Winter so fewer miles, finished term at King's; started Christmas postal work

349 miles

Wed Dec 1st 9 miles held a committee meeting at Tony Standing’s house. We discussed the club dinner and the forthcoming club AGM which will be held at Nell’s café [Northwood] on January 24th. I am to organise an inter-club social (with the South Ruislip) which we hope to hold in the New Year.

Sat Dec 4th 11 miles Went up to Gordon’s in the morning. My frame is in – and it looks like new! I bought a ‘flat hat’ and then went dancing in the evening. A nice day but a very cold wind.

Sun Dec 5th 73 miles Out on the club run with elevenses in Esher, lunch in Leatherhead and tea in Staines. It was a nice sunny day, although cold in the morning. We went down through Hampton Court and back through Stoke D’Abernon and Chertsey.

Mon Dec 6th 10 miles Club night. I had made a mistake with the cost of the WLCA social tickets, so had to collect another 1/- from each member! A cold night. Alan Beere goes into the Army on Thursday.

Tues Dec 7th I went to a meeting of the London University Cycling Club in Woburn Square. Apparently we have withdrawn from the BUCU (British Universities’ Cycling Union) [I have no idea why!].

December 15th onward Finished College on the 15th and then started temporary work at the Post Office, delivering the Christmas mail. About 14 miles each day!

Sun Dec 19th 54 miles Out on the club run to Hemel Hempstead and Chesham. We left Northwood at about 9.30 a.m., out through Watford to Hemel Hempstead for elevenses. We then pushed on almost to Tring before turning into the lanes to Wiggington and thence to Chesham. Had a beer and beat the ‘locals’ at darts. We came home for tea. Met Tony Standing and Brian Huggins at “The Case is Altered” in the evening. A nice warm day for a change!

Mon Dec 20th 24 miles An exceptionally heavy post today. Went up to the club rooms in the evening; played darts but lost. Collected money for Wednesday’s social.

Wed Dec 22nd Over to the South Ruislip’s club rooms for the inter-club social. It was very enjoyable but I had to leave early because I have to get up at 4.15 a.m. to deliver the Christmas post.

Sun Dec 26th 12 miles Got out for a short ride today with Brian Huggins and Roger Bingham, round to Tony Standing’s and then on to “The Plough” in Ruislip. There was a very heavy postal delivery on Friday and Christmas Day.

Tues Dec 28th 8 miles Went up to Gordon Prangley’s in the morning to spend some of my Christmas earnings at the Post Office on bits for my bike.

Wed Dec 29th 20 miles Up to Pinner in the morning and then over to Roger Bingham’s. We went to the pictures in the afternoon. I rode over to Wembley to my sister’s later, and then held a committee meeting at Brian Hamer’s; an interesting meeting.

Thurs Dec 30th 5 miles Cycled up to Ruislip in the morning and then spent the rest of the day at home. It has been very warm and dry for a fortnight – but is now getting colder.

Fri Dec 31st 5 miles The last day of 1954.Went up to town with Brian Huggins in the evening.

Total mileage for 1954 – 9,108 miles