SteveCycles

Who would’ve thought that exactly 1 month ago, the uk was crippled by snowfall?!?
Today, for the first time this year, the thermometer raced into the twenties down here in sunny Devon thanks to a bout of high pressure and no noticeable wind. A stark contrast to 48hrs ago where the central heating was still in use all evening. So could this be the long-awaited spring/summer we’ve all so eagerly been waiting for? Let’s hope so.
Today, I dusted of the old touring bike and had my first ride of the year. That bike’s heavier than I remember! I don’t think that’ll be crossing France with me this autumn but by ‘eck didn’t the sun shine today? There’s tanlines on these lily-white arms as I type.

Back in 2014, I tackled LeJog (Lands End to John O’Groats). Never before had I attempted anything like it. The ride was completed alone and unsupported in 13 days. The following year, I tackled a shorter ride through France alone. Cycling alone is something I’ve always done. Why? I don’t know. My wife despises cycling so it’s never been something we’ve done together. Anyway, you only have to worry about  yourself when riding alone so I’m not complaining.

Since 2015 I’ve not done very much apart from a few charity events and a couple of half marathons. However, just recently I lost a couple of work colleagues and it got me thinking that maybe we should stop putting stuff off for retirement and get it done now because….well, you never know do you? My dream is to cycle across Europe from the Atlantic coast of France to the Black Sea but time constraints, a job and a wife have other ideas. So, as the next best thing, I’ll just cycle across one or two countries at a time. So this year, as a starter (or should I say “Hors D’oeuvre”?), I’ll be crossing France from bottom to top and onwards to London.

The 800+ mile jaunt North from the French Mediterranean coast  back to Blighty is just over 7 months away now. Plenty of time you may think? Hmmm, well It seems to me that once the age of 45 is exceeded, time speeds up and a month feels like about 3 days! So, no! Its not long really. Still lots to do – a new bike to be got, gonna get a posh cycling jersey printed too! Oh and the small thing of getting these ageing legs into a condition to take on France (and Kent too!)