Describe a physical activity that you did regularly when you were a child

When I was a child, I spent a huge amount of time riding my bike. I got my first bicycle at the age of seven, as a birthday present from my father, and from then on I was on it almost every day after school.

My friends and I used to meet at the end of our street at around four o'clock and cycle around the neighbourhood for hours. We'd race each other down the hill by the old school, build small ramps out of bricks and planks, and sometimes ride out to a pond about three kilometres away to catch tadpoles. We were allowed to go as far as that as long as we were home before it got dark. In those days, there wasn't much traffic, so it felt safe, and our parents didn't worry much, although my mother always made me wear a helmet. I fell off many times and still have a small scar on my knee as a reminder.

I was a very energetic child, so it was the perfect way to burn off energy, and it also gave me a feeling of independence. As for whether I still do it, not as often as I'd like. I mostly use my bike to get to the shops now, and when I last went for a longer ride, I found I was completely out of practice. Still, I'm planning to buy a better bike this year and start cycling at weekends again, because I took those carefree afternoons for granted back then, and I miss them.