Wednesday, 18 January 2012
An Apology
In a recent blog I stated that my old mate George was "getting off his big fat wobbly backside" to ride with me to Denby Dale, or words to that effect.
I now understand and accept that this was not correct. I had occasion during the Denby Dale ride to view the backside of the man in question, for very short periods before he took a wrong turning, that is, and I can confirm that it is neither big, fat or wobbly. I unreservedly apologise to George for any embarrassment I may have caused and will get him a pint next time I see him.
The Tour of Turkey is a bike race, similar in format to the Tour de France but shorter and maybe a division below in standard of rider. Every year for the last four years or so there has been a stage finishing in Fethiye near the end of April. I have had great fun watching the television coverage, recognising the bridge near our place and the Dolphin roundabout etc. I had assumed that the race would take a similar form this year and this was the reason for the timing of my ride, i.e., with my arrival to coincide with the end of the Fethiye stage, possibly riding through the closed-off streets a couple of hours before the main race with lots of people around and thereby good publicity for the charity (and a massive pose for me). Anyway, I assumed wrong. The organisers have seen fit to race the other way around this year with stage 4 starting from Fethiye to Marmaris (BOOOOO) on 25th April. The barriers will probably be removed as soon as the stage starts and the roads will be thronged with traffic immediately. I have therefore made a decision to postpone the start of my ride for four weeks or so. This will give me warmer, probably drier, weather, longer days and a much greater choice of campsites, many of which only open on 1st April. I am a bit disappointed myself because I want to get out there but it does make sense.
I went out on Sunday for a little 11 mile ride and felt great. I managed 14mph average which is good for me. I should have taken advantage of the good weather on Monday and Tuesday but work got in the way - heaven forbid! I hope to get out tomorrow for a long one all being well.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
There and Back
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| Saddleworth Awaits |
We made our way through Oldham and then faced the 300m plus climb up onto the infamous Saddleworth Moor. I managed it in the "granny gears" but George only had 12 gears. He had to stop once so it was a very brave effort by the lad. We met Steve on the top and descended into Holmfirth and after a couple more climbs eventually made it to the delightful village of Denby Dale, a total of 79.5km. We should have gone round the block to make it up to 80km which is about 50 miles. It was great to see Maggie at the door cheering us in with her pinny on. We had a really special evening, catching up and chatting about old times over a few pints of Wharfebank Tether in the local and then back for a tremendous meal with nice wine and a malt whisky to finish off.
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| Last of the summer wine country |
Needless to say we were a bit fuzzy this morning (Saturday) but we got our breakfast down us and Steve drove us to the place he had met us the day before and we set off again, this time down the 5.4km slope into Saddleworth which was a bit hairy because there were bits of ice and frost around where the sun hadn't been able to get at it. It was an uneventful ride back and I was stiffening up badly near the end but we made it. It was about 62km coming back which is just less than 40 miles. So that's two long rides on consecutive days with a moderate and then a severe hangover. I'm feeling OK at the moment but I think there may be a bit of stiffness tomorrow and maybe thereafter. We'll see.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
A Taxing Test
I can't believe I haven't blogged since last Friday. Where does the time go? Sound familiar?
The problem is that people have now got over Christmas and started thinking about doing things to their houses. Builders are back at work and have started knocking walls down and concrete batching plants have decided to move a few silos around. The outcome of this is that I have been quite busy this week. I also need to make my online tax submission by the end of the month which is a nuisance. I have done a bit but there is much more to do.
The weather hasn't been bad so I have managed to get out every other day and do a bit. On Tuesday I cycled up to a place called Sweatshop in Chorley which specialises in running shoes and other sporting equipment. They carry out a "gait assessment" and recommend appropriate trainers for runners. They also measure the bottom of your feet and check arches etc and provide tailor-made orthotics (insoles) which they say can help prevent or relieve lower limb problems. I bought a pair of trainers and a pair of insoles which I am wearing now. The jury is still out, so far.
I am ready for my first "shakedown" over to Denby Dale tomorrow, where they make proper pies. Can't wait. The weather will be fine apparently but a bit cold. Cold has never been a problem as long as it is dry. Cycling does really keep you warm, honest. The excellent news is that my old mate George is getting off his big fat wobbly bottom and he will be accompanying me so we'll have a laugh. The plan is that we will stop at Oldham or thereabouts for a snack and phone our host Steve who will then set off from base camp and hopefully meet us near Holmfirth, if we can get over Saddleworth Moor that is. We'll have to take it very easy and save some energy because we are returning West the next day. That will be quite a test doing such a long ride on consecutive days but it's got to be done. George is not soft. He's bringing a train timetable. My sleeping bag and mat have now arrived but no panniers. I rang the store and they are out of stock. Fortunately I don't need to carry much stuff but I wanted to have a go with them on and see how it went.
