Its a wet springtime. So why not remember to use the short cut?

My top tip for rural cyclists this month  is to face down any feelings of shame and embarrassment, and jolly well remember to take a pair of secateurs out on your travels.

Springtime warmth and rain doesn’t half get those brambles and briars growing. If you’re smart and cut them back from your regular routes  when  they are just starting out, you’re preventing yourself and your gear being cut to shreds by thorns a bit later on in the year.

This applies not only to rural roads and paths, but to many quite urban settings – particularly if, like here in Suffolk, the council has reduced its roadside  hedge-trimming.

And, remember – although its tempting to play super-cutter and snip branches without stopping – this will leave thorns on the footpath to puncture the tyres that follow after. These might even be your own.

So go on. Kick the cuttings into the long grass.

Good cycling – and good pruning!