Additions

I thought I would do another blog post as it would have made my previous one a bit long and unwieldy so here it is. Unfortunately it is really just a number of disjointed pieces really, but it's reflective of what Life's like so don't complain, I'm just not skilled (or motivated maybe) enough to be these it to one concise, flowing piece of prose.

To continue on from my previous post after Sunday's race me. Sam and Hamish thought it would be fun to go to a little festival gathering happening in the town next door, but it was closing as we got there due to it being 10pm. The only thing left open was the beer tent so we decided to have a couple of beers and just chatted amongst ourselves. We did attract some attention as we were not the average age of the people there, like 38, we were not stoned or hammered or both and we were dressed a bit differently too. In no time we had been asked for Charlie as well as fags and a light, once we said no and they knew we were English cue surreal conversations that were rather unintelligible to everyone. So after about 90mins we boys left.

When describing to Marie what happened that night I found out that 'to go westward' is the French term for 'being stoned' as well as being taught afterwards how to use her lawnmower so I could mow for her which was also entertaining as earlier in the day I couldn't get it started. This is because there was no oil in it. Lemon.

Well done to everyone who achieved well in their degrees and in other good news Tim Butt seems to be doing ok now that he is out of hospital and hopefully his recovery continues.

Harry from my British team, Aprire Bicycles, is currently leading the Race Across America in his 4 man team and they are about halfway now, so keep it up Harry. Aprire Bicycles have now finally done up there website and releasing their 2013 next generation bikes so don't forget to check it out http://www.aprirebicycles.com/.

The Nationals should be interesting this weekend and wish people all the best in them, as a result of the French Nationals taking place nearby though there will be no races in Brittany this weekend fortunately a team member's family will be putting me and George up this weekend so that we can race in Normandy and the Loire region. It should be really exciting and a real test of my French skills too.

Still can't believe the state of the British Road racing calender, with so many decent races clashing with each other this year and the fact no National B's on a Saturday anywhere I don't think and the race clashes result in empty weekends. Just because one may not be good enough to get on to the British Cycling programme at 16 does not mean they will never be good enough and if a big pool of great riders is wanted then the domestic scene really needs to strengthened by having better races, more often with less clashes. We can't expect other nations to constantly take other riders of the U.K.'s that are a bit late in developing as we are now one of the best countries at cycling. It has and will continue to grow on countries like France and Belgium's nerves and not only that it puts our athletes under a lot more pressure they maybe what is necessary if just the calender was improved.

I finish on this notice that I have started a new book, one that I have referenced many times, but never have actually properly read, Eric Hobsbawm's The Age of Revolution: 1789-1848 and if the first few pages are anything to go by I am really going to enjoy it.