Couldn’t be a better start. In fact the best start I’ve ever had but it’s only been two days lol. Let’s see if I can keep up the momentum when I get back to work.
If I was to call it a New Year’s resolution it would simply be to pedal more this year. The omens are good with events beginning to pepper my calendar and give me some focus.
At the end of Jan I’ve got an Alpkit Sonder Gravel Series event pencilled in on the 29th. It looks like it’s run in the same vein as The Gravelton I’ve arranged ie. you are on your own, they just provide the route but are charging £10 which I don’t mind to be honest as it goes to their charity. The Alpkit shop is next door to our Bristol store so I know the area quite well. It’ll be interesting to see what route they come up with. 2-4 hrs they reckon so nothing shabby. If anyone fancies it, reach out as I have a spare bike rack and space in the car.
February sees me doing an Audax for the first time in about 15 years. I’ve signed up for the Beacon RCC Snowdrop which is a 120km foray from Hartlebury to Evesham and back. I’ll ride the 15 miles there and back too so it will be a 90 mile day. Ouch. I rode it years ago and is one of the most popular early season events amongst various Reliability Trials that time of year. I was originally going to ride the Alpkit gravel event in Betws-y-Coed as its only down the road from my parents house but a George Michael Tribute on Friday night binned that idea.
March is The Mad March Hare Sportive. Back under new management and looks better than the poor 2022 edition. The new HQ and new route should make for a great event I can really have stab at if the riding I have planned before then gets bagged.
April I’m off to Lanzarote and hiring an MTB which will be my last block of serious riding before the big one in May. I’ve been going to Fuerteventura for years and this year we fancied a change. It will be good to ride some new roads and trails.
Then May is the big one. The Gravelton. My 100+ mile offroad/gravel event around Brum. 100 miles is enough anytime but mostly offroad is another prospect. Riders don’t seem bothered though, they seem to have relished the challenge. Nearly 200 riders have signed up. I might be onto something!
Spring is looking positive with plenty of miles training needed and events booked. June will be the month I probably go away riding for a week but nothing is booked yet, so watch this space!
Adios