My ride to work: Willesden Green to Kensington

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Route From Willesden Green, past the shiny new sports centre (well done, Brent council), south to Kensal Green, a quick burst in Ladbroke Grove before following the canal round to Westbourne Park, up through Bayswater and then down past Princess Diana's old home in Kensington Palace Gardens.

Distance Four-and-a-bit miles. Nice way to wake up in the morning.

Weather Not quite as cold as it felt when I awoke at 6am. But an afternoon downpour left me wondering whether I'd make it back home on the bike or have to switch to the trusty (and slow-as-treacle) No52 bus.

Badly behaved drivers Rat-runners leave little space for me as I head east along Mortimer Road. In revenge I switch on my white-hot flashing front light to remind them I exist. Get up a good head of speed in Kensal Road only to be forced to slow by a lorry selfishly attempting a three-point turn.

Pedestrians: Zero. The only people up at this early hour are those heading purposefully for the bus or Tube and the start of another working day. The just-out-of-shower hair and smart clothes give them away.

Distractions Still buzzing from previous night, having unexpectedly caught up with a friend from summer school in Nice (yet another attempt to learn French). Turns out that Colleen is an amazing jazz singer, as she demonstrated from the unlikely setting of an open mic session in the upstairs room of a pub off Oxford Street. My musical knowledge starts in 1963 with Blowin in the Wind; hers ends in 1945.

Time taken 25 minutes. After a few days' cycling in the French Alps and a 35-mile jaunt in Richmond Park last weekend, the ride to work barely stretches the legs. Still, leaves me energy for a decent jog once I make it home.