Freezing cold, dark, grimy winter misery is over for another few months, so I’ve ceremoniously removed the winter wheels and mudguards from the cyclocross bike and put the XTR wheels with Small Block 8 tyres back on (yay for fast dry-conditions CX tyres!). I also cleaned all the road grime and salt off the frame with some degreaser and greased the callipers in the brakes – the rear one was seized solid due to the salt on it. No wonder it felt crap.

I had a ride over to Rivington on it on Sunday morning to meet Junkyard John who had bought some bits off me. There were loads out on bikes and after a Twitter conversation the night before I found myself chasing people down whilst playing the theme from Jaws on my In-Head Jukebox. Well, it beats “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” any day of the week 😉

I stopped by Fred Dibnah’s house – it’s now got a blue paque on the front wall and I hear it’s being turned into a museum, which is brilliant. The back garden looks like he’s just stopped work for his dinner.

On the way back I met Deb and the kids and we had a picnic – good times. Due to me feeling pretty crap when I ride the bike still (this sodding cold just won’t admit it’s beaten) that was my only ride of the weekend; however I did go for a run twice. I’m doing more running than riding at the moment, which is good for my fitness but I’ve got to tip the balance back in favour of cycling now – not long until CLIC, then only a matter of weeks until Mayhem….bring it.

As usual, the hardest part will be sticking to the plan and staying motivated/awake. Oh, and not getting ill again would be really bloody handy.

I also managed to go and see shop-owner Shaun at Cooksons. I’d not been in since he’s taken over. He’s built a new counter and everything 😉