Every year, my resolutions broadly resemble a promise to myself to eat less rubbish and get fitter – much like the rest of the general population I suppose.

Maybe it’s to do with the time of year after eating more mince pies than salads and drinking more mulled wine than water. Luckily for me, I don’t need to lose weight, just gain more muscle, so I get to eat more – albeit real food – and cycle more. Don’t hate me, it’s genetic, but it does mean my resolution is not as hard as first seems.

So, on top of that I am going to add another resolution a bit more tricky for me. As a serial bike purchaser, I am going to try to stop buying more bikes and accessories, and use what I already have.

Believe me, that resolution is a lot harder. I already have a list of bikes that I need, oh okay, you got me, don’t need, want.

In these hard times spending less money is a good idea, right? And no one wants to start resembling Mr Lika Bika man from the children’s show Grandpa In My Pocket. For those of you without children, or who are continually employed, he is the character with all the gear – he spends a fortune on cycling gear in his local bike shop, but is then too exhausted from shopping to get out there and ride with it.

And I’m not going to stop at two resolutions. No, that’s too easy. My buying less bikes resolution will tie in nicely with my next. I will stop blaming my bikes for my lack of technical ability. Come on we all do it. If I get the latest suspension forks, maybe better tyres, shave a few pounds off the bike maybe I’ll be a better or faster rider. Forget it. I am going to start riding more because of my first resolution, which, ergo, means more practice, which, hopefully, will translate into a better technical rider.

Even if it doesn’t, I promise I won’t blame the bike.

But sticking to the same easy ride with the dog will not accomplish my third resolution. So, a fourth must kick in at the same time, and that is to get out of my comfort zone. We cyclists are creatures of habit.

Perhaps it’s just a commute for you, maybe you have your favourite off-road section you visit, week in, week out, and you roadies, you are the worst for sticking to your usual circular circuit.

Well, I am going to try to visit pastures new, perhaps with a new cycling buddy. They may show me their favourite routes as a change.

Which brings me nicely to my final resolution which is more in keeping with the spirit of the original intentions of the Romans when they began January resolutions, or the Christian evolution of the concept.

This is a resolution with a moral flavour, something altruistic, a resolution mostly to be good to others. I will be a better friend and make more time for others.

OK, seeing as I’ll be making them ride with me, my favourite pastime, it’s not altogether altruistic, but it’s better than nothing.