What's in your blood?

The following writing may turn self-indulgent and the very opposite to the self-effacing nature I usually live my life by. No apologies just a polite notice.

So far I have had a very Family themed Christmas, and then last night we had a family-reunion type party with those who we sometimes don't get to see outside of the usual formal occasions that happen once or twice a year. By and large we all get on well, there are the standard family relationship dramas playing themselves out but no-one ever starts throwing punches, yet.
What struck me last night is how we celebrate new life - as a family we had two babies born in 2012 and at least another two on the way in 2013. We are not ashamed to get down on the floor and crawl around playing with toys, the youngest are not put away to amuse themselves - we all interact together.
At the same time, we have lost family this year and we never forget that. This was the first Christmas where a couple of big personalities have been absent and were sorely missed but it is not our habit to dwell on death. I suppose as farming families we get exposed to the now very Disney term of 'Circle of Life' quicker than most, also having a large family means there is always someone at a different stage of their life who we know.

This somehow sits differently to my regular day to day life. Katherine and I have an excellent family life in our own little house but outside of that it can feel quite lonely. Our friends are spread far and wide, and we all suffer from the modern disease of thinking internet interaction is a replacement for face to face contact. Also as we all get more responsibilities in our lives it gets harder to organise regular meetings. On the work side of things a couple of happenings have served as a reminder of who my friends really are and my riding has developed a bit more of a solo theme, as well as suffering in regularity due to some injuries.
This all can add up to a slight feeling of being alone and lost - especially when the weather turns and I feel trapped in the house. Like I said at the start, living in a modest fashion isn't the done thing these days, so my achievements can feel belittled just by being exposed to the grand plans of those around me.

So in the spirit of New Year and as a reminder of 2012, here is my positive reminder of the best things I have done this year.

 

Obviously the best thing I did this year (and maybe my whole life) was to get married to Katherine in June. It took a while but I'm now completely used to wearing my titanium wedding ring.



Getting married means having a Stag Do. For mine I got to shoot a shotgun for the first time and then a week later some of us went on a (quite hard) bike ride.



Also a wedding means you get a honeymoon. San Francisco and New York for a month.



That Bridge and The Park.



I became a Godfather to my Cousin's son Isaac, we had a few little travels around the UK and I relearnt a few skills I'd forgotten about;



I got to ride a lot and where I wanted rather than to anyone else's schedules.



Finally, I got a small addition that hopefully reminds me of Good times, who I am and who I want to remain.

 

Out and about.

A steady mornings spin round the defrosting lanes with a flask stop near Cattal bridge. Just out for an hour but it stands as my longest ride of the past month and nice to say it was pain free, apart from near the end when the cold made my mending bones ache.



A reminder of what not to take for granted when it comes to riding.

Read this,

"Price is only an issue in the absence of value"

Then decide what you really need and what you really can afford.

Who you listening too?

Not in a musical sense - more in a real, honest words idea. I've been listening to some new voices and seeing another side to the coin, it's refreshing but not necessarily the path I am going to follow. Mainly I'm trying to listen to that inner voice to guide me in the right direction, maybe our paths will cross or maybe not.

Think on.

It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're an idiot than open it and confirm the fact.

Stop and Ride.

What is it about the internet that makes people so entitled and judgmental? Who cares if someone else’s bike is set up differently than how you prefer yours. It’s their bike, not yours. I’m sure if your bike was featured, others would point out the nuances that you actually prefer, as faults. People are so quick to point out the negatives, rather than lift up the positives.

All these symptoms are the mid-week stir-crazies. Just stop being so critical and look forward to the times when you can ride with others.

Just stop being an asshole and ride your fucking bike how you prefer.


prollyisnotprobably

Cultural Divide

I had pork pie and mushy peas and she has a steak and kidney with mash. Can you get more North or South stereotypical?
 

Uploading.

Found myself with some unexpected spare time so sorting through my honeymoon photos.

Sit still.

On a quiet Sunday morning ride yesterday, we had a series of unfortunate events that involved a car traveling too fast on a narrow country lane, which resulted in me leaving my bike at speed and meeting the road with a heavy thud.
What happened after was more like a soap opera and not fit to describe on the internet here but thanks to the kindness of the people around us, we made it back to safety and eventually I found myself spending my Sunday afternoon in York A+E.
To cut a long story short, I find myself with a couple of broken ribs, a nice bump on my head and holes in my knee and shoulder. I wasn't the only one involved but I'm happy to say everyone is fine. My bike (hopefully) just needs a little fettling, Rich wasn't so lucky and will probably need quite a bit of work to get back on the road.
So for the next few days I will be sat here, as still as I can manage - trying not to laugh or sneeze. On the positive side I'm on some rather strong painkillers and plenty of home-baking too, so it's not all bad.

I neither forgive or forget.

Although, it has been a fair while since I have been tested on that particular character trait. It has been lovely not to have take on other peoples problems or to be cast in the middle of decisions, which ultimately I have no power to effect.
Everything is finally showing signs of settling down. I have less anger, less disappointment in the behaviour of those around me and little to no care about what they say on twitter, MyFace or the like.

I could be better but then who can't say that?

Been to all these places.

FAST.

The first lap of the Elite race looks like it's on fast forward.

Home, with stories to tell.

I'm not the sort to kiss and tell though.

Almost time....

to leave San Francisco, just a couple more days left before we move on.

Here are a few points to remember;

• Fresh Air Bicycles followed by MASH are the best bike shops in SF.
• I drunk the most Blue Bottle Coffee on our trip but my favourite was Trouble Coffee. I would actually kill a man with my bare hands if it meant a regular supply of coffee and their cinnamon toast back home. Four barrel came a close second just because you can see it being roasted in the same building you are drinking it.
•  Baskets on bikes are bang on trend.
• A breakfast burrito sounds unusual on paper but in real life it's awesome.
• Americans use the word awesome far too much.
• I am addicted to pizza.

It happened again.

So Blue.

Found.

And out.

We've been waiting so long, endured so much stress and finally ticked off the last thing on our lists.

We're ready (I think), see y'all in October.

Prep.

The pit.

Circles' Pitwork Montage from Ryota Kemmochi on Vimeo.