With December and January viruses still lingering February has been a quiet month for me with regards to cycling.
I’ve only had to cancel one HSBC UK Breeze ride this month, so pretty good going to say how cold it’s been.
First day of February got off to a great start with our usual Thursday morning outing along the tracks and trails of Wakefield, West Yorkshire. A beautiful BUT chilly morning greeted us as we met at Pugneys Water and Country Park for a loop ride to Walton Nature Reserve.
5th February saw our first BKCAT Breeze Cycle Circuit session. A bitterly cold night that didn’t stop these brave souls getting in a lap or 20, assisted by the great coaching talents of British Cycling coach Kim Meadows.
7th February, I love The Wednesdays! I don’t plan any routes, decide where we go or how many miles we do. I get an email every Monday from our gallant leader Gerard, giving all the information I need . I just rock up when I’m told to and ride and hope I can cling on to their back wheel, at least until snack stop!
I love cycling on my own, BUT I really love The Wednesdays.
Found it hard today as I was still getting over all the viruses and crashes from December, that will teach me to read Gerard’s very thorough notes about the ride … and gradient!!! Wakefield, Woolley, Cannon Hall, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakey … pooped!
8th February, with my very determined Thursday Breeze ladies. I cannot express the joy these ladies bring to my cycling life. Seeing them achieve new goals week after week, brilliant!
Each one of us has our own, very different challenges BUT we all have one common mentality….
If you don’t try you’ll never know,
If you don’t try you’ll never grow.
11th February, and the Brownlee Centre once again opened its Cycle Circuit to British Cycling’s Let’s Ride Pop Up event. 2 hours of free cycling for ALL. From balance bikes to Club cyclist. From babies in bike seats, newly purchased bikes and new… lets see if we can get to grips with cleats, riders.
If you would like to come and see what all the excitement is all about you can book on the session at Let’s Ride under ‘Location’ Leeds and Let’s Ride Pop Up Leeds
The ever hopeful Spring is on it’s way!
From … I’m not Sure …. to … Think i’m Sure …. to … I’M SURE & I’M OFF!!!!
Family Let’s Ride
Volunteers are the stalwarts of British Cycling Let’s Ride Pop Up events
12th February, Monday night Breeze in Thornes Park was bitterly cold BUT that didn’t stop the determined Tori who …. talk about a challenge……. She signed up to take part in a triathlon without being able to ride a bike!!
This self motivated young woman is here every week come hell or water or cold, wind, rain, snow!
13th February, Tuesday, not usually a cycling day for me BUT I told a cycling friend I would take her out on a ride one day when she had time off from work. I haven’t ridden with Colette before and she wasn’t a regular cyclist so I thought a nice potter along the canal from Leeds (where she lives) to RSPB St. Aiden’s Nature Reserve would be a lovely flat ride with a café stop at the reserve….. BUT … yeeha! … slip sliding away!
I rode to Leeds taking in some of the route we were due to ride and blinking heck, it was a great cyclo-cross section! With my bike hoisted upon my shoulder and wading through the quagmire I thought it best we take a different route.
Canal at Rothwell before quogmire on way to start of Breeze ride at Leeds Station
Still wanting to keep it a flat ride and on speaking to Colette, we set of long the canal in the opposite direction, Bingley, where the towpath for the most part is in very good rideable condition.
I thoroughly enjoyed cycling with Colette. We chatted all the way about anything and everything. Cycling is a great way to get to know people.
We cycled to Bingley Five Rise Locks for lunch stop. Came out, repaired Colettes puncture, cycled to Saltaire, train back to Leeds and me to Wakefield. Brilliant day out with a new bike buddy.
14th February, The Wednesday were taking on a shortened version of Wheel of Wakefield with a new route sorted out by David to avoid a rather muddy section close to Nostell Priory BUT the shortened version became even more shortened.
About 13 miles in and the sleet forecast for 1pm caught us early. We diverted down Doncaster Road and it’s a given when near Red Beck Cafe you HAVE to call in, even if it is only for a warm brew. Always great fun with the Wednesdays whatever the weather, where ever we go. Cheers guys.
15th February, room for all on our Thursday Breeze rides. Due to reasons I don’t need to go into, one of our ladies realised she wouldn’t be able to complete the planned ride of 14 miles and said she would go home so as not to spoil the ride for the rest of us . …..We’re having none of this!!!….
After a quick think, the ladies willingly agreed to my adapting the ride to enable ALL of us to still enjoy a lovely morning of cycling. Cycling buddies …. What more can I say!
We laughed our way through a ride of two halves. Newmillerdam to Pugneys return, to play on the monkey bars, then Newmillerdam to Anglers Park for a brew.
19th February, Breeze Cycle Circuit in the dark! For 45 minutes of a 60 minute session we had no circuit lights, again! Very disappointed for the ladies attending this session. It’s only on twice a month and for one of those sessions to be wasted is shameful. All abilities are welcome at this HSBC UK Breeze (ladies only) session. It’s the perfect setting to get in some training miles for club cyclist BUT a safe and confidence building environment for ladies a little unsure of their cycling abilities. I’ll say no more other than very disappointed.
22nd February, Yes, it’s Thursday again! When you cycle with a group of mates or you take and support ladies on cycle rides, then you will know the true joys of cycling. Everyone has a happy place…. Try cycling … it’s not a bad place to be happy!
Peaceful, quiet and traffic free
All three of us triumph in negotiating the ‘little kicker’ up and over the bridge with a sharp tight right hand turn on way there and tight drop down on way back. No wobbling off, no foot down, no missing the turn…
…no hiding the delight when another achievement is made!..
Facing and beating our nemesis
Facing and beating our nemesis
Facing and beating our nemesis
Facing and beating our nemises
Thank you to all those who have ridden with me this month. It’s been a challanging month weather wise BUT spirits and enthusiasum for cycling never waned.
Hope to see you all in March!
Better stilll I hope you will all join us in our Sport Relief 850 mile BKCAT Cycle Circuit Challenge on 19th March! Click HERE for more info. Please join us and show your support to Sport Relief , Greg James #peadltothepeaks and Zoe Ball #hardestridehome challenges.
…. can we cycle 850 miles in 2 hours!?!?!?! … we can with your help, please!!
Thank you for reading my blurb. Keep warm, keep safe ……
….. ride a bike and keep happy!!
Jo
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