Confused ?

Feb 1st 2012

2012-02-01T19:49:00.002Z

17 stone 8lbs - thats 9lbs dropped since early Jan.

Aimng for 600 miles in Feb, with less food and no alcohol.

Today, early start to work on the fat bike, along the canal, up the river and across the moss, 8 miles, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Merlin, 1 Buzzard, 1 Heron.

Tonight, across the moss, up the trans pennine, back to the moss, round the back, along the river to home, 14 miles, too dark to see any birds.

22 miles total today, legs heavy due to the draggy fat tyres, cold and icy, not much mud, more again tomorrow.

22

January - 18 stone and 3 lbs

2012-01-17T20:23:00.003Z

Fat bloke rides fatbike.

Thats just about the heaviest I've ever been, 4 stone heavier than when I last raced properly.

Not drank any alcohol so far this month, eating sensibley, starting to exercise again, mix of commutes, some gym work (which I hate with a passion) and starting last weekend some decent rides, 2 full days of beach riding over the weekend, hopefully a road day this coming Saturday and another beach ride on Sunday.

Feb will be spent on the cross bike, going to set my self a target of 600 miles for Feb.

Jan 4th 2012

2012-01-04T17:32:00.004Z

30in30 was planned for January, didnt happen for various reasons, life has a way of throwing you sometimes...

One good thing I have stuck to though is not drinking since new years eve, 4 days in and already I'm feeling the benefits

Anyway, I've not felt much like riding so decided to go to the gym at work tonight, now I know from bitter experience that diving in and mashing yourself is dumb, I'm older now and slitghtly less dumb so 15 gentle minutes was all I intended to do.

10 minutes jogging on the running machine and 5 minutes rowing, it was enough, I felt my right calf muscle tightening when I upped the speed and gradient so backed straight off, and my belly was getting in the way whilst rowing :-(.

So, its started, tomorrows weather looks better so I'll ride to work, might even weigh myself in the morning, prepare for a shock (thats me not you)

A month on from the last blog post and still nothing interesting to say.

2011-12-16T21:12:00.006Z

pretty much nowt has happened

a few rides, lots of commutes

but a ride along a beach made me stop and think about how I want to ride my bike

and of course the swans are back ( I might have said this already)

so....

plans are hatching once again (if nothing else I'm good at making plans, sticking to them is a different matter)

next Wednesday I'm planning to ride throughout all of the daylight hours (its the shortest day), starting in the dark, and ending in the dark, also seeing the sea under my own steam, no substantive reason to do this other than it seems like I'm putting down a marker for my future, I intend to try and do things based around the changing of the seasons, changing of the tides, changing of the whatever !.

This idea has come around after a number of years of thought, but mostly due to the excitement I feel when the swans return, combining my riding with such things makes sense right now.

its been over 2 months...

2011-11-10T16:48:00.004Z

since vanity kicked in, but kicked in it has...

2 months after turning 50 years of age I think I "may" have come to terms with it, there's been one or two reality checks of late that have given me some perspective

So, Barcelona was wonderful, 3 nights is not long enough, we saw most of the city using the open top tourist buses, a great way to grab the geography of the place, took lots of snaps and ate lots of food, a grand way to become 50.

Family party and friends party also helped ease the trauma.

Bike wise, well its been a bit on and off really, my back finally gave in a few weeks ago and this meant a few days in bed, I'd already started my Pilates type exercises and this was helping, all seems fine now but I'm shy of really riding too much, been keeping it down at a low level for now.

Fat bikes, in case you hadn't noticed I'm a convert, so much so that I now own a Salsa Mukluk thanks to my good friend and bike pimp/pusher Tim Johnson, since getting it a few weeks back its all I've ridden.

This last week I've started commuting again, its my favourite time to commute because coming home in the dark means a free night ride every night, the search for fitness begins once again.

And, another winter of swans begins

Along with some other bits and bobs of sadness came this,

Chris Mearns died.

57 years old, riding his bike with another good friend, out of the blue.

what happened next ?

2011-09-02T15:58:00.004+01:00

Weds and nothing, my back was not in good shape so the day was spent sorting out phone and computer issues and photographing reflections in the city centre whilst waiting for the computer to get fixed.

Thursday and nothing, more time wasted working on the computer, back not too bad.

Friday and no riding, visit to the museum was good though.

Saturday, just an hour in the morning on the cross bike.

Sunday, sposed to ride to the seaside here today, I didn't.

Monday, nowt....

Tuesday, rode to work on the fat bike, 22 miles, no back pain.

Wednesday, rode to work on the fat bike with my sleeping bag, sleeping mat and bivvy bag strapped to the bike, all seemed to work well, no swingage. Jandd frame bag ordered now, that should take care of the stove and food, also hoping to be able to put spare tubes and tools in that and that just leaves the Ortlieb dry saddle bag to fit for extra clothing.

In theory that means just water for food to go into frame mounted water bottles, drinking water and bit and bobs in a rucsac on my back and I'm good to go.

26 mies today

Thursday, The day started cool and damp, autumn is here early.

But then ended with 33 fat and dusty miles on the fat bike, in sunshine and warmth, I also saw an albino Swallow today, first time I've ever seen one.

Friday, nowt, legs tired, and the bike I pulled out of the cellar last night had a front wheel puncture this morning.

So, 500 miles ?, nope, about 250 was all...... but I did enjoy those miles :-)

mid week check in

2011-08-23T21:36:00.002+01:00

So, the weekend at the caravan came and went, weather was mixed but I did get out on each day...

Friday, my back was playing up after a night on a strange bed, just got out for a few hours along the coastal path on the fat bike, unfortunately the beach was too wet to ride on, must have been a high tide the night before - 12 miles - 2 hours.

Saturday and feeling better, I headed along the coast in a northerly direction, a few tiresome miles along the road to the coastal path and then dirt all the way, heavy going on the sand as it was very soft but I persevered, a full fat bike would be a better option., I eventually got to Sunderland Point (after a pint and a burger) and rode along the point, again the sand was way too soft so I turned back for home. Got to about 6 miles from home and the sky started to leak heavily, thoroughly soaked to the skin - 45 miles - 6 hours.

Sunday, Singular Kite single cross bike, wasn't feeling too perky after yesterdays soaking but got out anyway, up along the Glasson Dock path to Lancaster and back - 31 miles - 2 hours.

Monday, tried to persuade the boy to do Saturdays ride but I knew he wasn't keen so decided to drive to the dirt and skip the tedious road miles, we got to Sunderland Point, this time I'd brough my camera so spent a happy hour shooting the derelict boats whilst Jack played on his phone ! - 33 miles - 4 hours.

Tuesday, early start on local trails to beat the rain, upto Latchford then back down to Northendon, again enjoying the Singular Kite single cross bike, currently my favourite bike, back still painful but bearable - 40 miles - 3 hours.

161 miles so far, only 339 to go by next Tuesday :-)

500 miles in no particular order

2011-08-16T18:21:00.004+01:00

Done quite a bit of riding since that last post, even done some longish 75 mile plus rides, but on one of them I hit a tree and twisted my back, didn't think much of it at the time but its been paining me since.

SITS was fun but I knew before I got there that I wasn't going to be racing, did my 1st lap at a sedate pace and then the rain came down, bringing back memories of 2007, our team didn't take much persuasion to hit the beer and relax through the night even though the course was drying.

Getting up at 6 to a glorious sunrise and I took the first lap, tried a bit on this one and enjoyed it but my back was paining me so that was it for me, the others all got out and finished the event in style, it was a good weekend but I've no desire to race for 24 hours again at the moment.

Last two weeks have seen little enthusiasm for riding, just commutes with the odd extension thrown in, last weekend saw me out on the road bike, snapped chain, snapped spoke evaporated that ride, Sunday was better, Trek 69er on dusty trails right until the end when the sky started leaking heavily.

Monday's ride was on the Kite, surprisingly dusty trails again, about 30 miles, today was a straight there and back affair, a run in with a Galaxy was enough to dampen my enthusiasm tonight.

So, I have a ten day break from work starting on Friday, we have plans for the weekends, this weekend at the caravan so I'll be taking the fat bike and exploring around Silverdale/Arneside and a couple of road rides, mid week 3 long rides, next weekend in Anglsey with the fat bike again (hopefully).

500 miles is my target, 500 enjoyable pain free miles.

100 miles

2011-07-10T19:07:00.003+01:00

as predicted being on call tempered my enthusiasm for riding, Monday was a car journey to work to take in supplies, Tuesday was a mountain bike ride, 29 miles of dusty durt, and then it rained, Wednesday was road bike day, but just a quick 27 miles, Thurs and Fri were straight there and backs, another 20 miles.

Saturday morning and my thoughts of a weekend 100 were dispelled by the rain, so I got out the mudguarded Croix de Fer and knocked out a sharpish 37 miles, just over two hours, quite happy with that.

Sunday, and again the rain put a dampner on my idea of riding to Delamere, I was hoping for 70 miles today, instead I got maybe 15, but it was around the forest, in the woods in the rain, showing Barney around (its about 15 years since he was last here).

So, 138 miles for the week, not as much as needed but enough to keep me happy till next week.

BTW, the photo has no hidden meaning, I just like it :-)

up da te

2011-07-03T20:35:00.003+01:00

Skye

Skye was a big success we had a really nice time

lots of photos taken

a couple of decent rides

a couple of boat trips

all good

1600 miles travelled

phew !

185 miles ridden this last week, back on track now

at least as much next week needed, although being on call might temper that

could always do a Sunday 108 again, thats up and down the river rune 4 times for those who know it

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

2011-06-12T16:41:00.001+01:00

25 single speed miles on Friday topped out the week at just over 140 miles.

Saturday saw me and Jack at the Bespoked Bristol hand made bike show, lovely stuff on show, you need to go next year.

Sunday was a wash out, little motivation to ride and even less so when the rain came in, so I didn't.

Was hoping for 3 big days this week before we go to Skye on Friday, however, that may not happen due to a few issues at work but we'll see.

Thursday

2011-06-09T22:17:00.004+01:00

Long day at work meant missing a Delamere ride with Tim and Nick, so went out for an hour and a half on the road (croix de fer which is every bit as good as I'd hoped it would be) 23 miles, just spinning, keeping this side of the red line.

2 bottles of beer and a bottle of red (soon to be finished), Salmon, Jersey Royals and Asparagus, on top of a salad day.

starting to feel the benefits on my waistline at last

Hopefully 60 miles tomorrow, day off on Sat (photographing Bespoked Bristol) and then a 100 miles on Sunday - should give me a 275 mile week

we'll see how that goes.........

EDIT - doh, got my sums wrong

meat to sat 40 tomorrow and 60 on Sunday giving me a 200 miles week

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

2011-06-08T19:48:00.002+01:00

Monday - road bike, 42 miles, moderate to hard, a few hill reps but they are still hurting a lot.

