Christmas time is a time when cyclist theoretically get new kit, wasn’t Santa ever a cyclist? This year he seems to have forgotten I am a cyclist. No shiny new cycling stuff for me.
My haul this year was hankies, books and DVDs. The BIG ONE was a set of weighing scales with fat, bone, muscle and water percentages. I have set it up and will be plotting this along with all the data from my Polar CS600. My current body fat level is 22% which is in the normal range but on the high end.
Christmas Eve we were present wrapping late into the night. Why can’t Santa wrap the presents himself or get his elves to do it rather than leaving it to parents? Whilst we were quite organised we still had to try to determine who had been forgotten. Christmas Day was dominated by the new Wii Father Christmas brought my son.
The previous week we (my son and I) bought Mum’s present, a sweetie bracelet. Initially we agreed that it was to be repaid over 10 years at 80p a week, however, we finally settled for a one off payment of £5.00 up front from his bank account with me funding the balance. The £5.00 came from his first communion earlier in the year. It gave him an excuse to withdraw money, something he always enjoys. He feels very grown up going up to the cashier and signing his name, but the money in his account running out and he is wondering where the next top up is coming from, oh, and can he have a credit card. Mum liked the bracelet.
Now the cycling, Christmas Eve I did 38 miles around Box Hill with M. At Rykers Café at the base of Mont Box I got a puncture, the 3rd week in a row. Good job I fixed a spare inner tube before going out.
Saturday after Boxing Day, I did 36 miles with Big G. Big G has a saying “Life is like a dog and a lamp post, sometimes you are the dog and sometimes you are the lamp post”. Recently riding with M I am usually the lamp post, and a few weeks ago Big G would have kicked my behind, but due to the pressures of work he has been neglecting his training so today I was the dog and he was the lamp post.
Football news – my son was at Foolham on a training course Monday to Wednesday which he seemed to enjoy. We went to Griffin Park on Boxing Day to see a dreadful game of football, but at least the Bees came away with a 2-0 win.
Saturday 27 December 2008
Monday 22 December 2008
December 21st The Shortest Day
I only managed one gym session this week. My son was at his grandparents so I took the opportunity to get an extra long session in with a 10 K ergo, some light rep weights followed by an hour on the bike.
It was a very slow start on the ergo and at halfway it was looking like a record slow row, but with 12 minutes to go a young lady got on the next machine and set it up for a 2000 metre row. I decided to step up the pace and see if I could catch her. Despite trying, the heart rate was at maximum and the rating had gone up from 20 to 30 I didn’t quite manage it but I did manage to catch up with my usual times and knock two seconds off from the previous week’s time.
When I got home I was in trouble with “Er Indoors” for being out so late. The brownie points from taking her to the cinema the previous night to see James Bond obviously not valid.
The rest of the week was full of good intentions but no action.
Saturday I went out on my own around the Surrey Hills. I briefly toyed with the idea of joining the Dynamos run in Richmond Park but could not face the chance that I might get dropped off the back of the slow group.
I went out through Chessington and Leatherhead to Effingham, turned off the A246 up Beech Avenue then up High Barn. I remembered this road from the SWRC 100 last year. What I didn’t remember was the 1:7 hill which was wet and muddy and as I went up the back wheel kept spinning.
I then went along Ranmore Common, down to Westhumble, up Mont Box and along to the junction with the Dorking Road. I decided to add a bit of a challenge s went down Pebble Hil, along the A25 to Reigate then up Reigate Hill and followed the A217 home. Whereas on the way out it felt like the bike was dragging, the wind was obviously behind me on the way home along the A217 as I was belting along over 20 mph all the way. A nice way to finish the ride.
I did 39.8 miles, just short of 40 and I was pleased with that.
I spent Saturday afternoon with my son at Craven Cottage watching Foolham FC Vs Middlesboro. We got free tickets as my son is doing a Fulham football course this week. The stadium was full and the final score Fulham 3:0 Middlesboro. We don’t go very often but Fulham always does well when we go, whereas The Bees (Brentford FC) where we are going on Boxing Day to watch them play Bournemouth, always struggles.