I will be sending out beacons and recording the route on www.shareyouradventure.com so we can be tracked if anyone has any doubts about our real mission.
The problem is that people have now got over Christmas and started thinking about doing things to their houses. Builders are back at work and have started knocking walls down and concrete batching plants have decided to move a few silos around. The outcome of this is that I have been quite busy this week. I also need to make my online tax submission by the end of the month which is a nuisance. I have done a bit but there is much more to do.
The weather hasn't been bad so I have managed to get out every other day and do a bit. On Tuesday I cycled up to a place called Sweatshop in Chorley which specialises in running shoes and other sporting equipment. They carry out a "gait assessment" and recommend appropriate trainers for runners. They also measure the bottom of your feet and check arches etc and provide tailor-made orthotics (insoles) which they say can help prevent or relieve lower limb problems. I bought a pair of trainers and a pair of insoles which I am wearing now. The jury is still out, so far.
I am ready for my first "shakedown" over to Denby Dale tomorrow, where they make proper pies. Can't wait. The weather will be fine apparently but a bit cold. Cold has never been a problem as long as it is dry. Cycling does really keep you warm, honest. The excellent news is that my old mate George is getting off his big fat wobbly bottom and he will be accompanying me so we'll have a laugh. The plan is that we will stop at Oldham or thereabouts for a snack and phone our host Steve who will then set off from base camp and hopefully meet us near Holmfirth, if we can get over Saddleworth Moor that is. We'll have to take it very easy and save some energy because we are returning West the next day. That will be quite a test doing such a long ride on consecutive days but it's got to be done. George is not soft. He's bringing a train timetable. My sleeping bag and mat have now arrived but no panniers. I rang the store and they are out of stock. Fortunately I don't need to carry much stuff but I wanted to have a go with them on and see how it went.
I will be sending out beacons and recording the route on www.shareyouradventure.com so we can be tracked if anyone has any doubts about our real mission.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Shakedown
I can't believe I haven't blogged since Monday. Where does the time go?
The weather has been particularly poor and my knees are still playing up so I have enjoyed the rest and have managed to make arrangements for a couple of trial rides over the next few weeks. I think a trial run is called a Shakedown in the Navy but I don't understand why sailors would need to go on a bike ride. I'm a bit disappointed that the camping stuff I ordered hasn't arrived yet but there is a week to go. The first ride will be next Friday, the 13th, and this will be the same as Stage 1 to Denby Dale where I hope to camp in Steve and Maggie's back garden and try out the gear. That will be a laugh, if I get there in one piece, that is. I looked at the route elevation and noticed that there is a bit of trouble at Saddleworth, 300m climb in 5km. I may just have another look at that! A couple of weeks later I'm off to Guiseley to stay at Phil's. This is a longer ride but with slightly easier gradients. It's got to be done. If these go OK I will feel I can tackle anything over on my carefully chosen wimp route over there on the mainland.
The wind was horrendous on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but it relented just a bit on Thursday afternoon so I nipped to Billinge to see Marg and Keith. Sean was over from Turkey and in the area visiting them so it was a good excuse to do a different route. I came home the long way and it added up to about 14 miles. A few excellent beers were supped at last night's session which was quiet by recent standards obviously because of the post-christmas financial vacuum and all the lightweights are just probably fed up with going out. Not us lads though. No-o-o-o.
I went to see my chiropractor in Longton this morning and she gave me some excellent advice about my knees which I have already put into practice, so we'll see how that works out. I go and see her every three months and she keeps my back straight. I did have some serious problems in that region a while ago, no - not Longton, and she sorted me out. She's a toughie and she wouldn't allow me to ride today because of my treatment so I've just had to sit around all day. Just love that lady.