Tuesday - road bike, 28 miles, easy, empty legs, just spinning along at 16mph

Wednesday - big blue IF - 23 miles on dirt, easy as legs still empty, pushed into the wind for a bit but stopped when it started to hurt.

Tired now, drinking hasn't helped, thats stopped tonight.

A missed wedding

2011-06-05T18:50:00.004+01:00

circumstances changed which meant that we didn't get to London for Raouls wedding.

however, the sun came out so after making sure the sick were okay I headed out for a ride, mix of road and off road, local trails full of dust

42 miles takes the week up to just short of 150, more than planned but the weather was too good to miss, taking plent of water on board meant that I finished feeling strong, not K100 strong but 2 weeks into a 3 month training plan and I'm feeling okay.

Friday

2011-06-03T19:26:00.002+01:00

27c today, wonderful, dry trails, riding the 69er, I think that if I had to make a choice this would be the bike I would keep above all others, it just goes...

another 30 miles day completing the plan for another 100 plus week, need to concentrate on the non drinking next week

Weds and Thurs

2011-06-02T22:13:00.002+01:00

Weds - 30m miles of transpenine trail on the bike of rightousness, out for dinner with Jan, a good day.

Thurs - another 25 miles of rightousness, this time with a throbbing headache after a difficult day at work, early to bed for an early start tomorrow, he early rides start in earnest next week.

Another 100 mile week this week should have laid the foundation for a 200 mile week next week.

26 miles today

2011-05-31T19:02:00.002+01:00

legs felt okay

broke a spoke on the rear wheel whilst sprinting up hill :-0

turned home with the wind

diet okay today

bowl of bran flakes

2 bananas

2 cheese butties (getting rid of stocks)

2 apples

lots of water

chicken and rice tonight

last of the beer in the house

spoke replaced

Trek 69er recovered from the cellar and fettled, if its dry tomorrow I'll go off road, if its wet I'll go on the road

might weigh myself tomorrow

More targets to aim for

2011-05-30T19:35:00.002+01:00

Keilder 100, one week before I'm 50.

Lose 3 stone.

Sort out the drinking.

Tell my wife I love her every day.

Be a better person to my family.

Stop being a moody fucker.

Ride the ride of pork with my head up.

Start Again

2011-05-15T18:55:00.003+01:00

still suffering from some sort of allergy thing affecting my breathing, still drinking too much and not riding enough, 12 hours of exposure turned into 48 hours of sleeplessness helping out instead of riding, in some ways this was harder than riding but a lot more fun, gave me time to catch p with friends and do some snapping.

Rode my Croix de Fer yesterday, was hoping to get to Delamere but wind and rain and tired legs curtailed that to just 25 miles, today headed to Hebden for a social ride that involved more coffee and chatting than riding but was still a good day out, bizzarely my legs felt fine on the climbs.

Road bike week looming, hopefully alcohol free.

Someone died

2011-05-10T21:49:00.002+01:00

A cyclist died yesterday, I didn't know who he was, I've never met him or even know anyone who knew him

It has upset me far more than it has any right too

I don't understand my reaction to this, people die everyday, cyclists die everyday

maybe because I was discussing his race team with a friend just a day ago and she was explaining how it worked and the process's they went through to put the team together, maybe its because I can understand the anguish his family and friends must be going through right now

maybe its because I can appreciate and understand (but never experience) the sacrifices he has made to get himself to where he was in the world of bike racing and ultimately this cost him his life

maybe its the fact that I just spent a weekend witnessing people on bikes pushing themselves way beyond anything that they ever thought was possible and come out the other end smiling for no good reason other than to feel alive

whatever the reason, a young man lost his life yesterday, yet another reminder that we are so fragile and we should (but rarely do) celebrate and make count every day

today I rode a short distance, it felt good, tomorrow a bit further.....

make every day count

2 month catch up

2011-05-02T18:28:00.004+01:00

ok, whats been happening ?

erm

March, lets think

road rides, mountainbike rides

road rides down south, art fag stuff, lots of drunken chat, meeting nice new people, feeling stronger on the bike

April ?

road rides up north, mountainbike rides in the locale, a bad cold, I mean really bad that got on my chest, the return of hayfever as the sap starts to rise and the trails dry out (happens every spring), a long holiday from work hat has involved gardening, riding, walking, laughing, eating, drinking and lots and lots of lovely sunshine leading to bike riders tan lines, all leading to an attempt at the 12 hour solo championships, well at least riding around for 12 hours.

oh yeah, fat bikes, I've bought two Surly Karate Monkeys with fat front ends and semi fat rear ends, frunning 26 inch wheels in these monkeys allows for a fat 3 inch tyre, me and the boy have been on a few rides now, the 32x20 gear is very very spinny on the flat but perfect for on the beach, looking forward to getting to Skye for a week of exploring the coast line, first of many I hope :-)

Thats pretty much it, no major dramas or depressions to report, mostly happy :-)

Prepare to fail or fail to prepare

2011-03-01T19:23:00.003Z

ok, I failed but I didn't deserve this...

Sat came and went, no ride

Sunday came and boy did we ride, me, Jack, Tim, Nick, Rob and Jeff

Teggs Nose, peaks epic light, all the best bits of the foothills of the peaks, gettng lost, finding new trails, lots and lots of climbing and descending, all good

but then a comedy fall for me, it went like this...

last climb of the day, back up the cobbled footpath to Teggs Nose car park, always was a challenge even 20 yeras ago when I was fit, getting to the gate 4/5s of the way up was a challenge, going beyond the gate to the rocky steppy section was an achievement to boast about

today I got within sight of the gate, pleased with my self that I had done it, pleased that I was about to stop and use the opening of the gate to get my breath back and tuck my lungs back into my chest, remove my heart from somewhere near my ears and get my breath back before the others arrived

but, I didn't factor in the couple of walkers, he saw me struggling and ran to the gate to open it for me, I smiled weakly and mentally braced myself for the challenge ahead, just needed to lift the front wheel over this small step to get through the gate

Bang

chain snapped

I looked up to see the chap shocked at the noise and my immediate reversal back down the hill (bearing in mind its about one in four at this point) accelerating backwards I was most pleased to have the presence of mind to not apply the back brake, that would have been disastrous

Applying the front brake didn't slow me down at all, so I bailed to my right and took the inevitable crash on the chin, or in fact in this case in the ribs, the bars swung round and caught my right hand side, I knew immediately that this was gonna hurt but was laughing so much at the absurdity, meanwhile the chap had run after me, he was also laughing and helped me up, he was also apologising as he realised that this was totally his fault, and we both laughed and went on our respective ways.

In the car I knew, it didn't hurt that much but past experience told me that 2 days later I would be in agony, and so I was, luckily on this occasion I managed to involuntarily push something "back in" whilst tossing and turning in bed and so it isn't now as bad as it could have been, still sore and ten days later I've still not ridden but will do tomorrow.

so where was the failure ?, well this same chain had snapped 2 weeks ago, I fixed it out on the trail and promptly forgot about it, a failure to prepare :-0

Fail ?

2011-02-18T20:52:00.002Z

30in30 - day 5, a big day, an hour and a half in the cold cold morning, misty, claggy mizzle, and then another hour and a half in the evening, warm sun, clear skies, going cool, but just lovely - got home full of endorphins, very happy and pleased with a good day.

30in30 - day 6, up early but legs not playing, straight to work, bout 30 mins, hoping that a days rest will see some life appear, a few difficult issues at work drained me, I'm out of shape where work issues are concerned, one particular issue has been plaguing me for a week or so now and this all conspired to suck my desire to ride right out.

So, I headed straight home, legs heavy, heart heavy, no inspiration, not looking forward to the weekend as a failure....

but then this happened

http://www.allhailtheblackmarket.com/2011/02/friday_target_blank_12.html#more

just watch this video with the kid in it and tell me that doen't make you smile and brighten any day up :-)

Drying trails ?

2011-02-16T17:52:00.003Z

30in30 - day 3 - one and a half hours on local trails this morning, pretty slithery out there, trailrakers helped a lot in the skills area (i:e not watching where I was going leaning into a corner), legs suffered like hell though with a low spinny gear. Straight home after work.

30in30 - day 4 - 30 mins commute this morning meant an hour on the way home, legs still heavy, I'm obviously tired now and the thought of jacking 30in30 in occurred to me several times during the day but...

Out I went, turned right and headed for the trans pennine trail and westwards to do my hour, after 30 minutes or so my legs livened up a tough so I pressed on for while until I realised I had the wind on my back !, turned around and boom, legs suddenly got heavy again.

An hour and twenty minutes, job done, legs still missing in action.

30in30x2 ?, No its 30in30

2011-02-14T18:57:00.003Z

Daft idea

but then I'm full of daft ideas

Change of plan back to 30in30

30in30 - day 1

started yesterday (Sunday) with a couple of hours around Norland Moor and that locale, it was wet and muddy and slippy and slithery and slidey and bloody good fun, made all the better for seeing and riding with a friend that I haven't seen for about 5 years.

30in30 - day 2

Then tonight, my legs and in fact my whole body was lethargic and not interested, it would have been so easy to just ride straight home, but I'm pretty determined to lose weight and get fit again this year so off I went, away from home..

Just over an hour done and happy that I'd done it.

30in30X2

2011-02-09T22:52:00.006Z

On reflection I enjoyed 30in30, sometimes it was difficult, and sometimes I was doing it for the sake of doing it... but overall I enjoyed it.

However, the best part has been the benefits to my health and attitude that 30in30 brought, I'm over a stone lighter, I'm fitter than I've been for two years, I'm loving riding my bike again having broken that barrier of pain versus enjoyment, and of most importance it helped me enormously in my battle against alcohol.

The fitness benefits hit home yesterday, I rode for an hour in the morning, and then in the afternoon I rode hard for almost three and a half hours, it hurt like hell, but I loved it, relishing the twitchy legs that prevented me from sleeping soundly last night.

Now the term battle may sound dramatic, it almost certainly is compared to some people, but I do have an issue with alcohol, its not news, in fact whilst writing this I have consumed 3 bottles of beer and most of a bottle of red wine, there's another bottle of beer that I will drink after writing this so that there is nothing in the house (well nothing thats immediately available) which will help me go for another month of abstinence.

At new year I said that I'm ready to stop drinking, I shied away from saying forever because I didn't think I could do it, to be honest I still don't think I can, but I'm going to try anyway.

After 30in30 I had a drink to celebrate, then a few nights later again which meant two nights last week, then this week I've drank on Monday, Tuesday and tonight, I'm falling headlong into my old ways... its not going to happen again.

