Over the year, I cycled over 5000 miles, (only those recorded on my Garmin) and spent some 335 hours on the bike (well actually across the three bikes, the Roubaix, the Shorter and the Giant winter bike).  It is interesting looking at the numbers, given that I broke my hand in January, so was off the bike for 4 weeks or so, ran through the patio doors at the end of May, causing a 2-week break around the start of June, and then had a small accident on the Mountain bike in Nevada.  I wonder what it would look like if I actually hadn’t had those mishaps.

It didn’t prevent me riding the Marmotte in July – which I believe was the most challenging ride yet.  I felt ill beforehand, and started the day determined not to over-do it, and to bale when it was too much.  Somehow that didn’t happen, maybe because I started gently, made me able to go through to the end.  Much of my cycling during the year I cycled with my cycling partner Jon, who encouraged me, made me feel guilty when I didn’t cycle, commuted into London, and was there through the year to have the shared experience.  For that I thank you Jon, it really makes a difference, makes the whole thing enjoyable and memorable.

Events during the year:
March: Train in Spain training Camp
May: Hants Hilly Hundred
June: Marmotte Reccie
July: Marmotte
October: etape Cymru

Club run to Dunstable Downs

Frosty morning, would not have gone out had I not been leading. I was also advised strongly by the management that I should not go out.  There was a “select” group turned up this morning (the foolish). However main roads were okay so we took a main-ish road route round to Hemel, Berkhampstead, Tring, Ivinghoe and up to the Visitor Centre at Dunstable Downs. After the most carb-packed flapjack (solid syrup) we routed back along Dagnall, and the valley bottom to Hemel and back along the hemel road.  It was a very sensible ride, moderated speed with very few sprints or climbs.  We did get a little worried when it started snaowing when we were at the cafe, but that luckily soon passed.

Lucy’s home, Christmas can now begin. It’s official.

This morning I decided it was definitely time for a turbo as we were not able to ride into work. I had done 30km when the turbo started slipping, not good. I had to I’ve it up. As I was working from home I was able to ring the distributor (for the cyclops Fluid2) who after I explained the problem, asked where I bought it, then said they would send me a new unit. No messing. Customer service. Right.

Club run to High Cross 

Winter bike is growing on me.  A nice ride, not too much extra effort required now it has been adjusted, and we did have rain, so the mudguards were required…

Club Run (almost) to Vanstone Park

Some small adjustments today to the Winter Bike, brakes and mudguards rubbing considerably less, hoped for an easier ride than the commute of Friday. The club run today was meant to be out to do the freewheel competition on Wheathampstead Hill, which did not appeal to a group of us in the Fast Mods and Rapides, so Andrew Grant led us on a good long route out through Studham, Totternhoe, Toddington, Lilley Bottom round to Vanstone Park.  The efforts on the adjustments prior to departure seem to have made a considerable difference,much easier ride today.  On the route we had one puncture before we crossed over on to the Lilley Bottom Road, after waiting a suitably short time fo rthat one to be repaired we went off, only for me to get a rear puncture soon after.  A quick change and a pump with CO2 soon had me off again.  We approached Vanstone as the massed ranks of those who had done the Freewheel competition went the other way, so there was no great wait at Vanstone.  A short ride directly home from Vanstone, not feeling bad at all, despite having cranked in a very respectable time.