Bolsover & District Cycling Club

the wide sorry eyed little one that was screaming at me at 3 this morning didn't bode well for the mornings ride, so i thought at the time(i need my sleep...)

6.30 in the kitchen, not light yet, feeling sick (tired) motivation was still in bed having lie in,

text from the big fella, family life doing what it does, so got to go can't leave possible new members unsheperded!! looks a bit dull 1 degree, perfect! too late to ride up (thank god for the 9am start)

two cyclist shapes hopping by the pub in the morning chill,Rich and John,

stupidly introduced myself not recognising Rich in daylight from Spiralling and John in helmet and specs from the pub on monday.

Off to ogston, must get my blade mudguards fitted, felt like the club "compo";  my bike having a 6 week crust and Rich and John's steeds shining in the lovely and improving morning winter sun. Bit of mechanical heading up to Wessington front mech not playing, so choose your chainring... that'll be the small one then, there's more "up" in the second half, gucci pocket tool courtesy of RIch, too late for Santas list now. In fact most cycling kit presents we agreed seem to be beyond relatives or spouses, and they wonder why we buy it ourselves!

Ogston needs a cafe.... up to wooley and the short steep climb up to handley instead of the drag up to littlemoor, brief bit of civilisation (of a sort) through danesmoor the red light ju ju was on our side as we climbed up to the junction. Short nostalgic climb ( i was born in pilsley)up to parkhouse/lower pilsley but i've done it before with short legs and sturmey archer 3spd so put in a performance worthy of the legwear!! Bit of blow that one but you do get a "chevron" stripe so its worth it, discussion started over which way up back to Bolsover, Palterton (Carr lane), Ault Hucknall (hodnor hill/hodmire lane) or the pleasant way up through the park, John and I having a polar opposite opinion of which we disliked most, [These last two climbs are prime for a club hill challenge, twice a year, quiet routes near good pubs, perfect we thought.] The gentle way up through Hardwick was just ethereal; the silouhette of the halls in the sunlight and mist. Hugging the soft verge as the sunday drivers impatiently passed; late for their place in the queue at the farm shop!

On the flat back to Bolsover glowing in the warmth of a great mornings ride and that smug feeling you get when you know that the rest of the world have only just finished their 1st coffee!! Not just us this morning though as we caught up with the end of the bolsover 10K , trouble is some of these guys shouldn't be wearing lycra (stones/glasshouses? don't say it) "gizza baccy" came the plea, "on a seat like this?" was the retort.

A ride to remember for the next time it's not looking like you should, see you next sunday.