Information for the new or leisure cyclist Information for the racing or touring cyclist Cycling initiatives, routes etc.
Information for the new or leisure cyclist
History of cycling
History of MTB'ing
Choosing your first cycle
Sizing a cycle
Cycling style
Cadence (spinning)
Climbing hills
Family cycling
Family rides
Expect the unexpected
Making the most
Benefits of cycling
Bike speak
Commuter cycling
Disabled cycling
Group rides
Home servicing
MTB clothing
Nutrition basics
Pedestrians
Road safety
Road signs
Routine maintenance
Softening the sting
Touring
Training basics
Training discipline
Cycling in winter
Legal lighting
Womens comfort
You & the elements
Contact points
Teach children to cycle

Cycle safety

Bike Line
Safety tips
Wearing a helmet
Pre-ride checks
Pedestrians & cyclists
Road signs
Head damage
Cycle tricks
Introduction
Wheelie
Bunny hop
Rockwall

Cycle security

A sad story
Basic advice
Cycle locks
Cycle registration

Tandeming

Introduction
Terminology and fitting
Technique

Cycling Science

Introduction
Frames
Wind resistance
Wheels
Dark winter night
(A LONELY RIDERS VIEW)
OR MAYBE NOT!!.


The summer seems so far away as I look out of the window into the "Dark Winters Night", my mind playing games with itself, do I really want to go out? Missing one night won't make a difference will it? It looks cold out there, but its warm inside, do I need to bother? The list starts to become an endless stream of excuses for not going down to the shed, to get my "Dark Winters Night" companion. "IT" has no excuses like, its cold, I can't be bothered, wonder what's on telly? The only thing stopping "IT" going training is my commitment.

The battle is over, my conscience getting the better of me, as always. Out I step looking like something from "Scott of The Antarctic". Fleece cycling jacket, thermal trousers, overshoes, woolly hat. Two layers of tops on underneath my jacket, two pairs of socks on my feet, under the overshoes and cycling shoes. Its probably 2 deg Celsius out there, but it certainly feels a lot colder and by the time I return, it certainly will BE!!!!. Ah well here goes, quick check over my "Dark Winters Night" companion, lights secure, Polar heart rate monitor fixed to the handlebars, perhaps it won't be so lonely after all. The beeping of my HRM. being a constant reminder, that my faithful training partner has not let me down with excuses. "IT" also has no excuses, as to why it cant go training.

After all the excuse making, and conscience battles, the ride itself was pretty un-eventful, I was a bit over cautious, too many layers of clothing, still better to be safe than sorry, you just never know what might happen on a "Dark Winters Night" when you're the lonely rider. But the question I ask myself, Am I the lonely rider? after all I have my companions, We may not be fluent in the same language but we all understand each other, and we will ALL, be out there again, the next time on a "Dark Winters Night".

 


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