Part of the problem or part of the solution?

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Is 2012 the year to stop all this?

What's the world coming to?

I haven't been online much lately but it's obvious some people have, if only just to tell other people how much of a 'proper' cyclist they are. It seems by ignoring the festive period and riding by any means necessary you can earn 'points' for the middle-aged men, Weekend Warrior Spring classics.
Personally, I've been enjoying alcohol, food and new Peter Kay. Not been out on the bike yet but seen a few 'cross races when I had the chance;



Just found this too, which I couldn't agree with more;
How to Own a Bike

The usual

It's Christmas. For a change I'm actually all ready, presents bought, shopping done and even tidied the house for family near and far coming. Any routine get thrown out of the window at this time of year, which is why I probably was allowed to watch last night's 'cross race during tea.
Just a quick halfday at work left before the pub, and then we go home for a proper family Christmas. I have a bit of time off where riding will happen but nothing concrete planned just yet.
Merry Christmas.

.........................

Sandy

More Motocross Videos

...this is good and is definitely something to think about for the future.

Just to recap...

...for those at the back. This is everyday tit for tat, you owe your dealer and can't pay back. Fee. Suddenly he's the baddy, so you tell your mates you could have him anyway to look Geeez but he's a shady fuck - Beamer three series, lock stock and two fat fucks backing him up.

Had an excellent ride yesterday. Needed to be fully embrocated and double-layered all over but more than worth the hour of off-road fun it got me. In an effort to not overlook whats on my doorstep, I went to the usual spot only to find it half covered in frozen puddles. Initial investigation of the frozen landscape weren't good but then new lines and circuits became obvious, which along with the slowly defrosting ground made me re-evaluate somewhere I'd almost written off.
Euro 'cross, Christmas parties, hangovers, talking shit, Christmas shopping and another family roast dinner all made for another 'weekend' I wouldn't have any other way.

Mud makes fools of us all.

A moment too late,

beaten to the punch by Duncan but still posting it anyway.

Definitely feel like letting most of the air out of my tyres and going for a slide around the local fields will be the safest/most fun/easist way to blow off some steam tomorrow before the werk Christmas bash.

Not 'epic' but still very good.

Make or break.

It's nice when a customer puts their trust in you to build them something that's right, in fact a good customer can make a bad week good again.
Done a classic Shimano on Open Pro cyclocross wheelbuild this week, more new bike builds than I can shake a stick at and a personal project going on too. While the world is going wild for 23mm wide rims, sometimes you need to go a bit bigger.

Repeater.

So very tired of this repeating of opinion and lessons learned, especially at this time of year where the world and his wife seems to want to tell you their resolutions.
Today the facts are I spent the day in my hometown, Nick Craig almost won, took some photographs, talked of things I can only discuss with one person and had Yorkshire Pudding for tea.

Weekend starts here..

A pint in the Slip after work.
Home-made Mexican tea.
New batteries mean Yashica T5 is up and running.
Train tomorrow back home to see family and friends.
Bradford on Sunday for 'cross.
Hopefully roast dinner to top it all off.

Too much,

is never good.

Having too much time on your hands, means the things that really need to be done, rarely are. Thinking too much of yourself often leads to vanity and a deluded sense of self-importance. Revealing too much, either in body or mind, means you are trying to hide something or you are judged on the 'cover' not the 'contents'.

I'm fighting on a few fronts at the moment but things are tipping to my side. Recent events and the time of year are making it easier to focus on what's necessary. I'm just looking after my own, not trying to change the world or be an example for anyone else to follow.
Live your own life.

Bummer.

Today I lost something close to me, Buffy was a great dog and will be very fondly remembered.
I feel like I should just find some land, surround myself with family, build a home, tinker with bikes, drink tea and ignore everything else.