Back to work after the long weekend. Had a terrible night's sleep last night - 3 pints of Black Sheep, two bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and a table full of rich food at yesterday's party was the main problem.
Also, the excitement of watching West Brom get into the FA Cup Semi-final with my mother-in-law who is die-hard Baggies didn't aid my digestion.
A gentle run along the canal at lunchtime helped sort me out.
I'm hoping to cycle Tues, Wed, Thu and Fri with the Early Birds, and then a long ride on Sunday.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Le Chat and Harry Quinn
Well, today was my youngest daughter's baptism - and a chance to catch up with some old friends.
You can find the christening photos on facebook, but the one here is of a couple of buddies who will be joining me on the Etape. Harry Quinn(Lilac) on the left - (he's a HMHB fan) and Jason "Le Chat" on the right of the photo.
Today we swapped tales of not quite doing enough training.
I'm in the middle - can you see how small I appear? This has got to be a benefit when climbing up mountains on bikes, surely?
Saturday, 8 March 2008
The Red Kite with the Early Birds
4 keen early-birders out this morning.
An old favourite ride up Norwood edge, round the reservoirs and back.
We saw a Red Kite which was skirmishing with a rook about 20 metres from us.
I felt strong despite the efforts yesterday, and we all rode well (all 4 are doing the long White Rose Classic ride - for John and Richard it will be their first attempt, but I think they will do well on June 8th!)
Day off tomorrow! My youngest daughter's baptism so it shall be a special day.
An old favourite ride up Norwood edge, round the reservoirs and back.
We saw a Red Kite which was skirmishing with a rook about 20 metres from us.
I felt strong despite the efforts yesterday, and we all rode well (all 4 are doing the long White Rose Classic ride - for John and Richard it will be their first attempt, but I think they will do well on June 8th!)
Day off tomorrow! My youngest daughter's baptism so it shall be a special day.
Friday, 7 March 2008
The Beauty of Littondale
Well, I managed the ride.
Despite it being quite wet setting off at 630am, I felt keen to keep to my plan of doing my long ride.
After waving goodbye to the early-birds at Cavendish Pavilion at 7, I set off in good spirits. There was a stong headwind all the way out along Wharfedale and Littondale to Halton Gill. I rode well and kept it solid all the way.
The climb out of Halton Gill is one of my favourite climbs - the view back along Littondale is a marvellous site. Today, especially, it was beautiful. The sun broke through the clouds and illumited one side of the u-shaped valley. The Skirfare also caught the glint of the sun and looked like a silver serpent as it wound its way across the bottom of the valley. Amazing.
At the top I was accosted by 200-300 sheep. I think they were expecting some food from me!
Once under Pen-y-ghent, the wind was a devilish cross-wind which buffeted me all along silverdale.
I punctured on the steep descent into Malham and enjoyed the respite as I leisurely repaired it.
I did the whole ride in about 5 hours, which was a pretty good effort. I was pleased as I finished feeling really strong - I could have done it again (or so I thought!).
Right now the Tourmalet and Hautacam hold no fear for me.
Despite it being quite wet setting off at 630am, I felt keen to keep to my plan of doing my long ride.
After waving goodbye to the early-birds at Cavendish Pavilion at 7, I set off in good spirits. There was a stong headwind all the way out along Wharfedale and Littondale to Halton Gill. I rode well and kept it solid all the way.
The climb out of Halton Gill is one of my favourite climbs - the view back along Littondale is a marvellous site. Today, especially, it was beautiful. The sun broke through the clouds and illumited one side of the u-shaped valley. The Skirfare also caught the glint of the sun and looked like a silver serpent as it wound its way across the bottom of the valley. Amazing.
At the top I was accosted by 200-300 sheep. I think they were expecting some food from me!
Once under Pen-y-ghent, the wind was a devilish cross-wind which buffeted me all along silverdale.
I punctured on the steep descent into Malham and enjoyed the respite as I leisurely repaired it.
I did the whole ride in about 5 hours, which was a pretty good effort. I was pleased as I finished feeling really strong - I could have done it again (or so I thought!).
Right now the Tourmalet and Hautacam hold no fear for me.
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Lambs and Deer
Back with the Early Birds today. A nice 20 miler with a steep climb towards the end up Addingham Moorside. Saw a field full of Spring lambs on the way out (and an unfortunately dead deer on the side of the road on the way back).
I felt quite strong for a change, although Mark dropped off the pace early as he wasn't feeling well, Cacophony's chain fell off and El Cid was at best heavily hung-over and at worst still drunk! It was nice to be on a lighter bike, but my new one is still wrapped up (despite having it since December - a tale for another Post!)
Tomorrow I have a day off work and am planning a longish ride (~70 miles) with a few nice climbs - it is effectively the Route 2 ride of the White Rose Classic, minus a bit at the start.
I felt quite strong for a change, although Mark dropped off the pace early as he wasn't feeling well, Cacophony's chain fell off and El Cid was at best heavily hung-over and at worst still drunk! It was nice to be on a lighter bike, but my new one is still wrapped up (despite having it since December - a tale for another Post!)
Tomorrow I have a day off work and am planning a longish ride (~70 miles) with a few nice climbs - it is effectively the Route 2 ride of the White Rose Classic, minus a bit at the start.
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Back in the Gym
Working away in Swindon for the last three days. Managed to spend a couple of hours on both Monday and Tuesday night in the gym - yesterday I managed a 1 hr 45 min session on the exercise bike which was tough.
Today I travelled back and had a rest day.
Back on the (real) bike tomorrow!
Today I travelled back and had a rest day.
Back on the (real) bike tomorrow!
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Lost Weekend
Managed to sleep in and miss the ride I was going to do on Saturday. Today was Mother's Day so it was breakfast in bed for my wife, lovingly made by our daughters.
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