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”

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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!

How Do You Get A Community On A Bicycle? Part 2

“Whereabouts are the brakes on this thing” is not a question you want to hear, especially when the rider is speeding across a small forecourt towards a line of parked cars.

Meanwhile, in my peripheral vision I can see our brand new cargo trike, 2 passengers in the front-box taking a corner flat out, heading on collision course with the first rider. Avoidance of this only likely if the trike first overbalances on the hairpin turn.

Not for the first time I wonder at how on earth I landed up being the responsible adult for this renegade group.

It’s all about the cake (and maybe a bit of cycling)

For some (ok me), one of the main pleasures of cycling is the free pass bestowed to consuming an obscene amount of cake with near impunity.

There are of course other attractions, increased fitness, muscle tone, stunning scenery, but mostly, it’s all about the cake.