Sunday I went out with M. It had to be quick and early as I had to be back to go up to the British Museum with the family to get ideas for my sons holiday homework, we have to build a Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus. Now some families who have older kids in the school have been digging out the sarcophagus’ that had been made for them, and then doing a bit of restoration (I saw one that was being restored that an au-pair had made a few years ago, excellent craftsmanship but did the child appreciate it?). We don’t have that luck so we are going to have to start from scratch, and no one in our house is artistic except my daughter and she is away at university.
There is a business opportunity for some enterprising teenager who is into crafts/artistic to make these and sell them to the families like us.
Next year we understand that we have to build a motte and bailey castle and village. Parents talk with anxiety and trepidation of the hours and effort that have to go into that project.
Back to the cycling with M. We did 33 Miles out through Cobham and Stoke D’Abenon to Box and then back through Tadley and Epsom racecourse.
I had another front wheel Puncture on Box Hill. Looks like time for a new tyre. I will have to visit the bike shop this week.
As we came into Worcester Park we stopped at Costa Coffee where my wife and son usually go after church on a Sunday. This, of course, was the only Sunday they had gone straight home to wait for me to go up to London. When I telephoned them from the coffee shop with my coffee in front of me I knew I was in trouble. When am I ever going to be in credit on those brownie points?
Sunday night my brother lent me his imagic top of the range trainer. I am looking forward to seeing what difference modern technology has on those turbo rides in the garage.
The Wife is busy at work this week, my son is on a football course at Fulham and I have a list as long as your arm which includes buying the turkey and Christmas food shopping, starting/finishing Christmas present shopping, digging out a trellis in the garden and taking a load of rubbish to the dump. Not much chance of a sneaky bike ride.
It was a very slow start on the ergo and at halfway it was looking like a record slow row, but with 12 minutes to go a young lady got on the next machine and set it up for a 2000 metre row. I decided to step up the pace and see if I could catch her. Despite trying, the heart rate was at maximum and the rating had gone up from 20 to 30 I didn’t quite manage it but I did manage to catch up with my usual times and knock two seconds off from the previous week’s time.
When I got home I was in trouble with “Er Indoors” for being out so late. The brownie points from taking her to the cinema the previous night to see James Bond obviously not valid.
The rest of the week was full of good intentions but no action.
Saturday I went out on my own around the Surrey Hills. I briefly toyed with the idea of joining the Dynamos run in Richmond Park but could not face the chance that I might get dropped off the back of the slow group.
I went out through Chessington and Leatherhead to Effingham, turned off the A246 up Beech Avenue then up High Barn. I remembered this road from the SWRC 100 last year. What I didn’t remember was the 1:7 hill which was wet and muddy and as I went up the back wheel kept spinning.
I then went along Ranmore Common, down to Westhumble, up Mont Box and along to the junction with the Dorking Road. I decided to add a bit of a challenge s went down Pebble Hil, along the A25 to Reigate then up Reigate Hill and followed the A217 home. Whereas on the way out it felt like the bike was dragging, the wind was obviously behind me on the way home along the A217 as I was belting along over 20 mph all the way. A nice way to finish the ride.
I did 39.8 miles, just short of 40 and I was pleased with that.
I spent Saturday afternoon with my son at Craven Cottage watching Foolham FC Vs Middlesboro. We got free tickets as my son is doing a Fulham football course this week. The stadium was full and the final score Fulham 3:0 Middlesboro. We don’t go very often but Fulham always does well when we go, whereas The Bees (Brentford FC) where we are going on Boxing Day to watch them play Bournemouth, always struggles.
Sunday I went out with M. It had to be quick and early as I had to be back to go up to the British Museum with the family to get ideas for my sons holiday homework, we have to build a Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus. Now some families who have older kids in the school have been digging out the sarcophagus’ that had been made for them, and then doing a bit of restoration (I saw one that was being restored that an au-pair had made a few years ago, excellent craftsmanship but did the child appreciate it?). We don’t have that luck so we are going to have to start from scratch, and no one in our house is artistic except my daughter and she is away at university.
