Some of you may not know but we have members from the New World, Beth and Ian Haysom also Mike White, all Canadians well almost.

The following is an extract from Mike who led the group with Ash and on his own for many years now residing in Miami.

“Please pass on my greetings to all those that remember me, if there are any left! Are there many from the old group that still come out?

I am pleased to hear that the group is still going strong! I hope there are some confident people that will step up this time and lead a few rides for you. It can get tiring when you’re the only one doing it, especially when it has really only been you for almost 3 years now! That’s impressive! I like the idea of an annual membership as well, it keeps monies safer, and then there are no worries about collecting on the day, etc.

I have purchased a new bike! This one is a purpose bought bike, she has a specific job to perform. I’s the first time I have ever purchased a bike with a set job in mind, I am really happy! She will take me from Miami to Ottawa! She is a Jamis Renegade Expat, and is a gravel adventure bike. I took her for her first spin on Dec 31st. Just a short 25 miles or so, but I rode along the levies into the Everglades, mostly gravel. My God! What a beautiful ride! She went from pavement to gravel and I didn’t even notice a drop in speed or effort! It was wonderful! I am hoping that my ride to Canada keeps me off the gravel, but if I do encounter it, then I am no longer worried. She is steel framed, and carbon forks, with tubeless tyres 700×36, so she has been built for comfort and reliability. Steel frame to absorb and flex, carbon forks to dampen road noise, wide tubeless tyres to roll easy and forever! A complete dream of a bike! Granted, she is not as fast as my other bike, but way more comfortable. I have an audax with her on Sat, 136 miles, so that will be my real test. There is a section on that ride where the pavement is complete garbage. Think these stone chips they are resurfacing all of the UK with, but have it as actual pavement. This goes on for about 25 miles, but as this is an out and back ride, you have 50 miles to cover on it! The old bike was able to do it, barely, but I was cursing up a storm the whole way. This time, I doubt I will even notice.

Anyway, glad to hear things are doing well with the group, and I hope it continues to do so!”

I hope to keep you updated on Mikes epic ride.

Six of us rode into the sun on Wednesday to find most of Wivenhoe shut, including the Black Bouy so we went to pub on the front which is under new management that requires training.

Friday was abandoned as to cold for my breathing.

This Wednesday we will go to the Musket Club and hopefully on Friday finally make Abberton.