I've started riding my bike. The. Idea is to do two journeys to town a week building up to three. That's 20 minutes each way. Right now, it's making me tired, no making my legs ache, but I seem to be recovering pretty quickly. I do walk a lot anyway, so I'm not jumping into this from the wholly sedentary existence. My wife wants to get around by bike more, so I've been encouraged to get mine out on a more regular basis.

It takes about a month before it is an easier journey. When I first started cycling to work in London the first day took me 50 minutes, but by the end of the month I was down to 25 minutes. You just have to stick it out. Good luck.

I've been riding since 2008 again - after a 20 year break. I don't ride that often, a couple of times a month, but I then usually do 30 - 40 mile rides without any problems, apart from a sore rear due to not being used to the saddle.

Eldest daughter lives about 20 miles away and rides over on her bike a couple of times a week, although she is very sporty. Youngest daughter rides the 3 miles to work every day - she is doing an apprenticeship and couldn't afford a flat and car, so she took a flat and rides to work on her bike.