Well old ‘Herbert George’ couldn’t have been more on the money. Why is it that nearly all of us ride bikes as children – enjoying the freedom, empowerment and sheer joy of riding – only to abandon cycling at the end of adolescence? What a shame that so many adults forget the simple pleasures of riding a bike. My guess is that pressure to conform and the pressure to consume (cars) serves to undermine cycling as an ‘adult’ pasttime.

Luckily, not everyone feels the same way: There’s a bunch of ‘kidults’ that I’m going to have the pleasure of riding with on the 17th August. My dad and some of his friends are planning a celebratory 75 mile bike ride around Staffordshire. 1 mile for every year of their lives.

Yep, that’s correct. These young whipper-snappers are all celebrating their 75th birthdays this year, and are celebrating in the style they know best. I will be a very  happy man indeed if I’m able to manage a 75 mile ride on my 75th birthday. To be honest, I’ll be pretty happy if I can manage the 75 miles next week!

Scientific studies have concluded that a regular cyclist enjoys fitness levels equal to that of a person 10 years younger; but I’m not sure if that means that dad and friends can finish the ride at the 65 mile mark or not?

I’ve done a 50 mile ride this week, but now need to seriously up the training ante before travelling up for the ride next week. I don’t want to be badly embarassed by the Golden Oldies. You should seem them put the hammer down when there’s a sniff of a cup of tea and biscuits to be had…

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