rab mountain marathon

sometimes experience can breed complacency. mostly though, it raises your exceptions, not just of yourself but partner too. we had a bit a bit of though one this weekend at the rab. lost half our points on the saturday, realising too late that we weren't fit enough for our chosen route. sunday we finished nearly 15 minutes early, slightly broken with not much to show for it.

if it's just the racing that matters than this was certainly our worst result yet. we both had a few wobblies. there were nearly tears on the fell side. but, and this is the most important part, after over 11 hours of hilly challenges the over riding feeling is one of quiet, contemplative satisfaction.

finishing with smiles and though hobbling, the crags and tarns have reignited our desire to get back out there. more hills, more camping, more wild and wind swept times please.

stampeeeeeeede

finally emerged from last weekends hangover. a good friends hen do, that despite plastic cocks, actually turned out to be a great laugh. wearing giant cow print baby grows to a ballroom dancing lesson is the highlight of my year so far.

someone elses localness bivvy

it starts with a leisurely train journey. bike gleaming in the sunlight, legs mud free and no grit in my eye. some 24 hours later, a different train heading home. filthy bike, grimy legs and soaked through to the bone...it's been a great bivvy.

courier styley amy led the way through manchester and out onto her local trails. sneaking between golf courses and river banks, a few berms and a 'water feature', up and over a big hill and straight to the pub. vikki was already there, looking far too clean and dry for my liking. some questionable risotto and a few beers and it was time to head back out into the weather.

plan a was to sleep on top of a big hill, instead wind and rain activated plan b-thankfully. to the nearest woods, where local yoofs had kindly built a shelter in the trees. tucked in and all cozy and trying to ignore the sounds of what probably was a mad axe murderer lurking about. a damp and windy morning crept through the trees to wake us. slow to brake camp, we lingered in our warm bags, putting off the inevitable.

pedaling back into manchester, the rain continued and i seem to remember some wind too. but we spent the night out, rode our bikes and had a jolly good time. weather gods, you can not beat us!

the 'bring your good legs' ride

chris led the way and i chased new bike buddy, rich. up, down, up, down, tea and biscuits. up, down, up, down, woodbine cafe. i was told to bring my good legs...unfortunately they stayed in bed. but the company was good, just enough moody cloud, a cooling drizzle, proper hills and rocky downs. and i got lunch out too. cheers guys.

the 'brunch' ride

i needed to do something mindless, something to clear the fug of visiting the grandparents yesterday. neither are doing very well at the moment. both are too set in their ways to accept offers of support. we just have to stand back and watch the gradually accelerating decline. sad and frustrating in equal measures.

55 miles of undulating lanes, squeezed in between breakfast and lunch. it doesn't change their situation but it does make me feel a little better. the ache in my legs i can deal with and hopefully i'll sleep better tonight.

also, in case you're wondering, it is possible to stretch a 26" mtb tube round a 700cc wheel. numpty.

cakes and bicycles

certain things are inevitable. i always knew my competitive streak would seep over into to my clumsy baking. just thought it would happen in another 30 years or so. i've also had an inkling that a dabble in triathlon might come my way. what i didn't expect was for both things to happen in the same slightly surreal weekend.

saturday- the gedling borough show.
following the strict rules of the committee members i took my 'classic victoria sponge' to the site before 12noon. the marquee was full of giant marrows, home made jams, gleaming onions and perfectly arranged potatoes. there was a hushed air of anticipation, gardeners made their final adjustments to displays. leeks were being covered with damp cloths and raspberry's delicately placed in rows. i was ushered to 'class 81' and given a plastic bag to cover my cake. eying up the competition i realised that i'd already made two crucial mistakes. firstly i'd used blackcurrant jam (homemade by my grandma) and secondly, had allowed it to ooze.

james (jane's dad) was also 'showing' (i think that's the correct term). due to a very successful haul on the allotment he'd entered numerous categories. he proudly showed me round and explained the complex eccentricities of such a typically british past time.

the mysteries of what constitutes the perfect dressed onion or the perfectly risen loaf remain just that. the judging takes place behind closed doors. after a nervous two hours we return. baking doesn't get more exciting than this!

sadly my cake didn't place. but i think i know where i went wrong. next time, yes, there will be a next time, i'll take more care in the folding of flour. james had a very successful show, winning best marmalade, second place in the loaf category. he also has prize winning beans, courgettes, garlic, potatoes, onions and raspberry's.

it was an absolutely lovely way to spend a saturday afternoon.

sunday- cotswold sprint triathlon.
ok, i have to admit i took part in a relay team, stepping in for a friend of my dad's at the last minuet. i only had 20km to ride but it was flat and fast. importantly we beat someone i've not met before sister and it was also over by 10am. got me thinking though...

expensive knees

there's not been a whole lot of running recently. laziness 'n' booze have been contributing factors but the main reason has been 'a pain in the knee'. it's been a bit iffy since that race in scotland. i've just ignored it and hoped it would go away. it hasn't and i need to start training again. we're supporting gaynor on a ridiculous 100 miler in october.

another trip to sally (the physio). this time i have water on the knee. which i think sounds rather quaint, if painful. more exercises and stretching but the magic is how to tape your patella. done properly and i can run pain free. best start now!

gaynor's feet...must keep up...