So what is 30in30X2 ?, well I figure that I can do either one 2 hour ride per day, or two 1 hour rides per day for 30 days, apart from the gym bike days I pretty well did this anyway during 30in30, I can ride for an hour before work, and easily do an hour after, especially as the days are starting to draw out now, the riding will be the easy part, but essential towards another 30 days of abstinance.

Wish me well :-)

and an update from last weekend - rain stopped play on Saturday and Sunday turned into a very very wet mountainbike road ride with the boy, it was ace, photo's here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45689323@N00/sets/72157625989958944

Back to normal ?

2011-02-04T20:07:00.003Z

well, no, not really

Monday was a day of rest, a simple commute, shortest way both ways, tired legs.

A few beers and some red wine to celebrate a month on the bike and a (almost) month of sobriety.

Tuesday was on the MTB, straight to work along the river, trails were filthy so the bike got cleaned up at work, it also carried on raining during the day and as much as I wanted to ride I didn't want to get the bike filthy again so I did my usual route on the roads with the Genesis Latitude, really enjoyed it despite some dodgy moments with cars.

Wednesday pissed down all day so straight there and backs, legs tired.

Thursday, road bike, straight to work into the wind, a fast looking roady passed me so obviously I sat 20 yards behind him, 23mph, impressive, wonder how long he can keep this up ?, half a mile later and the tell tale look back, he was gutted to see me sat there and put his head down, another 300 yards and another look back, this time though he was blown, straight down to 17mph and a resigned look as I passed him.

Luckily for me though I only had another 300 yards before I turned off, by now I was praying that he wasn't going my way as I was now blowing !, he turned right, I turned left with thighs on fire !.

Thursday night and the wind had grown substantially, it would have been easy to head straight home but my resolve is still strong, so I turned left into the gale, struggling to maintain 15mph. An hour and 15 minutes into a headwind was enough, I was pretty spent when I turned back, speed immediately went up to 22mph with little pedal pressure needed. Got home after 2 hours 15 minutes, 34 miles covered, knackered.

2 beers and a bottle of red later and struggled to get up the stairs, day off needed.

Friday, drove to work, legs still aching, resting for the weekend, road ride on Saturday and then long cross bike ride on Sunday, plan is to head up the trans pennine trail as far as conditions allow, stopping at Jodphurs for a bacon butty and then if everyone is good head upto the Woodhead Tunnel. It might well be a little early in the year for an 80 miler but we'll see how folk are feeling :-).

#30in30 - Day 30 - Finished

2011-01-30T17:48:00.003Z

A great day to finish on, east side of Calder Valley, great trails, great friends, great day out :-)

#30in30 - Day 29

2011-01-29T17:39:00.002Z

A couple of hours at Cannock Chase on cyclo cross bikes, excellent stuff, bit of fire road bashing, bit of singletrack delight, bit of man made swoppyness, all good stuff, even took the boy with me and I think he enjoyed himself despite a JRA crash :-).

One day to go and I'm aiming to do a big (ish) ride to Delamere, ride at Delamere, ride home from Delamere to finish the #30in30 challenge.

#30in30 - Day 28

2011-01-28T21:08:00.000Z

Late afternoon spin in the sunshine, an hour and ten, nearly done now :-)

#30in30 - Day 27

2011-01-27T18:54:00.003Z

Cold morning and two punctures didn't do anything to alter my mood today, an hour and a half ride time plus 20 mins changing tubes, fingers too cold to function properley.

A shock email at work (work related, might mean more work, or at least staying there longer) threw me off my plan and I decided to leave early, especially as the sun was shining and I felt that my legs had a spring in them, so off I went, only down the trans pennine trail but enjoying the (slight) warmth on my face, an hour and three quarters, no punctures, little mud and job done.

Change of bike for tomorrow, got the Kite (single speed CX bike) from the cellar, fitted some big 38mm tyres, oiled the chain and I'm good to go :-)

#30in30 - Day 26

2011-01-26T17:02:00.002Z

Foul mood today, hungry and tired and lacking any inspiration to ride a bike but I went home early due to a headache from hell, got to the turning point and went right, into the lanes and into a fucking strong headwind, dropped down to the 40 and sat and span for an hour and ten.

Didn't make me feel any better but at least I'm still on track, different bike tomorrow, Genesis Latitude hardtail, mudguards and lights fitted, its going cold again so hopefully the trails will firm up a bit and I'll cheer up !.

As a means to an end 30in30 is good, it'll give me a base on which to work, its helped me stop drinking and I feel a ton better for that, its also helping the belly disappear (slowly, it took 4 years to get there so 4 weeks ain't gonna make a huge difference) but as for riding enjoyment, well the constant dullness in my legs due to limited recovery time is cancelling that out.

So, 6 days to go now, it'll get done.

#30in30 - Day 25

2011-01-25T18:47:00.002Z

One hour and forty five minutes on the road bike, in the wind and rain, and with the company of several stupid car drivers, but it still managed to be an ace ride.

Descending a big hill in total blackness apart from a headlight at 30mph is exciting and scary at the same time, throw in a stray bunny rabbit and the adrenaline sure kicks in :-)

More again tomorrow please.

#30in30 - Day 24

2011-01-24T19:53:00.001Z

an hour and a half after work along the lanes on a mountainbike, very pleasant indeed.

#30in30 - Day 23

2011-01-23T16:56:00.002Z

Cannock Chase, not been there for about 6 or 7 years, there's two man made trails there now, chase the monkey and follow the dog, equal mix of climbs and descents, nice stuff, quite chewy today though after the frost had got under the surface, I reckon it'll be well worth going back once its dried out, in fact it could be a nice venue for a weekend away.

Must ask around and see if there's any decent bunkhouses nearby, and for those that don't like Afan I reckon it'd be perfect :-)

New bike rocked, although the old forks are knackered, gonna try some ultra cheap Manitou's and see how long those last, even a year will be good value at £150 !

#30in30 - Day 22

2011-01-22T18:54:00.000Z

Job done, just an hour.

#30in30 - Day 21

2011-01-21T18:20:00.003Z

3 hours of sunshine and punctures, hedges have been cut, new tubes and puncture kits procured, new frame tomorrow, its getting easier as well, really enjoyed this afternoons spin.

#30in30 - Day 20

2011-01-20T18:49:00.001Z

It was icey so that meant gym, one hour on the bike watching Top Gear, bored to tears

thats all

#30in30 - Day 19

2011-01-19T20:46:00.002Z

Sunset

Moonrise

2 and a half hours tonight, solo night ride, 2 punctures (thorns) 1 big red fox, not sure who jumped higher, me or him !, really really enjoyed the moonlight, almost enough light to ride without lights but the woods were just too dark.

#30in30 - Day 18

2011-01-18T18:16:00.002Z

One and a half hours this morning before work, legs fine on the flat, twingeing on the rises but all good, enthusiasm high, enjoying the spinning, feeling better every day and still no alcohol :-)

Foggy

Damp

Cold

#30in30 - Day 17

2011-01-17T17:11:00.002Z

- Day 17 - done, 38 miles, 2 hours 40 minutes, sunshine and lollipops kind of day, really nice to be spinning along, legs felt good for once.

Road bikes with mudguards are ace, need bigger than 28mm tyres though, the roads are shattered and getting worse, MTB day tomorrow for a change, VooDoo Sobo with 2.4 Maxis Argents on, for the slither :-)

#30in30 - Day 16

2011-01-16T17:29:00.002Z

Day 16 done

2 hours 15 minutes, 34 and a half miles on the Kona Jake , nagging headwind all the way with added tropical downpours, in fact the rain came down so fast that I was soaked through within 3 seconds so didn't bother putting my jacket on.

Again it took a good hour for my legs to wake up, and of course going out without eating made for a difficult ride, there is of course some method to the madness, starvation rides are what I've always done to drop weight and sure enough its working once again, that plus being deprived of more than a thousand calories of alcohol every day !.

One good thing about today was the fact that I felt that I could push hard on the climbs (ha climbs in Cheshire !) okay, they are short but even so it is a step forward, next milestone is to start pushing the length of rides out, looking for 60 miles next Sunday after a bivvy out on Friday night.

#30in30 - Day 15

2011-01-15T17:31:00.003Z

2 and a half hours of more drive train wrecking grit mud and rain, the hair has gone, the legs have left town, really struggled to get going, almost bailed out a few times but just had to suck it up.

2 hours in and a felt more than a little bonky, must be the lack of a thousand calories every day since I stopped drinking :-).

If the weather picks up then tomorrow will be more of the same, going to aim for Spike Island !

#30in30 - Day 14

2011-01-14T19:15:00.003Z

Its starting to hurt now, legs are heavy and sluggish, of course pushing a 3 inch tyre at the front isn't helping :-)

2 punctures today, thorns from hedge cutting along the canal tow path

But, the bright side was that I was riding in sunlight, warm and bright, beautiful and it made me happy.

Weather report for the weekend is looking dreadful, it'll be tough, but not as tough as this evening, going out for dinner and no alcohol for me, 14 days into being sober and its reaching crunch time, but its now or never ;-/

#30in30 - Day 13

2011-01-13T19:01:00.000Z

half an hour this morning, an hour and a half this evening, mud, grit, rain, happy :-)

#30in30 - Day 12

2011-01-12T18:13:00.001Z

Gym bike.

:-0

#30in30 - day 11

2011-01-11T21:03:00.002Z

Had to get up early to ride as ~I knew I wouldn't get chance later in the day, so ....

it was horrible, trails made of porridge, legs heavy as lead, motivation low, but I did an hour.

come on legs, wake the fuck up

#30in30 - Day 10

2011-01-10T18:38:00.001Z

Not fun at all.

An hour and a half in snow, sleet, wind, rain, mud, grit and darkness.

A job that needed doing.

Tomorrow will be the same but even earlier and wetter :-/

#30in30 - Day 9

2011-01-09T17:33:00.001Z

A couple of hours up around Hebden Bridge, with friends, nothing epic by any means but just a roll up the valley and then back via some sweet secret singletrack, legs were fine, lungs fine, head clear, its time to step up a gear next week.

Happy.

#30in30 - Day 8

2011-01-08T18:59:00.004Z

an hour and ten on the post bike this morning, took a good 30 mins before my legs woke up, a strong headwind not helping much, roads are pretty shattered again after the snow and ice so had to pay extra attention as it had rained heavily last night and there were huge puddles in the road. I was also mindful of riding into the sun after hearing of a friend who got carted yesterday, luckily nowt worse than a busted ankle but frightening all the same.

#30in30 - Day 7

2011-01-07T18:00:00.002Z

Up early and out into the "danger flakes" as our Scots brothers call them, getting bigger and wetter all the time, out along the river and the trails surprisingly solid, the big front tyre also surprisingly easy to push, an hour and three quarters later and with freezing fingers I arrived at work, tea and a Cliff bar, happy to have ridden a bike.

