Spokeswoman

My ears are burning…but in a good way

You know when you get up in the morning with the intention of going out on your bike?  Yes, you really fancy an energising blast that’ll set you up for the rest of the day.  While making your coffee, you observe that the breeze looks…refreshing.  Great, it’ll cool you down as you warm up on your ride.  The sun keeps peeping out.  That’s a dose of vitamin D right there.  Another good reason to stick to your plan.  But as a plastic flowerpot bowls along the path and the branches of distant trees…Read more …

Cycling Dos and Don’ts

DO take your map – the confidence in your route after a quick glance at the map will be dashed within minutes when facing an unexpected crossroads at the bottom of a steep hill. DON’T leave your bicycle pump on your rack – you will not notice it when it falls off at the top of that steep hill... DITTO your gloves... DO take as many photos as you like, of the scenery, of those interesting signs, flowers, rocks, watering cans, roofs, and from every possible angle, close up, from a distance... DON’T…Read more …

Falling with Style

The weekend had been warm and sunny, and with the promise of spring came the feeling that anything was possible, even cycling up the 1<5 hill home from work. So. On my first trip of the season I was pleased I managed to ride even just half way up the hill.  After walking the rest I remounted – but  my legs were a blur as I pedalled nowhere, thanks to my chain coming off.   With a road clear of traffic, I coolly put down one leg, but lost my balance.  I was relieved…Read more …

Rosie Lea’s Perfect Remedy after a Day in the Saddle

A lovely day in prospect tomorrow – a train journey to Brockenhurst to hire a tandem and push off into the New Forest for the afternoon, culminating in tea in Rosie Lea’s Tea House before snoozing away the train journey home. This has become a tradition for me and my friend... Our first visit was after a two-day cycling trip last year, which started in the rain in Burley and finished – in the rain – in Brockenhurst. It seemed no effort at all, manoeuvring our bikes on and off the trains at…Read more …