Bojo's Backie Abomination.

What was the hot cycling news yesterday in the national Media? Boris Johnson giving his wife a backie on his bike, that's what.

Here is how the BBC ran the story of this heinous crime Non Story and it was in all the other main news media too it would appear.

What a load of cobblers. Really. 

Ah but giving a 'backie' is an offence, punishable with a fine of up to £200. Yeah and the law is an ass, like so many in this country these days.

Look on the web at photos of urban cycling and you'll see people the world over giving backies, or with a pillion sat side saddle style on a rack at the back, or carrying the whole family, and their shopping for a month, on some old boneshaker. It's just people getting on with their lives, nothing to get steamed up about at all. They live life in countries that are more tolerant and balanced, and less bitter, twisted and judgemental than we here in Britain.

The BBC article above also states the footage of the crime captured by The Sun showed Mr Johnson's wife “Sitting on the saddle, without a helmet, holding her handbag as her husband pedals.” (My italics). Woo... she wasn't wearing a plastic hat – Gasp! Condemn her recklessness! Throw rotten fruit at her in the street! Scowl accusingly and wag a finger at her! 

She wasn't wearing a magic hat, so bloody what? It was BoJo doing the piloting, not Bradley Wiggins going for the hour record or the chap Froome giving it the courageous conkers down some Alpine descent in the Tour de France. Not wearing a helmet, is thankfully, not against the law, and that is the way it should be. Whether Johnson's other half or anyone else for that matter wears a bonce potty on a bicycle or not, is their business, and purely their business, no one else's.

Put them in the stocks!

For heaven's sake where has all the common sense and balance gone these days? What is it with we British that we have to be so narrow minded and judgemental all the time? Why should Boris have to apologise, and to whom exactly? Did he offend anyone? Well if he did then it's the people who got offended who should be apologising for being such stupid human beings. 

Boris should instead be applauded for saving the planet, using his initiative, being normal, having bloody fun! I'm pretty sure he could have got a taxi from the start for the pair of them, or even a chauffeur driven limo perhaps given his status, but no, he got on a bike with his wife and the fun suckers are only too happy to jump on him and criticise, and the brainless wagon jumping finger pointers are equally happy to join in the lynching.

But it's all to do with the new religion of course, health and safety, and what a crock of crap so much of that is too. Dan Snow was on the BBC on Sunday evening presenting an excellent programme about the dawn of the railway age and there he was, walking along a bit of track in full dayglo (ok, fair enough perhaps), some sort of weird looking gloves, safety glasses and a hard hat. Why? The only danger he faced was being hit by a train and how much good will his gloves, glasses and hard hat be at warding off several hundred tons of speeding metal? None at all, unless they were made from some new sort of indestructible material that would see an express merely bounce off, and Snow little more than lightly startled, in which case I think the rest of us should know what this invincowear is all about. 

But that's health and safety without brains for you, and it is actually more of a hazard if only the people who insisted on all this sort of crap actually understood the subject a little better, and it really isn't difficult to grasp, it's to do with human nature and common sense in fact. Ah but that's the problem, common sense is not allowed any more, and human nature isn't to be trusted, it must be legislated, and controlled. Oh and condemned too of course.

I despair of this country I really do.

Paper is Back.

I admit I am a bit of a Luddite. My mobile phone is prehistoric by today's standards at around eight years old. I don't own an iPod, iPad or iblinkinganything, and most of all, I don't own a Kindle or any other type of digitalised book reading device. Devices of the Devil all.

I confess a few years ago I was half expecting I'd have to bite the bullet and get Kindled, Nooked or Kobo'd up as the imminent demise of the hard copy book was forecast. The printed tome wouldn't completely disappear apparently though, a few select titles would probably still be available at huge expense for those traditionalists who prefer a proper book, the doom mongering gleeful geeks patronisingly explained. Oh goody.

Not ready to join the VHS Video recorder and audio cassette in the museums just yet...

Thankfully, the predictions have so far appeared to be a bit wide of the mark. Printed book sales are well down on say, ten years ago, but it would appear they have bottomed out and are now starting to pick up again, while sales of e-readers are slowing. Waterstones claim printed sales were up 5% in December 2014 compared to the same month in 2013, while Foyles reported an 8% rise for the same period. A book is clearly a better Christmas present than a digital download voucher, but it's not just at Christmas that the sales shows an increase, the general year round trend is up, albeit slowly.

