'Ip, Dip...'

Aylestone, South Leicester, December 2017

I don't really do New Year resolutions, as such.  They always feel a bit trite, and the inevitability of reneging is just in-built really - isn't it?  Nevertheless, a few generalised good intentions can't actually hurt.  In fact, the adoption of certain constructive new routines and habits seems more useful than formal resolutions.  Consequently, I've been out on my bike several days on the trot, since Christmas, partly to burn some festive calories, to be sure - but also to reclaim the habit of 'enjoying' the sensation of riding in all weathers.

Howling winds, driving rain, filthy puddles and dwindling light levels can all be pretty discouraging, it's true - but there's a certain grim satisfaction to be gained from 'owning' the conditions, and from reconnecting with that often-disregarded notion of the seasons.  For better or worse, it's a habit I hope to maintain, when possible, into 2018 (at least until that first hammering of rain on the inky black Monday morning window).

One such recent foray occurred on a day when the whole world seemed to be out walking the dog along Leicester's Great Central Way.  Regular cyclists will be familiar with the mild frustrations of such routes - being shared, as they are, between bikes, pedestrians, and unleashed dogs with an impulse to suicide.  The disengaged "Oh, sorry, mate" of Poochie's 'owner', glancing up from their phone to witness me jamming on the brakes yet again, does get a bit wearing after a while, if I'm honest.  But ultimately, it's far better than sharing the route with motor vehicles, and perhaps just a prompt to live and let live (by millimetres, in some cases).

The outward extent of my own particular excursion was marked by this apposite monument - which itself feels like some kind of reminder that there's beauty to be found in even the least expected situations.  It's also encouraging to note that many people will try to do the right thing - even when the infrastructure to do so is compromised.

As I've already mentioned, more than once - the discarding of such matter also reflects my attitude towards the passing of 2017, and so...

...Happy New Year, Folks.