If last week’s offering didn’t encourage you to drag your old bike out of the shed, let’s look at some of the many other pleasures that two wheel transport holds for you.

These could be a little more adventurous than merely saving money, and they may require a little imagination and sensitivity.

It might sound silly, but one of the biggest benefits of cycling is that it’s relatively slow. Indeed many people walk faster, and I’ve even been overtaken by joggers myself. But what other means of transport allows you to see, smell and listen to the world around you? Perhaps walking gets close, but then you can’t freewheel down the hills!

I recall a 1000 kilometre cross France odyssey that I did with my eldest son Matthew. As we cycled south from St Malo to Sete, on the Meditteranean coast, each day presented us with a fresh panorama. Maize fields gave way to sunflowers, sunflowers to vines and finally the rich terracotta-coloured soil of the Languedoc.

In particular, I remember the last day as we began the long descent towards the sea. Just as we were leaving our breakfast stop at Lodeve, we could smell the aniseed from the fields ahead, even before we could see them. It sounds idyllic doesn’t it?

And there are a couple more bonus points, as a humble cyclist you’ll be made welcome everywhere, because everyone has ridden a bike and it acts as a common denominator wherever you go. And because you are burning up calories all day, every day, you can eat as much as you like without putting on any weight.

As a means of discovering the pulsing heart of any country, cycling takes some beating. So what does it cost to take a cycling holiday and do you need any special equipment?

Well the good news is that any bike will do, though naturally some models are better suited to long distance riding. As for equipment, this really depends on how much luxury you like and how much you’re prepared to spend.

For the ultimate in equipment-free touring you only need a bike and a credit card. You’ll pay for your meals, hotels and anything else that comes along with your credit card. I have heard of these ‘credit card’ tourists literally wearing out the clothes that they stood in, before buying some new ones.

On the other end of the scale, the frugal cycle tourist will carry everything with them, tent, stove, cooking utensils, food, spare parts, tools and a selection of clothes. Though this approach is initially more expensive, it becomes much cheaper once you’re underway. And the more you go away the cheaper it gets.

Why not try a few days away soon? In an hour or so you could be exploring the rural charms of Brittany.

BRAKING(HARD) NEWS

• On the book shelves now, the biography of cycling legend Beryl Burton. Cyclists of a certain age will no doubt remember Beryl, a Yorkshire lass, whose sporting successes are unlikely to ever be equalled. Among her many achievements are five World Championships on the track, winning the British Time Trial ‘Best all Rounder’ championship for an unbelievable 25 years on the trot, and even now, 12 years after her death, she still holds the National12 hour record at 277 miles. Personal Best published by Mercian Manuals £19.95

• Are you watching your weight? A new material called ‘Zylon’, produced by Du Pont, is being used in the manufacture of derailleur cables. These ‘Power Cordz’ cables which claim to be as strong as steel, yet 75% lighter in weight, are compatible with most popular shifting systems.

• And finally, if you hadn’t noticed yet, keen cyclist Barack Obama is now the President of the United States, hopefully he’ll take his environmentally friendly views to the next global summit.

♦ Picture: Arthur (left) tries out the new cycle track linking St Peter’s Village to Les Quennevais

♦ Arthur Lamy is the manager of Boudins for Bikes, in  Sand Street, and author of Jersey Cycles. He has spent 15 years as a tourist guide and writer, and is also a keen photographer. More information can be found on his website:  http://www.arthurlamy.com/