no, its not the best of weeks for sure.

This morning i found out that my best mate died on Monday, news which has knocked me for six. He wasn't old but has suffered with Arrhythmia over the last ten years, its not yet confirmed but its thought he suffered a huge heart attack. We met through cycling, we were both in the same club, we clicked and so started a friendship that has lasted nigh on forty years. We'd talk about bikes, cars, computers, the kids, we travelled around the country to races and indeed raced together quite succesfully on tandem. I always felt like one of the family, always welcomed, included in family events, if i needed help with stuff he'd be there, his passing really does leave a hole in my world.

In recent years, more so since my move south, we've seen each other less but whenever i was in Sheffield we'd meet and chew the cud, eat with the family, the last time, back in the summer, we even went for a ride. I'm glad we did, it had been too long and we relived some of our youthful exploits just for a day, a shared camaraderie that has been missing from my life for far too long. At the weekend i was starting to plan my December trip to Steel City, i'd go to his for a meal, exchange our often daft gifts, maybe this year, go for another ride. Instead i'm looking at an unscheduled trip to a funeral.

I was going to tell you about taking one of my bike frames to be fettled, how yesterdays ride into Wales remained dry, the progress i've made writing but the news today has knocked me for six. Instead i'm a bit of a wreck, the tears keep coming and no amount of tea will change that. Hopefully normal service will be resumed later.

Tschuss,
Madeline Anafrid