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?
Saturday, 26 April 2008
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.
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 café 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)!!!
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 café 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)!!!
Sunday, 9 March 2008
SWRC 100 (Km) Sunday February 24th 2008
It a good ride, the weather was excellent, the course challenging but fun, well organised and a good result.
I was a bit worried as the course included a Polesden Lacey which is the 20% gradient that I fractured my pelvis on in November last. On the start they announced that for safety reasons that hill and the particularly tiring Ranmore which followed were being dropped but another hill had been added in the middle (and don't worry it more than made up for the hills dropped).
The organisation worked well and everyone was very friendly. I managed to get around without loosing my way although I missed one sign but fortunately another rider called me back on course. Even the distance was accurate. My Polar CS600 shows 99.8 Km and my CatEye shows 62.77 miles.
I should think there were some sore legs in the morning, mine were a bit stiff. A few people must have been smelling of embrocation at their desks.
No doubt all you readers who took part took the time to lovingly clean your bikes and do any neccesary maintenance as soon as you got home after the race so it is ready for training next week
I enjoyed the ride, and was very pleased to get under the 4 hours mark (3 hours 59 mins). Over the last half hour my legs were cramping but all I could think about was pushing to break the 4 hour barrier (or was it pushing to get higher up that enormous tea queue, they did rather underestimate the demand for refreshments).
I am a bit worried as to how S from MK on his Specialized Allez (with a slashed tyre on the start which had been lined with a plastic bag to protect the tube) and Big G (riding with Team Bianchi) managed to be right on top of me time wise (4:01 and 4:11). They did very well and at this rate give them another month and I will be trailing in their wake.
The official results came through and I was 82nd out of 276 finishers. Whilst my time of 3:59 (just ver 16 mph) was respectable someone managed it in 3:16 (was that on a motorbike, can anyone cycle that fast?).
I was a bit worried as the course included a Polesden Lacey which is the 20% gradient that I fractured my pelvis on in November last. On the start they announced that for safety reasons that hill and the particularly tiring Ranmore which followed were being dropped but another hill had been added in the middle (and don't worry it more than made up for the hills dropped).
The organisation worked well and everyone was very friendly. I managed to get around without loosing my way although I missed one sign but fortunately another rider called me back on course. Even the distance was accurate. My Polar CS600 shows 99.8 Km and my CatEye shows 62.77 miles.
I should think there were some sore legs in the morning, mine were a bit stiff. A few people must have been smelling of embrocation at their desks.
No doubt all you readers who took part took the time to lovingly clean your bikes and do any neccesary maintenance as soon as you got home after the race so it is ready for training next week
I enjoyed the ride, and was very pleased to get under the 4 hours mark (3 hours 59 mins). Over the last half hour my legs were cramping but all I could think about was pushing to break the 4 hour barrier (or was it pushing to get higher up that enormous tea queue, they did rather underestimate the demand for refreshments).
I am a bit worried as to how S from MK on his Specialized Allez (with a slashed tyre on the start which had been lined with a plastic bag to protect the tube) and Big G (riding with Team Bianchi) managed to be right on top of me time wise (4:01 and 4:11). They did very well and at this rate give them another month and I will be trailing in their wake.
The official results came through and I was 82nd out of 276 finishers. Whilst my time of 3:59 (just ver 16 mph) was respectable someone managed it in 3:16 (was that on a motorbike, can anyone cycle that fast?).
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Not my luck at the moment
I may have won £10.00 on the lottery over the weekend and Sainsburys were selling Valentine roses off cheap on Sunday just in time for The Wife's return from a week away with her mother, but yesterday and today haven't been quite so lucky.
This morning I waited 20 minutes for a train on the cold station platform. When it did turn up it was crowded. After getting on and standing in the crush whilst the train was stationary for 10 minutes we were told the train was faulty and was being withdrawn from service. We all had to get off back on to the cold platform. Ten minutes later another train arrived, sardines was not the word for the crush all the way to Waterloo. I got to work half hour late.
On top of that. I was in the gym last night. I did 5000 metres on the rower (21 mins, 2:05 avg @21 spm) and then proceeded to sit on the cycle planning to do an hour. 59 minutes into the cycle some bufoon tried to adjust the machine next to mine and kicked the wire for my machine tearing it out of the plug. Everything went blank and all the data was lost. I must admit I gave him a glare and may have made a rude comment or three. I then had to report the damage to the reception desk (as the bufoon was not interested in reporting the damage he had done) and I could not get the inclination to finish off the last minute, so I went home .