There is a business opportunity for some enterprising teenager who is into crafts/artistic to make these and sell them to the families like us.
Next year we understand that we have to build a motte and bailey castle and village. Parents talk with anxiety and trepidation of the hours and effort that have to go into that project.
Back to the cycling with M. We did 33 Miles out through Cobham and Stoke D’Abenon to Box and then back through Tadley and Epsom racecourse.
I had another front wheel Puncture on Box Hill. Looks like time for a new tyre. I will have to visit the bike shop this week.
As we came into Worcester Park we stopped at Costa Coffee where my wife and son usually go after church on a Sunday. This, of course, was the only Sunday they had gone straight home to wait for me to go up to London. When I telephoned them from the coffee shop with my coffee in front of me I knew I was in trouble. When am I ever going to be in credit on those brownie points?
Sunday night my brother lent me his imagic top of the range trainer. I am looking forward to seeing what difference modern technology has on those turbo rides in the garage.
The Wife is busy at work this week, my son is on a football course at Fulham and I have a list as long as your arm which includes buying the turkey and Christmas food shopping, starting/finishing Christmas present shopping, digging out a trellis in the garden and taking a load of rubbish to the dump. Not much chance of a sneaky bike ride.
Sunday 21 December 2008
December 14th What a washout
I managed two 10 kilometre rowing ergs in the gym during the week. Getting faster (but scores are still not anywhere near where they should be) and quite enjoying getting back into rowing on the machines.
Saturday I was intending to go out on my own, however, when I got up it was pouring with rain, no point in cycling. Shortly after we received a telephone call to say that the football was called off.
We decided there was no alternative so we arranged to take my son and his mate to the cinema to watch Madagascar 2 followed by MacDonalds. Actually not a bad film as kids films go.
Sunday I had arranged to go out with M but when I got up at 7:15 am I had a text saying he was sick so was not going to be riding. I decided as I was up and dressed in my cycling gear that I would no waste the opportunity to get in a few miles and decided I would go out with The London Dynamos.
Only 6 of us turned up at Hampton Court Bridge at 9:00 AM although we did see a big posse of Dynamos ride past but we were not sure if they were the 8:00 am ride or on their way to a race. They just waived as they went past.
We went off at quite a pace. After about 15 miles we started going up the serious hills towards Shere. Going up the hills my glasses steamed up and legs ceased to work and I kept falling behind. This was very disheartening. At the top of the ridge before going down into Shere one of the lads decided to turn back. As we got down to the A25 I decided that I was not going to be able to keep up the pace going up the hills into Peaslake and up to Leith so I decided to take the slightly shorter route along the A25 and through Abinger to Leith.
As I went through Gomshall there was a puddle I had to cycle through which was up to my bottom bracket and resulted in very wet feet. The waterproof neoprene overshoes keeping the water in.
Shortly thereafter I had a choice of turning off the A25 right up Leith hill via Abinger or left up the 18% hill of Critten Lane. I decided that I was too wet, cold and tired to do Leith so I turned left up the hill. As I was going up another cyclist stopped me and told me that there was a flood at the top of Critten Lane just before the junction with Ranmore Common Road. He told me to lift my bike over the locked gate into the field, climb over, go diagonally across the field and then go over another locked gate into Ranmore Common Road. When I got to the top there was the puddle with a reasonably new Volvo estate stranded in the middle, puddle half way up the doors as the 4 X 4’s splashed past. I did as the cyclist recommended and tramped across the muddy field (after having a good but cruel laugh at the Volvo driver).
After riding home I had managed 48 miles.
In the afternoon I had to go to friends Christmas drinks. I had obviously caught a chill as I was shivering even though the house was warm (loads of babies at this party) and I was wearing two pullovers. I was also very, very tired.
Later I had to drive my son up to MK to stay with his Grandparents for a few days. I was so tired watching Chris Hoy with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Well done Chris.
