With the thought of trying out all the new Christmas presents I received on ‘J’ day (The birth of the baby Jesus) looming in my minds eye, I had hoped to get a few of those Sussex miles in and under my group set, alas, this was not to be. The week before ‘crimbo’ is at best described as mad. When you then combine the dreaded ‘man flu’ it then becomes ‘hell’ I look at the blog and become a blob although I was not able to consume my fill of festive fare or frothy beer! My poor body is now in a state of flux trying to fight of the lurgy again and slowly I’m beginning to get better. However Zoe has been really active running over the Downs every other day so I take my hat off to her. Its great to see Dave Jordan off the front and giving it the big ring.. chapeau! Newhaven looked so close on Boxing day and the ferry was all lit up there was only one thing missing, us lot getting on board to ride for Round Hill. At least then we will all be wearing shorts and shirts, I hope!
See you all soon.
The Hare.
We hope you have all had a suitably healthy Christmas! Paul and I have just got back from a fantastic walk up on The South Downs where we stood and looked down to Newhaven – a distant hamlet with sparkling lights of almost fairy tale proportions – that could just be me preparing myself for May. Father Christmas delivered some very nice cycling kit to both of us, which will merely reinforce the image of one of us having all the gear but no idea…! I’ll leave the rest of you to work that one out.We will be off to The Lake District over New Year so we won’t be out with you until mid-Jan!Take care. Adieu from almost in France.
Christmas Greetings to all south of Gretna.As per,the weather can be quite varied up here! Minus 10 when we arrived, so as to avoid being literally frozen to the saddle I took the dog for a walk instead-she complained of frozen paws!
Yesterday temp had leapt to +6 so I tackled a 30 mile loop up to Aviemore and back.However with 25mph winds and gusts to 40mph the return leg proved quite interesting!! I was almost blown over 3 times and downhills whizzed by at 12mph ! Still I expect it was good resistance training.Today and tomorrow look like being calmer weather-wise so they could be a good excuse to escape any storms brewing around the Xmas tree!
Once back in Nottingham I can let any interested parties know about cycling possibilities up here in Strathspey,if people would like to base themselves in the cottage here to do some training between now and next May.
All the best for Xmas and New Year.
Tim
Trussed up like Christmas Turkeys Dave Jordan and I set off, with a couple of my mates, on the now familiar 40 mile loop. Grey, unremitting fog, grit and penetrating cold could have dampened the soul but not the soul of a hard man like Dave. He fought the hills, tussled with long hard stretches and pulverised the bit of his brain that said ’stop’. Losing a wheel was just not an option. And so by the end of a ride the he was nicknamed ‘Johan Johan’, a name evoking memories of the toughest rouleurs in the world – The Flandrians. It was actually nice riding hard and knowing that the shortest day was over and we can celebrate the journey back to shorts and shirts and summer. Training begins next week but I have a couple more jaunts out before the start of the 2008 campaign:
Boxing Day I am meeting my mate Tony at the supermarket car park in Belper at 8.30am for an hour’s loop around the valley.
Next Saturday is the usual 7am start for the 40 mile loop.
Hi everyone, it seems that Christmas fever has taken hold and we are all very busy being busy. On behalf of Zoe and myself we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
As for riding, well I haven’t , I have the ‘man flu’ ….and Zoe isn’t too good either, so we plan to spen our time just catching up with ourselves and family not to mention sleep!
Anyway, all the best.
Allez. The Irish Hare.
Hi all,In the name of educational research would any of you be up for a day at the Manchester Velodrome? The next revolution is on 12th January 2008 and will feature Chris Hoy and co. Brad, Graham, Paul and I have been looking at activity ideas for school linked to our four week ‘real life’ project. I am planning to do a cycling based project with the Year 5 and 6 classes linked to designing a velopark for the 2012 Olympics and producing a Ride for Round Hill Road Book. Tickets cost £10 and the day starts about 1.30pm till late.What are your thoughts?
I plan to be riding at 7am on Saturday for 40 miles. The current weather forecast is -4 degrees overnight so I will be keeping a close eye on it. I don’t ride on ice!
I am planning on doing the 40 mile loop at the normal 7am time on both of the holiday Saturdays. I am in Matlock on Boxing day and would be up for a 2 hour ride starting at about 8.30am. New Year’s eve morning may be another day to go out ……
That pesky polka dot pair took me up some really big hills today and it was really cold.
The did wait for me but I think I might have worn out my Granny ring.
Can you suggest some ointment for it?
