulfilling.
Nowadays, being a slightly arthritic lazy potter who spends my happiest hours in my garden shed making complete nonsense, my bike of choice has a battery. It’s a real beauty and fits me perfectly. In fair weather I cheerfully pedal off for the day with a packed lunch and I sometimes hear my Mum’s voice drifting on the wind as I go.
Years pass by and 4 children appear with some help from Mr A. Remembering the joy of cycling, I made it my mission to teach them all to ride as soon as possible. However, Ben, my number 3 (in age order, not in scale of favourite children) beat me to it. We live in a cul-de-sac and being a lax mother, allowed my very young children to play ‘out front’ with frequent glances out of the window. The pedal car, scooters and 2 pink bikes, one with a dolly tied precariously to the back, were strewn on the drive and road. I had to double take as Ben at 2 years old was riding the ‘dolly’ bike without stabilisers round the cul-de-sac, without a care in the world, his sisters watching in disbelief.
He continues to surprise us, not as a circus performer, but by finding his own way as he continues along his lifetime of learning (and teaching others) to ride a bike.
Alison Alldis
I don’t remember learning to ride a bike, but at the age of 2, it sounds like it was a case of, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again, regardless of the injuries along the way. What I do remember as a young courageous kid, and probably from the scars I still have, is stacking it numerous times trying to do fancy tricks or jumping over home made kickers. This love for bikes and being outdoors turned into most of my time being spent on sports fields. You name it, I was playing it. Football, Rugby, Cricket, Athletics, Hockey, Karate, Tennis. To my father’s disappointment, I never made it as a pro at any of these sports, so the next best option was to follow in his footsteps and go to work in the city. After an eventful university experience of DJ’ing, partying and just about enough studying, I managed to secure a job at one of the top American private equity firms working in London.
2 years into long hours building spreadsheets and pitch decks, I was getting itchy feet. I needed to get back to playing sport and so started hitting the gym regularly to get my fitness back to scratch. Quickly becoming obsessed with group fitness classes, I was loving working out surrounded by likeminded people and finding a great sense of personal achievement away from my office life.
Before long, an owner of one of the boutique gyms I was visiting took a liking to me and decided she wanted me as her next trainer. In my head, there was no chance I would be able to fit that in around my full-time job in finance and busy social life. But after her twisting my arm and saying, ‘’give it a go, what’s the worst that can happen’’, I was teaching my first ever spin class when Piers Morgan walked in as my first victim. Fortunately, I pulled it out the bag and 1 class a week, quickly turned into 2, then 3, then 10-12 (now teaching rowing and strength classes alongside my spin classes). 5 days a week in finance and fitness classes before and after work as well as the weekend, it was getting manic to say the least.
In summer 2018, one of the US Peloton instructors, Cody Rigsby, came to London to take one of my classes and to discuss a potential opportunity to join the team. After a long audition and interview process, I took the leap to a full-time career in the fitness industry and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I love sharing my passion for fitness and helping others achieve their personal goals. I spent the summer of 2018 training in New York and have truly never looked back.
Now 2 years into my life as a Peloton instructor, I couldn’t be happier. My job gives me a platform to bring happiness, health and fitness to people’s homes, including my parents. I will never stop being grateful for this opportunity. The energy you give off is the energy you receive. I really believe that, so I’m always myself—jumping, dancing, singing, trying to cheer everybody up. Cheerfulness is contagious, so we can make the world a merrier place together.
Mum was right, ‘Follow your instincts. Be Curious. Dream Big. Love what you do. Love being a beginner. Keep an open heart & a strong spirit. And never stop having fun’
We hope that our story can inspire those of all ages to follow their passion and purpose. We were all created for something awesome. The aim in life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
Ben Alldis