Happy New Year! (From Bournemouth Echo)

Happy New Year!

4:26pm Monday 4th January 2010 in

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LIKE a lot of people at this time of year I think about setting some resolutions, but this year I have realised that my recurring theme of surfing more, cycling more and getting fitter aren't actually resolutions, they're just a wish list of some things I would like to do over the coming year.

A resolution, if you look at the dictionary (I did!), is more than this; it's a full statement of what you're going to do and how you're going to do it. So telling everyone that you're going to lose some weight doesn't really count. Bearing this in mind, I have decided that I don't have any resolutions!

There are still some things I would like to do and one of those involves a shrinking waistline and increased mileage in the saddle. I didn't really race last year - I don't think that one time trial really counts over a full season - but I think that with some motivation and careful planning I should be able to actually get out there and race this year. As long as I keep putting in the miles in over the winter I should retain a reasonable level of fitness and start the spring feeling pretty good. At least that's the plan!

My first ride of 2010 was on Saturday and was fantastic! It wasn't fast and it wasn't long but I was out in the ice and mud and sunshine with my friends, one of whom hadn't been out for ages. The Purbeck Hills are a beautiful place and on a sunny and cold January day there aren’t many places I would rather be.

Over the past few weeks I have made some interesting observations about riding in the cold weather:

1. As mud thaws out it gets very sticky.

2. Ice on tarmac or concrete is much more scary than ice on mud.

3. Keeping your fingers and toes warm makes the cold weather much more pleasant.

4. Braking on ice is pointless…and dangerous.

5. Putting your foot down on a sheet of ice is a quick way to learn how to do the splits!

Now if I can just get over this man flu that’s hit me since Saturday’s icy afternoon on the bike, I can get my training started!