Of course, it was not just printed books that were set for extinction of course, magazines in glossy paper form would disappear too in favour of pixels on tablets and PCs, or so went the prophesies of doom. Sure enough, it appears sales have been hit very hard indeed, and some titles have been lost altogether, but all is not lost yet, and in fact, things are actually getting better in some ways thanks to the computer age. 

Modern digital processes make producing niche magazines with lower circulation a viable proposition, and rather than titles disappearing completely, we are actually seeing new ones appear.

Cyclist Magazine has only been around since late 2012, Bikes Etc about a year (at a guess), and now the second issue of mountain bike magazine Cranked has just thumped onto my doormat.

This is all very good news for me as I have a definite magazine and book buying habit. I do read a couple of pixelated periodicals – Bicycle Traveler and Bunyan Velo, but good though they are, reading on a computer is just not the same experience at all.

The printed book or magazine is something to savour, something to set time aside for and to immerse yourself in with a good cup of coffee and a warm duvet. 

There is a distinct pleasure in browsing the book shelves and coming away with a purchase, looking forward to getting home and settling down with it for some relaxing stimulation. You have something solid in return for your money, something that smells and feels like a book should, and the same goes for magazines, especially so at the quality end of the magazine shelf. Cranked costs a chunky tenner, Rouleur likewise, while Singletrack comes in at six quid. But you pay for quality, both in the content and in the production. They are not buy, read and bin magazines, they are more like soft backed books, and a pleasure to own and read.

It's not just books and magazines that are staging a recovery though, vinyl record sales are positively exploding – vinyl album sales apparently up a hooting great 69% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 (Source). It seems more and more people find the modern digitised products lack a certain something - the quality and pleasure of ownership I'd suggest.

So the second issue of Cranked has landed, but rather than wade straight in, I've taken it upstairs - a treat to savour when I go to bed tonight, and yes, I will be sniffing the paper...

Little Red Cyclist.

Today had been a flat one to start with – the weather more like October than July, and the mood lacking in enthusiasm and motivation. On seeing today's dismal weather forecast a couple of days ago, I had planned on working on this blog today, but inspiration had been sorely lacking. It had been a day of existing rather than living – one of those days. Not a real downer, not by a long way, but not one of the better days for sure.

'Something will turn up' is an often heard saying when frustration has settled in some form or other, and today it has proved true in the form of an email received earlier from the good folk at Bicycle Traveller magazine. Not only is a new edition of the excellent magazine available free to download, but also a new photo book – 'Little Red Cyclist'.

Paul Jeurissen's photos are always superb – each one conveying a story full of colour, drama, and inspiration. In Little Red Cyclist we are treated to images of Jeurissen's riding partner, Grace Johnson (The Little Red Cyclist), immersed in some truly enormous and spectacular landscapes, taken as they cycle together around the globe.

Reading the magazine and clicking through the images contained in the book sparked some life into me on this dull afternoon, capturing my interest where the F1 race failed dismally, and kickstarting my imagination as I read of the travels and studied the stunning photographs.

I can only dream of undertaking the sorts of journeys on display in these two publications - Hell, with my crap body I doubt I could manage a single full day on the road let alone a night in a tent now unfortunately. But dreaming is good, it takes us away from the drudgery of the moment and keeps us sane and able to cope. So I found myself planning what trips I can make within my limited range and how to achieve them, and that on such a previously flat day, was a very welcome diversion.

So that something has turned up, and the day is not a total right off after all. I may still feel physically lacking the oomph to get out on a ride or whatever right this minute, but even if I don't get to make any of the trips currently in my head, newly thought of or pre-existing, at least the spark is still there and the mind hasn't totally switched off for the day.

Bicycle Traveler is here along with the free photo book Little Red Cyclist and other free e-books full of ideas and inspiration.

Missing - One Summer.

I bought a floppy sun hat earlier this year, eagerly anticipating the clear blue skies and hot sunshine of Summer. The wide brim would help keep those strong rays of sunny goodness off my ears, neck and maybe even my prodigious nose I reasoned. “Well that worked well” I sarcastically thought this morning as I left it hanging on a door knob and opted for a baseball cap instead. It has had a couple of outings, but the weather just hasn't cut the mustard so far.

