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.