And, I counted 11 dead Chinese Lanterns littering the countryside, not much Karma there ....

#30in30 - day 6

2011-01-06T17:36:00.002Z

Rode the long way to work this morning, wet and muddy and cold, but an hour and a half after another poor nights sleep, had to go to bed at 9 due to the cravings for alcohol, ended up watching telly till mdnight :-(.

Long way to work tomorrow, and with a new 3inch tyre on the front of my "plump" bike, not quite a half fat bike, snow predicted tonight so that should be fun...

oh, and I finally wore out my waterproof trousers

#30in30 - Day 5

2011-01-05T18:37:00.002Z

Really really struggled to get out of bed today, another poor nights sleep meant waking up feeling more tired than when I went to bed !

This meant that the chance to ride to work had gone, so into the car and away (eventually), the weather hasn't improved and the thought of driving home and getting changed to ride wasn't appealing so I went to the gym at work and sat and pedaled on a gym bike for an hour whilst watching Top Gear on the telly.

Never again :-(

1 hour

665 calories

34 kms

bored to tears, I'll be up at 6am tomorrow for a karma recharge.

#30in30 - Day 4

2011-01-04T20:22:00.003Z

Day 4

Morning

Woke up after a restless night's sleep to find an inch of snow on the ground, so up and dressed and out into fresh snow, only one set of tyre tracks but plenty of fox prints spoiling the thrill of being first on the snow, just a 45 minute spin to work. My small pannier set was fully loaded with grub and milk for work and I was surprised how it affected the handling of the bike, in particular when riding no handed the front end wobbled ?

Night

Obviously the snow melted during the day to leave the trails full of mush, and because I'd only done 45 minutes this morning an hour was needed to maintain honour in #30in30 status, so off I set, grinding my drivetrain to bits, soon enough it was dark enough for the headlight and headtorch to come on. It was actually okay riding wise, just spinning along getting covered in Cheshires finest grit and mud, just the occasional wince as I heard the chai crunch, half expecting it to snap at any moment, anyway I got to my folks after and hour and a half, hosed the bike and myself down and headed home, happy to have ridden a bike again.

More good news is that my legs felt fine, obviously realising that this is what is going to happen every day for a wee while :-)

#30in30 - Day 3

2011-01-03T19:01:00.003Z

Day 3 - Jan 3rd

An hour and a bit at Delamere today, 6 of us in the cold, special guests Tim and Jenn to show around, Tim, Nick and Jeff pretty much veterans of the woods now, we did pretty much the usual plus Toms Trail, which despite us being reluctant to ride due to the recent state of it was actually in good shape, the cold helping here.

Legs felt better today, but we were in Cheshire, no hills around here :-)

#30in30 - Day 1 and 2

2011-01-02T18:23:00.003Z

Day 1 - Jan 1st

17 road miles in the rain, an hour and ten minutes, not a lot of fun, legs like lead, thank the lord for mudguards.

Day 2 - Jan 2nd

Another road ride, this time from Hollingworth Lake over Blackstone Edge and down Cragg Vale to watch the CX race in Todmorden, 24 miles in 2 hours, hard work on the hills.

good riddance to 2010

2010-12-31T15:59:00.002Z

I'll be glad to see the back of 2010, fair to say that it was probably the worst year of my life with one thing or another, most (but not all) of the bad things have been documented on here....

But here's some of the good things from 2010 to focus on for 2011

Riding, reasonable fitness in fits and starts mixed up with lots of aches and pains, some great days out and even enjoying the one race that I did, well what I did of it anyway.

Several weekends away riding with friends who have stuck by me despite me being a miserable bugger.

Enjoying my photography more than ever and really enjoying the time spent photographing birds.

The weather, real weather, hot sunshine, cold snowy days, all good.

Walking, not done as much as I wanted to but still enjoyed what was done.

My wife and family, goes without saying but without them I wouldn't have survived the trials and tribulations of this year.

So, what for 2011 ?

Work should last for another year or so, so my big traveling plans are on hold till 2012.

Drinking has to stop.

Weight has to be shed.

Aches and pains need to be sorted.

Fitness needs to be attained.

Stretching and running and yoga.

A road trip to Scotland with the boy, riding and snapping.

Riding with the boy, a highlight from 2010 is his interest in riding bikes (always assuming he can get out of bed !)

More work on the Anglesey project, would be nice to aim for 2012 exhibiting.

and maybe, just maybe 2011 will see enough nature/bird work for Dave ?

On reflection

2010-11-30T19:28:00.002Z

I'm not giving up, in fact the only thing I'm giving up is drinking, at least until the works xmas do on Dec 17th....

Last night of alcohol tonight, tomorrow night is into the cellar and onto the turbo trainer as it looks like it will be icey as hell tomorrow, so same strategy as last year, not going out on a bike in ice and snow, todays fall onto my hip was a painful reminder.

2011 has got to be a better year than 2010, its not all in my control, but the little that is needs to be under control, health, fitness and attitude.

Giving up

2010-11-29T19:49:00.002Z

its been a while

my back is no better

my legs can do the riding thing

my back hurts after a few hours or if I have to push hard on the pedals

and now I have a cold/flu....

apart from commuting bike riding is done for this year

quite fed up really

K100 was fantasticical

2010-09-07T17:31:00.002+01:00

I didn't ride the race but still had an ace and very tiring time...

back up two weeks

I rode a couple of longish rides, culminating with an attempt on Salter Fell, sounds more glamourous than it is, I wanted to ride from the caravan in Pilling off road to Lancaster, then up the bike path to Caton and then uphill to Salter Fell, its a ride I've been map staring at for a number of years now but never got around to it. Well this time I had a reason to try it, a final try out for my back in anticipation of K100.

Set off in sunshine along the road until I could access the Lancashire coastal path, then along this quite cheeky trail to Glasson dock, its a real shame that this isn't open to bikes, its interesting that this should be restricted to walkers as it would/is perfect for cycling along, and no detriment to anyone. Anyway, all going smoothly, no back issues so far, got up through Lancaster and then to Caton and popped off the bike trail and up.

Ands this is where it started, pushing on the pedals hurt like hell, even spinning a low gear was difficult, after 4 miles or so I stopped and tried to gert off my bike, my back spasmed and I almost fell off !, stretching helped but this was a clear message. I made a few calls, left messages, decision made, I'd be going but not riding.

Looking down to the sea I could see how much I'd climbed, a mere fraction of what K100 had in store, I was relieved with my decision to be honest.

So, the weekend arrives, Friday night was spent helping to register the riders, standing in the same spot for some 6 hours was not the brightest idea in hindsight, but two pints later and I'm fast asleep, up again at 5 and this time ready with camera in hand helping out Joolze cover the event, 100 miles ia lot of ground for just two photogs and an extra pair of hands is useful, see here for results, some of them are actually in focus !

Race finished, my job done, just watching the state of the late finishers (of which I would have been one of) again confirmed my decision, I don't think I can face another DNF again.

Sunday and again up early to take Biff to Ullswater for his triatholon attempt (this after having completed K100), he set off on he swim and I felt quite humbled, hats off cock :-).

With time to kill I decided to go and ride a trail that I last rode over 15 years ago, across from Patterdale and up the bridleway with the lake to my left, it was wonderful old school mountainbiking, lots of pushing, a few dodgy moments where I scared myself and had to remember I was on my own here, no one else about at this early hour. The pushing took it out of my back and decided to cut the ride short at Howtown and then remembered that the steam ferry stops here.

£7.20 got me and my bike a ride on the boat back to Patterdale, here I bumped into Dean and handed responsibilty for Biff over, my weekend done, home for 4 and an early bed.

Cross... bikes

2010-08-26T21:03:00.002+01:00

Last week was a good week, 210 miles on the cross bike, mix of on road and off road, however the longest ride was only 65 miles, I needed a century and today was going to be that day.

Epic fail, 74 miles only, my legs were fine but my back was hurting like hell after only 35 miles, bearing in mind that it had been relatively flat, only 3 hills of any consequence, I got to the cafe, coffee and a ham sandwich, a gel and off again, the Delamere perimeter trail is always good, on a cross bike with poor brakes it was even better.

Heading back home and constantly having to stand and stretch now, decided to stop at another cafe, pot of tea and the best flapjack ever meant my legs were still strong despite the ever present headwind. I got to within 5 miles of home and was confident of the 100 ( I'd planned to head up the trans penine trail to Reddish to complete the ton) as far as my legs were concerned but my back was hurting a lot now so decided to bin it and get home and take a hot bath.

Pretty fed up really, I've done some work, well enough to get me round the K100 this year, I've taken care not to injure myself, but my body is telling me something that I don't want to hear, luckily one of the failings of my body is an ever creeping deafness so I'm not listening.

One more big ride and I'll be as ready as I ever will, K100 I'll be there :-)

so, where were we ?

2010-08-19T18:17:00.002+01:00

SSUK came and went, it was rather a good weekend, everyone relaxed and enjoying the Welsh countryside, someone won, someone threw their dummy, most everyone else enjoyed SSUK for what it is.

Best thing ?, well seeing friends from all over the country, I so nearly bailed due to not feeling at all well on the Friday, so glad I went, and disproved the myth in the Outcast :-)

What else ?, well Biff has convinced me to do K100, I've been plagued by self doubt due to physical issues and was on the verge of calling it, but he obviously saw through that and we shall at least start together and aim to finish together.

With K100 in mind I've set too this week to try and prove my back, a 30 miler on Monday and all well, a few twinges and stiffness in the morning so rested Tuesday, Wednesday and set out to do a metric century, half on and half off road, mission accomplished with nothing other than usual aches and pains.

I had thoughts of going for a proper century today, just to prove to myself that I can still ride a 100 miles, my legs were heavy from yesterday but essentially fine, my back was stiff again but loosened up with movement, so I set off full of hope, only to be swiftly brought to earth. I'd picked up a saddle boil from yesterday, damn those "one ride left in em" De Marchi bibs. The pad had come unstitched and obvioulsy found a tender spot to rub.

Back home and a very liberal dose of arse lard and I set off to duplicate yesterdays ride, only with more off road content this time, 65 miles later and I'm done, tired, dehydrated (2 bottles is just not enough) but happy, 70% off road, one bacon and egg butty, coffee and a few stops to rearrange things down there, rest day tomorrow, more again at the weekend.

and finally, today was a Cancer sucks sorta day, I wore my best socks

3 road rides

2010-08-07T11:05:00.003+01:00

3 reasonable rides done, each time my back lasted a bit longer, and sat here now after 30 mins of stretching its not hurting at all, fingers crossed !

First ride last Sunday and we headed straight up Cragg Vale, the longest continuos ascent in England, and apart from some heavy breathing my lags felt fine all the way up, however once at the top I hit a pot hole unsighted, hard enough to buckle the back wheel and jarr my back, that was effectively my ride over, just 20 miles but some reasonable climbs, happy.

