Cycling

Hooray!  (I hear you shout) - a flying-free post!    Yes...and no.  Someone wise (I know they were wise becaue they were on Radio 4) said recently that cycling is the closest a human being can get to the sensation of being able to fly.  If you don't cycle, I can hear you scoffing already.  Scoff scoffity scoff. Scoff.  How ridiculous.

And yet....have you ever cycled up a long traffic free hill in the springtime, put so much effort in that you were panting like a good 'un, your heart pounding and the sweat running down your back?  You're almost ready to get off, but the brow of the hill comes into view like water in the desert, Friday payday, termtime after the very long school holidays.  At the top there is a moment of relief where your muscles slacken and your heart rate starts to return to normal.  And then the smile comes....  Feet off the pedals, hands lightly touching the brakes...wind in your hair (helmet), time to admire the flowers, insects in your mouth and sunshine on your back.  And the impulse to shout "YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!" at the top of your voice.  See?  You're flying!!!

There's a book written by Cadel Evans, a great Australian cyclist, called Close to Flying (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cadel-Evans-Close-Flying/dp/174066891X).  I've never read it.  But I like it already.

Happy (and safe) cycling.

xxx