I fear today's post will offend some people so if you like dogs, sheep, four wheel drive pick-up trucks, white vans, lager and cigarettes stop reading now.

Another cold day, cloudy but dry and still, headed off via Eldroth and Keasden then off towards Slaidburn before turning round and home via Clapham, Austwick and Lawkland. My new windproof jacket although very bright and garish is very effective and keeping me nice and warm but also highly visible which is just as well given the way some people drive. Why do these pick-up drivers hurtle along narrow country roads as if they were taking part in a race, surely the pace of country life should be less frantic especially when very often you can't see very far ahead. They were out in force today some towing trailers and I had to get out of their way smartish on two or three occasions. White vans also seem to be involved in this mad dash but with the added handicap of driving with a mobile phone clamped to an ear and a copy of The Sun open on the dashboard, much as I admire the ability to multi-task I don't think it should be attempted while driving a one ton van at 50 mph along narrow roads.

Now I know dogs have suffered from human's attempts to turn them into mindless slaves but why do they have to act like they are really fierce and charge at innocent cyclists snarling and barking only to to turn tail and flee when said cyclist stops (just at the bottom of a steep bit) and looks them in the eye. Stupid creatures.

Why do sheep on seeing an approaching cyclist wander out into the road and then instead of continuing across the road then stop in the middle causing the said cyclist to have to take evasive action. Stupid creatures.

How come one can get out into the wilds of the Forest of Bowland a 1000 feet above sea level with stunning views of snow covered hills in every direction only to discover discarded lager cans and cigarette packets apparently thrown from passing vehicles every few yards. Is it so hard to just take litter home, not even sheep and dogs behave so poorly. Humans, stupid creatures.

OK that is my grumpy old man bit for this week, tomorrow I have a rest from cycling with a bargain break to Edinburgh for a couple of days.