Are we going to pay now for a mild winter so far? Needless to say the weather got the better of us today and instead of pushing down on the pedals here I am pushing down on the keyboard. I intended to do a decent ride in place of the Guiseley trip but the extreme cold weather, together with a "bit of a chest" has put me off. The good news is that Phil, our prospective host over there, has become a grandfather after years of trying. His daughter gave birth to a strapping lad interestingly named, Thomas Seth. Now isn't that a great start in life, a name like that - Seth. Congratulations to Joanne and her husband, whose name escapes me.
We are hoping to help Phil celebrate next week, all being well. There is very little else to report but I suppose that doesn't usually stop me. I will look after myself for the rest of today and hope to be in good nick when the weather eases off. There is a good weekend of sport to look forward to.
Friday, 10 February 2012
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Weather Watch
It was bitterly cold this morning but I managed to venture out, partially laden, to the delightful village of Newburgh in West Lancs where I visited a gentleman best described as a friend of a friend who was recommended to me as someone who may be able to help and advise me on things I may need to take with me. Robin turned out to be very obliging and helpful and extremely knowledgeable about all things bike. It wasn't the most convenient time to visit but he agreed to check on things I'd never heard of such as, chain splitters, folding tyres, kickstands etc, which he felt I may need to add to my equipment. While I was there he was visited by a couple of his friends who were cycling enthusiasts who were interested in my project and I thoroughly enjoyed their company. When I say enthusiasts I mean people who have been cycling for 50 odd years which is, by the way, 45 odd years longer that I have.
I continued on to my mother's house from Robins and had a sandwich and "several" biscuits there with my mum and two of my sisters. The other sister, Cinderella, was working. The sun came out and it turned into yet another beautiful winter's day. How many times have I written that? I attempted Parbold Hill the hard way on the way home, lighter by two bottles of Dalwhinnie which I had left behind as presents for the forty year old nephews. They are now officially old enough for the good things in life, real ale and malt whisky. Predictably, I didn't manage it without stopping. I actually got one telegraph pole further than I have ever done and finished it off after a break of a minute or so. The average speed both ways worked out at just less than 12 mph which is acceptable with the bags on and that lump in the middle. Acceptable to me anyway.
The trip to Guiseley on Friday is in jeopardy due to heavy snow forecast in the Pennine area on Thursday night. We will be keeping an eye on the weather forecasts and will make a decision tomorrow (Thursday). There's always next week, I suppose, and we have been lucky with the weather so far this winter.
I continued on to my mother's house from Robins and had a sandwich and "several" biscuits there with my mum and two of my sisters. The other sister, Cinderella, was working. The sun came out and it turned into yet another beautiful winter's day. How many times have I written that? I attempted Parbold Hill the hard way on the way home, lighter by two bottles of Dalwhinnie which I had left behind as presents for the forty year old nephews. They are now officially old enough for the good things in life, real ale and malt whisky. Predictably, I didn't manage it without stopping. I actually got one telegraph pole further than I have ever done and finished it off after a break of a minute or so. The average speed both ways worked out at just less than 12 mph which is acceptable with the bags on and that lump in the middle. Acceptable to me anyway.
The trip to Guiseley on Friday is in jeopardy due to heavy snow forecast in the Pennine area on Thursday night. We will be keeping an eye on the weather forecasts and will make a decision tomorrow (Thursday). There's always next week, I suppose, and we have been lucky with the weather so far this winter.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Nepotism
I have two nephews and they were born within a few weeks of each other in January and February 1972. Consequently there was a joint 40th birthday party on Saturday night for all the extended family, and it does extend, believe me. It went down very well and it was great to see, and catch up, with so many of my own cousins there together with the more immediate usual suspects.
There were a few conversations, mainly with those I haven't seen for a while, about my ride and how training was going and what the hell are you playing at etc, and I vaguely remember near the end of the night, being informed that a few of "the lads" were coming over to meet up with me in Budapest, which will be a nice little interlude at about half way to Turkey. I checked my itinerary and found that I arrive there on a Tuesday which is no good at all. The choice then seemed to be slow down a bit or speed up a bit to arrive at a weekend. Predictably, I have decided to go for the latter, no, not because it's more of a challenge, but because I know that one or two can't make it the week after. It just adds 15 miles or so per day and still gives me rest days as planned, if I need them, that is.
Needless to say I was a bit hung over on Sunday but it was still quite icy and I didn't venture out. It was miserable and murky today at first and then the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful afternoon. I had to get out and do a bit. I packed a load of random stuff in the bags and did the Chorley ride of 19.2 miles. The bike was noticeably heavier but I still managed 12 mph plus which amazed me, but then I suppose the weight only really affects the uphill bits. There is also the possibility that I'm getting better at this game but I'm not too sure about that. I may have a ride tomorrow or may just go to the gym. Another 20 miles or so on Wednesday should see me right for the ride to Guiseley and back on Friday and Saturday. We'll see.
There were a few conversations, mainly with those I haven't seen for a while, about my ride and how training was going and what the hell are you playing at etc, and I vaguely remember near the end of the night, being informed that a few of "the lads" were coming over to meet up with me in Budapest, which will be a nice little interlude at about half way to Turkey. I checked my itinerary and found that I arrive there on a Tuesday which is no good at all. The choice then seemed to be slow down a bit or speed up a bit to arrive at a weekend. Predictably, I have decided to go for the latter, no, not because it's more of a challenge, but because I know that one or two can't make it the week after. It just adds 15 miles or so per day and still gives me rest days as planned, if I need them, that is.
