Ever wondered how your commuting experience differs to others? Each month we share the story of a real Cyclescheme cycle commuter and ask them seven questions to sum up their experience from their two-wheeled commute. This month, it's Mike.

Each month we feature one Cyclescheme participant and share their commuting story. We ask the same seven questions (hence the name, The Cyclescheme Seven) in a bid to build up a picture of cycle commuters across the UK. From John O'Groats to Lands End we scour the country for the real cycle commuters who take to their bike each morning. If you'd like to feature on our website, just drop us a line on: socialmedia@cyclescheme.co.uk with "I'm in' in the subject line.

This month we caught up with Mike to see how his commute has changed his life.

CS: Where in the UK are you?

Highlands of Scotland

CS: What was your main motivation for getting a bike through Cyclescheme?

Saving on a new specific commuting bike requiring minimum maintenance for all year (especially winter) commuting to work in a range of weathers

CS: What bike did you get and why?

A Giant Sub Zero – Rack, Mudguards, hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano Alfine internal gear hub. With lots of other bikes in the family (don’t ask how many) I have plenty of maintenance to carry out on them without working on this one very often. It was intended to take the heavy load of the grimmest commuting weather - and require the minimum of maintenance too!

We dropped from two cars to one (to save money) and my commute was considered dead time for the car sitting in the work car park all day – it only seemed sensible that I use the option of a 26+ miles a day workout doing what I enjoy.

CS: How much did you spend with your Cyclescheme Certificate?

About £600.

CS: How often do you commute to work by bike

Ranges from 30-60 per cent of my commuting journeys – with the majority of other trips by train (we have a great local service from my village to Inverness). I do have a range of routes both on and off road – and a mixture of both so sometimes take a cyclocross bike, road bike, mountain bike depending on weather, mood and how fit I am feeling...I even had a trial for a week on a Cube electric Mountain bike which was great fun – although I do benefit from and prefer the exercise of full on cycling.

CS: Where do you commute from and to?

Muir Of Ord to Inverness – sometimes with extended routes home across the Black Isle.

CS: How has cycling affected your daily life - do you feel healthier? Have you saved money?

7-10Kg lighter (depending on cake intake) – significantly fitter – certainly clears my mind before getting into work, and home again. We have good provision of showers and I have a set of work clothes in my drawer (regularly refreshed!).

We save on not running an extra car (estimate £2000 per year). As a family we cycle regularly for fun, to school and for fitness. I have done Velotech maintenance training so I can maintain the fleet (and occasionally friends bikes too!) – so all round savings through skills development.