randonneur – Ode to Cycling

LE to NE

As BBC weather introduced a new extreme heat symbol to their weather maps, one randonneur set off to ride 900km from Land’s End to Tyneside A clear blue sky hung over the peninsular as I coasted the few short miles down to Land’s End. Kevin was waiting looking sharp and keen. His weightless titanium bikeContinue reading “LE to NE”

The winter hill

What way is this,Heft o’er hugging hills?Who thought to place you hereFar above the comfort of rambling valley lane – Lost amidst the chilling mists?Why do I seek your gravelly way,Stretching through the contoured clarts?Where wheels slide and slipThrough leaf-strewn mireWhile aching limbs burn and tire.Where others pause or turn the heelThe randonneur will gripContinue reading “The winter hill”

The Autumn Randonneur

Down sunken lane Up misty vale The randonneur will go While falling leaves And chilling breeze The randonneur will know Of moments passing with friends a-chatting And of many miles to go The sunrise over frosted fields The vapoured light begins to glow And spinning steady onwards, upwards The randonneur will go. Throughout theContinue reading “The Autumn Randonneur”

Team VCJ does Paris-Brest-Paris

Paris-Brest-Paris (or PBP as it is more commonly known) is a 1200km cycle ride boasting of a pedigree going right back to 1891 and the dawn of the safety bicycle – and pre-dating the Tour de France by some 12 years. To take part in PBP is not a trivial undertaking, and to complete putsContinue reading “Team VCJ does Paris-Brest-Paris”

Qualifying for Paris-Brest-Paris

“There simply is nothing else like it. And, as a test of physical and mental endurance it has no equal” — Chris Boardman Paris-Brest-Paris (or PBP as it is more commonly known) is a 1200km cycle ride boasting of a pedigree going right back to 1891 and the dawn of the safety bicycle – andContinue reading “Qualifying for Paris-Brest-Paris”