Défi, in French, means a challenge, and you will apprecaite that it is a source of our modern English word ‘defy’. On Sunday 12 January, twelve West London Cyclonauts took up the challenge and defied the weather forcasts by taking to the roads for our Sunday Ride. They were well rewarded with an unexpectedly pleasant ride and a brilliant return to the Rusty Bike Cafe at the end (it has recently reopened on Sundays).

Taking the weather forecasts at their word, we had moved the start time to 10.30am and taken roads vulnerable to ice out of the route. Nevertheless the temperature didn’t drop quite as fast as predicted, and it was a tight call to go ahead, but we did and it proved to be a good decision as we encountered no ice and didn’t feel as cold as we have on recent rides in the rain. Great to see the Rusty Bike Cafe in Uxbridge back open on Sundays too.

And whilst discussing etymology; is it a coincidence that the French word for ‘twelve’ is ‘douze’ which sounds a bit like a ‘dozen’ do you think?

Le Défi Dozen Gallery: