Cambridge Combustibles

Three of our sunday regulars have already signed up to tackle the Wicklow 200 next year . Nigel who has ridden it once before has told Malcom and myself to expect a very hard sportive with a lot of climbs and a great atmosphere and promises to buy the first pint at the end of it. It is a very popular event so you need to sign up now if you want to get a starting number.

 Four of us enjoyed  a glorious Winter day , Vivid Blue skies no head wind, not! non stop rain with temperatures just above 4C , soaked right through but clocked an Ok Winter training 55 miles door to door. In a weird way it was great fun despite the elements , the company was very enjoyable  made all the better when Malcolm a man of  honour,  clearing all past sub loans,  treated all to cake and beverage at Waresley - thank you Malcolm. First time I had the pleasure of cycling with the new Phil and with out doubt he needs to watched - far too fit for my peace of mind. Rode with a set of lights today impressed how well Malcolm’s light stood out in the distance - I had only dropped far back for research purposes. Saw three other cyclists on the road today, a large drop on usual numbers, were joined at coffee stop by local sporting group hard riders with Heather williams UK performance director  for British Triatholon  so I expect they took a longer route home than us.  Although miserable weather it was one of those rides which will get better the more one thaws out - no doubt be laughing about it in the Summer.  

 Heading to Waresley this Sunday morning,  so even if its a damp start to the day the thought of cakes and hot drinks awaiting us at one of best coffee stops we go to, will ensure we keep pedaling with a smile! Usual start.  Circular route to ensure some hills. 

 Paralympic cyclists Dan Gordon and Jody Cundy  were among the elite sports person to speak at  Living sport and BBC Cambridge sports awards.  Their enthusiasm is very inspirational . Its fantastic,  amazing how elite cyclists are now big news - two cyclists speaking at the podium , not that long ago you would have been lucky to find a cyclist on the guest list at any sports award event! So hats off to Living sport for acknowledging how mainstream  cycling now is. Hopefully next year more Cambridgeshire cyclists will nominate - this year one cyclist made the short list BMX rider Bethany Campbell, who has just been selected for British Cycling talent team was a runner up in the Advance performance Young sports personality award.

 Mouldy, kitchen and I have made the plunge and signed on the dotted line to ride The Hell of the Ashdown   as our first sportive of ‘09. it will be a great kick to a new year of sportives. It will be just the carrot on the end of the stick we need to inspire us to keep cycling through the cold and no doubt wet winter months ahead. The field is filling up fast so you need to move fast if you would like to take part.Stop Press-    Phil Hague has now signed on to make up a quartet of combustibles participating.

 Two of us made were out this morning, a misty low cloud ensured limited visibility early on.  We saw a gang of four cyclist all lit up  out with  flashing LED lights  , I intend to get a pair this week in time for next weekend. We rode  a Nigel hilly route which got me thinking as why some of us cyclists struggle so much when climbing hills. Climbing hills needs to be thought of as a positive and not the enemy, think of the long term improvement it offers for overall fitness, and  although still painful at times it will make  tackling them easier using this frame of mind. The master and most consistent hill climber around these parts is  James Ward . James is a very positive person in all things Cycling so perhaps the answer is all about mind over matter. Just time to point out that Nigel had the biggest cup of coffee during our stop which may explain his non stop jabbering all the way home!

 Heading out Saffron Walden  direction this Sunday - usual start place and time. Best dress to stay warm, leggings and layers, except  Malcolm who no doubt will be wearing shorts until we have the first metre of snow!  

 Stop Press - Sunday 07.50-Start time today delayed until 10.00HRS to give chance for rain to pass over     Meet at Newnham Corner usual time - don’t forget that clocks go back one hour tonight! Plan to trek out in Waresley direction , looks like there may be a slight chill first thing so good day for arm and leg warmers - may also be chance of light rain drizzle. Did you know? when on the bike for a few hours it good to stretch the muscles with a sprint out the saddle every 30 minutes or so. it also helps to improve your speed - so thats what Village name signs are for then.

 Great ride today.. superb Autumnal  weather  offering great cycling weather, undulating climbs and, er..  ”great company “- oh well two out of three isn’t bad so one should not grumble! Good to be back out on the Sunday morning jaunt to blow away a few cob webs. Due to some, well spun, sub prime mortgage related investment sob story which meant dosh was left at home (expect it is more than likely related to the new posh Italian  Gippo cycling jersey  he sports in the photo above)) we passed a hat round cafe to buy the Silent Escapist a cuppa. Looking forward to next Sunday already. We also managed to find time to organise some key sportive dates for ‘09 , its good to have some solid targets to add some purpose to the next few months of Cycling. Spin 

       Autumn is upon us and the group is back to full strength after  Summer hols etc. This Sunday  we’re heading towards Finchingfield  should be great ride as weather looking good. Usual meeting point . Time to Start thinking about best dates for about next years Coast to  Coast ride and also pencil in diary possible Wicklow sportive ‘09.