A DOCTOR has been making home visits on a bike without a saddle.

Dr Carola Steidl, who decided on the unusual way of getting round to her patients to get fit for a point to point horse event, has seen the weight fall off.

She was giving the training tip by horse trainers Christine and Caroll Gray, who lost their racing yard in Moorland during last year’s devastating floods in the Somerset Levels.

“They came to stay with us in Spaxton and suggested taking the saddle off so I couldn’t sit down, like riding a horse,” said Dr Steidl, a GP at Taunton Blackbrook Surgery.

“I use the bike for home visits at lunchtime – it’s quicker than driving and easier to park.

“Some of my patients find it quite amusing, but I mostly park quietly out of the way so they don’t see me.

“Since I’ve been cycling, three other colleagues from the surgery have started bringing their bikes to work.

“I used to be sat at my computer for up to 12 hours a day, so it’s really good to get some exercise.

“I’ve also been running up hills on the Quantocks, which is really horrible, but good for fitness.

“I’ve also given up junk food and biscuits and lost a stone in two months.”

Dr Steidl, aged 52, is in the first race in the Minehead Harriers and West Somerset Point to Point at Holnicote at 1pm on Saturday.

The flat course one mile and two furlongs event is in aid of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – you can sponsor Dr Steidl via Just Giving.

“It’s my first point to point – and most probably my last,” she said.

“It’s much more competitive than I thought it would be – I’ll be on my 15-year-old hunter Cello, but some of the other riders are taking it seriously on thoroughbreds.”