Photo: Back in the fold. Photo courtesy of Yvan

“Guess who just got back today?

Them wild-eyed boys that’s been away

Haven’t changed, hadn’t much to say

But, man, I still think them cats are crazy”

The Boys Are Back in Town, Thin Lizzy, 1976

Not so wild-eyed, I have had a lot to say on this blog, I have been a bit crazy and I’m definitely back in town.

It’s a long story but Jan and I decided to move back to our London apartment.

Whilst living in Beckley, East Sussex for the last year I joined two clubs. Tenterden Cycle Club and Rye and District Wheelers. I’d like to thank all the members of both clubs for the wonderful welcome I received and for showing me around the stunning lanes of Kent and East Sussex. I shall be back from time to time to ride audaxes through this beautiful part of the country.

During the last 5 years of absence (1 year in East Sussex, 4 years in Italy) I’ve kept up my Islington Cycling Club membership so now it’s time to get some value from and give some back to the club.

We moved in on Thursday night. How long do you think it took me to get back in the swing of things?

Saturday morning

ICC laps around The Regents Park. So many familiar faces, and quite a few new ones.

I then popped in to the see ICC friends Cliff, David, Geoff, Jeremy and Ash repairing donated bikes before they were re-distributed to kids without one. I wasn’t there for long but managed to help clean one bike.

Sunday Morning

I’ve been cycling in Kent for the last year. Where was my first ICC club ride in 5 years? Out to the Velo Barn, in …. Kent!

But we did finish in The Old Red Cow, Smithfield, only 300m from our apartment.

Monday Afternoon

To the pub to see Gino and the gang and give him our last 3 ltr can of olive oil.

It’s obviously been a struggle but give me a few more weeks to adjust!

What am I doing tomorrow? On a ride organised through an ICC WhatsApp group I founded in January 2019.

I’m back.