Still freezing outside, I don't think the mercury has risen above zero for over a week. The roads are icy and I haven't been out on the bike for about 10 days. I also feel like I've got a cold coming.
Have ordered some DIY cards so I can get in some decent rides and points over the Christmas period. The first trip will be a 200km to the in-laws so am busy planning the route. Viamichelin puts it in at 212 so that should be OK and it seems virtually a straight line.
I have also gone through the AUK calendar numerous times and logged all the PBP qualifiers close to me on a photocopy of my work diary year planner page so I can see it all at once. There are several 100kms in January and February, plus a CTC sportive in Dorchester at the end of February. Then the qualifying campaign kicks off in March with the Mad March Coasts and Quantocks 200, Denmead 200, Barrys Ball Buster 200 and Nutty Nuns 200 on 3 April (not a PBP qualifier but should have finished one by then. Otherwise not much chance of getting to the French ride).
Then in April there's the Denmead 300 on Saturday 9th followed by Dorset Coast 200 on Sunday 10th. Hope to do them both. Honiton 200 the next weekend then either West Stafford 300 or Coryton 400. Then Chepstow 400 if I want another trip to Wales, Honiton and Lymington 300 on consecutive days (will pick one) then a choice between Brian Chapman Memorial and Denmead 400. Have heard the former is quite hard. At the end of May it's the Kernow and South West 600 if the first attempt goes wrong.
So there we have it, all planned out. Just got to enter them now.