The weather has been particularly poor and my knees are still playing up so I have enjoyed the rest and have managed to make arrangements for a couple of trial rides over the next few weeks. I think a trial run is called a Shakedown in the Navy but I don't understand why sailors would need to go on a bike ride. I'm a bit disappointed that the camping stuff I ordered hasn't arrived yet but there is a week to go. The first ride will be next Friday, the 13th, and this will be the same as Stage 1 to Denby Dale where I hope to camp in Steve and Maggie's back garden and try out the gear. That will be a laugh, if I get there in one piece, that is. I looked at the route elevation and noticed that there is a bit of trouble at Saddleworth, 300m climb in 5km. I may just have another look at that! A couple of weeks later I'm off to Guiseley to stay at Phil's. This is a longer ride but with slightly easier gradients. It's got to be done. If these go OK I will feel I can tackle anything over on my carefully chosen wimp route over there on the mainland.
The wind was horrendous on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but it relented just a bit on Thursday afternoon so I nipped to Billinge to see Marg and Keith. Sean was over from Turkey and in the area visiting them so it was a good excuse to do a different route. I came home the long way and it added up to about 14 miles. A few excellent beers were supped at last night's session which was quiet by recent standards obviously because of the post-christmas financial vacuum and all the lightweights are just probably fed up with going out. Not us lads though. No-o-o-o.
I went to see my chiropractor in Longton this morning and she gave me some excellent advice about my knees which I have already put into practice, so we'll see how that works out. I go and see her every three months and she keeps my back straight. I did have some serious problems in that region a while ago, no - not Longton, and she sorted me out. She's a toughie and she wouldn't allow me to ride today because of my treatment so I've just had to sit around all day. Just love that lady.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Nice to be back.
New Year was a good do at my mum's house. Apart from the usual festivities, I was subjected to a Mastermind session where I was forced to answer questions on 1950s Musicals. This was my sister's specialist subject when they had a Mastermind theme for a works do and I was sat in the hot seat while she asked me the questions. I complained that she wasn't saying "correct" like Magnus used to say, to which she replied, "You've got to get one right before I can say that." Needless to say I was rubbish. It was decided that we'll all do it again next year but with our own specialist subjects. Mine will be "Campsites of Southern Rumania". Yes, I spent a lot of last night researching on the internet and found enough places to stay to make me feel confident about getting through that part of the trip, which was always the most troublesome potentially.
I received a reply to my email to the first campsite in Holland confirming they are open, which was nice to know. I will send out a few more emails this week to campsites in Germany and Austria just to check if they will be open and will revise my schedule based on places where I can stay as opposed to towns which are 50 miles apart.
The weather was miserable on New Year's day with heavy grey clouds and steady rain. I had intended to do a small ride and was all dressed up and ready to go but it was too wet. I watched Everton's late rally thwart West Brom and then found the rain had stopped so I squeezed 11 miles in before the Man City game started and what a finish that was?
As well as looking for campsites, I spent the evening ordering my panniers and other bits of camping equipment which should all arrive later this week. I will then be in a position to do a trial run over the mountains to Yorkshire, mainly to see if everything works ok and also to check that I can carry the stuff on the bike etc.
I was gong to have a rest today because the knees still aren't pain free but the weather was good and rain is forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday so I rode up the hill to Haigh Hall with Barney the blue merle border collie for company. I came down the hill a bit quicker and he loved it, galloping behind with his tongue out as they do. After I brought him back I went on the usual 11 miler and then finally did some work, hence the title of the post. I never know what to put for the title until I've finished.
I received a reply to my email to the first campsite in Holland confirming they are open, which was nice to know. I will send out a few more emails this week to campsites in Germany and Austria just to check if they will be open and will revise my schedule based on places where I can stay as opposed to towns which are 50 miles apart.
The weather was miserable on New Year's day with heavy grey clouds and steady rain. I had intended to do a small ride and was all dressed up and ready to go but it was too wet. I watched Everton's late rally thwart West Brom and then found the rain had stopped so I squeezed 11 miles in before the Man City game started and what a finish that was?
As well as looking for campsites, I spent the evening ordering my panniers and other bits of camping equipment which should all arrive later this week. I will then be in a position to do a trial run over the mountains to Yorkshire, mainly to see if everything works ok and also to check that I can carry the stuff on the bike etc.
I was gong to have a rest today because the knees still aren't pain free but the weather was good and rain is forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday so I rode up the hill to Haigh Hall with Barney the blue merle border collie for company. I came down the hill a bit quicker and he loved it, galloping behind with his tongue out as they do. After I brought him back I went on the usual 11 miler and then finally did some work, hence the title of the post. I never know what to put for the title until I've finished.
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