cycling

#6 The Wandle Trail

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I booked my first hotel! This is all getting incredibly real. I have decided to spend Boxing Day night at the hotel next to the airport. I think it is going to be important for me to have a good rest after two days of travelling so this will be my first and last bit of luxury for a while. I’m getting very excited.

What an awesome weekend! A beautiful cycle in what felt like the countryside without even leaving the city and a party with so many cyclists – it was actually the lovely Mark and Brian’s party (CB #5 and #4). It’s a shame they’re now all ruled out for the 20:20:20 challenge though because they were great fun… maybe I need to bend the rules?

Who wouldn't want to visit this place?

Who wouldn’t want to visit this place?

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20:20:20 #3 – Unexpected off-roading!

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First of all – WE HAVE A NAME! Creating mythical creature costumes all week at school reminded me of this guy:

Baby Pegasus from Disney's Fantasia

Baby Pegasus from Disney’s Fantasia

And TBWHNN became Pegasus, lovingly abbreviated to Peg/Peggy. Hooray.

Group cycles have a completely different vibe from solo or even duo rides and I have to say – give me more! The more time I spend in the saddle, the more enchanted I become with the sport. Saturday’s ride and number three of the 20:20:20 challenge saw me unexpectedly taking to the trails around Reading with three others and their (even less appropriate for the terrain) road bikes!

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Adventures at Moorland Hall

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Every year, I take roughly sixty children on an adventure holiday to Moorland Hall near Tavistock in Devon and, each time, have a wonderful time with the children and the amazing instructors. It’s incredible to have the opportunity to experience activities which I would otherwise find really challenging to organise due to lack of funding and time.

This year was particularly exciting as it all felt like excellent training for the adventures ahead. This post is as brief a roundup as a naturally garrulous person can manage with a few of my favourite pictures.

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Misanthropy in Hyde Park and Cherry Moments

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Whatever life has thrown at me, I have always struggled to remain misanthropic for any extended period of time and this weekend proved to be no exception to the rule.

Saturday evening was ended with a message to Flatty Plums, “There’s no way I can do a ride tomorrow; five hours of singing and dancing has left me useless.” But low and behold, the most fascinating Walk Through The Woods (cocktail tasting menu) later and a solid night’s sleep in the bank, I was desperate to get into the saddle for a wee pedal and sure enough, my pal was there for me. We arranged to meet at Hyde Park corner to enjoy the sun… just like everyone else…

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