I START today's diary with a confession. I got a lift into work this morning.

I do have three very good reasons for leaving the bike at home today, following my enthusiasm as I penned my sign-off last night. Well, definitely two.

Firstly, I have to point out that there are some days when cycling to work simply isn't possible. Had I brought my bike today, I would probably have managed to bring the leather jacket I needed for a photographic prop, along with my usual back pack. Unfortunately, I would have struggled with the bass guitar. So, you see, my first problem was one of logistics.

My second issue is that, when I get home tonight, there is a good chance I would not be able to wash away the toils of my ride with a shower or bath. After soaking my aching limbs in the tub last night, I wandered downstairs at 10pm to check the football results and Lotto numbers, only to hear an ominous "drip, drip" from the kitchen.

As you may guess, I found the water I had just left upstairs dripping through a light fitting, so my bathing habits are now in the hands of electricians and plumbers.

Thirdly, and this is the one I would have felt guilty about using as a sole excuse for being driven into work, I woke up this morning with severely aching legs and lower back.

Unfit? Quite possibly, although I wouldn't have admitted it 24 hours ago. I think the aches are a lesson in moderation. As I mentioned on Monday, it had been three years since my last bike ride. I've also neglected my swimming and football, too, so I think going from a standing (well, more of a lounging around) start to a full week of biking may have overdone it.

Come 5.30pm, though, I will walk down from Lingfield Point to Darlington train station, then from Bishop Auckland station to home tonight and be back on the bike in the morning. After all, you don't get a free breakfast from Just Deli if you get a lift. Is it lunchtime yet?