This morning I waited 20 minutes for a train on the cold station platform. When it did turn up it was crowded. After getting on and standing in the crush whilst the train was stationary for 10 minutes we were told the train was faulty and was being withdrawn from service. We all had to get off back on to the cold platform. Ten minutes later another train arrived, sardines was not the word for the crush all the way to Waterloo. I got to work half hour late.
On top of that. I was in the gym last night. I did 5000 metres on the rower (21 mins, 2:05 avg @21 spm) and then proceeded to sit on the cycle planning to do an hour. 59 minutes into the cycle some bufoon tried to adjust the machine next to mine and kicked the wire for my machine tearing it out of the plug. Everything went blank and all the data was lost. I must admit I gave him a glare and may have made a rude comment or three. I then had to report the damage to the reception desk (as the bufoon was not interested in reporting the damage he had done) and I could not get the inclination to finish off the last minute, so I went home .
Saturday, 16 February 2008
Longest ride so far in 2008 – 95.5 miles 1500 metres of Climb
It was a cold sunny day Saturday – cold being the word.
I arrived at M’s at just after 10:00 AM after getting my chores accomplished. Neither of us felt great, and M was a bit anxious having got in very little riding lately.
The planned ride was Bury Hill (on the A29 Bognor Road just before Arundel) which we anticipated to be a 80-90 mile ride.
We rode out through Esher and Fetcham, Effingham, Leith Hill and on to Mole Street that runs parallel to the A29. It was a slow start and we were suffering as we arrived at the top of Bury Hill.
The plan was to stop for lunch at a roadside café about 8 miles back up the A29 the other side of Pulborough from Bury Hill, but tiredness got the better of us. With the computer already showing 52 miles we stopped at Hikers Café at the top of Bury hill. There is no inside to Hikers Café as it is a kiosk (and don’t ask for tomato or lettuce in your cheese sandwich as you will be told in no uncertain terms “we don’t do those vegetables thingies”) so we had to drink our coffee outside in the cold.
We were not looking forward to riding back against the cold headwind so agreed to take the A29 all the way back as it is the flattest and fastest route. It was hard work. After Ockley we turned off the A29 and headed up into the Surrey Hills through Coldharbour. At Dorking we agreed to miss out Ranmore (will we pay for this lapse in the season to come?). We went up Mont Box at a steady 8.5 mph and stopped at the top for another coffee.
At this point we knew we had 12 miles to go giving us a total of 95 miles back to my house. It was getting dark so we set off. Four miles from home M had a puncture!!! It was getting dark, we were on a main road (A217 at Banstead junction) and our hands were freezing. We could not find anything in the tyre that might have caused the puncture so we put in a new inner tube and kept our fingers crossed that there was nothing in the tyre that would cause another immediate puncture. In the dark with only one rear light between (and no front lights) us we set off for home. Fortunately there were no other incidents.
I think after about 75 miles, once we got to the top of Coldharbour we began to feel better and by the time we got home we were moving well (it may just have been that we could smell home).
A good 95.5 miles and 1500 metres of climb.
No ride tomorrow (Sunday) as I have a "List" to try to complete, including a trip to Sainsburys, before I have to be at Gatwick at lunchtime to pick up my wife and son.
I arrived at M’s at just after 10:00 AM after getting my chores accomplished. Neither of us felt great, and M was a bit anxious having got in very little riding lately.
The planned ride was Bury Hill (on the A29 Bognor Road just before Arundel) which we anticipated to be a 80-90 mile ride.
We rode out through Esher and Fetcham, Effingham, Leith Hill and on to Mole Street that runs parallel to the A29. It was a slow start and we were suffering as we arrived at the top of Bury Hill.
The plan was to stop for lunch at a roadside café about 8 miles back up the A29 the other side of Pulborough from Bury Hill, but tiredness got the better of us. With the computer already showing 52 miles we stopped at Hikers Café at the top of Bury hill. There is no inside to Hikers Café as it is a kiosk (and don’t ask for tomato or lettuce in your cheese sandwich as you will be told in no uncertain terms “we don’t do those vegetables thingies”) so we had to drink our coffee outside in the cold.
We were not looking forward to riding back against the cold headwind so agreed to take the A29 all the way back as it is the flattest and fastest route. It was hard work. After Ockley we turned off the A29 and headed up into the Surrey Hills through Coldharbour. At Dorking we agreed to miss out Ranmore (will we pay for this lapse in the season to come?). We went up Mont Box at a steady 8.5 mph and stopped at the top for another coffee.