Tuesday and straight out after work, despite the rain, heading into the back lanes, sprinting up my old hillrep hill and all okay, 30 mins later and some pangs from my back so common sense kicked in and turned back, 30 miles.

Thursday and again straight out after work, I'd spent all day reading various cycling mags (as my laptop was being swapped for a newer version so I had nowt to do all day) and was up for it, first 15 miles was into the wind and I was keeping an average of 18mph and thinking that this could be a 20mph 30 miler, however, once again after an hour my back was starting so I headed back soft pedalling, still ended up with an average of just over 18. happy again.

So, there's still some zip in my legs, my back is getting slowly better, all knee pain had gone (although worryingly my right hip is aching a bit even in this warmth) and next weekend I'll be at SSUK to test my body, the SS IF has been retrieved from the cellar and fettled, hopefully get out for a few hours tonight, and then Delamere tomorrow for a blast through the trees.

3 weeks till Keilder 100, camp site booked, still undecided on bike, obviously gears, 3 weeks for my back to repair....

nowt to say

2010-08-01T18:16:00.001+01:00

knee

back

patience

all just about worn out

Germany oh Germany

2010-06-15T21:10:00.003+01:00

Last week was spent in Cologne for work, probably the last time, it was okay.

What was not okay was the fact that whilst there I recieved a text message telling me that an old friend had passed away that morning, another soul lost to cancer.

What was good was that being there meant that I wasn't riding and therefore was resting, come Saturday and I was raring to go, a local 45 miles on the Stiffee, mixed road and off road, sunshine and lollipops, all well and good.

Sunday was spent in York celebrating No1 daughters birthday, Monday was as boring as ever at work but then an evening road ride beckoned.

All okay until I got home and my right knee exploded again !!!!.

Not happy, but in context its a very minor issue, physio tomorrow.

Low tech bikes

2010-05-31T20:44:00.002+01:00

The plan was to ride to Delamere, ride at Delamere and then ride home from Delamere on single speed mountain bikes, a few things conspired against us but in the end the most sensible and in hindsight obvious solution presented itself, single speed cross bikes !.

One gear and rubbish brakes.

Miles were what was wanted, at least 62 so that I could keep my century a month dream alive, the weather looked mixed, the roads were full of bank holidayers so we stayed on the dirt, the trans pennine trail headed west. It wasn't too busy, lots of families and kids on bikes, and some of the gates were open due to the Manchester to Liverpool charity ride that had taken the same route earlier in the day. We arrived at the sea after heading into quite a headwind, a 5 minute break for an energy bar and then turned back to retrace our steps (although the mile or so of wind assisted singletrack along the estuary was fun) till we got to Warburton.

I wanted to show Jenn some of the back lanes that I ride, a future century in mind, so we headed off for a slight detour that cunningly passed by a pub, a pint later and we were back on the lanes and heading home in the dying sun, about 70 miles in all, a cup of tea and we're done, a nice introduction to the flat lands of Cheshire :-)

Simple things

2010-05-28T19:37:00.002+01:00

Not felt like riding much this week, Monday afternoon must have taken more out of me than I thought, Thursday and I rode in the short way, taking a longer route home but no spark, Thursday night saw some tinkering with my Stiffee leading to a long ride this afternoon, the sun did its job and now all is well again :-)

and we're back in the room

2010-05-24T19:43:00.002+01:00

100 rides is completed now, some of it might get published in STW sometime soon.

So, what's been happening ?

Sore knees, eye infections, heat stroke and lots of riding, culminating in this last weekends 24 hour solo UK championships, it was probably the best race I've ever been involved with, a brutal course of 11.5 miles that had 580m of climbing per lap, the climbing was particularly tough with what felt like half of it on either grass or through the woods on a freshly cut trail.

Although my race went as well as I thought it might I only completed 4 and a half of those laps, doesn't sound much (and to be fair isn't compared to the winners 22) but it still amounted to 52 miles in 29c heat over about 6 hours riding time, considering that right upto a few days before I wasn't going I'm pleased with that, my fitness was fine, my preparation was fine (no cramps at all) and I made the right decision to pack when my knee started to creak.

Grant did really well to complete 7 laps despite suffering from quite severe heat stroke, Jac and Amy put us to shame by completing 10 and 13 laps respectively, all 3 riding singlespeeds.

The team behind the event once again pulled out all the stops, I couldn't see anything to fault the organisation, next year I'd like to be on their side of the event helping out and putting something back.

So what else ?, work is on going, still no actual end date in site, NZ is off, the timing is just wrong and I'm not about to walk away from work whilst they want to keep paying me, maybe next year when I'm free.

So what next ?, evening rides with Jan, Jack and maybe even Jennifer are on the cards soon, soon as exams are out of the way for the kids, Afan later in June, then SSUK in August (followed by a few days in Brighton) all this interspersed with a few small adventures, bivvies and fun rides during the best summer for a decade.

and more updates here soon.

100 rides

2010-04-22T20:50:00.002+01:00

is coming to a close, well less than 20 to go now so should start reporting more inane drivel here soon, betcha can't wait eh, both of you :-)

me in 25 years

2009-12-26T19:08:00.002Z

actually thats my dad, every day finds me catching myself doing something or other that my dad does, the most frequent one is the way I clear my throat, every time I do it I think my dads in the room :-)

so, whats been happening, well work wise is pretty well documented, the plant is shut down now and the new year will bring the decomissioning period, that'll be a bout three months or so and then the majority of people will leave the company, myself a and a few others will remain until the end of July at the earliest, hopefully till the end of the year when I can get my year off.....

although that may well have to be put on hold for another year, one door closes and another opens, there are some interesting opportunities opening up that could provide more wages, if it does come off then I'll have another string to my bow which will help me find work longer term :-)

Hopefully NZ is still on.

Bike wise, well I've taken on a commission from STW for a series of articles, the 100 rides is one idea, riding has been short and sweet of late, yet another underlying cold thats refusing to surface, his is the third year on the trot that this has happened, a bad chest infection two years ago and then last year a debilitating bout of flu, what will this years treat be ? .

I hope its not too severe, I had a flu jab to try and avoid that and I have made some committments to do some long rides this coming year, a century a month (metric and imperial, but aiming for imperial) and two races to have a crack at, the national 24 hour solo champs in May and the Keilder 100 in Sept. Now I know as well as everyone else that I'll not be getting a top ten in either of these, in fact top 100 is out of the question, no what I want is to finish and do myself proud, thats all. I'll be happy to do that.

Training has yet to start, I've been doing a bit but thats more to just keep ticking over, this coming week was to be the start but the weather has been unkind and by actually not riding my bike I am doing some good, the sheet ice everywhere is just dangerous, sat watching the road today confirmed that I made the right decision not to ride, maybe tomorrow ?

Moving out for a while

2009-12-17T19:35:00.000Z

I'm here for a wee while

http://100rides.blogspot.com/

back by the end of Feb I hope

Motivation injection

2009-11-05T18:18:00.002Z

Thats what I could do with right now, any ideas ?

No real clarity just yet at work, its looking like end of June next year now at the earliest, which in many respects is good, another 8 pay checks is good

but it means a delay to my plans for freedom in the summer !

However there is a cunning plan to chase the sun all the way around the world forming in my head, starting at SSWC10 in New Zealand, I don't yet know if thats an absolute goer or not, in principle I can go, but I'd like my family to have the same experience as I and be there with me, thats not possible for a number of reasons.

Still, a month away is a realistic dream ..... and then back to reality looking for work in the new year, its unlikely to be the year out I had hoped for but it might be 6 months, which is still a great opportunity

so, some ideas

Lands End to John O Groats, taking 3 weeks or more. (big blue gayer, and bob)

Anglesey Coastal Path taking 12 days (walking)

New Zealand for a month. (Spot 69er)

West Highland Way (at last !, big blue gayer)

Lots of riding to visit friends (big blue gayer)

So, there's my motivation for next year, but how to get through this winter, the Kona has been mudguarded (crud race guards which are officially ace), I have purchased a tyre specifically for the turbo bike, I have made a promise to do a months abstinence before xmas, just need the fricking rain to stop and I'm good to go :-)

6 week catch up

2009-10-27T18:47:00.002Z

Lets think, after the Mach weekend I hardly rode a bike, apart from there and backs to work...

.....with one glorious exception, a week down south with Jo and Dean, 2 fairly big rides around the south downs, an evening at a musical event, an afternoon of culture and the opportunity to sit and listen to music topped out the Brighton experience.

....transfer to North Dean and two further mini rides around some lovely wooded trails, including one to catch up with Sara and the other with Sam to compare notes on the Kite a day of walking and exploring, a visit to the cinema and a final evening meal ended the week on a high, not as much riding as I would have liked to do but that was due to my fatness and a stupid/funny slow speed crash, the other two however did do a fabulous end ride, battering each other over 60 tough miles.

Single Speed Cyclo Cross bikes are 100 percent perfect for autumn rides.

....getting home on the Saturday I discovered that my back had gone into spasm and I had difficulty getting out of the car, I must have done some unseen damage on my fall, this meant a chilled weekend and then 4 days off work, and no riding until yesterday, and even that hurt, todays commute was less painful and the dark nights have inspired me to get the Spot 69er out and suited up with lights, the long way home tomorrow night is beckoning :-)

where my photies of birds will be

2009-10-19T19:44:00.001+01:00

http://northwestcoastalphotography.blogspot.com/

Today is the day that I'm 48 years old

2009-09-15T22:33:00.003+01:00

and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up

so, its a month since I last felt egocentric enough to post my inane ramblings on the internet for all 12 of you to read, lets have a quick recap then

bikes , yep, I've ridden them a bit, highlights being Bill and I being the tail end charlie's for the first 40 miles of the Keilder 100, which was quite difficult, riding slowly at the back end of the race, coaching the slow coaches

and then the weekend just gone in Machynlyth with a number of my closest friends, not an exclusive bunch, but just some of the fine people I am lucky enough to know and love, others sent messages of love, others couldn't make the trip across the atlantic

none the less I felt their presence

and of course I could feel the love from my dear wife Janet all through the weekend

I came home happy and prepared for the tribulations to come

The last 18 months have seen a black cloud above my head, work has been difficult at best, and at times downright unbearable, to put this in context.....

I have worked there since leaving school at 16 years of age, I have worked in the same department all of those 31 years, starting quite literally at the bottom and working my way to my current position of the plant manager, there are still people there who trained and coached me as a youth, giving me the discipline needed to be able to hold my own in a mans world, essential skills in a manufacturing environment.

