On Your bike

I was overjoyed to be reunited with an old friend yesterday.

I haven't seen him since the covid pandemic and was delighted to be able to reminisce about the adventures we've shared over the past 20 years or so.

We've travelled hundreds of miles together and gone through a few scrapes and significant accomplishments too.

"You're more excited to see him then our newly repaired car," my husband laughed, when beckoning me outside to reveal who'd turned up on our doorstep yesterday morning.

And it's true, I trust this friend much more than the unreliable make of car we've recently spent thousands of pounds on. After it unceremoniously broke down on the motorway, miles away from home, it's going to take me a while to rekindle that relationship.

But forgive me.

Where are my manners?

I've not introduced you to my visitor yet.

Everyone, meet Monty. My mountain bike

I cannot explain the childlike joy I experienced yesterday, when my husband revealed he'd taken heed of my gentle hints - or as he called them, nagging - and got Monty the mountain bike in road worthy condition again.

As our dog Sophie is gradually slowing down with age on her daily walks, and finding the hot summer weather unbearable, I knew I had to turn to something else to improve my cardio fitness.

I admit, I did try jogging around the park for a few seconds or so the other morning, but the bewildered look on Sophie's face told me what I and my arthritic knees already knew. My running days are probably over.

And then I remembered Monty.

Grinning from ear to ear, I won't lie, after six years apart, it was an emotional reunion with my much-loved, two-wheeled partner in crime.

I've had an on and off love affair with cycling since childhood. And although I did try a brief, and somewhat unsuccessful, foray into road cycling (you'll have to read my book for all the drama!), I've always been more of a heavy handed mountain bike kind of girl.

Admittedly my initial joy was more subdued when I went for a quick 30-minute spin before work the other morning. I was wincing in pain and my quads began screaming at me. I'd forgotten how small the saddle was and how hilly it is where I live!

But we'll get there because, as Freddie and those boys from Queen sang, I do like to ride my bicycle.

Although it may have been a while since I last saddled up, I always believe we’re never too old to give anything a go.

If it makes you happy, why not just do it?!

Come on then. Are you ready?

Let's get on our bikes and ride....