Saturday I was intending to go out on my own, however, when I got up it was pouring with rain, no point in cycling. Shortly after we received a telephone call to say that the football was called off.
We decided there was no alternative so we arranged to take my son and his mate to the cinema to watch Madagascar 2 followed by MacDonalds. Actually not a bad film as kids films go.
Sunday I had arranged to go out with M but when I got up at 7:15 am I had a text saying he was sick so was not going to be riding. I decided as I was up and dressed in my cycling gear that I would no waste the opportunity to get in a few miles and decided I would go out with The London Dynamos.
Only 6 of us turned up at Hampton Court Bridge at 9:00 AM although we did see a big posse of Dynamos ride past but we were not sure if they were the 8:00 am ride or on their way to a race. They just waived as they went past.
We went off at quite a pace. After about 15 miles we started going up the serious hills towards Shere. Going up the hills my glasses steamed up and legs ceased to work and I kept falling behind. This was very disheartening. At the top of the ridge before going down into Shere one of the lads decided to turn back. As we got down to the A25 I decided that I was not going to be able to keep up the pace going up the hills into Peaslake and up to Leith so I decided to take the slightly shorter route along the A25 and through Abinger to Leith.
As I went through Gomshall there was a puddle I had to cycle through which was up to my bottom bracket and resulted in very wet feet. The waterproof neoprene overshoes keeping the water in.
Shortly thereafter I had a choice of turning off the A25 right up Leith hill via Abinger or left up the 18% hill of Critten Lane. I decided that I was too wet, cold and tired to do Leith so I turned left up the hill. As I was going up another cyclist stopped me and told me that there was a flood at the top of Critten Lane just before the junction with Ranmore Common Road. He told me to lift my bike over the locked gate into the field, climb over, go diagonally across the field and then go over another locked gate into Ranmore Common Road. When I got to the top there was the puddle with a reasonably new Volvo estate stranded in the middle, puddle half way up the doors as the 4 X 4’s splashed past. I did as the cyclist recommended and tramped across the muddy field (after having a good but cruel laugh at the Volvo driver).
After riding home I had managed 48 miles.
In the afternoon I had to go to friends Christmas drinks. I had obviously caught a chill as I was shivering even though the house was warm (loads of babies at this party) and I was wearing two pullovers. I was also very, very tired.
Later I had to drive my son up to MK to stay with his Grandparents for a few days. I was so tired watching Chris Hoy with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Well done Chris.
Appeal following death of cyclist in Richmond Park 18.12.08
Police are appealing urgently for any information or assistance to identify a man who collapsed in Richmond Park on Wednesday 17 December.
Police were called shortly after 3pm to cyclist who had fallen from his bike on the road that runs through the park between Richmond Gate and Pembroke Lodge.
The man was taken by ambulance to Kingston Hospital but sadly died a short while later. A post mortem will be arranged.
The man was not carrying any form of ID with him and so far poice have been unable to establish his identity. He is described as a white man, possibly in his 30s, about 6' tall and of thin build. He has short fair hair, no facial hair and wore Lycra cycling gear in black and grey. The bike has a white and black "MONOC" frame.
The incident is being investigated by the Royal Parks unit, based at Hyde Park. Inspector Sarah Matthews, said: "At this stage, we are not sure if the man fell accidentally or if there was another reason for him falling off the bike. We are appealing for anyone who may be able to identify him or for witnesses who were in the area and may have seen him prior to the incident. "We would also like to hear from anyone who thinks they may recognise the description of this man and his bike.
Anyone with any information is asked to call 020 7161 9630 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous. **********************************************************************
Police were called shortly after 3pm to cyclist who had fallen from his bike on the road that runs through the park between Richmond Gate and Pembroke Lodge.
The man was taken by ambulance to Kingston Hospital but sadly died a short while later. A post mortem will be arranged.
The man was not carrying any form of ID with him and so far poice have been unable to establish his identity. He is described as a white man, possibly in his 30s, about 6' tall and of thin build. He has short fair hair, no facial hair and wore Lycra cycling gear in black and grey. The bike has a white and black "MONOC" frame.
