I’ve just been out on the Trice – a cool, fresh, slightly overcast sky, riding over to see Simon & Helen to retreive a piece of coal so Dave can do the first-footer thing at a New Year’s party coming up.

According to my speedo I did 6.66 miles in 44 minutes, with a top speed of 29.0 mph on a nice downhill stretch near the house; also did some rear-wheel breakaway skids on the wet roads,

But that’s not the really good bit.

My knee performed very well, the leg feeling curiously floaty and light after the run to Simon’s place, it clicks a bit when being fully-straightened but works fine, and was not sore at all after the two short sprints I did. I even managed to do a pull-away in top gear from a junction and it didn’t hurt at all.

But that’s still not the really good bit.

The really good bit is that in the space of six and two thirds miles I received three thumbs up from various drivers and passers-by, was smiled and waved at by half a dozen other people, stopped five pedestrians in their tracks and chatted with an old guy waiting at the crossing in his electric chair.

Oh, and the kid playing football on the green, who shouted “Nice cart!” and waved as I flew past.

It’s Christmas, and I can make people smile by being a little bit eccentric, driving a marvellous machine, and by waving back when they wave at me.

It’s a nice feeling, making people a little bit happier, just by existing.