As those loveable Irish stamp collecting, puzzle solving urchins used to say “why don’t you switch off your televison set and going do something less boring instead”. You’ve had a week to get used to being back to work and sweat out all the excess festive alchohol so there’s no iff-ing and butt-ing to be done anymore.It might be a bit cold, damp and dark out there at the moment but it’s still a great time to go riding your bike. The trails are quiet, and these last couple of months (we can hope) of mud churning will build your leg power to speed you through the bluebells come the merry months of spring.

Even one ride a week together with your weekend trundle will make a lot of difference to your fitness – even more so if you’ve been slacking up till now. And all the time you’re getting fitter and sharpening those trial surfing skills, your fair weather mates will still be carting round a turkey’s worth of extra weight as there bike seizes solid in the garage from lack of use.

Before you start making excuses, if you haven’t got a suitable set of lights we’ve already reviewed the excellent Lumicycle units and we’ll have a full review of Nightrider’s DP12 Digital, and Digital Headtrip lights up tomorrow.

We’ve also got a week full of waterproof jacket tests from next Monday although we’ve already given our verdict on Karrimor’s new featherweight riding jacket, the Vail Paclite and a bunch of sleeveless fleece vests from Gill, Gore Bike Wear, Ground Effect and Berghaus. If you’re really serious about getting your fitness together we’ve also been putting the S-510, the latest Heart rate monitor from Polar through it’s paces.

So keep logging onto the site for inspiration but most of all dig that bike out of the shed and get riding, before you forget what it’s all about.

Look forward to seeing you out there,

Scoop