Grain of Sand

I have returned to the Hillingdon (Imperial) Winter Series this year after a 3 year hiatus. Taking place over the grim months of December, January, and February, it makes the pros racing the Tour Down under look pretty damn lackadaisical. Bear in mind, I did miss all of last season due to a knee injury, so my enthusiasm to race is far larger than most roadies. Still not as large as Jake Martin though (www.bikejake.wordpress.com), who seems to have done every circuit race in the south from October to February and still acts like an excited school girl at the start line. My first winter series was quite memorable for me. It was my first winter racing in the UK, and I had recently joined Twickenham CC. My two cycling ' compadres ' at the time were Jamie Atkins and Ollie Newlan . Jamie was a swimmer, cyclist, and budding wordsmith who is now studying politics (or history?) at Aberdeen. Ollie was a scrum half turned cyclist, and has recently returned to cycling and will spend next...