PodgeThePuffer's World

Before I say anything else, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and the hope that 2013 brings for you all that you wish for.

From a cycling perspective, November & December are a pretty quiet time, with the weather being less than conducive to getting out on your bike. It certainly is for me. In fact, I have taken the drastic step of using the Christmas Holidays to prepare the basis for some serious training in the New Year. I will therefore be piling on the weight over the next two to three weeks so as to provide greater resistance when training and of course a great morale boost as I lose the pounds through January – March. it’s a flawed strategy I know, but I’m going to stick with it.

Looking forward to 2013, the dates for the 2013 ‘Wheelsforrotary’ Cycle Challenge have now been set. The ride will leave Hungerford on Sunday the 7th July heading for Portsmouth to catch the Ferry to Saint-Malo. From there we will spend 5-days cycling, via the Loire Valley, to Ligueil (twinned with Hungerford) before turning back north to Pegasus Bridge and the ferry back to Portsmouth to return to Hungerford on the 13th July. It is hoped that we will be able to coincide the return to Hungerford with the Hungerford Carnival and of course a welcome home party.

Throughout the ride, we hope to arrange other events, in particular a welcome party in Ligueil and a [almost-end-of-ride] party at Pegasus Bridge.

From April, a series of practice rides will be organised and will be designed such that they graduate in a combination of terrain and distance, so that any riders who follow the suggested route schedule will achieve a level fitness & capability that should enable them to complete the main ride in reasonable comfort. These Practice rides will also be a great opportunity to brush up on your orienteering.

More details of the event, including the practice ride schedule can be found on line at www.wheelsforrotary.com

Further details will be made available in the New Year, including the cost, which will of course be kept to the minimum.

Please, please feel free to pass this onto anybody you think might be interested in the event. I will be more than happy to add them to future distribution lists.

Equally of course, if you want to be removed from the list, please don’t hesitate to let me know and I will of course accommodate.