Janus, as our more knowledgeable readers will know, is not the surname of a man named Hugh with an oversized rectum. In fact, he’s the two-faced Roman god of portals or doors with one face looking forward and the other looking back, from which derives the name of the first month of the year. January.
As is traditional, it’s the time of year to look back at our escapades over the past year, the highs, the lows, the tears, the laughter before shrugging off the tawdry rags of 2009 and slipping into a sharper, better fitting suit for 2010. Or, in AndyC’s case, a mossy look derived from the colours of the forest floor more closely resembling the Green Man of ancient folklore. A man’s gotta match his bike…
I’ll cover 2009 and 2010 in separate posts over the next couple of days. For now, what I really wanted to do is say ‘Happy New Year’ to all our riders and readers. Thanks to you, the Moles have had a great year quite at odds with the winds of recession that have blown round us all in 2009.
We’ve had writing contributions from DaveC, Jem, Jez, AndyC, Barrie, Colin, Tony, Lee, MarkJ, Cathie and AndyW who have all added their unique voices to this site. Monthly visitor traffic is very healthy and has grown over three times from 2008, largely as a result.
It’s not only our writers that have helped though but also the increasing number of people who have all taken the trouble to add their thoughts and perspective to what we’ve come up with. Again, huge thanks to our readers and commenters.
As always, we have plans for further improvements over the coming year which I’ll save for now. For a website which started with a trio of riders on a whim the thing seems to have taken on a life of its’ own and we fully plan to keep the momentum going.
All that said, we are at heart a bunch that just love to get out in the Surrey Hills. And, it seems, so do you. I reckon we’ve probably had around 50 different riders join us at various times over the course of 2009 and we hope we’ve been able to show you some decent riding. Looking around a ride group these days and seeing a bunch of folks who have largely met via the internet sounds like cause for concern but we’ve ended up meeting people from different professions and backgrounds as a result. Thanks to you all.
2009 has been a blast. Roll on 2010.
Andy C says:
Green Man, often seen as a fertility figure. Something I’m sure most women would agree with on making my acquaintance (but sadly, only in my dreams).
I have to confess to purchasing a green Salsa seat clamp today, the same anodised green as my Chris King hubs. Did I mention I have Chris King hubs?
I am also tempted by the bargain (?) £60, 661 full-face helmet in, you guessed it, greenish hues, for the mini downhill race I intend to enter sometime this year. Fragile and ancient bones permitting.
Keep up the good work Matt.
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Posted on January 5, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Andy661 says:
Nothing wrong with a bit of 661 action…
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Posted on January 5, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Andy C says:
I might need that body armour too, how much to hire for the w/e?
I did check out the 2009 full body armour set in CRC reduced to £70. Trouble is I will need to get an 8″ travel bike to go with it!
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Posted on January 5, 2010 at 10:43 pm
James says:
looks like a white night ride, I am up for it, if its not to bad to get to Dorking from Kingston.
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Posted on January 5, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Andy661 says:
You can just picture the online shopping basket.
661 Pressure Suit – £70
Other shoppers have bought:
Specialized Carbon Epic Expert – £3999
lol
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Posted on January 6, 2010 at 8:34 am
Andyw says:
I’m entered into the Feb 661 mini Dh race.
Will also be organising some DH practice sessions if you anyone wants to join in.
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Posted on January 6, 2010 at 9:27 am
Andy C says:
Is that the 28th Feb event? That was the one I was thinking of, as I’m in Wales that w/e anyway for the Wales v France game which is in Cardiff on the Friday night.
Let me know when you are thinking of some practise session, I’d be keen to have a go as I ought to try and work out what it’s all about.
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Posted on January 6, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Erick says:
I’m up for some downhill action too.
Speaking of 661 helmets, I’m trying to convince myself that I need a new one:
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/661-recon-xc-item154026.html
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Posted on January 6, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Andy C says:
Have you just bought the last one, Erick? It’s showing as ‘out of stock’ now.
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Posted on January 7, 2010 at 10:46 pm