Rising to the challenge

I got jumped on the way to work this morning.

I was riding the tourer along Quarry Wood Road, minding my own business when a 20" wheeled bike passed me at about 4- 5 MPH faster than I was progressing. The pilot was dressed in all the wrong gear for a folding type bike, but all the RIGHT gear for a commuter race - tights, waterproof jacket, ski cap etc. As he passed my ears heard a cheery "Good Morning" but, my Babel Fish translated this to a cynical "Race is on you sluggish, tourer mounted toad"

This narked me slightly so I started formulating my attack. We were fast (he faster than me) approaching the climb out of Marlow towards Cookham Dean and, knowing I was good on that climb, I relaxed. I let my prey eke out a lead of about 100 meters and, as he negotiated the right hand bend at the bottom of the hill, I looked on with glee. Just as I expected, my prey was exhibiting all the characteristics of a flat road sprinter. He could not put any more distance between us on the start of the climb.

I too negotiated the bend and dropped down a chainring and a sprocket or two. As I did this I stood out of the saddle and started to spin. I gained on my prey quite quickly and, as I passed him I said, breathing easily "There you go sucker, eat my dust", which I think his Babel Fish translated as "I can't think of a better way to start the day". he responded "Yes, it certainly gets the blood pumping" which was Babel Fished to "Ye Gods Sir, your awesome climbing power is too much for me!" I was through the hairpin and gone before he got half way up the first straight.

Commuter Racing- I love it!

Band of Less Brothers

I was sad to read yesterday of the recent death of Major Richard Winters in the USA on 2nd January 2011.

Dick Winters and his men were subject of a book about their experiences in WW2 during the invasion of Europe, which was subsequently filmed as the HBO mini series 'Band of Brothers'.

As a young Leiutenant, he commanded a platoon of paratroops- 'Easy' Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division when they dropped into Normandy on D Day and beyond.

He and his troops were decorated for a number of actions and one of them- The Brecourt Manor Assault on a fixed position of German artillery pieces shelling Utah Beach is still taught at West Point today as a text book example of such an action.

An inspired and inspirational leader.