Words To Ride By

Remember the email and then the song about 'Always wear sunscreen'? It was a speech supposedly made by Kurt Vonnegut, the American satirist and science writer, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

No-one seems to know if that's true or not. But whatever the facts, I enjoyed the pearls of wisdom. Having spent many happy hours on my bike, I've thought about Vonnegut's advice often and come up with some of my own. Like Vonnegut supposedly said, and I have to agree... "Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience."

And humour me for the advice I have thought up myself, heard from others, taken from Kurt or read on bumper stickers.

Take time out and just enjoy riding your bike. Don't always feel like you have to race.

Don't think that because you pass someone on a ride, they're less of an athlete than you. It could be their easy-ride day.

Don't judge anyone. Have as much respect for the men and women who win races as for the people that get out there and do their damndest just to finish.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they're faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourselves and recall in a way you can't grasp now, how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Don't waste time on jealousy.

Sometimes you're ahead. Sometimes behind. The race is long and, in the end, it is only with yourself. Stretch.

Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they've gone.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Travel. And take your bike with if you can. Know that if you see a sign like 'Valley of 1000 Hills', it will be much more pleasurable if you're in a car than if you're on a bike.

How tired you are after your ride is directly proportionate to the intensity of the games your children want to play with you on your return. (If it has tyres or testicles it will give you problems). Girls will be girls, boys will be toys.

Put some excitement between your legs, ride a bike (a bumper sticker).

Ride naked (clearly, another bumper sticker!).

This summer holiday, ride a bit slower and appreciate the wind at your back, the sun on your face. Just take time to enjoy.

Oh, and feel free to take some risks, but wear sunscreen...