One of my favourite things to do at the weekend is to go cycling along a disused canal path just outside our city. I usually do this with an old schoolfriend of mine called Mark. We have known each other for years, and as we both work fairly hectic desk jobs during the week, it has become our regular ritual to get outdoors and unwind together on a Saturday morning.
We tend to do this every couple of weeks, provided the British weather behaves itself. We usually meet up around nine in the morning, pack a couple of water bottles, and set off along the towpath. It is a completely traffic-free route that winds through some lovely woodland and open countryside for about twenty kilometres until it reaches a quiet village, where we always stop at a small bakery for a coffee and a pastry.
I really cherish this activity for a few reasons. Firstly, it strikes a great balance between getting some proper exercise and having a relaxed catch-up. When you are sitting across from someone in a crowded pub or restaurant, it can sometimes feel a bit intense, whereas chatting side by side on bikes feels effortless. There is no pressure to keep the conversation going constantly; you can just pedal in companionable silence for a while and enjoy the scenery.
On top of that, it forces both of us to switch off our mobile phones for a few hours. By the time we head back in the early afternoon, I always feel mentally refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead.