As I am getting fatter and fatter, and my thighs told me to do something, I swung on my good old bike, leaving speedy Harry-Baby for lighter and drier days, and went on my shortest after-work loop. It took me an hour for the 10-mile bash that I can do in 40 minutes in better weather, but I felt grreat after shedding the kcals and getting some lovely fresh air, wind in my face and stars to gaze at.

But even if you are armed and dangerous like me, cycling int eh dark is fricking scary. Despite decent lights, motorist don't bother to dip their headlights until they are literally sitting in your face, nearly blinding you. I think I will go and get the brightest light money can buy, or failing that, a taser gun.

So, please, if you see some cyclists on the road battling it out in the dark, they are not there to annoy you or slow you down in your nice fast car, they are just trying to beat the winter sloth, so be nice and dip those headlights!