The incident is being investigated by the Royal Parks unit, based at Hyde Park. Inspector Sarah Matthews, said: "At this stage, we are not sure if the man fell accidentally or if there was another reason for him falling off the bike. We are appealing for anyone who may be able to identify him or for witnesses who were in the area and may have seen him prior to the incident. "We would also like to hear from anyone who thinks they may recognise the description of this man and his bike.
Anyone with any information is asked to call 020 7161 9630 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous. **********************************************************************
Thursday 11 December 2008
December 7th 2008 Winter Wonderland
Sunday morning M and I ventured out at 8:00 am to the icy lanes of Surrey. The temperature was below zero and the grass was all icy where Jack Frost had done his worst, and he had even managed to cover the roads.
We like to think we were like the “Torvil & Dean” of the cycling world, riding on ice, others may unkindly have described it as the “Laurel and Hardy”.
It was dastardly cold and we wrapped up warm and worked hard to build up some heat, and no matter how good your gloves were you were going to get cold hands.
As we were both on tight curfews from our wives it was a quick 31 miles around to Mont Box and back. I was home by 10:15 am. I must say that I felt in good form. I am not sure if it was the training sessions I had done during the week (on the rowing machine, see below) or the fact that I hadn’t been out Saturday so had extra energy, or just that I knew it had to be a short ride which was well within my capabilities.
M had been out on Saturday and had done a hard but short ride and he was not quite in such good form, so rather than chasing him along the A217 from Banstead to Cheam (a lovely fast 4 mile bit of road if you are going in the right direction), it was me setting the pace, somewhat slower than he usually sets.
We made it back without incident, no punctures this week, no slips on ice and no accidents. Others weren’t quite so lucky. One of the Guilford Pootle-on was in a collision with a white van and only just managed to struggle home before his derailleur gave up the ghost. Another Pootle-on’er reported that a bunch from her club had a number of slips on the ice and one member was still in hospital while others had pelvic bruising, something I painfully remember from last November.
My sons exam results started to come through. The results are a mixed bag that prompted us to request a meeting with the teacher. This has not been a catalyst to household harmony especially as the more you try to talk to him about it the more smart remarks you receive back. Bah, 8 year olds! At least he did well in French. We await the end of term report!
It is the school carol service this week and he made the last three in the trials for the solo spot (a bit like X Factor at the school). He did not get selected but a pleasing result to get that far. He will be singing in the junior choir on the night and we will be there to watch.
He also won his football on Saturday. At half time they were only one goal up, but in the second half they fielded the stronger players and won 6-0. That is the end of the autumn season and they are undefeated in the league and the cup. Next week is a match brought forward from March next year.
Training wise I have decided that a bit of cross training is required. I used to be an oarsman but haven’t been in a boat for two years now (not since Kingston Head 2006). As both rowing and cycling use the thigh muscles I decided it was time to get back to doing a few 10 kilometre rows on the rowing machine at the gym. This will strengthen not only the legs but the back and give the upper body a workout. I got two in last week, very slow but it is rewarding to get back. I also did two short (one 30 min and one 60 min) sessions on the static bike. On that front it looks like my power has been rising and I am back over 200 watts average for the hour (but at average heart rate of 150 plus, cadence 90 rpm).
Pootle-on everyone but be careful out there!
We like to think we were like the “Torvil & Dean” of the cycling world, riding on ice, others may unkindly have described it as the “Laurel and Hardy”.
It was dastardly cold and we wrapped up warm and worked hard to build up some heat, and no matter how good your gloves were you were going to get cold hands.
As we were both on tight curfews from our wives it was a quick 31 miles around to Mont Box and back. I was home by 10:15 am. I must say that I felt in good form. I am not sure if it was the training sessions I had done during the week (on the rowing machine, see below) or the fact that I hadn’t been out Saturday so had extra energy, or just that I knew it had to be a short ride which was well within my capabilities.
