Yep, today, in this part of the world, it has been the shortest daylight of the year, as we pass the Winter Solstice

It's also the fourth Sunday in Advent for those that follow these things, the ten days of feasting have started (even if your 'feast' is beans on toast!) So i'll pass my best wishes out to you all, whatever your persuasion, there's a celebration for everyone in the next days. I'll spare anyone's blushes but special thanks go out to those of you who have sent cards and gifts my way this festive season, know that they are all gratefully received and appreciated more than you can imagine, thank you muchly.

So what have i been up to? Well the weather has interfered with my plans once again, pushing my rides back a day, so on Thursday i ended up doing a walk then, once i'd dried out, i started on some writing. I'll be honest, my heart wasn't in it so i cut the effort short.

Friday i went for the delayed bike ride, a bit of a twiddle through North Somerset to the tune of 95km and 'seasonal' panini rather than the more usual mucky burger. The blot on the ride was a late slow puncture which i ended up nursing the last 15km back to base.

Saturday was actually not a bad day weatherwise, i ended up doing a 7km walk before settling in at the kb to finish the chapter i started on Thursday. Job done and posted to Patreon, we finished off the Cottage pie i made Wednesday - so good!

And so to today. I got up earlyish and posted the next Free Gaby chapter before i got my breakfast - you can read Chapter 27 here.
. Then i set off for a ride, the forecast said grey and mostly dry which was about right. This time it was the tangle of hills and valleys south west of Bath that took my attention for all of 88km but with a sizeable 1048m of vertical thrown in, often quite steep, 15-20% steep. Cleaned them all, there's no prize of course but it is quite satisfying.

In case you were wondering 'clean' is riding the full climb without a stop, next level is a 'full ride', ie ridden all the way but with a rest(s) part way, the last category is 'walk', yep, you guessed it, some riding and for whatever reason, some walking. Given 2026 marks 50 years since i started riding 'seriously', i'm pretty chuffed that i still clean 99% of climbs, a similar percentage of the walks are off tarmac so not sure if they even count?

In a similar vein, as i'm in Brizzle all through the festive season this year i've signed up for the Festive 500 Challenge - again no prize beyond pride, the target is to ride 500km between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. I have done it previously and on the face of it, its quite easy, the practicality of fitting in all the rides between the other distractions is another matter! I'll keep you abreast of my progress.

I think that just about covers everything, there will be a post on Christmas Eve but for now,
Wiedersehn,
Madeline Anafrid