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MENDIP TIMES
Twelve rides of Christmas
THE colder weather and shorter hours of daylight tend to inspire hibernation rather than activity so heading out on a bike may not seem CYCLING that attractive! For with EDMUND some inspiration to LODITE get outside on a bike here are 12 rides of Christmas to enjoy. Go for an organised ride. Take the stress out of trying to find a good route by joining a cycle club and take part in the “club run” at the weekend. It’s a great way to meet people and of course enjoy some coffee, cake and chat at the obligatory café stop. Be the postie and deliver your Christmas cards by bike. With a rucksack on your back you can choose how far you’re prepared to ride to lovingly deliver your Christmas greetings. Be a night rider. Take the opportunity to re-discover the routes you know in the hours of darkness. With reflective clothing and a good set of lights, night riding is an illuminating way to discover familiar lanes and trails. In the dark you’ll be more aware of sounds, particularly from wildlife. The Santa Ride. How about spreading a little joy dressed as jolly Saint Nick or in any Christmas themed outfit and head out for a bike ride. This is proven to give you as much pleasure as the smiling faces you will see. Don’t be late for the big day though! Get someone to take up cycling. In this time of goodwill why not get someone to start cycling again and go
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PAGE 106 • MENDIP TIMES • DECEMBER 2021
for a ride with them. The chances are they have a bike that may just need some light maintenance or if not let them use one of your bikes. Find the most spectacular outdoor decorations. For some households the annual display celebrating the season is a big deal that makes you go “wow”. Try and catch a glimpse of these sights by bike before they’re taken down until next year. Enjoy a family ride together. There are several traffic-free routes like the Strawberry Line and Colliers Way which are well-suited for families with younger children. Encouraging children to ride develops self-confidence and is good for their health and wellbeing. Find a route with a Christmas theme. According to the Royal Mail there are several thousand Christmas-themed street names in the UK. Holly Street is the most common one. Why not make it your mission to see if you can find some festive road-sign and house names. Take on a hill climb. A short sharp burst of energy is a good way to get warmed up on cold winter days. Across Mendip there are plenty of hills to choose from varying in length and difficulty – and it’s proved to be a breeding ground for success. The
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women’s team from Bristol South Cycling Club recently triumphed by winning the team prize at the 2021 National Hill Climb Championships. It is the club’s first national team prize for 60 years and for the team probably the best Christmas present they could have hoped for. A Boxing Day ride. Work off the excesses from Christmas and get a blast of fresh air with a morning spin along quiet roads. The chances are that you will spot other cyclists wearing or using a new piece of kit from a Christmas present – maybe even a new bike. Try a different type of riding. Maybe you enjoy the comfort of the road or are a downhill specialist who prefers the dirt and mud to Tarmac? How about putting those prejudices aside and taking a ride on the dark side to see how the other half live. And finally.... just enjoy a normal bike ride. Using two wheels rather than four is better for the environment and just as importantly improves your health and wellbeing. And if there is a mince pie left when you get home it will be well deserved. Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas.
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DECEMBER CROSSWORD SOLUTION
ACROSS: 5 & 8. Buckland Dinham 10. Beetle 11. Elephant 12. Crownprinces 15. Bend 17. Orton 18. Yawn 19. Unfrequented 22. Continuo 24. Roller 25. Peanut 26. Leninism. DOWN: 1. Skitow 2. Waterproof 3. Idle 4. Onthesly 6. Unearned 7. Dyedinthewool 9. Acne 13. Concurrent 14. Tweezers 16. Doulting 20. Nyland 21. Tone 23. Nuts
