Broadcaster Paddy O'Gorman tells Patricia Weston he's more likely to go for a pint than to the gym
Are you fit?
I'd say I'm reasonably fit. I cycle around Dublin city rather than use a car and I do a good bit of walking, so for a middle-aged man I think I'm fit.
Where do you like to take walks?
I recently walked from Vicarstown to Monasterevin along the canals. I love walking on canal banks and around the countryside because you can walk for miles and see so much. I also climbed Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo for the series, which was great exercise.
Are you a gym junkie?
We have access to a gym in RTÉ and there are squash courts but it's located near the social club so I'd be more likely to go for a pint in the social club rather than go to the gym.
Are you a healthy eater?
I love my food. I'm a bit overweight but it doesn't bother me because I enjoy food and wine and a pint. I was in Morocco recently and the food was great and very healthy. I loved the tajine where the Moroccan's cook up meat and vegetables like a stew in the one big pot.
Do you suffer from stress?
No more than the average person. When I was working on the programme Queuing For a Living I was interviewing people in dole queues and I found the whole unemployment problem so stressful. People need a purpose for a sense of wellbeing and I think the Celtic Tiger has been a wonderful thing for Ireland, especially for our mental health.
Have you ever suffered a serious illness or injury?
No, I've been very lucky because in my 25 years working for RTÉ I've never taken a sick day. When people ask "who's your GP?" my response is that I don't have one because I've never needed to see one in a quarter of a century.
Patricia Weston recommends:
There are lots of good reasons to take up cycling for fitness. Here are just a few to encourage you to pedal your way to better health:
Cycling works all the muscles from the waist down; it tones the bum, hamstrings, thighs, calves and hip flexors and can even give the upper body a good workout when mountain biking.
You can burn an average 500 calories an hour just cycling at a moderate speed.
It's a low impact activity which means there's no stress on the joints to cause injury.
It's a fast activity which means you can get to your destination much quicker than walking and realise how handy your two wheels are for beating the traffic gridlock.
O'Gorman's Summer has returned to RTÉ 1 since July 19th at 7pm.