M had been out on Saturday and had done a hard but short ride and he was not quite in such good form, so rather than chasing him along the A217 from Banstead to Cheam (a lovely fast 4 mile bit of road if you are going in the right direction), it was me setting the pace, somewhat slower than he usually sets.
We made it back without incident, no punctures this week, no slips on ice and no accidents. Others weren’t quite so lucky. One of the Guilford Pootle-on was in a collision with a white van and only just managed to struggle home before his derailleur gave up the ghost. Another Pootle-on’er reported that a bunch from her club had a number of slips on the ice and one member was still in hospital while others had pelvic bruising, something I painfully remember from last November.
My sons exam results started to come through. The results are a mixed bag that prompted us to request a meeting with the teacher. This has not been a catalyst to household harmony especially as the more you try to talk to him about it the more smart remarks you receive back. Bah, 8 year olds! At least he did well in French. We await the end of term report!
It is the school carol service this week and he made the last three in the trials for the solo spot (a bit like X Factor at the school). He did not get selected but a pleasing result to get that far. He will be singing in the junior choir on the night and we will be there to watch.
He also won his football on Saturday. At half time they were only one goal up, but in the second half they fielded the stronger players and won 6-0. That is the end of the autumn season and they are undefeated in the league and the cup. Next week is a match brought forward from March next year.
Training wise I have decided that a bit of cross training is required. I used to be an oarsman but haven’t been in a boat for two years now (not since Kingston Head 2006). As both rowing and cycling use the thigh muscles I decided it was time to get back to doing a few 10 kilometre rows on the rowing machine at the gym. This will strengthen not only the legs but the back and give the upper body a workout. I got two in last week, very slow but it is rewarding to get back. I also did two short (one 30 min and one 60 min) sessions on the static bike. On that front it looks like my power has been rising and I am back over 200 watts average for the hour (but at average heart rate of 150 plus, cadence 90 rpm).
Pootle-on everyone but be careful out there!
Tuesday 2 December 2008
Rain Rain Go Away
The associates of the Guilford Pootle-on arranged to meet Sunday morning at Guildford for a posse ride of the Surrey Hills. How did we get on - read about it below.
It has been very tense in our house the last week building up to my 8 year olds exams which were Thursday and Friday last week and Monday and Tuesday this week. I don't know who is more tense, my son or his mother! Last week my wife had told him that he was expected to do his best to which he replied in a blasé manner that all he had to do was get 50% - red rag to a bull, Mum went mad and he was told in no uncertain terms that 80% was the benchmark. Wednesday night at bedtime we had tears and my son told me (his interpretation of the conversation with his mother, not as she tells it) that Mum had told him that unless he got 80% he was going to loose his Nintendo DS for a year!
It must be said that my son is like I was, he does not always live up to his capabilities and usually scrapes through with the minimum. His last set of exam results were disappointing.
Roll on Tuesday night when this period of exams is over.
During the week I only got one training session in which consisted of a 7500 metre session on the rowing machine and 25 minutes on the gym bike so I was desperate for exercise by the weekend.
What a weekend - where is that Indian summer we were expecting, what happened to the drought we usually experience, what has happened to out mild winters? All questions which, no doubt you too were asking at the weekend. Before I go into my training, the Guildford Peleton ride, and a story of woe and punctures, let me tell you about my sons football.
Saturday morning I had to attend my sons football match. Whilst at the beginning of the season he wanted to be in goal (saw it as thee easy option) he now has more confidence and wants to be out on the field more. The problem is both at school and on Saturday he has shown some skill in the goal and the team wants him there on guard. On Saturday he was in goal for the first half with the promise of being out the second half. Before half time they were 2-0 down (not a position they are used to) and then the opposition was awarded a penalty! The team was downhearted (especially as it was felt the penalty was unjustified). The ball was struck and my son stopped it. You could hear the relief from the spectating parents.
Half time came and in the second half tables turned. He was allowed out of the goal, his team got back the two goal deficit, and had the opposition under pressure most of the time. Their goalie was kept very busy and there were a lot of near misses, posts and high balls. The match ended a 2-2 draw.
