"There are three of us in this marriage", Lady Diana once said of her relationship with Prince Charles. She was of course referring to Camilla Parker Bowles, but I wonder how many disgruntled boyfriends or girlfriends can say the same thing about a bicycle occupying their partner's attention?

People do tend to become rather smitten with their bikes. It's partly a loyalty thing, I suppose. You'll often hear the bicycle referred to as a 'trusty steed' - and it makes sense because a bike hardly ever ever lets you down and will carry you wherever you could realistically want to go in your daily life. And of course you'll always experience that bit of magic on the way.

That's why, indeed, it's so heartbreaking when a bike is stolen. It's not just an object that is lost, but a bond, complete with memories and an intimate understanding of those little things - the tension of the brakes, the hieght of the seat, the position of the drinks holder - which enable you to get the best out of your bike and yourself.

If your partner is in love with their bike, then I suggest a simple remedy: James Hewitt. No, I don't literally mean the cavalry officer Diana had a fling with, but simply that you need a fourth party in your relationship. You need to fall in love with cycling too!

Gareth Jenkins, the New Bike on the Block, had the right idea when he managed to persuade his wife to cycle all the way to Wales with him. Even falling in a river didn't stop her from falling in love with her bike. It's just a shame for Gareth that he has to sleep on the couch now.