I always used to say we have two seasons in this country, Winter and traffic jams, well that's living in Cornwall for you anyway. Now though I think I'll amend the two seasons to Winter and two weeks in June. Not a fortnight mind, two weeks, 'cos a fortnight might imply some sort of consistency to proceedings.

Summer 2014 was a peach. We had weeks of waddling sun burned tourists, the smell of barbecues, and music belting out of open windows that go with fine days and long sunny evenings. So this year has been a bit of a disappointment so far, and that's putting it mildly.

Last year was possibly an exception as all this pessimism is nothing new of course - an oft heard description of an English Summer is two hot days followed by a thunder storm. Well that might prove accurate if the weather forecast is anything to go by.

Out for another ride this morning and hacking along an almost overgrown Bridleway it was very humid indeed. A bit like being in the reptile house at a zoo – the clamminess was all enveloping, I was wearing it like it was a Luger's work suit rather than just feeling hot as on a fresher day. The sky looked rather ominous too, very threatening, but didn't deliver any rainfall to refresh my rather sticky and sweaty self.

An enjoyable ride in the countryside along a Bridleway despite the lack of sunshine. Clamminess not shown.

But Friday we are supposed to be getting thunder storms, which is good as I do enjoy a bit of the old crash bang wallop. However I've just remembered that rather than watching the lightning out of an open window and drinking in the air as the ozone, nature's air freshener, does its work, I've got to go into town where I'll have to act like an adult and ignore it all, which is a shame, as we don't get many good storms round here these days either.

It's a Bicycle Not a Blinking Boeing – How Hard Can It be?

One of the pleasures of owning a bike is how they reward a little tender loving care now and again. 

Like with their petrol powered two wheeled brethren, riding a bicycle is a very involving and elemental experience. The senses are bombarded every moment you are astride the machine, and your instincts quickly become finely tuned to your immediate surroundings. You can feel it start to rain long before the auto wipers of a car alert the semi comatose driver to a change in the weather, and you feel every stone and every bump through the seat of your pants. You also feel and hear exactly how the bike is running, unlike in a modern family car say, when even after a full service you'd probably be hard pressed to feel any difference, they have become that numb and removed from the driving experience. But with a bike, even a couple of PSI in the tyres and you can reap the rewards instantly as you feel the harder ride and relish the speed gained for less effort.

So I've adopted the 'Bike not a Boeing' philosophy and have been enjoying (mostly...) getting my hands dirty and doing a few jobs on the bikes myself.

This morning it was a productive and satisfying hour or so replacing and greasing the rear wheel bearings in the Bantu. The rear wheel had become a bit 'clacky' when turning, so it had to be done. Bicycles aren't complicated devices really (well the bikes I ride aren't anyway) but it is still a very gratifying way to spend a little time (and of course, spend less money).

Job done (inadequate greasing at the factory by the look of it), out on a ride and the Bantu felt all the better for my attentions, running smoothly and quietly again. 

Post furtle test ride and the Bantu was running smoothly and silently once again. A job well done.

When confidence can be easily shot to pieces and self esteem pretty low, achieving even something as simple as a little bike maintenance and feeling the results of a job well done can be a big boost, and something to add to the bank of 'good things that happened today/this week.'

Just one thing though, am I the only cyclist who just cannot get a back wheel in while the bike is upright in a maintenance stand? Once again I attempted it, once again, after many tries, I admitted defeat and dropped the bike upside down to the floor. Bingo! One back wheel, back in place in a couple of seconds. Most odd.

Savouring The First Cup.

After the dispiriting ride a few days previously, when a brief potter around one of my local loops failed to lift my gloom, I woke up yesterday instantly feeling a bit more like it. Quickly a plan was hatched – always the sign of a lifting mood, and I set out to make the first coffee of the day one to earn and savour rather than just gulp out of bleary eyed morning ritual.

Everything I needed was quickly lobbed into the Carrera's panniers (another decision quickly made – which bike to take. I can agonise over that one for ages sometimes) and I set off into the early morning sunshine. The cool and fresh air was soon waking me up and within minutes I was eagerly snapping away photographically at some wild flowers on the roadside, enjoying once again being out and about and taking in the surroundings, and in the case of the flowers, less than a mile from home. On a less receptive day I'd have probably ridden past without even noticing them, my mind in a yet to be unlocked fug.

Meadow Cranesbill I believe.