Those same people are also partly responsible for my view of the world, my politics and my hatred of organised religion, they are also responsible for my humility, my level of understanding of other people, my understanding of peoples need to have religion in their life, my understanding of other peoples point of view, my love of music and art, my taste for fine beers, and many other aspects of my character.

They will almost certainly never read this, but thank you to Chris Byrne, Bill Curry, Ivor Greenway, Bob Finlay, Bill Lowes, Dave Linacre, Tony Watkins, George Carnes, Steve Buckham, Bob Swan (RIP), Brian Butler, Bill Smith, Martin Lowe, Steve Moss, there are others....

So, where's all this leading then ?

Today my plant was given its final destination, we will cease production at the end of the year, the reasons for this are many and complicated, suffice to say that we cannot survive as a manufacturing plant in the UK anymore.

Its a sad day, the site has existed since 1949, we have produced low density polyethylene on the site since 1961, which coincidently is the year I was born, lots of folk have lived their lives out here, it truly is the end of an era.

But I'm not sad, its been a tough few years that frankly have taken their toll on both myself, my family and my friends, its a chance for a new start, hopefully I can get my financial affairs into order such that I can walk away from this ever decreasing industry, I have skills that are pertinent to my specific industry, there's no doubt that I could easily find work but it would mean working in far flung places around the world and frankly I've had enough of that.

The cloud has lifted a little, its not gone yet, the skies are still a little grey but the sun is poking through :-)

I'll be taking a year off from work (again this is assuming I can sort my finances out) to enjoy my family, my friends, do some bike travelling, learn to surf, climb some big hills, relax, get healthy.

All being well this blog will be a lot more positive from about April next year.....

Bikes take you places

2009-08-12T21:59:00.002+01:00

From here

.......

To here
......

via here

......

Last week was a good week bike wise, total of 258 miles, mix of road and offroad, all in a vain attempt to get some help for my legs in time for this weekends big dog 6 hr race. Now I know enough about myself that just finishing the whole 6 hours will be a challenge, you cant train for a month and expect to be a winner, but thats all relative, my aim for the day was to actually start and finish a race, that'd be enough for this year and quite an achievement in itself, fingers crossed.

But, by far and away the best thing about the last few months of riding has been the chance to get to new places under my own steam, exploring new trails has been a reasonable replacement for riding familiar trails with friends, reasonable but not sustainable, riding on your own is fine sometimes but no susbstitute for the real thing, with real people, hence my desire to be in Brighton this weekend coming.

however.....

There is a possibility that I wont even get there at the start line, work has become a battle zone due to all sorts of reasons and possibly the worst thing that could happen has happened, the crisis is deepening even as I type, fingers double crossed for a break in the tension that will allow me to get down to Brighton and play out.

Rides this year - 116

Miles this year - 2081

An uphill battle

2009-08-03T20:12:00.006+01:00

Seemed to have spent a lot of time struggling uphill of late, either on foot, by bike or with a glass in my hand.

Having struggled with the walking I have started dropping the glucosamine again and already I can feel the benefit, placebo or not it works for me.

After the Scotland weekend and a few decent wet rides I needed a rest, so just some there and backs to work and a much needed day off before a bigish ride to Delamere and back to meet some friends, whilst we were there we had a spin out amongst the trees.

It was officially double ace.

Then spent the afternoon at the exodus festival in the city centre, despite my cynicism it turned out to be a great afternoon, some fabulous music was played despite a small crowd, no alcohol and daylight, a mix of rap, congolese, senegalese, reggae and bangra beats all fused together.

Today was a pleasant hour in the sunlight along mostly dry trails.

Interesting things are happening around me these days, I've been given the luxury of a reason to be creative, I have the idea but not the skills, but by the end of Weds I will have an idea of the skills I need and hopefully 3 pieces of work worthy of going into the magazine. This is actually a trial run for the long term animal project, the same skills will be required.

And I have been offered a part in an exhibition about Lindow Pete, completely out of the blue, sometimes good things happen

edit - looks as though I'm too late to get involved with show, oh well, it was nice to be asked

:-)

...

Walking, Thinking, Planning

2009-07-29T22:43:00.003+01:00

hmmm....

let me think

Fairford Airshow weekend - ace

Munro weekend, 22 miles on foot, at least half of it uphill, cyclists legs meant pain, solitude, peace ad quiet (no wind) midges, beer whisky, stretching, 3 fried breakfasts - ace

last two work weeks punctuated by several there and backs - ordinary

New/Old bike - ace

fast as a very fast thing if someone else was in charge

30 miles yesterday in the rain and mud - ace

20 miles today in the rain and mud - ace

legs feel strong - ace

weekend rides looming, local trails as I'm on call - ordinary

Delamere early Sinday with Tim - double ace

Keilder 100 FAIL already, common sense dictated that I'll be a tail end charlie marshall this year - gnar

Big Dog barking away in my head, should be doable, and bonus ride in the downs that are south - ace

some photography, some creativity - ace

more rain expected in August- shite

great stuff

Le Tour - fantastic, too much to say - ace

Some friends coming back into the radar - treble ace

some friends going off the radar - minus 7 aces

and as always plans, plan and more plans, looking at this coming winters cx races, looking at next years middle enduro races, we'll see, there's a lot of water to go under the bridge before firmness can be achieved

eyes bigger than my belly

2009-07-13T22:19:00.004+01:00

hard to believe I know....

but the belly has to go

the drinking is under control now, I'll never be tea total but its a small step towards sobriety (not that I am ever out of control drunk), the diet is good (averaging around 2000 cals per day) an I'm starting to feel the benefits of a half stone of lard already gone (trousers are less tight)

I've set some targets

Brighton Big Dog solo in August, 6 hours of fabulous trails, aim is to finish

Keilder 100 in Sept, I "might" have bitten off more than I can chew with this one, at least for this year, but its good to have a target.

However the biggest target is to be fit enough to keep up with two friends on a Scottish road trip in October, now I'm realistic enough to now that I wont be kicking anyones arse up those Scottish hills but I don't want to be a burden...

So, after last weekends century I wanted a century in a day, had all the right intentions but a bit of an issue in the bottom department meant a delayed start and feeling pretty weak, no matter, I managed 66 miles in just under 4 hours which was pleasing.

Less pleasing was my no show on Sunday, tired from the previous day I slept right through, first decent nights sleep since the rib incident meant waking up at ten, I was supposed to be in the valley by then !, so an apologising text was sent and then a change of plan, a late afternoon departure and a quickish (for me) 40 miles was knocked off meaning another 106 miles in the bank.

Two century weekends, combined with a Penmachno trip in the week and some middleish commutes have added up to finally getting some decent miles in my legs, its not enough, I'm not kidding myself but its a start.

And, for the first time in over ten years I'll be using a geared bike, its the only sensible option, and Tim has a bargainous VooDoo Sobo semi soft tail at a price that can't be bettered, I'll swap the mjority of the gear over from the Stiffee, fit new running gear and the Magura forks from the Retrotec, it should build up fairly light and cot me no more than the money I've raised from the sale of a pair of forks and an old Nikon lens :-)

.....

Century Weekend

2009-07-05T19:08:00.002+01:00

This weekend saw the first running of he Singletrack world classic weekend, for various reasons I couldn't make that event so decided to try for a century on my own, the weather looked promising so I picked the SS Felt from the quiver and set off on Saturday afternoon. The transpenine trail was the choice, flat and dusty, all going well until mile 30 when my right knee imploded which meant standing and bearing my weight difficult, so I turned back defeated, still the sun was shining, there wasn't too many nerks on the trail so I limped back home.

Three miles from home and the heavens opened, proper tropical rain drops the size of eggs meant I was completely soaked by the time I got home.

54 miles

Sunday and again the sun was shining so I set off again, down the TPT which was bone dry already, all going well, even bumped into an old friend, and then the rain came down again, and even heavier than yesterday, the trails had no more soakabilty so it was standing brown water for the next hour until I eventually gave up and once again turned for home.

No knee issues today and the trails started to dry out so I continued upto the pyramid at Stockport, threatening clouds meant a sharpish retreat to get home with 52 miles on the clock.

So it was a century weekend but done over two days,maybe next weekend....

.....

97 rides, 1493 (approx) miles

2009-07-01T21:38:00.005+01:00

last week was astonishing even by my standards, the weather was fine, a bit of rain but mostly dry and warm meant road rides into the wind, ending with a 35 miler at a fair old lick.

Friday was one to forget, a bizarre accident at Tims shop meant a punctured arse and a called off visit to Afan, luckily Andy was on his way to pick me up and so Afan was back on, and to be frank it was fookin ace, no need to say much other than that really.

This week has been steady, nursing my wounds, my back/ribs are still painful at night in bed and my leg is now getting sore, just there and backs despite my ambitions.

Tomorrow night may well be the highlight of 2009, kraftwerk at the velodrome :-)

Cracking up ?

2009-06-21T15:24:00.002+01:00

Funny old week

Tuesday and my ribs were easing so I rode (slowly) to work, so far so good, Wednesday did the same and they had eased enough that I could walk without the tenseness and no need for painkillers :-)

Thursday tried the Felt to work, seemed fine enough to allow for an off road excursion to meet Dave, only an hour but all good, Friday much the same, by now I was planning to do some local trails at the weekend.

Saturday morning, felt okay but a few twinges in my back during the night seemed to indicate not to ride, okay, it was a dull day and I had a n alternative plan to go and photograph great crested Grebes and their chicks, in hind sight may not have been the brightest idea to hump a big lump of glass around.

Saturday night and I hardly slept a wink, lots of pain in my back around the area of the crash, needing painkillers again, feeling grumpy and fed up, painkillers kicking in,

maybe my body is telling me something ?

....

still smiling not grimacing

2009-06-15T20:44:00.004+01:00

Friday and a false start, picked up Big Red from Tim who had once again done a sterling job, then a random phone call meant heading back to Manchester to pick up Kevin, arrived at the cabin around 3, unloaded and then headed over to Dolgellau for a spin down the Mawdach trail as per the plan.

A lovely ride in the afternoon sun, just 20 miles, coffee and cake in Barmouth, pint of fine ale half way back then into town to get supplies, the rest of the crowd arrived during the evening, early bed ready for a big day.

Saturday arrived and the sun was already blazing down, quick spin along the road and we were at the CyB shop, Kevin hired a Heckler (his first time on a full suspension bike) I bought some new reactolite shades and we were gone, a bit of a miscalculation on my part saw a fall and sore ribs. The trails were in fab condition, dry and dusty, highlight being the warm pine smell that was erupting all around us, it was as though we were in the mediterenean rather than Wales, all good.

A full days riding topped off with a drag uphill along the road, rewarded with two cold beers a piece, dinner at the pub, a few more beers and bed.

Sunday, again the plan was to hit the trails early, sore ribs meant I sat this one out, choosing to just spin along the fire roads down to the river, the guys were back two hours later, all smiles, all happy, Kevin now riding his hardtail already planning to buy a Heckler.

