Back from my holidays and had a fabulous time. Did far more cycling than ever before. It's so nice to have a bike with working gears - I swear it makes all the difference. For many years I've rather disliked the little narrow roads of the Lakes. Horrible to drive and boring to walk, but the bike just eats them up. Excellent bridleways too.

J dragged me out yesterday for a run to Almscliff Crag. A bit of a hilly sod to get to but I managed quite a few of them. Fascinating to see so many climbers on the crag. I never knew so many people took it so seriously.

Sailed back down to the valley making excellent time. I even managed to get up the Newall Carr Road climb which is a first on a mountain bike for me. Although it has lower gears, it also weighs a ton more. The road bike is nippier but I find it rather uncomfortable after a while.