Too many mince pies?

Louise Gebbett

27 December 2011

Feeling stuffed? I know I am.

Over-indulgence is as much a part of Christmas as the roast dinner or Santa's elves.

It just wouldn't be Christmas without the onset of calorie induced fatigue. Not that I'm complaining - hibernating for a few days is joyous in small doses.

But now it's time for me to wake up from my dormancy and embrace the world.

The first big question is how to begin this process. I'm in Devon visiting relatives, so I think it's about time I went outside and embraced the crisp December air.

Outing number one needs to have a purpose, otherwise I'm going nowhere. My sights are set on The Butterleigh Inn, a glorious pub in a nearby village. A four mile round trip for a log fire and some warm West Country cider - it's definitely worth the walk.

Once that's conquered I'm setting my sights higher. A cycle ride in fact. I can't decide on the route, but I'm thinking about the Tiverton canal - a great image of which has become the front cover of the BBC's Country File Calendar 2012. It's a great shot of a horse pulling a barge. I'm told this doesn't operate in the winter, but apparently it's a great cycle route, so I'm giving it a go.

I'm hoping these outings will kick start my 2012, to really get motivated I need some slightly more ambitious, longer-term goals.

That's where the Big Green Bike Ride comes in. A 500 mile cycle from London to Edinburgh is certainly not something I could manage at my current fitness level. But with some hard work and dedication it could be.

A challenge really is the best way to get the new year underway - so why not take one on yourself?

The Friends of the Earth Big Green Bike Ride takes places in May 2012, giving you lots of time to prepare.

You don't have to cycle all 500 miles either. Take part in a single day of the route. London to Cambridge, Grantham to Beverley, Alnwick to Edinburgh - there's lots to choose from.

Louise Gebbett, Big Green Bike Ride Team

Subscribe to this blog by email using Google's subscription service.