Roy, Harm and Dave then headed home whilst Kevin and I eager to ride more decided to go along the Mawdach trail again as that was all my ribs would take, almost a perfect copy of Fridays ride was the best way to finish the weekend, the views of the estuary were stunning, the trail full of families both walking and on bikes, excellent.

Monday, pay day, could hardly get out of bed let alone get on a bike, Nurofen Extra did the trick and it appears to be easing all the time, road bike tomorrow, no alcohol this week, watch what I eat, too long too fat, thats changing from now.

AND, no pain in my right calf, hopefully 3 days reasonable riding has cleared out whatever was in there again ??

I'm Mr Positive today am I

2009-06-11T18:23:00.003+01:00

So, its now Thursday and another week has gone by with only there and backs to show for it, but it might have worked, no pain today, no stiffness, no soreness

and best of all the sun is shining again

A full weekend at Coed Y Brenin is looming, tomorrow I'll pick up Big Red from Tim, should all be fixed and good to go, then head off the Dolgellau for a spin down the Mawdach trail, despite the fact that it is as flat as a witches tit its one of my favourite rides, just ten miles each way along one of the most beautiful estuaries in Great Britain, and it ends up at Barmouth which still retains some of that old world charm of a seaside resort.

Now all that is usually just enough but this trail has extra, memories that is, some 8 years ago there was a Fat Tyre Family Festival organised by Pat Adams at Coed Y Brenin, it only lasted two years but it was a great event which cemented some life long friendships as all the crew had young kids at that time and we shared some great times riding in the forest and along that trail, the big boys had a great time in the woods, the girls took the kids around the tamer trails and then on the Sunday we all rode along the Mawdach trail, sunshine and lollipops :-)

The event is also the place where I first met my jock friends, again great people who I consider to be lifelong friends.

Anyhow, I'm digressing, the weekend will be spent with work friends, like minded work friends that is, they all love bike riding of all sorts, they all have a taste for fine beers and good wine and they all like spending time in the woods with their mates, its gonna be great.

Lots of saddle time ahead I hope.

79, 80, 81, 82 and 83

2009-06-09T20:12:00.004+01:00

79, 25 miles on the De Rosa in the sun

80, another 25 miles on the De Rosa in the sun

81, yet another 25 miles on the De Rosa in the sun

Thursday, woke up, right leg sore as ever :-(

Friday, drove to Bristol full of hope, Friday night fun, then rain, then more rain, in the tent with Raoul, couldn't sleep due to the noise of the rain, decision made at 4am not to ride, didn't ride, had a fun time anyway supporting folk.

Established that its not gout.

1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th for cheeky folk in various classes

Sunday, after even more rain decided not to ride in Leigh Woods as per last nights plan, no one else seemed to have he stomach for it either, drove home.

Monday, 82, straight to work and back, leg still sore

Today, Tuesday, 83, straight to work and back, leg not so sore today, another weekend away looming, it had better get better :-/

..............

73, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78

2009-05-31T18:57:00.002+01:00

73, 74, 75 were straight there and backs to work on the road bike, nothing to note other than the muscle was shy of doing its share.

76 started much the same but then the sun came out and I decided to hit the long way home, just 20 miles spinning along but obviously cleared some kind of blockage as on Saturday when I woke up I had no pain !

77, got the Spot out, I've been toying with reducing, or even removing all the weight from my back for some time now, a quick trip to the Shak and the bike is all bottle caged and seat packed up and gagging to go, the sun was shining very brightly and the trails promised doost.

For the interested, 2 tubes, one of each size, spare patches, small multitool, 2 x 750 ml bottles of white grape high juice, (non Juarez available) pump attached to bottle stops, mobile wrapped in £20 note inside Sidi sealable placcy bag in jersey pocket, house keys in shorts pocket, Nikon P5100 wrapped in sealable placcy bag in jersey pocket, 1 Peanut butter Cliff bar in jersey ppocket

Despite wanting more I kept it just to 20 miles, no point in undoing what little bit of good I'd done by resting. I did contemplate going out again later when it had cooled a little but there was some soreness there so bailed that.

Sunday and again the sun was out, same trails but this time further, 30 miles, slow and steady, I'm liking not having any weight on my back, and being forced to carry very few things in your back pockets is quite liberating.

78 rides, 1168 miles

perfect preparation for this coming weekends Bristol 12 :-)

....

Nice things happen

2009-05-27T22:11:00.003+01:00

A very nice thing happened last weekend

lots of folk were there to help celebrate

lots of other folk were there in spirit

its what link us all together as friends, good things that is

and I do mean all of us

.....

67 ........ 72

2009-05-21T18:41:00.004+01:00

In the last month I have ridden a bike just 6 times

67, work and home

68, Sunday morning at Delamere with Tim

69, work and home

70, work and home the long way

71, work and home the long way

72, very early start at Delamere

100 miles approx, lots of fun, lots of rain, lots of beer and wine.

The woman who's had an operation is recovering well.

I've managed to tear a muscle in my calf, the physio is saying deep muscle trauma, my leg is saying ouch, ooyaa, bugger

Its looking like another week off the bike, its looking like Bristol will be yet another poor showing

but, compared to some I've come off lightly, first Grant with his collar bone, Jenn with her wrist, now Chris with her shoulder, the artist and his lungs, and then there's Matt with his ankle, its not been a good year for the cheeky people

However, there is a fun weekend looming, there is a road bike begging for a hiding (hopefully next week pending deep muscle trauma pissing off)

keep smiling

63, 64, 65 and 66

2009-04-13T19:33:00.004+01:00

63, Thursday, straight to work, long way home, 25 miles for the day.

64, Friday, straight to work, straight home, 10 miles, nothing to note.

65, Saturday, 22 miles in the peaks with 24 other people, The Modfather had arranged a fantastic weekend at a bunkhouse in Bamford, lots of the usual suspects, some new faces, all good, the ride was lots of fun, lots of faffage, lots and lots of stops for chats and laughs, 6 hours out, just about 4 hours of riding very slowly, beer almost at the end, just before the DDDD descent at the back of Bamford, one from the old days there.

Best moment of the day ?, seeing Andy Armstrong on a bike and enjoying himself, the boy done good, everyone enjoyed that.

A late late night followed, not too much alcohol but lots of deep and meaningful chat, all the people involved go back some years and need to know that we all love each other. If you were there you were there because you are a valued friend.

Sunday morning followed and another ride gathered its momentum, even slower today, a bit less chat, hangovers kicking in, nothing epic by any means but finishing with cake and ice cream at the Woodbine was the perfect end.

10 miles.

142 for the week, 968 for the year.

It would appear that century fever is amongst us, all over the country friends are doing old school century's, I need to raise my game and get in amongst it...

It'll have to wait a while though, SWMBO is now out of hospital and recovering well, but gently does it, steady away to quote Sharon, even though I'm off work this week I'll only be doing the odd ride down the river :-)

Its been a funny old day...

2009-04-01T21:11:00.002+01:00

A week off the bike seemed to have helped the ills disapear, a short break in Jersey certainly helped, it was, to coin the cliche, a bit like going back in time only with all the mod cons, lots of ferrari's driving along in 2nd gear, lots of polite and pleasant people, lots of lovely coastal walks and great food and wine.

The biggest impression was the wartime history, there's no getting away from it and being so close was quite moving.

Anyhows..

Ride number 60, Monday, straight to work and then a long ride home, once again the cheap and cheer full Kona was the weapon of choice, chosen for its mudguards, not really needed as no rain was spilt, that bike is 100 times better than it has any right to be, sure its heavy but it just damn works.

25 miles

Ride 61, again straight to work on the Kona, middle way home, 20 miles for the day.

Ride 62, and yet again straight to work, this time on the Trek 69er, I really like this bike, it just feels and rides right and as Ben said it is one of those bikes that is blessed with rightness, hell even the ISIS bottom bracket is still running smoothly after a year ( I have to say that I have previous with ISIS, having blasted through these bottom brackets in as little as 15 miles) , the consensus of friends is that its a cheap and cheerful version, i:e cheap and heavy, therefore strong. And of course after posing this question to my cheeky friends I readily accepted that this forthcoming weekends shenanigans will be cursed :-).

The bell fnally rang at work and was out into the sunlight, heading west along the trans pennine trail until the first puncture, couldn't believe it, a stick had torn through the tyre, quick tube change and a make do tyre boot and away, turning soon enough and heading back with the sun on my back, got to the point of decision and felt that feeling of tyre squealing as you turn, another damn puncture, as I jumped of the bike I noticed something a bit odd in the gutter, a ginger ladies wig !!

No idea how that got there, presumably some kind of strange liason gone wrong ?, any how I put it on a post just in case the owner was looking for it.

The day was done now, 30 miles for the day, 75 for the week so far, 901 for the year.

More to come on Thursday and Friday and then a weekend in the peak districts beckons :-)

......

Sunshine, sunshine.....grey.....ill...shit

2009-03-23T20:23:00.003Z

So, where were we ?

ah yes, 58 and 59

58 actually comprised of 3 rides in one day, middle way to work, short way home and then Benji's birthday night ride, probably 20 miles in total, the work rides were pleasant enough, but the highlight of the day was the short night ride, up Jack bridge and for the first time this year my legs felt as though there was a little bit of life in them, got to the top hardly breathing, and had held a conversation all the way up !, going down over the other side of the valley was lots of fun also, despite almost taking Charlotte (CLO Radsville as she likes to be known, and is deserving of the name) out by my poor riding, cleaned punch the wall, almost cleaned conkers deep (1 dab) but then stalled at the steps at the last bit, but no matter, I had a lot of fun, quick pint afterwards and Dave and I had to leave before the celebrations really got going.

59 (Friday) up early and out, longish way to work, legs a bit stiff from last night, but the sun was rising, ace ride, 12 miles off road all the way, then leaving work early, long way home, 2 hours soaking in the sunlight, mmmmm...

another 25 miles.

Total for the week is 142 miles, quite pleased with that, more importantly though is the amount of saddle time :-)

Weekend greyness returned, I'd kind of planned not to ride on Saturday anyway, had some Avocets to photograph, shame the light was awful, Sunday and more greyness and not feeling too brilliant so again set off after the Avocets, nowt much happening though.

Monday, woke up feeling not quite right, stayed in bed for most of the day, feels like the cold from last year is coming back, not really a big surprise, friends are reporting similar, my folks have got it bad (and after I visited on Saturday I'm not surprised) so we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Only two days left in which to ride this week as we are off to Jersey for a short break, rthe weather is looking terrible, almost certain to not ride again till next week :-(

54, 55, 56 and 57

2009-03-18T21:12:00.004Z

54 - Monday morning, straight to work in the morning, Chateuneuf headache in tow, by the afternoon the sun was out, headed west along the trans penine trail, only as far as Thelwall, then back and east, 2 and a half hours, 35 miles for the day.

