Tuesday 27th October 2026 I booked this short trip expecting this season’s first named storms, Austen and Boelo, to have blown themselves out by the time I set off, but the forecast for today was still distinctly iffy. However, the accommodation was booked, so I set off expecting to be blown around a bit and […]
Category: Cycling
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Frustrations
Late September was a very busy time, with Laurence and Pip’s wedding on the 17th (emotionally tiring), followed by looking after their lively golden retriever at our house for a week (physically tiring). This also involved managing the social separation of their dog and our cat (mentally tiring). I felt grateful that Geraldine and I […]
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Songfest
Thursday 27th August 2026 Back in November, Dean Friedman (you remember him – Lucky Stars, Arial, Lydia from the late 70s) announced that he was going to hold another SongFest, which is a bijou indoor music festival attended by a couple of dozen singer-songwriters. I went in 2022 and wanted to return, but Geraldine was […]
Sunday 19th July 2026 After completing my visits to all the English ceremonial counties (just in time before they reorganise them again) I have now listed all the Welsh and Scottish ones which I shall also endeavour to visit. I’ve already cycled in all of the North Wales counties but then I realised that although […]
Friday 22nd May 2026 The origin of this ride started in summer 2022 when Jim first floated the idea of a five-country tour to me although it had been on his mind longer than that. Plans were made and a date was set for 12th May 2023. Despite all the arrangements being made it didn’t […]
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A long weekend at Anglesey Outdoors
Friday 15th May 2026 A chance encounter in a café in Delamere Forest last December was the catalyst for this weekend’s trip. I was cycling with three mates and when we stopped for coffee, a man interrupted our conversation to enquire whether we fancied a weekend at an outdoor pursuits centre in Anglesey. We didn’t […]
Sunday 26th April 2026 I’m very much a planner. And I feel lucky to be made that way since I derive almost as much as enjoyment from the planning process as in the activity itself. But I’m also a worrier, which I think is complemented by planning – one mitigates the other. When I conceived […]
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Prior to Norfolk
Monday 20th April 2026 I haven’t been out much on the bike recently, following an unfortunate incident with a dog which removed rather more skin from my knuckle than I was willing to donate. It’s not a very engaging story (and a bit gory), so I won’t dwell on it, but suffice to say I […]
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Spring in Sheffield
Friday 6th March 18:30 I really enjoy pet-sitting for my children. This week has been particularly busy since I was needed in Longridge on Tuesday and Wednesday with Maple, and I’m now in Sheffield with Felix and another cat, but more of that later. Laurence needed to be in St Albans this week and as […]
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2025 Cycling year
2025 was an enjoyable year on the bike. I decided last year that mountain biking wasn’t for me (after an unfortunate spill near the summit of Whernside) so this year I stuck to roads and paths which suited me more. I don’t like getting muddy and my shoes and clothing aren’t appropriate for MTB use […]