Twenty or so minutes later I was at my planned spot for a brew, beside a small river in the local woods. This particular spot is well used by woodland walkers and their dogs, the pooches often launching gleefully into the river to retrieve a well lobbed stick. But the early Saturday hour promised solitude and peace, which is what I crave on all my rides.

So with the kettle filled and the stove doing its thing, I had time to sit and listen to the wildlife and trickles of the river, and feel the rising sun warming the still air. The coffee I use on these little expeditions is nothing fancy, just a sachet of Nescafe three in one, but it does the job and tastes all the better for the effort involved in its brewing. The enforced lingering and time to ponder adds stimulation of a natural kind.

Stove is a Mini Trangia, kettle by Trangia also.

Feeling happily relaxed and refreshed, I then carried on for a good old mooch around the wood, discovering a whole new area to explore in the process. 

That busted tree was nothing to do with me, it was like that when I got there, honest...

Home again and showered by 10.30, having had an invigorating start to the day. Riding, aided and abetted by the simple addition of a small camping stove, had done its thing once again.

Sometimes a ride started in a gloomy state can lift the mood all by itself. At other times, like on this occasion, it can accelerate and reinforce a naturally evolving recovery.

Call It A Draw...

I hadn't ridden a bike in just over a week as a grabby back and crabby mood conspired against me, but with my back at least easing up, I thought I'd get my knees in the breeze and have a restorative ride. Sometimes though, it just doesn't work like that and today proved to be a case in point.

Many is the time I've felt my mood lifting within minutes of cocking a leg over a bike and pottering forth. The familiar and comforting fizz of the knobbly tyres on tarmac changes tone as speed increases, my lungs start filling with fresh air and I look forward to whatever I'm about to experience. Cycling strikes a convincing victory on these occasions over the depressive moods that battle for supremacy.

But those cycling successes are also tempered occasionally by failure. I did manage to complete a short circular route this morning, (in the past I've turned for home very quickly when things really weren't going well), but I don't really feel better for it. I just wasn't receptive to all the things I usually enjoy and soak up so readily.

Times like this are frustrating from all points of view, but from a cycling angle they do cause a few worries and doubts. I feel like momentum built through the year has been lost, along with a degree of hard won fitness, and worry that a bubble has been burst somewhere and I won't enjoy a bike ride again.

Not surprisingly I struggled for photographic inspiration too, and while belonging to a photo a ride Flickr group can be motivational, it can also frustrate and add a self imposed pressure when not really in the mood. They wouldn't know if I nipped out for a sneaky few miles and didn't post a photo, I wouldn't get red carded, and the world would still keep turning, but in the end photo failure and guilt were avoided, and I set up the tripod for a ride past shot. A mundane photo, but at least I didn't come home empty handed.

I've had these lifeless rides in the past though, and things have got better and I've soon been itching to get out on a ride and get some photos, so fingers crossed that will be the case once more.

So it's back to working on this blog.

This is my first attempt at a blog as it happens, and grappling with it all reminds me that you only learn how to really swear when doing something new involving a computer. So my apologies if things look a bit unruly round here, I'll hopefully get things sorted when I get the hang of it all.  

Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig.

I've read a few books on Depression and Anxiety, and found them alright in a text booky sort of way, but nothing too dramatic. Nothing that really grabbed me and made me keep reading whenever I could. 

Just recently however I stumbled on Matt Haig's personal story of how he came very close to suicide, his recovery and how positives can be taken from even the lowest points. The reviews on Amazon were very complimentary so I thought I'd give it a go, and I must say it is the best book I've read on the topic so far. Anyone who has suffered with Depression and/or Anxiety will identify with so much of this book yet will also draw a great deal from it. Haig writes really accessibly and honestly, and each chapter is short so is still easy to read when suffering the usual lack of concentration. 

Rather than the somehow detached or clinical feeling of other books I've read, this is very much the inside story, written as if Haig was sat comparing his experiences with a fellow sufferer. It's not all gloom and despondency though, and there is an optimism that goes from the title on the cover to the pages within that is emboldening.

I read this from cover to cover when I first got it, and have since dipped back in to read certain sections again, and no doubt will continue to do so, as it has certainly helped me in many, many ways. I would say this book is a must read for anyone suffering with, or someone who knows someone suffering with, Depression and Anxiety.

Cover price is £9.99 for the hardback (and it is a smallish book physically, good for carrying and dipping into when out and about) but I got mine from Amazon for three quid less. 

Matt Haig's Site.