55 - Tuesday morning, up early and a medium way into work, early morning sun put a smile on my face, 12 miles.

56 - Tuesday evening, out of work early and again heading west, didn't get as far as Thelwall, turned and headed east, retraced my steps from this morning, one idiot in a car tried to kill me but as always he didn't want to stop for a discussion, cock, one and a half hours, 18 miles.

57 - Wednesday, up and straight to work, foggy and damp, but...., once again the sun came out and burnt the wet away, legs were a little heavy from the last three days.... but an email from a friend had inspired me to ride so again I set off west wards heading into the sun, an hour and a half was enough, the warmth on my face was soothing, and another alcohol free night tonight.

20 miles today, I might be getting near my first 100 mile week this week, aiming to get up early tomorrow, a switch to the Stiffee will slow things down but an hour and fifteen should be a reasonable time for the medium way to work and then all things being well I'll be in Calderdale tomorrow night for my first night ride of 2009 !!

...

Ride No 53

2009-03-15T17:34:00.002Z

Best laid plans.....

My left knee was aching all last weekend after the ice crash, so after the right knee taking over a month to get better I decided to take a week off, so i took a week off, and got back on the bike last Friday for a short spin into work, the knee ached all day which effectively wrote off this weekends plans.

However I had an itch to scratch so I got up early for a short spin on the road bike, an hour and fifteen, 22 miles and no aching, but lets be realistic, I'll try the Breed to work tomorrow morning and then see how it feels with some dirt on it.

Its a shame that I missed out on riding with friends this last weekend as I'm effectively out of circulation for the next two months due to a mixture of work and family commitments, in fact its unlikely that I wont ride a mountainbike again until early June when I'll be attempting a 12 hour endurance race at the Bristol Bike Fest (which unfortunately is the same weekend as SSUK09).

So, this years has seen 53 rides, 684 miles, about a thousand miles less than it should be and more annoying is that most of the rides have been solo instead of with friends, June should see that start to change.

...

31 in 31 FAIL

2009-03-11T17:44:00.002Z

common sense got the better of me, my knee was still aching and there was ice on the road, I bailed out and decided a week off would be needed, today I woke up and my knee wasn't aching.

Tomorrow I will ride to work, and maybe try the long way home depending upon how it feels.

Of course all this is a total and utter irrelevance as 2 friends got carted last week...

Grant had a car turn across him, he now has 3 collar bones and a stuffed knee which is looking like 3 months off the bike, tomorrow he faces surgery to rebuild his bones...

Gary also had a car turn across him, he got off slightly better, bruised all over and a cut to his cheek just below his left eye from his Oakley's which required 5 stitches.

Both of em lit up like xmas trees, neither of em seen by the car driver ?

Both of em incredibly lucky to be able to tell the tale, no wonder I prefer to get muddy than have to deal with this stuff :-/

on a brighter note, the coming weekend should ( knee permitting) see some quality road miles in my legs, riding around Calderdale on a road bike has been likened to playing cricket at Wembley, I quite like that idea and am looking forward to another perspective on one of my favourite areas for riding.

And the hopefully another attempt at 30 in 30 in April.

11 almost fail

2009-03-05T21:37:00.002Z

morning, up late, headache due to red wine, ice on roads, not a happy bunny, 20 mins and safety

day, knee and ankle sore and stiff, doubt creeps in, lots of water, bail Stanny's birthday ride, feel like a heel, bored, still stiff, sensible thoughts, decide to bail 31 in 31, get out at 4

night, sunshine, slight tail wind, get to crux point, fuckit, o left and hit the trail, knee is loosening up, trails are tacky, sunshine providing some warmth on my face......

Arrive home one and a half hours later, victory snatched from the jaws of laziness, 31 in 31 lives another day.

Next week planning to step it up, need to get fit, need to get fit, need to stop drinking, need to get thin, there may be trouble ahead

9 and ten

2009-03-04T19:52:00.002Z

9 = 20 minutes to work as I was late, then out into the wind and rain and sleet and hail, and fun fun fun, muddy wet trails, 1 and 1 half hour later and I'm home getting undressed in the kitchen......

25 miles

T10 = the long way in, had to pick up a parcel and then onto to the ice, only problem was that I didn't realise it was icy until too late, just riding along and smiling at the sunlight, urn left and whammoo, once again this winter I'm on my arse !

Totally didn't see that coming, must have been some bad karma catching up with me ?, anyway, damage to the bike amounts to a bent and scratched brake lever and torn bar tape, damage to me includes 50pence shaped hole in left knee, puncture would to left calf ?, sore left wrist and now sore down the left side all over.

Still, at least no one saw my ungracious fall, an hour later and I'm at work, shower, shave and coffee, sit down, start to get stiff, ache, wince, get through the day, keep moving, jet wash bike, lube chain, grind brake blocks flat on the linisher, pick random pieces of metal out of brake blocks, realign brake blocks, notice that rims (Mavic Open Pro's) are already wearing out after 200 miles, short way home....

During the day I had lots of random but totally lucid thoughts I wanted to share here, but they've all gone back inside and I'm buggered if I can remember any of them, perhaps the metal that was in the pads fell out of my ears ?

20 miles

oh yeah, Endura Event 3/4s and Endura Stealth softshell totally and utterly rock in the wet and mud.

Buy some

...

4,5,6,7 and 8

2009-03-02T20:10:00.002Z

Thursday - one hour and 15 minutes in the morning, 30 mins in the evening equals 20 miles and then 265 miles in the car.

Friday - 6 hours on the hills and the dark and the pub, lost in a forest all alone, scared shitless on a busy road with no lights, Biff rescue, dropping through the woods in the dark is ace, 4 hours ride time, at least 25 miles, probably nearer 30.

Friday night - cocktails, great food, red wine, lots of laughing, sleep.

Saturday - sober up, drive, change, ride, sore legs, coastal path, hidden valley, sunshine and lollipops, h bars, tea cake, slow legs, sore knee, broken chain, last hill, sprint along the dock road, knee popping, rest, tea, curry beer, chat, laugh, sleep, 4 hours riding, 6 hours out in the sunshine - 30 miles

Sunday - grey, cold, sore knee, drive, afternoon sun, ride for one hour and 30, 20 miles.

Monday, up early, one hour and 15 in the morning, one hour and twenty five in the evening, knee is okay on flat trails - 30 miles.

easy peasy ?

nope, tomorrow is heavy rain, that will really test my fortitude.

BTW, single speed cross bikes rawk, I may have already said that :-)

31 in 31 - pointless willy waving

2009-02-25T20:24:00.003Z

So, once again it begins....

No idea why ?, it just seems like a good idea and it can only help so here we go

Monday, an hour and ten minutes in the morning on the Breed, job done, home was the middle way, 20 miles.

Tuesday was an early start, once again down the river, an hour and ten, home was straight back, 16 miles.

Loving the Breed.

Wednesday (today) was a late start as I had a dentist appointment at 1030 so up at 8 and out by ten past, down the river to the fields of cross feeling pretty groovy, the bike just wanted to go faster and faster, I was laughing to myself, letting the bike slide around, pushing the traction to the limit, did some climbs, out of the saddle and stomping hard NO KNEE PAIN !!!!!

An hour and 30 minutes later and I' done, but not yet finished.

Dentist, replacement filling and back out on the bike, legs now stiffening so just straight into work.

The bell rang and I was out again, across the moss to the shak, picked up some Cliff Shots and a couple of Cliff bars for the weekend, a quick catch up with the crew's news at the shak, a brew and I'm back out again on the moss, acoss the back to the river at a fair pace, hit the river trail and run out of energy.

Span my way home happy with a 30 mile 3 ride day :-)

The Felt Breed has inspired this return of the love, dunno why it should be any different from my beloved Jake but there you go, I can only see myself riding this bike for the rest of the 31 in 31 (at least during the week), this bike rawks !

.....

37, 38, 39 and 40

2009-02-22T19:11:00.006Z

37,38,39 were boring there and backs, made ever so slightly more interesting by being along the river on the Stiffee which is the only burly bike with working brakes, I now have 4 pairs of Hopes that need servicing !

anyhow, no aches from the knee during any of these rides so I felt confident about todays escape to Penmachno

WRONG diddly WRONG

But before all that we had a few comedy moments, first of all driving into ByC for a bacon butty, we were both laughing at the memory of the potato gun incident from Robs leaving do, what must the residents have thought as hot potatoes rained down into the town that night ? and then just a funny for me watching Dave drop his coffee as he struggled to get out of the bakery door, I guess you had to be there on both occasions !

Anyway, the ride....

1st climb and I'm wincing, 1st descent and I cant stand without it buckling under me, bollocks bollocks bollocks.

Dave and Ali continued on to finish the red route whilst I dropped back down the hill, but instead of heading to the car I dropped into the granny ring and spun my way up hill to drop down the last singletrack descent, the knee was still aching and twingeing but was tolerable so I decided to head off again to see how it went. I headed back uphill at a snails pace but again it was manageable, decided to head further up and get to the second last descent, after an eternity in the granny ring I finally got there. The descent was interesting as there was a few guys in front of me who were even slower downhill than me and I kept catching them, but as tempting as it was to overtake I decided to stop and let them get well ahead so that I could descend at a more pedestrian pace.

I got back to the car having done just an hour so my start at 31 in 31 was completed, and despite the knee playing up I was still happy, happy just to be in the hills, happy to drive down the estuary road to ByC, happy to hear the buzzards calling and watching them circle (I've been going here to ride bikes for 20 years now and I always see and associate buzzards with this area).

abot an hour later Dave and Ali arrive back at the car, they are buzzing having raced around the trail, get changed, bikes loaded, cheery goodbyes, some vague plans for another attempt at Snowdon and we are driving.

This week will see just an hour eac morning hoping that the knee will get better in time for next weekend.

Running total, 40 rides and 480 miles.

....

Into the light

2009-02-16T20:19:00.002Z

35 was a straight there and back affair, down the river in the mud, 10 miles.

36 (today) was again a straight there and back affair, down the river in the mud, 10 miles.

BUT...

At last I managed a ride home tonight without the need for life saving blinkies, its such a boost, almost enough to make me forget my rubbish knee, the knee that I fell on nearly four weeks ago, the knee I knacked riding silly long miles up silly bloody hills, the knee that I landed on last week.

Needless to say I didn't get out on the bike over weekend, the rain made my decision easy, rest the knee.

Its starting to get on my nerves now, I'd been expecting to have got into the gym at work by now, rowing, running and that ski thingy, maybe next week ?.

Probably just do the commute this week, hopefully then able to get to Penmchno for a big sky experience on Sunday :-)