Wayhey! evenings are now l slowly beginning to draw out, buds on the trees just beginning to turn green on us, while its still damn cold, Spring is on its way, admittedly on the odd bright day, it's possible to get out with less than 15 layers, we'll soon be sweating in short sleeved jerseys once more!
So I’ve been thinking about organising this years events actually, badgered into organising them by loads of you who enjoyed riding lasts year's excursions.
The Southern Grit Gravel ride received some rave, unbelievably OTT reviews, so it was a no-brainer to run it again,. On canvasing opinion, most don't me to meddle with the route, but I have, I've improved it a bit and am thinking about making that extra special fed station you all loved. There will of course be beer and pizza back at the velodrome.
The London Orbital Gravel Challenge, or as it became rechristened LOGC, wow that was a real toughie and massive challenge to all riders 50 plus riders started, admittedly some had entered the 100, 140 or 180 km day rides but a significant number were attempting the full course within 24 hours - its hard man, I think I was the only one to complete the 360 km, only with help from Hugo who joined me at Guildford, providing the moral support to keep me going.
This year we need more riders to complete the course, so now teams can enter and together you'll crack it..,. To help I've modified the last 50 km making them easier on the legs, that's if anything can easier after 20 hours in the saddle! So, go on, grab some mates and enter, you'll hate it.
If you don't need that much pain and want an enjoyable day ride, you can join the 100, 140 and 180 km options..
The When Wren Ride is definitely your cake and eat it ride, 26 miles, few hills and decent paths, you have all day to explore some of the many extraordinary facets of London, from the deserted Hampton Court Park to the teeming tourist infested Mall and Trafalgar Square, through the sophistication of the city and bling of Canary Wharf ending up in the basement of the Old Royal Naval College tackling a well earned cream tea!
Enroute there's a riverside feed station in a traditional Cabbie's shelter and bizarrely, St Pauls Cathedral allow me to put up a table out side the crypt laden with bananas, sweets, biccies, cheese an other goodies, not forgetting of course the vital go faster gels!
Entries are now open to all these events.
If you want to try a longer adventure, have a look at series of tours I've put together. Ranging from a 3 day hike form London to Bath to an orgy of gravel riding exploring Spain's Sierra Nevada staying in a glamourous cave over looking the Alhambra Palace, there's something for almost everyone.