Fun To Be Had Even In The Wind And Rain - Jan 2014

Well I have promised myself that to celebrate 2014 I will try and get 2014 miles at least on my bike this year. In the 4 months since I got my bike I have covered about 1650 miles so in theory it should be an achievable goal. Hopefully I will do more but it seems a reasonable goal to set myself.

I post up a ride out for my mates in my bike club for the 1st January to get the first mileage of the year off to a good start. Unfortunately the day starts out blustery and raining. So I have to convince one fellow club member that they are not made of soap and could go out in the rain. Early morning on the the dawn of this New Year sees me and Ren with fellow Swannies Tom, Diane, John, Phil and friend of Diane's Kate all gather together in the rain and wonder where the hell to go. Kate had passed her CBT but she has no bike of her own yet so is going to pillion on the back of Ren's bike.

Clitheroe becomes the chosen destination because we know there is a MacDonald's there and it may be the only place to eat we will be sure that is open on New Years Day. So off we all set.

I have said it before but I will say it again I love riding in a group. The rain obscures my vision, it is cold and I am getting pushed around by the wind and I am loving it. I approach a large roundabout and suddenly a memory flashes across my mind. The memory of my camping trip to Hawes and the big wobble I had on a roundabout on the way there. Yep this is the same one and the trees give me a wink as a pass by gripping the road securely. I am not heading their way today and not a wobble is to be had. Yeh hah go Zen bike go me this is fun, fun, fun. The wind rocks me but it is not scary today, it is a challenge and I feel up to that challenge. The rain has eased off and although still grey visibility is much better now.

We stop at McDonald's for a break and food. Diane is on her new bike a brand new Kawasaki Ninja 300 and she is looking mighty fine on it. It is smaller and lighter than her previous bike and it is clear she is feeling much more confident on it. After the usual banter we wrap ourselves back into waterproofs and even plastic gloves are put on under the bike gloves. Kate appears to be enjoying her first trip out with us all.

Lytham St Annes and another McDonalds will be our next destination. Despite the weather we all seem to be enjoying the ride. After all we are out on our bikes with mates and you can't be too sad about that can you? Tom does complain a bit about being cold and wet but as he rightly points out he has been doing this for many a year now and I guess the thrill of battling the weather may have worn thin for him. But for me it is still new and exciting and I am buzzing.

It is going dark by the time we finish our second stop and the rain is back with a vengeance. But the brave Swans who have becomes ducks for the day battle on through the wind and rain and make our way home.

I did around 90 miles today. A good start to my mileage target. I had a great day. It is no good in this country, especially in winter, waiting for a dry day to get out on the bike. The weather was rubbish but the ride and company was fantastic. It was a grey day but it was filled with fun.

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