For once, I’m not referring to my Mini.

Once upon a time I cycled everywhere.  I cycled to school, I cycled home from school, I cycled to see people, I cycled to church on occasion, I cycled to Brixham for a day out, I cycled to Exmouth (via the Starcross ferry) for a weekend, I cycled to university, I cycled to town, I cycled to Tesco.  It was my primary form of transport, it took me everywhere, and was very reliable.  Then I got a car.  At much the same time I left university and started working from home.  That meant that not only did I not have to go out as much, but when I did I had the luxury of a car to take me there.  There were several results to this: I travelled further more frequently, I joined the local Mini club, I spent lots of money on accessories and maintenance, and I got terribly unfit.

The last of those results is the one I’ve been most concerned about.  The lack of exercise, combined with the joys of married life, has left me with a slowly-increasing fat reserve, something my body simply isn’t built for.  I have always been slim, always been light on my feet, always been fairly fit.  But now I have a bulging stomach, my leg muscles have turned to jelly, and I feel lethargic most of the time.  It’s not that I need to go on a diet, I just need to start using some of the energy I’m taking in!  So, to combat the problem, I’m going to start cycling again.

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