A Little Downtime

Eight months into the tour and it can often seem, and feel, like we spend all of our time cycling, but, as the weeks go by, we have been spending a bit less time on the bike and a bit more time doing other things. Even when we are cycling there are certain things, little pleasures that are always worth a detour or taking time out. The last few weeks especially, since leaving Christchurch, have been all about downtime and enjoying the simple, surreal, sugar-dusted things that New Zealand has to offer.

For example:

Cake, cycle-couture and the art of suffering

There’s a great quote from the even greater cyclist Eddy Merckx, something along the lines of:

” The race is won by the rider who can suffer the most”

Midges and Maniacs – The Return (Part 3)

It’s Sunday evening…

1. I have a new bike.
2. I have a week off of work.
3. I have to appear in court as a witness.

In the words of one of the world’s great philosophers… “Two out of three ‘aint bad”!

(Thank you Mr Meatloaf).

Midges and Maniacs (Part 1)

Heading off to Wales for a week of mountain biking, it began to get a bit disconcerting after the 11^th text message which said

“Have fun, don’t hurt yourself too much”.

I don’t know if these concerned messages were indicative of my (lack of) skill or just the perception my nearest and dearest have of the sport.

However as it turned out, the very real danger was to come from somewhere wholly unexpected.

Notes from a Small Island (Cycle Touring in Guernsey)

I’m watching from the quayside at Guernsey as the Ferry pulls away, homeward bound for Poole, horn blaring, passengers waving from the decks .

The only problem is I should have been on it!