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Brighter side of web - Sri Chinmoy CT
First training ride of December. Photo by John - Paul Gillespie
after 3 weeks off the bike in Turkey. I had my first bike ride yesterday. I feel slow. THe only training I did while on holiday was running up the hotel steps several times.At least the weather is not too bad here in UK. I shall try to get back into riding 5 times a week, even if it is only for 2 hours a day.
Training ride. Photo by Andy Sherwood who joined me for a gentle ride up the A40 climb in High Wycombe.
Its starting to get a bit colder. I have been using my battery operated socks for a few weeks now. They were developed for fisherman who used to get cold feet whilst at see. But they work pretty well for cycling as well.
This weekend I managed to cycle 100 miles. The weather was very good bright and sunny with very good colors. On Saturday I saw a fox hunt, even though they are illegal in the UK now. I think the rule is you can go hunting with dogs as long as you don't catch anything or something like that. To be honest I can't see the point. Anyways each to his own, unless your a fox.
At the top of Stennying hill climb to pick up Andy T who punctured
I have only done one open hill climb so far this year. I have been busy and my form not quite as good as last year. The first hill was at Stennying about 1 mile, steepest gradient 17%. Danny Axford did a very good time of 4.04, for some reason I was a slower than last year. I didn't cycle fast enough on the flat bit in middle. There were great views from the top. Andy Sherwood who came down from Oxfordshire with me, punctured but sill managed to finish 9th.
The afternoon hill was at Shoreham it is 2 miles long with a considerable bit of downhill in the middle the average gradient is only 1:33. I regretted not bringing my tri bars. David McGaw used a time trial bike and seems to have been a good choice. The overall was settled on points so I finished just ahead of Danny Axford. It is a shame now that I am not riding the Cat and Bec HC like last year as I would have had a good chance of winning the overall weekend prize.
The event was well organised as usual by Robin Johnson who also was able to contribute a very generous prize list. I won 2 USE aluminium seat posts (engraved, 1 tyre and inner tube from Matt Goodes cycle shop, and also 2 bottles of Champagne and 1 bottle of port. As I never drink alcohol, my father shall be getting a nice Christmas present.
