for all your physical jerks news and views

I omitted my usual mini-exercise session this evening on account of having a cold.

I did however do my 2½ mile each way walk to work as usual.

Does anyone have a bike?

I was talking to my therapist about things which used to make me happy. We are working on simple effortless pleasures. I said that I used to love riding a bike, downhill, or just dodging traffic, but haven’t since the age of 14.

She asked why, and I’m not sure but I literally just didn’t ever again. Overnight. Had been forever, then didn’t. That sort of age. And I find adults exercising in public both rather virtuous and visually undignified.

I especially hate the ones who wear all the gear.

Anyway, the prices of second hand ones are astonishing. There’s some on gumtree for well over £1,000. I was thinking more £50-100 to see if I could get back into it - the freedom, the joy, the free exercise without even knowing you’re doing it.

Obviously I’d be going out at night, when the roads are quieter. I was thinking after 9pm sort of thing. Partly because I don’t like getting in peoples way, but also so I can have the pleasure of not running the gauntlet.

Knowing my luck I’ll be crashed into by Heil Tonkso from SSC.

Does anyone else have a bike and how do they get on with it?

I've got a bike.

I bought it about three years ago.

I still haven't got round to riding it.

I fully intend to, at some point.

But, yes, I certainly wouldn't spend £1,000 on one.

Mine cost £130, brand new.

I got one that was very basic but looked like it could be upgraded easily.

I have since bought a new saddle, pedals and seat-release clamp for it.

The Call of the Wendigo wrote:

I've got a bike.

I bought it about three years ago.

I still haven't got round to riding it.

I fully intend to, at some point.

What has stopped you so far?

I keep forgetting I've got it.

Even though it's in the living room.

Plus, I always feel it's too big for me, even though the Internet says it's the exact right size.

Thinking more, I am now sure that coincidentally around the time I just didn’t get back on the one I had, I boy I knew cycled over a cliff in Spain, on a family holiday. Usual thing when a teenager dies - standing room only at the crematorium. I’ve never considered there could be a link, but maybe there is. If there was, I’m over it now.

I want the freedom of going fast, the air rushing around me and through my air, and the feeling of having done good serious exercise without even having really been trying.

May have been France or the USA now I think back.

The Call of the Wendigo wrote:

I keep forgetting I've got it.

Even though it's in the living room.

Oh, is it a clothes dryer? It seems to be a common fate.

Why not change that by going out on it tomorrow, just round the block, do half a mile, see how you get on.

I did think the other day that in the event of World War III, all the annoying boasting muscly TikTok gym-goers can be on the fighting frontline.

I don’t approve of conscription. It’s a crime against humanity. I’m not against an open heartfelt appeal for all hands on deck, but conscription can’t fit into my conscience. I don’t even approve of it for those ‘rally round the flag’ WWII obsessives who weren’t alive or sentient when their obsession was taking place.

The Call of the Wendigo wrote:

I've got a bike.

I bought it about three years ago.

I still haven't got round to riding it.

I fully intend to, at some point.

Now tell us about your cloak.