At this point we knew we had 12 miles to go giving us a total of 95 miles back to my house. It was getting dark so we set off. Four miles from home M had a puncture!!! It was getting dark, we were on a main road (A217 at Banstead junction) and our hands were freezing. We could not find anything in the tyre that might have caused the puncture so we put in a new inner tube and kept our fingers crossed that there was nothing in the tyre that would cause another immediate puncture. In the dark with only one rear light between (and no front lights) us we set off for home. Fortunately there were no other incidents.
I think after about 75 miles, once we got to the top of Coldharbour we began to feel better and by the time we got home we were moving well (it may just have been that we could smell home).
A good 95.5 miles and 1500 metres of climb.
No ride tomorrow (Sunday) as I have a "List" to try to complete, including a trip to Sainsburys, before I have to be at Gatwick at lunchtime to pick up my wife and son.
Friday Night and I am "Nobby No Mates"
Friday night everyone goes out and like everyone else I had plans. Unfortunately at the last minute those plans were thwarted so I was “Home Alone”. The best offer I got was to babysit three children with Big G who was doing a friend a favour and having the children for 24 hours. I settled for washing my hair; catching up on the ironing and watching TV – Dorothy Domestic me, make someone a good wife.
Saturday I was supposed to be riding with M, however he told me during Friday that he had childcare problems (I suggested that Graham wouldn’t notice one more but M was of the opinion that his partner would not stand for that). As Big G was still babysitting all day Saturday and Turbo P was in the Lake District on matrimonial duty it was looking like I was going to be riding alone.
Riding alone is not something I like as in the event of an accident there is no one to look out for you. In addition it is boring riding alone.
My brother rang me and suggested that I be in St Albans at 7:30 AM (St Albans is an hours drive from home) for a ride from St Albans to Leicester to visit his mother in law. I was not averse to this despite the early start as I wanted to ride and my daughter is at university in Leicester and it might give me a chance to meet up with her.
In preparation for the early start I dismantled my bike and loaded it into the car.
No sooner had I finished the loading than I got a text from M to say the childcare situation had been resolved and he was riding – that gave me a problem – who do I let down.
My wife and son are away this week. However, my wife had left me with a list o tasks to accomplish before she returned. Some of those tasks could only be accomplished on Saturday and riding to Leicester would prevent me from ticking those tasks off.
I rang my brother to give him the bad news, he was out and I spoke to his wife and gave her the message. I felt bad as I did not want him to have an accident riding alone, especially as he was starting so early and it was going to be a cold night leaving ice on the roads, and I told his wife that. Unfortunately for him his wife thought about this and banned him from riding alone Saturday so he did not get out.
I did also leave the message that he could join us in Surrey.
I rang M and agreed on a run to Bury Hill (on the A29 Bognor Road just before Arundel) starting at 10:00 AM. The 10:00 start would give me time to do the Saturday items on the list left by my wife.
I then had to unpack my bike from the car and get it built ready for the morning.
Saturday I was supposed to be riding with M, however he told me during Friday that he had childcare problems (I suggested that Graham wouldn’t notice one more but M was of the opinion that his partner would not stand for that). As Big G was still babysitting all day Saturday and Turbo P was in the Lake District on matrimonial duty it was looking like I was going to be riding alone.
Riding alone is not something I like as in the event of an accident there is no one to look out for you. In addition it is boring riding alone.
My brother rang me and suggested that I be in St Albans at 7:30 AM (St Albans is an hours drive from home) for a ride from St Albans to Leicester to visit his mother in law. I was not averse to this despite the early start as I wanted to ride and my daughter is at university in Leicester and it might give me a chance to meet up with her.
In preparation for the early start I dismantled my bike and loaded it into the car.
No sooner had I finished the loading than I got a text from M to say the childcare situation had been resolved and he was riding – that gave me a problem – who do I let down.
My wife and son are away this week. However, my wife had left me with a list o tasks to accomplish before she returned. Some of those tasks could only be accomplished on Saturday and riding to Leicester would prevent me from ticking those tasks off.
I rang my brother to give him the bad news, he was out and I spoke to his wife and gave her the message. I felt bad as I did not want him to have an accident riding alone, especially as he was starting so early and it was going to be a cold night leaving ice on the roads, and I told his wife that. Unfortunately for him his wife thought about this and banned him from riding alone Saturday so he did not get out.
I did also leave the message that he could join us in Surrey.
I rang M and agreed on a run to Bury Hill (on the A29 Bognor Road just before Arundel) starting at 10:00 AM. The 10:00 start would give me time to do the Saturday items on the list left by my wife.
I then had to unpack my bike from the car and get it built ready for the morning.
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