Not everything in life revolves around cycling, quite, but I have had one of those weeks that make you sit up and take stock. Last Saturday night, I was sat at a restaurant table on the beach in Italy enjoying fabulous food and company (and wine) having just cycled for 2.5 days in some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. One of those ‘pinch yourslf’ moments.
This week, I have had one of the hardest weeks I have ever had in work. Little of it really matters in the shallow and transient world of advertising in which I work, but it feels like it does at the time. At times like this, with such a stark juxtaposition of amazing bike trip and crap week at work, I yearn for the simplicity and honesty of the bike and I simply don’t understand how people can go through life without the type of escapism that we so take for granted with our Sunday rides. This week the weather doesn’t look like it will spoil the fun
Have a great weekend
James
Remember to sign up to the ride of your choice
Sign up before 5pm on the Saturday night before the ride on Sunday. Please cancel if you cannot make the ride having signed up. If a ride fills up, either find another that suits your ability, or go onto a waiting list. I will always try to find another leader so no one misses out.
Remember – rides are available to book from the Sunday evening the week before so book early if you can.
| Ride | Leader | Distance & Speed | Depart |
| Long 4 | Gareth Wall | 55 miles @ 17mph | 07.45am |
| Long 3 | James Hanscomb | 55 miles @ 15mph | 07.50am |
| Long 2 | Rachel Lynn | 55 miles @ 13mph | 08.00am |
| Long 1 | N/A | 50 miles @ 11mph | 08.00am |
| Short 4 | Lewis Howard | 35 miles @ 16mph | 07.45am |
| Short 3 | TBC | 35 miles @ 13mph | 07.50am |
| Short 2 | Steven Gauge | 35 miles @ 12mph | 08.00am |
| Short 1 | Jonathan Douglas-Green | 35 miles @ 11mph | 08.10am |
| Steady | Ann Ferris | 25 miles @ 10mph | 08.15am |
I don’t have a lead for Short 3 moment – so if anyone can take this, please let me know.
Barry Covington Memorial Ride – Sunday 14th October
It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since this great man took his last ride. Let’s get everyone out to repeat the amazing day we had last year when we all rode some of his favourite routes and came back together at Herne Hill Velodrome to toast his memory.
James and Emma are looking for some volunteers to help get the food together. Please come back to me or respond to their Facebook posts if you can help.
I am also looking for a volunteer to help with a memorial idea we have been kicking around, not dissimilar to the ‘Col du Skelly’ one on Beddlestead. Let James or me know if you can help. Someone reasonably practical and ideally with a garage/shed!
Sign up for the ride HERE.
Turbobeat Wednesday 10th October
With the evenings getting darker and cooler, there’s no better way to keep fit. There are just a few places left in a new block of 4 Turbobeat Wednesday night sessions at Crystal Palace. Book it now.
Ride Leader Training
There are a couple of places free on the ride leader training with Elite on Saturday 29th September. If you are new to leading or are interested in getting involved, sign up HERE. It’s a 2-3 hour session with a little classroom work and a short, steady-paced ride to practice what you have learnt. 9am start at Paul’s man-cave in the Jubilee stand at Crystal Palace athletics stadium.
Strava Leaderboard
It really shouldn’t matter whether you make the leaderboard or not – but I get a ridiculous thrill when I see my name up there and I bet I’m not the only one. Well done Simon on the Paris trip – few better sights than a bike held aloft with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Good riding all round considering the vile weather last Sunday.