Well, it looks increasingly likely that the Euro Leg of the ‘Continental Cycle Climb Challenge’ is going to have to be postponed. It’s still snowing in the Sierra Nevada, and there’s little point in heading down there only to be frustrated at not reaching the top of the ‘Veleta’. I reckon that I’ll probably wait until mid-August/ early September now.

In the meantime, it gives me the chance to make better preparations than those made so far; coming off the back of a ridiculously cold and long winter. Last week I totally stripped down the bike. After a little online retail therapy, it’s been built back up now with a spanking new rear-cassette, rear-derailleur, chain, chain-ring and crank arms and all new cables (inners and outers). Scotty’s not looked so good since I bought it almost 5 years ago (for £275!). That bike’s been thrashed to pieces and doesn’t owe me a single penny…

Now that the bike’s running like a dream, I suppose it’s time to start a little maintenance on myself. A few rides this week of 40 miles, and 25 miles have dusted a few cobwebs off, and I’m starting to wean myself off the winter comfort food now.

Tomorrow I’ve decided to head off on a mini-adventure, to test out the improvements made to the bike, and to jump-start my fitness for the spring. I’ll be taking an early ferry over to Dunkerque (from Dover), and will head east to Bruges; home to the best beers, chocolates and waffles in the world. Also the fictional home of Dr Evil, and the location of the fantastic film ‘In Bruges’. It’ll be a 75 mile trip from home to Bruges, and then the same again heading back the next day. I plan to have a quick look round the stunning old town, see if I can find a pub selling the best beer known to man (Mort Subite) and then crash hard at a hostel.

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