It's a subject I've returned to a number of times but it really does seem like sometimes cyclists are the most miserable people on the planet. I'm not about to suggest that you smile, wave and say hello to every cyclist you pass, that would be frankly ridiculous, but sometimes at least a little acknowledgement of a fellow human being would be nice.

Two days ago the weather wsa such that I was able to do my first homeward commute without the need for windstopper jacket, beanie hat, or gloves. In celebration I took the long route home, with a number of miles on an old converted railway line. I was happy, and decided to share in the good humour, smiling at all cyclists coming the other way.

And all bar two simply gruffly carried on, blanking me with a stern look on their faces, or giving me a glance of such derision that I wondered if I had 'I kill bunnies' tattooed on my forehead.

Undaunted I retained the smile all the way home knowing that there are more days like this coming as the move towards summer gets well under way. Hell, cycling is just so much fun than taking the car or the bus anyway I'll smile no matter what the weather.

All I'd ask is if you're reading this and agree, try smiling on your way home, you might just make someone's day.

.anth