“Remember, remember! The fifth of November, The Gunpowder treason and plot; I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot!”

The Lewes Bonfire Night, #LewesBonfire, is the most famous Bonfire Night festivities, with Lewes being called the bonfire capital of the world. A remembrance of history evolving mainly from the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and Guy Fawkes (Guido Fawkes) and the Seventeen Martyrs burnt at the stake in Lewes, Sussex during the period of 1555–1557. It also remembers the Protestant Reformation in 1517, which was a schism from the Catholic Church. Nowadays, #LewesBonfire features a ‘free expression’ of local problems or any reasons of grievance, which will be blown up at the end of the processions by the five Lewes Bonfire Societies, culminating with a magnificent fireworks display!

This year, I decided to join the Bike Train from the Level to Lewes Bonfire - A fun festive ride organised by Brighton Bike Hub and Cranks, with music, at a gentle pace, promoting sustainable transport initiatives of the 'Lewes Road for Clean Air' community group with the aim to increase the uptake of cycling and enable a shift away from car dependency.

Bike Train’s marshals, Sarah, Gav, Maria and Stefania encouraged other GoodGym-ers, including new comers Patrick and Amanda, to join the fun by offering their help and budding up each other as well as other less confidents cyclers, and so by creating a safety-in-numbers environment for everybody to take part!

It was a great experience – Très Bon! Very GOOD, GoodGym!

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“I change my behaviour” “Better in a group” “I have to plan a well-lit route” “Scared” “Goodgym helps to motivate me” “My superpower is fear” “No headphones” “Everyone should feel safe to run at night”

These are just some of the things we wrote on our #LetsLiftTheCurfew flag, as we joined This Girl Can’s campaign to raise awareness of the concerns and fears many women face when it comes to getting active in the darker months.

Together we ran one mile to meet local councillor Tim at our meeting point in Hanover, where we were put to task helping to clean up graffiti, cutting back bushes, and picking up litter. When our work was done, we gathered to reflect on how we feel when it comes to running in the dark. From feeling scared and self-aware, to planning safe routes and not wearing headphones - it was clear that the darker months can make keeping fit more challenging for some of us. However, we all agreed that running in groups like GoodGym really help to alleviate those fears, and we’re super grateful for the safe, friendly, and inclusive community we’ve made together.

For more information on how GoodGym are supporting the This Girl Can #LetsLiftTheCurfew campaign, read the story here: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/stories/this-girl-can-x-goodgym

Welcome Charlotte and Mariangela - come back next week!

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