Smelling Spring

O M G !!!!! How on earth did that happen? One minute I'm picking pumpkins in an early October field, bunkering down for a savage winter onslaught. Next thing I know its the end of January and I can smell, almost see Spring. 

Look, I know it ain't over yet but the extra minutes of light dangle hope in front of us. Of course that's not to say we didn't suffer a lot. Why? Because the Winter cyclist is a strange animal that does not hibernate. Some training might go indoors but there was always road miles to be done and savage conditions to endure. And real cyclists approach training in the harsh stuff like NIKE;  Just do it! Big miles and tough conditions will lead to fit bodies and an awesome appreciation of those sunlit days ahead.

Of course there are consequences. My wheelie bin has since October, contained an array of items actually killed by Winter.

 Chains worn thin enough to wear as jewellery.

 Tyres worn square, with enough glass particles or flints to make whole bottles or light fires.

 Brake blocks? Dozens of grey, murky blobs of rubber were thrown out, items that were simply destroyed on deluge days. 

Even one rear wheel bit the dust. Worn down like Andy Dufresne's rock hammer.

 Cables? Stretched like ships ropes. 

All the mechanisms? Seen more water than Noah. 

Sprockets? Started out as square teeth, now resembling Ninja throwing stars.

As for my kit. Well, there has been two points this Winter when I've had all the usual warm stuff plus two pairs of socks as standard. And I did break out the buff and Balaclava combo too. Yes I looked like I was part of an ATM robbery gang but who cares? I felt toasty. My washing machine may need replacing though. I reckon there is enough soil and road dirt in the filters to start an allotment in the utility room.

But hey, you should be proud of yourself! You have cycled through storms, lashing rain, frost, howling winds and simultaneously avoided nutcase drivers and pedestrians that think of us as novelties. I'm telling you, Winter lobs it all at us. Let's face it, there have been days when South Wexford resembled the South Pole. And you went out!

And now the daffs are growing, there are events to aim for, new bikes are being polished, the atmosphere has changed, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Ahead stretches seven months of outside cycling. More importantly; behind us lays almost five months of relative hardship. 

And by hardship I meant temptation! I mean... its tough surviving Winter as a cyclist. We want to eat. We want to party. We want to not think. Fair enough, the cyclists I know don't live like monks but... there comes a point between Christmas and New years when we realise that if Cadburys Roses were crushable, we'd be doing lines of them. Guinness? It might be hell's drinking chocolate but it calls us like a siren come wintertime. Party anyone? It seems cyclists want to make up for their frugal lifestyle during the summer by hitting the fiestas full gas. Sure why not go full Gatsby and party hard?

But it doesn't matter! We did it! Avoided all the pitfalls Winter slings at us.

We've made it through. 

See you on the road!