Needless to say I was a bit hung over on Sunday but it was still quite icy and I didn't venture out. It was miserable and murky today at first and then the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful afternoon. I had to get out and do a bit. I packed a load of random stuff in the bags and did the Chorley ride of 19.2 miles. The bike was noticeably heavier but I still managed 12 mph plus which amazed me, but then I suppose the weight only really affects the uphill bits. There is also the possibility that I'm getting better at this game but I'm not too sure about that. I may have a ride tomorrow or may just go to the gym. Another 20 miles or so on Wednesday should see me right for the ride to Guiseley and back on Friday and Saturday. We'll see.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Christmas Presents
My son's name is Tom, the same as mine. Strangely though he was not named after me. We don't do that silly sort of thing in our family. No, he was named after my Dad.
Anyway, now that's cleared up I can tell you that the lad in question gave me a present at Christmas, or was it my birthday? Never mind, he bought me 12 days' membership at the DW gym, to be used on 12 consecutive days once it was activated. I called in weeks ago and took possession of my card and was told I can start using it at any time. I thought it would be best to keep it for a rainy day, or a long sequence of same and didn't use it at first until yesterday, Thursday, that is. I handed my card in and was told by the young lady on the reception that the card had expired because it was more than 12 days since it was activated. I wasn't really that bothered but I managed to look disappointed so she said I could use it for this one occasion. I went into the changing rooms and didn't have a pound coin for the locker so I thought "Sod it, I'll do a few sit-ups at home" and decided to leave. When I was passing the desk I just thought I'd ask why the card had expired when I hadn't used it. The girl rang someone and murmured and looked at the screen and murmured some more and put the phone down. I stood there patiently and the phone rang and she answered it and seemed to be ignoring me. She put the phone down and then told me she had been speaking to the manager and he had said it was ok to re-activate my card and that I could use it for the next 12 days. So a good result, apart from the fact hat I didn't really want to go to the gym for the next 12 days. I went in again and found change for the locker and did a reasonable little session. I went again today and met a few acquaintances and sort of enjoyed it. I'll probably join when the 12 days is over so young Zoe did a good job for her employer after all!
Another Christmas present I received from my darling children was this devilish little number on the right. You may be able to figure out that I can not resist a challenge and this certainly was.
I just had to do it, which meant that while other self-respecting bloggers were blogging away in their spare time there was I desperately searching for a piece with an outie bit on the left with a pink duck's beak in the middle, similar to the one on the left.
The good news is, as can be seen on the right, that it is finished so, after all the excuses about work and taxes and knees and viruses, the real reason for my lack of progress on the blog has now been revealed.
As I said on Thursday, planning has commenced on my next multi-day ride which may take place next Friday, 10th Feb, so I am looking forward to that.
Anyway, now that's cleared up I can tell you that the lad in question gave me a present at Christmas, or was it my birthday? Never mind, he bought me 12 days' membership at the DW gym, to be used on 12 consecutive days once it was activated. I called in weeks ago and took possession of my card and was told I can start using it at any time. I thought it would be best to keep it for a rainy day, or a long sequence of same and didn't use it at first until yesterday, Thursday, that is. I handed my card in and was told by the young lady on the reception that the card had expired because it was more than 12 days since it was activated. I wasn't really that bothered but I managed to look disappointed so she said I could use it for this one occasion. I went into the changing rooms and didn't have a pound coin for the locker so I thought "Sod it, I'll do a few sit-ups at home" and decided to leave. When I was passing the desk I just thought I'd ask why the card had expired when I hadn't used it. The girl rang someone and murmured and looked at the screen and murmured some more and put the phone down. I stood there patiently and the phone rang and she answered it and seemed to be ignoring me. She put the phone down and then told me she had been speaking to the manager and he had said it was ok to re-activate my card and that I could use it for the next 12 days. So a good result, apart from the fact hat I didn't really want to go to the gym for the next 12 days. I went in again and found change for the locker and did a reasonable little session. I went again today and met a few acquaintances and sort of enjoyed it. I'll probably join when the 12 days is over so young Zoe did a good job for her employer after all!
Another Christmas present I received from my darling children was this devilish little number on the right. You may be able to figure out that I can not resist a challenge and this certainly was.
I just had to do it, which meant that while other self-respecting bloggers were blogging away in their spare time there was I desperately searching for a piece with an outie bit on the left with a pink duck's beak in the middle, similar to the one on the left.
The good news is, as can be seen on the right, that it is finished so, after all the excuses about work and taxes and knees and viruses, the real reason for my lack of progress on the blog has now been revealed.As I said on Thursday, planning has commenced on my next multi-day ride which may take place next Friday, 10th Feb, so I am looking forward to that.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Virus
I haven't been feeling particularly good the last few days. I think I have had a virus of some sort. Maybe I caught it off the computer. Anyway, I'm a lot better now thanks and hoping to set off on the next phase which will hopefully include another ride over to Yorkshire next week. It has been strange this last couple of weeks. Maybe I'm a bit confident after doing the ride to Denby Dale the other week or maybe it's the postponement. It could also be that the route is decided and almost all of the equipment is here and there is not much planning left to do. Planning is possibly the best part, they say. I could also blame work but I'm starting to repeat myself, which is not unusual apparently.
Next Friday we, George and I, are planning to visit my good mates Phil and Louise in Guiseley. I will have the chance to be fully laden this time and may camp out if it's not too cold. That's the plan anyway. I just can't get enough of these hills. I will need to build up the mileage over the next week so must really get out tomorrow and Sunday. As I promised last time I hope to have something to report soon.
Next Friday we, George and I, are planning to visit my good mates Phil and Louise in Guiseley. I will have the chance to be fully laden this time and may camp out if it's not too cold. That's the plan anyway. I just can't get enough of these hills. I will need to build up the mileage over the next week so must really get out tomorrow and Sunday. As I promised last time I hope to have something to report soon.
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