Normally about now I'd be looking forward to volunteering as an Oxfam Steward at two or three music festivals (this year Glastonbury, Womad and Shambala). But this is not a normal year. 

Missing out on a few festivals is a minor inconvenience for me. More importantly is the lost income to Oxfam from festivals. This year Oxfam's festivals team was looking forward to placing somewhere in the region of 7000 volunteers during the summer music festival season and in the process raising more than £1,000,000 to support Oxfam's work in communities around the world. Paul's Home Tour is my way of making a small dent in that lost income.

Encouraged by lighter traffic and the sight of other ‘older’ cyclists on the road, I have decided to forsake my little PIaggio scooter and start cycling to work again. To keep me motivated and give me something to ponder as I pedal, I am going to keep a record of the miles covered and see how many of the places I have lived I can virtually visit. 

The plan is to set aside the money saved on petrol each week (about £6) to donate to Oxfam. If you would like to join me for a few miles - or just make a small donation - that’d be lovely too. But no pressure. I know everyone is a bit overcommitted at the moment.

I'll post occasional brief updates here. If you'd like to read more about the thinking behind this slightly hair-brained enterprise I am also keeping a bit of a ride log at www.tyredandmotional.co.uk.

Allons!

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