Drink early, drink often

This sudden hot weather is drying out more than the landscape. You’ll have the moisture sucked out of you doing anything active outdoors. Now you need to be vigilant about your fluid intake because by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

You can lose a lot of body fluid on even a short ride. The longer your ride, the bigger the risk of dehydration, which will impair your concentration and cause fatigue.

The etiquette of bunch riding

The more popular cycling gets, the more people want to join in. If you’ve ever wanted to try riding with a bunch but the “rules” seem a bit mysterious, just remember two words – awareness and etiquette.

Get a group of people on bikes together and you all need a heightened awareness of each other to stay safe.

Pedal to work for a pumped-up start

How does your working day start? I’m very lucky that I can start mine on two wheels.

Before I switch on the computer and take the first phone call I’ve been out taking in the morning. I’ve waved to people I know pedalling the other way. I’ve said hello to people I don’t know going my way.

There are all sorts of health, financial and environmental reasons to ride to work. But the best reason is that you just arrive feeling great. Get your heart pumping and you can’t help it.

Outrunning the black dog of depression

Picture a huge black dog trying to catch a man on a bicycle and you have some idea of one of the things that held him together during a bleak period in his life.

“I love that description they use of the black dog of depression. It’s just so apt – just that overwhelming sadness, everything’s crap really,” he says. But twice a week he got on his bike with a group of other people and outran it for a short time.

Taking in the sights by bike

Nothing beats the satisfaction of looking at your map at the end of the day and knowing you got from there to here under your own steam.

Cycle touring is a very special way to get around. You see more of the landscape, you’re on intimate terms with the geography, and you get to know the locals better. Pull up outside any general store or bakery and someone will stop and ask where you’ve come from and check out your gear.