November 13th 2023
I’m a little late writing this as it is already past Remembrance weekend but it is NEVER the wrong time to remember or talk about the people who gave the biggest sacrifice.
This IS a cycling Blog so what do the 2 subjects have to do with cycling ? More than some may be aware I guess so here goes.
1. CYCLISTS IN WARTIME
Unlike many of you I don’t personally have any ancestors who fought and were lost in the service of their country but as a member of my local social cycling club my attention has been drawn to the fact that cyclists had a part to play in the World Wars by way of our annual Remembrance Sunday club ride to the National Cyclists Memorial
We are fortunate in that regard in that this fantastic memorial is local to us in the Central England Village of Meriden but for many reading this, it’s mere existence may be a surprise.
I decided to research some detail regarding the part cyclists played in the wars and include them in a video which is available to watch below.
Also in that video, I included some very appropriate footage from a video I filmed a couple of Summers ago when I came across an unexpected find in the quiet countryside 25 miles east of Paris which brought home to me the need for us to remember and honour the fallen of our allies but also of our enemies because most of them had no real desire to be doing what they were doing as a large portion were conscripted, So with it being around the Remembrance weekend I felt it appropriate to include this in the video.
And there is a bizarre twist in the video when I reveal the story of how a fleet of taxis played a vital role in the allies winning one of the most vital battle victories of the entire First World War
The Video is provided below which I hope you’ll enjoy regardless of what time of year you find this particular blog.
2. MOVEMBER : MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
So November becomes “Movember” when many of my male peers grow a moustache in honour of Men’s Mental Health to help raise awareness. Now, awareness is one thing but actual beneficial help and assistance with any of the many conditions is a different story. I’m not about to unleash a political rant but I do have some “skin in the game” on this one with some comparatively mild issues of my own and some severe debilitating issues of someone very close to me. So with so little professional help out there, there are ways for anyone suffering to at least get some release from a bit of self help through exercise
All I can do as someone who rides a bike a lot, writes about it on Social Media and makes videos on the subject, is do the same with this subject from a cycling perspective and that is very easy to do because there is a direct link between exercise in general and cycling specifically and a person’s mental wellbeing.
Before making this film I put word out on Twitter that some real life stories might give some credibility to my claims and I was floored by the incredible open and honest response, resulting in a video that really does hit home how getting yourself a cycling habit can help ease the damaging effect of most mental health crises and in some cases keep someone from taking their own life. It’s a video over 20 minutes in length but the subject and the incredible people who opened up to me, and so to you all really does demand this level of detail
3. CUMBRIAN CRACKER SPORTIVE
I love Sportives and because my current situation where I’m in the early stages of recovery from a spine operation I’m having to watch friends announce on Facebook their 3rd 4th or 5th Sportive entry for next year. Jealous ? You bet I am but I have no idea when I’ll be allowed on a bike yet let alone when I’ll be fit enough so it’s a frustrating time.
I’m generally a fair weather cyclist and probably wouldn’t think of entering a Sportive event in November , especially when it happens in the Lake District which , let’s be honest, has a track record for being pretty rainy even during the Summer months !
The Cumbrian Cracker is next weekend so not much time to take up my recommendation but if you’re too late then do it next year. My friend Mick persuaded me last year and as time got nearer I dreaded the thought of riding in the cold and rain on a damp windy Lakeland November Sunday, BUT we had a blast and got lucky with the weather.
It’s a beautiful course and the event is well organised but be aware a mile from the start there is a monstrous climb which had a large percentage of the field walking including me but apart from that I’d recommend you get the correct layers, a rain jacket in your back pocket and give it a go. Take a look at this video to see for yourself