We were in Herefordshire this weekend. We’d been invited as guests to Ross-on-Wye and District Cycling Club‘s annual awards prize dinner. We were treated royally and had a great time. I made the shortest of speeches (having written the longest of speeches) and got to shake hands with all the prize winners.
I rode for the Ross twice in my ‘career’, once in the eighties and again when I came back in 2004-5. They’re a great club – very eccentric. They currently have a crop of excellent riders.
They run a memorial 25 mile TT in my father’s name every year. He rode for them back in the 1950s and again in the 80s. He won a VTTA national championship, Welsh Vets BAR and broke a few tandem competition records while riding for the club.
The club run regular training rides, club events and social events. If you’re ever on holiday in the Wye Valley it’s worth getting in touch with them.
On the Sunday morning a few of us went for a short ride in the Forest of Dean. The Forest is superb training country… if you’re fit. I was dropped up every climb and even managed to lose myself at one point. I’m sure it was flatter 30 years ago. After thirty miles I was ready for my nap.
I’ve kept the bike riding going for a month now – I’ve established the habit I think. It’s going to be trick next week, I have other commitments, but I think I can keep it going.
Photographs courtesy of Paul Stephens. There are more here.
Lance Woodman 