Captain Mainwaring and the Crew

Back in the 1970s there was a popular TV comedy called Dad's Army. Every week we would chuckle at the inept exploits of the bumbling and pompous Captain Mainwaring and his motley assortment of geriatric Home Guard volunteers as they tried to prepare Walmington on Sea for the imminent German invasion.

Little did I know then that, fifty years later, I would find myself in the role of the doddering Captain, trying to get my floundering peloton of ageing cyclists prepared for an epic ride across France, I have been doing these sorts of rides for the past 20 years, but it seems that with every passing year, my team find new ways to injure themselves before the ride even starts.
Over the past few years we have had three women who broke their femurs, two in the shower (but not at the same time) and one on an escalator. Others have caught various illnesses, including shingles, Covid and assorted others too horrible to mention. It would appear that riding a bike is actually the safest activity we can engage in. Much more dangerous are common activities like showering, sightseeing or shopping.

Although we haven't had any broken limbs this year, we have had several "preliminary complaints", including blood clots and pulled muscles. We have even had a manic ruler in the White House who did his very best to start World War III. What else could possibly go wrong?

At least I am feeling relatively well, considering my great age. Most of my arms and legs are working, and I can still (sometimes) remember what day of the week it is. In nine weeks time I plan to be in Paris, with what's left of my cycling team. I sincerely hope we have no more dramas before that date,

I read in the news today that France is suffering an extreme heat wave. That is becoming more and more common in Europe with each passing year. They have even taken the extreme step of banning alcohol consumption in all the worst heat affected areas. They may have a hard time enforcing that one. Temperatures across much of France will be exceeding 40C today. That is pretty extreme at any time, but today is the FIRST day of the European summer ! I hope it cools down a lot by the time we arrive.Read more