Saturday afternoon I slipped out for a run. After 20 minutes and a third of the way around the circuit my calf suddenly went, and boy was it painful. I couldn't continue running, it was raining, I was in a long sleeve Ron Hill thermal top and running shorts, and it was cold and had started raining. I hobbled half a mile to the nearest station (didn't have any money,card, ID etc). The station fortunately wasn't manned and the barriers were open so I went on to the platform and the train arrived 5 minutes later. There was no inspector on the train. I got off at my home station, again unmanned and hobbled home. Once home I wanted to warm up and to know how bad my calf was so I jumped on the turbo for 45 minutes.
The calf stood up to the turbo so I arranged to meet M and J at Hampton Court at 9:00 AM from whence we would ride down to Shere where the others, meeting in Guilford, would ride out to meet us.
Sunday morning, after a late night at the school ball at the Tithe Barn Hotel at the base of Mont Box (we got home 1:00 AM), I got up first in our house. The weather first thing wasn't too bad. The three of us met (M, J and me) and had a gently but damp cycle down to Shere passing various groups huddled around punctured wheels. When we got there M went off in the direction of Peaslake to get an extra hill under his belt while J and I went to the Lucky Duck Tea House, and whilst some of our clothing was on the radiator drying off, we enjoyed coffee and a mince pie.
The other four who met in Guildford joined us, and immediately one young lady decided that she would abandon (not everyone automatically dresses for English weather). We only got about three miles down the road before M got a puncture and we all stopped to assist. At this point J decided she too had had enough and headed home. We went up on to the ridge (up the 18% hill) and along to Ranmore then down into Dorking. At this point we stopped at the bike shop as one rider needed new gloves. The plan was to ride up from Dorking through Coldharbour to Leith Hill before returning through Abinger Hammer, however, the rain got heavier, the temperature colder, and time was moving on. Once we were ready for the off we decided it was better to call it a day. Captain Turbo P headed back along the A25 to Guildford whilst the rest of us (4 of us) headed for Mont Box.
No sooner had we got out of Dorking than I got a flat tyre. As I was at the back I dropped off and the others didn't hear my call or notice my absence. They stopped at Rykers at the base of Mont Box and M came back looking for me. M and I sheltered in the underpass and working together (freezing cold wet hands at this point) changed the inner tune. I am a man who usually repairs tubes first rather than replaces them [tight, traditional, stupid?] but there was no way in that weather I was going to try that. With the CO2 already used on M's tyre we had to resort to using a pump which meant for the rest of the trip my tyre would be soft.
We then joined the other two who had warmed up on a cup of tea at Rykers and headed up Mont Box and out to the A217 towards London. M and I left the others when we got to Cheam and they headed off towards London. We went home.
I was cold and wet when I got home. We had only done 50 miles in 5 hours (including stops). The wife would not let me in the house so I had to go into the garage and do a freezing striptease in front of the washing machine (which resides in the garage) before streaking through the house to a warm shower. I didn't even stop to rinse off the bike so I will have to get around to cleaning and lubricating it this week.
It has been very tense in our house the last week building up to my 8 year olds exams which were Thursday and Friday last week and Monday and Tuesday this week. I don't know who is more tense, my son or his mother! Last week my wife had told him that he was expected to do his best to which he replied in a blasé manner that all he had to do was get 50% - red rag to a bull, Mum went mad and he was told in no uncertain terms that 80% was the benchmark. Wednesday night at bedtime we had tears and my son told me (his interpretation of the conversation with his mother, not as she tells it) that Mum had told him that unless he got 80% he was going to loose his Nintendo DS for a year!
It must be said that my son is like I was, he does not always live up to his capabilities and usually scrapes through with the minimum. His last set of exam results were disappointing.
Roll on Tuesday night when this period of exams is over.
During the week I only got one training session in which consisted of a 7500 metre session on the rowing machine and 25 minutes on the gym bike so I was desperate for exercise by the weekend.
