The last month hasn't exactly been summer cycling weather, unless you have waterproofs and mudguards but there are a lot more people cycling these days and apparently many are middle aged men.
As The Guardian asks, is this about fitness or flash gear (and what about the babysitter)? The survey that prompted the Guardian's article also said that many new cyclists were Waitrose shopping broadsheet readers. The Guardian's bike blog suggests that for some, very wealthy, men it is about the gear.
A visit to the forums at pistonheads.com (yes, the fast motors website!) indicates that for many men it is about exercise. Also, the government's cycle to work scheme has encouraged them to build exercise into their daily lives - something central to this year's Men's Health Week - see malehealth.co.uk.
There are loads of organised cycle rides these days, even the MHF's Matt Maycock and Peter Baker have done the London to Brighton ride (I take the train!). Perhaps these have encouraged people to start too.
What we do know is, whether you're a middle-class and middle-aged man who's pushed the cycle to work scheme to its £1000 limits or younger, shop at Asda and spent your own hard earned, cycling is good for your health.
So good you even have fewer sick days!
Which raises the question why don't more employers offer cycling facilities and the cycle to work scheme and why has the taxman just made the scheme less good?
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