Cottonwool doesn't always help

As an athlete I never liked to wrap myself in cotton wool. When people suggested something I wanted to do might be dangerous, I would remind them that being on our roads is far riskier - for example commuting by bicycle.

The last two years have seen a dramatic increase in people cycling in the UK and not just for pleasure. Ever increasing numbers are opting to commute by bicycle and I take my hat off to them braving the weather and traffic on a daily basis.

At the end of a sportive I took part in a few weeks ago, the route took us over Tower Bridge and through the centre of London. Admittedly I was tired from peddling all day but I was surprised by the amount of concentration required to keep alert and respond to the traffic, pedestrians and numerous junctions. For me it was the most challenging part of the ride and made cycling up a hill in the pouring rain on Dartmoor seem far more appealing.

I've always felt rather safe cycling in the Westcountry until I had a recent reality check. My friend and I needed to cycle along a relatively busy road on the bank holiday. It can be unnerving as the cars overtake although the majority give you a wide berth. We were in a nice rhythm when I suddenly heard my friend shout - he'd felt the wind from a vans wing mirror rush past his ear. A very considerate driver stopped, having taken the vehicles details, to check we were okay. It was only then that I realised how near a miss it had been.

Thankfully these drivers are in the minority but it served as an important reminder that we should all be more mindful of fellow road users. I hope we continue to get more people riding bicycles.