What a weekend - where is that Indian summer we were expecting, what happened to the drought we usually experience, what has happened to out mild winters? All questions which, no doubt you too were asking at the weekend. Before I go into my training, the Guildford Peleton ride, and a story of woe and punctures, let me tell you about my sons football.
Saturday morning I had to attend my sons football match. Whilst at the beginning of the season he wanted to be in goal (saw it as thee easy option) he now has more confidence and wants to be out on the field more. The problem is both at school and on Saturday he has shown some skill in the goal and the team wants him there on guard. On Saturday he was in goal for the first half with the promise of being out the second half. Before half time they were 2-0 down (not a position they are used to) and then the opposition was awarded a penalty! The team was downhearted (especially as it was felt the penalty was unjustified). The ball was struck and my son stopped it. You could hear the relief from the spectating parents.
Half time came and in the second half tables turned. He was allowed out of the goal, his team got back the two goal deficit, and had the opposition under pressure most of the time. Their goalie was kept very busy and there were a lot of near misses, posts and high balls. The match ended a 2-2 draw.
Saturday afternoon I slipped out for a run. After 20 minutes and a third of the way around the circuit my calf suddenly went, and boy was it painful. I couldn't continue running, it was raining, I was in a long sleeve Ron Hill thermal top and running shorts, and it was cold and had started raining. I hobbled half a mile to the nearest station (didn't have any money,card, ID etc). The station fortunately wasn't manned and the barriers were open so I went on to the platform and the train arrived 5 minutes later. There was no inspector on the train. I got off at my home station, again unmanned and hobbled home. Once home I wanted to warm up and to know how bad my calf was so I jumped on the turbo for 45 minutes.
The calf stood up to the turbo so I arranged to meet M and J at Hampton Court at 9:00 AM from whence we would ride down to Shere where the others, meeting in Guilford, would ride out to meet us.
Sunday morning, after a late night at the school ball at the Tithe Barn Hotel at the base of Mont Box (we got home 1:00 AM), I got up first in our house. The weather first thing wasn't too bad. The three of us met (M, J and me) and had a gently but damp cycle down to Shere passing various groups huddled around punctured wheels. When we got there M went off in the direction of Peaslake to get an extra hill under his belt while J and I went to the Lucky Duck Tea House, and whilst some of our clothing was on the radiator drying off, we enjoyed coffee and a mince pie.
The other four who met in Guildford joined us, and immediately one young lady decided that she would abandon (not everyone automatically dresses for English weather). We only got about three miles down the road before M got a puncture and we all stopped to assist. At this point J decided she too had had enough and headed home. We went up on to the ridge (up the 18% hill) and along to Ranmore then down into Dorking. At this point we stopped at the bike shop as one rider needed new gloves. The plan was to ride up from Dorking through Coldharbour to Leith Hill before returning through Abinger Hammer, however, the rain got heavier, the temperature colder, and time was moving on. Once we were ready for the off we decided it was better to call it a day. Captain Turbo P headed back along the A25 to Guildford whilst the rest of us (4 of us) headed for Mont Box.
No sooner had we got out of Dorking than I got a flat tyre. As I was at the back I dropped off and the others didn't hear my call or notice my absence. They stopped at Rykers at the base of Mont Box and M came back looking for me. M and I sheltered in the underpass and working together (freezing cold wet hands at this point) changed the inner tune. I am a man who usually repairs tubes first rather than replaces them [tight, traditional, stupid?] but there was no way in that weather I was going to try that. With the CO2 already used on M's tyre we had to resort to using a pump which meant for the rest of the trip my tyre would be soft.
We then joined the other two who had warmed up on a cup of tea at Rykers and headed up Mont Box and out to the A217 towards London. M and I left the others when we got to Cheam and they headed off towards London. We went home.
I was cold and wet when I got home. We had only done 50 miles in 5 hours (including stops). The wife would not let me in the house so I had to go into the garage and do a freezing striptease in front of the washing machine (which resides in the garage) before streaking through the house to a warm shower. I didn't even stop to rinse off the bike so I will have to get around to cleaning and lubricating it this week.
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