I don't ride much these days. Unless there's somewhere I actually need to go, I find I can't really be bothered. I'll do errands, the odd utility ride, but heading out on the bike simply for the sake of it has rather lost its appeal.The other day I cycled a little over six miles to the shops and back. It should have been entirely unremarkable, but I returned home thoroughly irritated after an encounter with some inconsiderate twunt in a car who seemed far more interested in their phone than in anyone else attempting to use the road.
Lately I've been doing a bit of running instead. I thought joining a Parkrun might provide a bit of motivation: ride there, do the run, ride back. So I attended my first one last week and then went again today.There is something rather pleasant about being up and out early. The roads were quiet, the ride mercifully free of muppets, and the run itself turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable. Friendly, inclusive, and, dare I say it, even fun.So that was a 3½-mile ride there, a 3.15-mile run, and a 3½-mile ride home. Quite enough physical exertion for one day, I think. Thank you very much.