Getting out more

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I used to be out on my bike all the time - not on epic long rides, but just several times a day here and there. So I was happy that I was getting enough fresh air and exercise. But recently I realised I haven’t been out so much. I still thought I was regularly riding my bike, but then when I actually thought about it properly I realised most of a week could go by without me leaving the house except to work in the garden or walk to school (which is only 5 minutes away). I had been doing a ‘big shop’ by car, and if we needed one or two things my partner normally walked to the local shop. Apart from that I hadn’t needed to go anywhere much! Now the weather is very pleasant and perfect for cycling, but my problem is that I simply can’t make myself go out for a ride ‘just for the sake of it’, I have to have some necessary destination. Whether it’s seeing a friend, doing some shopping, volunteering at the theatre or even going to the recycling centre - some purpose to the trip. So I’ve been trying to make myself some aims! It also makes perfect sense - cycling to the town centre from here takes only 15 minutes, while driving is simply out of the question due to the extortionate daytime parking, and the buses are only every half hour (and I hate waiting! and paying £4 each time when I could get there for free!) while walking would take 45 minutes each way and be really hard if I had much to carry. I can also go to the smaller town in the opposite direction, also in 15 minutes, the supermarket is only 15 minutes in a different direction as well, and the recycling centre is 10 minutes - only about 5 minutes more than driving to any of them, especially when you factor in parking. Of course I can’t carry as much stuff at once, but I decided I would try going more often instead as an excuse to get out more! So this week I’ve been to town twice, and to the supermarket once and plan to go again today for stuff for the weekend. I am enjoying being out in the lovely spring days, and I don’t have to spend too long in the shops at one time. Then there is the added bonus that I have seen all sorts of interesting things when out and about - will write more about that shortly! All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2022.