Wheel Easy

Finally got round to joining the Harrogate Wheel Easy cycling club after 18 months of thinking about it. And what a friendly welcoming bunch they are. Have now done two forty plus Sunday rides and a Wednesday fifty mile ride with the elderly gentlemen or EG's as they call themselves. They certainly don't ride like elderly gentlemen, are great company  and maintain a a very respectable pace.
Perfect for my training plans. My aim now is to cycle twice a week with the club and as I get closer to the departure date I shall start adding  panniers to increase the load. It certainly makes it a lot easier to get out on the bike on a wet miserable Harrogate day when there's a group to cycle with.

First Training Rides of the Year

Thought I'd take advantage of the sunny weather and get out on the bike if only to see how bad my current level of cycling fitness is!
On Monday I did a fairly flat 46 mile circular route to Tadcaster, popping in to to see my pal Kevin at the Flat Roof Company. Sadly no chocolate biscuits to recharge my weary legs. Tuesday, a much hillier 48 mile circular route to Boroughbridge.
Pleasantly surprised , as I feel reasonably ok after 2 consecutive days on the bike in cold and damp conditions.
One of the great things about cycling around here is that there is always a plentiful supply of delightful cake and tea shops, all overpriced and guaranteed to deplete your wallet by the best part of a tenner as well as undoing all the good work!
Having said that  it might be more appropriate to schedule my stops at Mcdonalds and Burger King, in view of where I'm going!

Visa Visa Visa

After finally shaking off the Christmas and New Year flu I have managed to get down to London for the Visa Interview at the American Embassy. Must have said all the right things as they have issued me with a 10 year visa and only kept me waiting 4 hours!.
Always get a buzz going to London, whether it be catching the Tube, walking up Oxford Street, or just seeing the River Thames. I suppose those that have to commute to work there every day don't see it that way but for me it's one of the few things that I miss about Milton Keynes.
Stayed with a mate in Berkhamsted the night before and don't know what was in his beer but when I got back found that he'd set the ball rolling on my sponsorship with a whopping £100. So cheers Pete, I promise I'll try and smile when it's my round in future!