OLYMPIC gold medallist Geraint Thomas found an energetic way to recover from his efforts in the Tour de France.
Thomas, who struck gold in Beijing in 2008, cycled from Cardiff to Denbigh Cricket Club in just one day to raise funds for Alzheimers Research UK and the Stroke Association, in memory of former Denbigh Cricket Club president Glyn Thomas, who passed away earlier in the year.
Switching to hockey and in January, Ruthin Ladies booked their spot in the final of the Welsh Shield.
The nerveless Vale side saw off last-four opponents Rhondda on penalty flicks.
Celebrations too in March as Denbigh made sure of back-to-back promotions in the North West Hockey League.
A year after claiming the Division 10 (South) title, Denbigh repeated the trick to claim the Division Nine (South) championship thanks to a thumping 7-1 win at Neston South Wirral.
In the process, Denbigh topped 100 goals for the season.
The success continued in April when Ruthin Ladies defeated the Whitchurch Saints to lift the prestigious Welsh Shield.
Fflur Iorwerth and Zoe Williams scored as the final ended 2-2.
Sally Conyers and Nia Hughes then converted to give Ruthin the crown 2-1 on penalty strokes.
Turning to the new campaign and Denbigh have made a seamless step-up to competing at Division Eight (South) level in the North West League.
They opened the season in stunning fashion with a 9-0 thrashing of Bebington, with Ed Moore netting a hat-trick.
An even bigger success followed as Denbigh romped to an 11-0 victory at North Wales rivals Wrexham Glyndwr
It’s also been a goal-den season so far for Ruthin Ladies.
They romped to a magnificent 7-0 win over Caernarfon to go through to the quarter-finals of the North Wales Hockey League Cup, while they remained top of the Division One standings courtesy of a 3-0 November win over Welshpool.
Denbigh maintained their unbeaten start to the league campaign with an 8-1 thumping of old foes Llandudno 2nds.
December saw Denbigh play their biggest game of the season yet... and they came through the major test with flying colours.
Leaders Timperley and second-placed Denbigh went into their meeting with both sides boasting 100 per cent winning records, but it was Denbigh who stretched their run with a 2-0 home win thanks to strikes from Ed Moore and Rob Richards.
The North Walians then concluded a superb 2011 with a 9-0 stroll at Stockport Bramhall in their next match.