In fact it is a key way of checking how fit I am. When riding I try to follow the hint for asthmatics that I got from a TV program a few years ago (from a Russian professor). That is to breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth and breathe out for twice as long as you breathe in.
When I do this I can ride much better. But when I am particularly unfit I need to slow down even more to be able to do this going up hills. Before trying this and when completely unfit I would be puffing and panting in a scary way by the top of hills, but according to this theory all that breathing is ineffective as you don't expell enough of the waste products from your breathing.
This acts as a simple gauge of whether I my fitness is going up or down. Of course this also works better on a trike than a bike (when you are unfit that is) cos you can keep moving however slowly.
Anyway, just been for a nice short ride on my Fujin. About 8 miles round trip to Hargrave, exploring new roads for me. It still amazes me that I can get to such small, quiet roads within a few hundred metres of the house.
Anyway I do now have a computer on the Fujin so I know I came back through Raunds at pub closing at just under the speed limit (too many drunk pedestrians around to go faster :-). Also a rear view mirror so I feel a lot safer.
For me part of the way of keeping the fun in cycling (top 3) is to have a variety of goals (transport, weight loss, fresh air, sight seeing, family time ...) and lots of bikes/trike so you don't get bored. Having the Fujin to play with helps me with several of these items - that is my excuse and I am sticking to it ;-)
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