As recent tradition dictates we had the Annual SNCC Wide Eyed and Legless Ride on Sun Jan 1st.

We started at 0930 with 18 cyclists (15 doing 45 miles and 3 of us on the 35 miler), although Simon Winter sneaked in somewhere so it could have been 19. Everybody seemed to be keen and it was a lovely day for it (no rain and only a slight wind), but there was still quite a lot of water on the roads but most of it was on the side. In our group I led out for the first 6 miles then I sat on the guys (Simon R and Jim). We were going at a good pace (well for me). Simon was on his fixie and Jim recovering from COVID (it didn't show). It was very noticeable at every hill I was getting dropped, Jim and Simon are strong on hills (note to self try and lose a bit more weight). I went wrong in Gt Barford as I was looking at some runners, I guess all part of the same group. Simon and Jim waited up for me but after Riseley I said go on. But I could see them until just before Tilbrook, Simon told me they kept looking back and could see me chasing on. I was hoping for a quick finish but the cross wind was slowing me down. Got to the pub in Hail Weston at 12pm, great timing on my part. Beer and Chips followed.

We had an excellent chat, lots of banter and (as I was reminded a few times) remembered to pay for the chips. A great social event not taken too seriously, I hope this is the first of many well attended social/club events this year.

Happy cycling. Norman King