Saturday 26 April 2008

I don't like girls!

This is the usual statement of my 8 year old son.

On Sunday whilst we were time trialling around Box Hill my son was left with a friend of my wife who was walking her dog on Box Hill. R's wife was doing the timing so their 7 year old daughter was also with the friend and her dog.

When I finished the time trial the two kids were in the process of taking my car apart from the inside out whilst reading comics, clowning around and listening to music on the radio. Whilst we all enjoyed a well earned cup of tea and the National Trust cake the kids were in the National Trust gift shop spending their pocket money buying tat together.

As we drove away from Box Hill my son made the remark - "H is really nice, when are we meeting up again".

R made me aware that Liquigas, the Tour de France team are running a childrens camp (for 7 to 12 year olds) in the summer in Italy and he is considering sending his daughter, I have suggested to my wife that our son might enjoy the camp, however, she thinks he might be a bit young?

Subject: Guildford Peloton - Box Hill Circuit Time Trial II - Sunday 20th April Results

Well done to all those who completed the 2nd Box Hill TT. In contrast to the first race 5 weeks ago conditions were perfect - dry, 9c and a gentle breeze. This had a bearing on times with all riders recording improved times. A and Turbo P knocked more than 10 mins off their previous times. A timed his race expertly, saving his fastest effort until the last lap and is very close to breaking the 1-30 mark. This would be an amazing achievement on a mountain bike. Turbo P's 1-27 confirmed that he is on course for etape glory. Dynamo and MK Steve put in good performances which will improve as their familiarity with the course grows.

The third race is set for Sunday 18th May, 0930.

The results (splits in brackets)
1st R 1.17-55 (26-12, 25-39, 26-04)
2nd M 1.23-54 (27-11, 28-57, 27-56)
3rd Dynamo 1.25-44 (28-20,28-28,28-56)
4th SC 1.26-35 (27-10, 29-56,29-29)
5th Turbo P 1.27-20 (28-59,28-55,29-26)
6th MK Steve 1.29-27 (29-24,29-38,30-25)
7th AC 1.31-35 (30-39, 31-20, 29-36)

With two races left, M has a four point lead over SC.

Standings
M - 18
S C - 14
Turbo P - 10
R - 10
Dynamo - 6
AC- 5
MK Steve W - 3

1st = 10 pts; 2nd = 8 pts 3rd = 6 pts 4th = 5 pts 5th = 4 pts; 6th = 3 pts.


Thanks everyone who made a donation to Sport Relief. We managed to raise £60. We have now raised £120.

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Sundays Box Hill time trial

Monday

R.
I am pleased to announce that the second Box Hill time trial is set for 20th April. We will start at 0930 adjacent to the NT cafĂ© on top of Box Hill. Riders will depart on 2 min intervals. They will complete 3 laps of the 8 mile Ball Buster course. This the second in a series of 4 races. M is the current leader.As per the first race, I will ask for a donation of £10 per rider. Unless there are any objections, I will donate all the money raised to Sport Relief. I need to have your confirmed entry by Tuesday 15th April. I will then send the final arrangements by email on Thursday 17th April. Feel free to forward this invite anyone you think might be interested.

All the best

Dynamo
My wife is away this weekend so I have sole charge of my 8 year old. This means either I volunteer to do the timing or the timer volunteers to babysit. Alternatively my brother convinces his family to come down to walk on scenic Box Hill with my son.

Any suggestions?

R.
My wife will be doing the timing and she will bring my 7 year so she would be happy to look after him.

Dynamo
That's great news and allays my wife’s fears that I was going to abandon him at the top of Box Hill.

That confirms me for the TT.

Note, as I carry less weight on the descents and don't have the "power thighs" of M for the ascents I will slower than him, at least on the second and third lap as I will be employing my usual tactics of going off hell for leather then fading badly after the first climb. In fact I think my fitness is dreadful this year. Anyway, the TT gives me an excuse to taper my training this week and load up on Pizza and Pies. CU all Sunday

R.
There are days when I feel like that could be a good idea. See you on Sunday.

Dynamo
Is that good idea; (1) feeling like abandoning your child on Box Hill, or (2) feeling that fitness is not up to standard, or (3) feeling like Pizza and Pies, or (4) feeling like M is going to beat you?

There are days where I feel any or all or are applicable. M and I have just been out this lunchtime to indulge in the Italian food option (I am trying to feed him up and take away training opportunities to slow him down for Sunday) Regards

Tuesday

Dynamo
After being very good yesterday and having a Chicken & Avocado salad at lunchtime and doing a session at the gym last night followed by Sushi, I sinned big time today. I have had a chocolate muffin, lots of chocolate biscuits and for lunch I had 3 sausages, Yorkshire pud, potato, onion gravy and baked beanz. This is part of my cunning plan to increase my weight for Sunday to give me a downhill advantage. My diary is full for the rest of the week so unlikely to get any more sessions in the gym before Sunday so no risk of dropping those hard gained Kilos.

Turbo P
Dynamo - sounds to me like you are playing those usual mind games! I've seen you powering along with all those London Dynamos trailing in your wake! Nice try though. However, I can say that from personal experience, whilst eating pies etc is brilliant for speed on the downhill, it does tend to mar the overall experience of the Ascent...

Dynamo
Aahhhh - the Ascent... Yes I have noticed that since I am getting heavier it coincides with the ascents getting harder, but I don't think the two facts are related. I put the fact that the ascents are getting harder down to the fact that as M loses weight and gets fitter (1) he is getting faster, and (2) he creates a smaller drag coefficient for me to follow in and thus I have to work harder to try to keep up with him. So nothing to do with Pies, Cakes, Pizza and sausages I assure you.

Turbo P
Just one quick request,though - please can you promise NOT to eat that combo for breakfast on the day of the TT? The resultant "tailwind" could prove hazardous to those cycling behind you...(or is this yet another tactic??)...

Dynamo
All is fair in love and war (and time trials)!!!