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Morning – cold, dry, sunny

Evening – cold, snowy, icy, slippery

2 weeks off over Christmas so I loaded the car up and escaped the grim Northern wastelands and headed for the South Coast. I’ve been commuting lots but still planned to try and get a few short rides in just to keep the legs ticking over. Stopped off on the way down for a lovely ride with Nicky in the muddy Chilterns which ended in darkness (glad we’d packed the proper lights) followed by re-fuelling with toad in the hole and some wine in front of a roaring log fire. Splendid.

Next was just over a week on the South Coast, mainly spent eating, drinking and being merry. I did manage to get out for a ride in the New Forest with Mike which despite being rather wet at times was really good and we had a nice tea & cake stop in Burley :)

Heading North again I stopped off on the way to spend a quiet New Year (we’re getting old) with Nicky & Pete. Awoke (hangover free) to find Pete had obviously drunk a dodgy pint and had been throwing up. A bit of a sleep and some food soon sorted him out though and we headed off for a very wet, gloomy road ride on the cross bikes. The weather didn’t stop us enjoying ourselves although the puncture I suffered wasn’t exactly welcome! Again, proper lights were needed to get us home safely.

The following day dawned dry & sunny, perfect for another road ride followed by Sherlock Holmes at the cinema (very good) and a lovely meal.

I’m now back in the grim North. Plan is to get back to commuting tomorrow. I should really do some washing and prepare a bike. Hopefully 2012 will see me get plenty of miles in my legs. First target is to get myself fit for a week in the Lake District at Easter :)

Gorgeous sunny day up here in the North West. Ok, it’s a bit breezy but you can’t have everything. Had a lovely spin around Rivi with Amy and Ali. Was riding a Specialized Camber Comp Carbon 29er which I’d borrowed from work. First time on a bouncy 29er, was really impressed. Great bike to ride :)

More Photos Here

Great time spent down in Exmoor last weekend for Nicky’s belated 40th celebrations. It also happened to coincide with Pete & Alan’s Birthdays. Plenty of excuse to celebrate. We had lovely food, plenty of beer & wine, a roaring log fire and some mountain biking (which was occasionally very wet & windy). Great to catch up with everyone and we all had a splendid time.

Lots more photos HERE. Gary also has some pics HERE and Rich HERE

A lovely, well organised, friendly cyclocross sportive around the Cambridgeshire & Bedfordshire countryside. Sadly a badly gashed tyre saw my ride cut a bit short but didn’t spoil the day – expert skills with gaffertape and zip ties from Nicky got me 10-12 miles back to the finish. 50 miles was still plenty to earn the huge curry we had afterwards!
Good to catch up with Rob for the 1st time in a few years, even if he & Pete did bugger off and leave Nicky & myself for dust. Speedy buggers. Those that missed the event (you know who you are) definitely missed out.

Excellent weekend of camping & drinking with good friends. I even took a few photos (although I didn’t ride a bike) and kind of acted as director sportif for Team Racingchihuahua (pictured below). Special mention for Amy who stormed to victory in the women’s solo category :)

MORE PICS HERE