There’s a sign not far from the entrance to the Bains des Paquis in Geneva that says - “Ici, vous pouver regonfler vos pneus”. Alongside is a pump that’s available for the public to inflate their bike tires, and “d’autres véhicules avec chambre à air”. I spotted it last Tuesday whilst walking with a friend along the Geneva lakeside. We were catching up on each other’s news and enjoying a few rays of winter sun as we tried to burn off some of the mince pies and sluggishness after Christmas. In a way we were trying to pump some air back into our own systems, or as the sign said, “redonnez du souffle à vos pneus”.
At this time of year there are lots of articles in the press about getting back into shape, along with adverts encouraging us to join a gym. It’s only recently that I discovered that...