Happy New Year!!!

Well, that's 2012 (nearly) out of the way and so we look forward to what 2013 has to bring. One thing's for sure (especially for those of us living in London), 2012 will be very hard to beat. Virtually all summer long, London was the centre of the world's attention and despite the downbeat predictions I made at this time last year, I have to admit that we as a city coped brilliantly with the Olympics. In fact, against all expectations, it was an absolute dream getting around London. There was no gridlock on the roads, the transport system didn't keel over and at times Central London seemed largely deserted. Clearly, the government did such a good job with their doom-laded messages that it seems many people simply took August off! If only it could  be like that all the time.... And our athletes delivered - all in all, it was a very un-British display of organisation and excellence!

On the downside, I didn't do nearly enough biking this year. Despite plans being laid, there were no big trips and the weather put paid to a lot of riding here at home. It is also fair to say that this had an effect on this blog. I'm not really one for New Year's Resolutions but the message for 2013 is very much "must do better". More riding and more writing is the order of the day over the next twelve months.

As a start, plans are emerging for a return to the roads of France - in particular, the Route Napoleon and Gorges Du Verdon, down in deepest south of France (close to Nice), which have been suggested by biker pal Steve. I'm not familiar with these myself but am reliably informed that these should be on every bikers' bucket list. And I have to say that it does indeed look promising....! (click on the pic below)

The so-called "Grand Canyon of Europe"

So that's something to look forward to in probably April time.

Aside from that, having spent Christmas up with family on Anglesey, we have to do last year's aborted trip to Wales this year. The roads up there are just brilliant (as long as the weather is ok....)

That's all to come (and more besides, hopefully), but for now I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all of you who bother to read this blog a happy and successful new year. Most of all, keep the rubber on the road and stay safe - there are a lot of idiots out there!