With the days getting longer and warmer, I’ve started to think about doing some exercise again. It’s been a long time since I managed some sustained exercise, so it’s about time I started again! The problem is that I don’t like running, and going to the gym is off the cards as the only one near here is much too expensive. I’ve decided to try cycling instead – but it’s turning into a bit of an expensive hobby.

To start with I’m going to go out and look at lots of new bikes. The problem is that there are so many bikes that I want at the moment – all of them invariably very expensive – that it’s difficult to know which one to go for.

I know that I should really go for a cheap option because I don’t know how long I’m going to carry on for, but it’s very tempting to go for one of the higher end bikes because they look so good.

I haven’t actually decided yet whether I want a mountain or road bike. There are lots of trails in woodland around here, but with road biking you can do it in the winter whereas mountain biking is restricted to the summer (unless you don’t mind getting very muddy). I may end up getting a road and mountain bike though, because I much prefer the thought of riding through woodland than spending all my time on roads.

I’m aware that I’ve got to think of some sort of target for the future, so over the next few weeks I’m going to assess my fitness level and see what’s reasonable but still challenging.

I’ll keep you up to date over the next few months – hopefully I should have a lot to tell you about my latest hobby!