Life, Training and Everything

I'm still here

2008-09-25T03:35:00.000-07:00

This blog is proving very hard to maintain. I'm finding myself in a situation where time and energy never seem to come together long enough to sit down and write an entry. I seem to be able to write code even while I'm almost asleep (although I wouldn't want to vouch for the quality), but writing words are a different matter. I did get another wonderful run in around the woodland park here next to Balbirnie House. It was hard not to restrain myself. I feel like I'm rediscovering my running mojo. Still planning to join the lads up to Ullapool tomorrow if I can get everything done in time - which will involve another late night at the hotel here and an intense morning. I really need to unwind a little!

Manic

2008-09-17T00:34:00.000-07:00

We're training another set of users in Holland on Friday and they're going to be using the shiny new live version. This means that I've got to sort out all the nitty gritty little things by then, the jobs that tend to get put off until the last moment, bits and pieces like postcode validation for a different protocol and providing Dutch translations for key terms. The mind also gets highly focussed with just a few days to go, and all kind of trivial little bugs (that have been sitting around unnoticed for months) come to the surface. Once one gets spotted it's impossible to ignore, despite that fact that it has been happily ignored by everyone for so long before.

Had to head into the office for the afternoon but I was determined to get out for a run first. There was no time really and the only opportunity I had to stretch was during a couple of phone calls I had to take. This is time management being taken to ridiculous extremes! But I did run for about 40 mins and therefore about 4 miles, taking into account stops to look at the views (which were rather beautiful in the hazy autumnal light, the sun just beginning to break through the morning mist). Once again, the calf felt fine for the most part, tightening up just a little towards the end of the run.

I enjoyed a very rare evening off, going to Pictureville with M, failing to get there in time to see the intended film, but watching CSNY Deja Vu instead, the story of .... It was very well put together as a documentary and the quartet ( average age of over 62) were all looking pretty damn good, and very articulate. It was great to see so much fire in the belly after so many years. And why shouldn't there be? I trust that my passion for life will still be going strong in 10 years time, and more, but it's always inspiring to see it in others.

'Rest' Day

2008-09-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

CKZ and AC are at Warwick today showcasing the software at a conference, and it appears to be going very well. There was a kind of official launch and everyone is keen to start using it as soon as possible. Lots of enthusiasm. Lots of plaudits. But I've been chained to the computer all day again, rewriting some key components in the light of experience and much better understanding. It's been a bit of grind though. In trying to solve one problem I uncovered another, which first had to be solved, which in turn revealed another problem. I got to a point quite quickly where I lost sight of the original problem altogether! It's at such points where it can all get overwhelming, but then you start to sort things out and unwind the chain of problems, and suddenly the way forward is clear again.

Despite the hassles with the software I guess I didn't mind too much missing out on all the back-slapping and general smooshing at Warwick. It was important that I was on hand tonight to help out with Maths and English homework. The diligence as far as the schoolwork goes has not yet dissipated away! So, a day of rest from exercise but I feel far from rested. Didn't even get to do too much stretching. At least I have quite a few issues sorted to show for all the effort.

Out-sprinted

2008-09-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

A long day and night at the computer, but I did manage to punctuate it with a 4 mile run on the moor and a 23 mile ride on the bike with the boys. I'm heeding all the good physio advice and balancing things as much as I can. M's orders were to go very easy on the run and stop for some stretching. This is I managed to do, largely courtesy of very heavy legs from yesterday's efforts. I ran out to the Swastika Stone and back, using the natural rocks at the mid-point to provide means of stretching out all the relevant muscles.

I had suggested a bike ride to my lads earlier in the day but by late afternoon, with a bit of drizzle around, my enthusiasm was waning. No.2 son was well up for it, though, and he was the one who prompted us all out. We headed out to Bolton Abbey, then the gated road past Hesketh Farm to Embsay and back via Barden Tower. I've ridden this with No.2 son a few times in the opposite direction and have wanted to introduce him to the descent from Halton Heights for some while now. They both loved it. No traffic on the road so I was able to avoid using the brakes completely. It never ceases to provide an adrenaline rush, cornering at the bottom at well over 40mph. We were all on a high after that and the pace kept up pretty well. The customary sprint at the golf course was won by No.1 son who came from nowhere to steal it on the line from No.2 son. I can't work out how hard I was actually trying. I was last and would like to think I could have given more - but I'm not so sure.

Birthday Boy

2008-09-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

I've got quite a few weekends away in the next month so this weekend really has to be a working one. It also happens to be No.1 son's 17th birthday. I was hoping to get both sons out for a bike ride, to make the most of a rare bit of good weather, but it was impossible to breach the apathy barrier. On any other day I would have vetoes their objections, but I had to let the birthday boy decide for himself. He was happy to have a quiet birthday, going to see a film in Leeds in the afternoon and then dinner out in the evening. He very much wanted to see Step Brothers, but I made an executive decision and persuaded him to go see Pineapple Express instead. Equally silly and violent, but at least done with style and wit and high production values. It was a truly guilty pleasure to watch, one of those films that you enjoy far more than you really want to admit!

The only problem for me was watching it on a beautiful saturday afternoon. After so many wet and miserable days it just did not seem right to be inside and missing the sun. At least I did get out for a rushed run before we left. About 4 miles on the moor at a good pace - possibly a little too good a pace for I felt the calf tighten a bit towards the end. I wanted to make the most of the time I had!

Anyway, No.1 son seemed to have a good birthday, although he blew away the evening dinner, prefering instead to have a quiet evening in, watching some of the DVDs he received as presents. Like father, like son in so many ways!

Bike/Run Balance

2008-09-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

It's very late right now, and as I still haven't had a chance yet to blog anything about my trip to the Czech Republic I thought I better just let friends and family know that I ran my race, finishing in the top half of the field (just!) and had a truly wonderful time. I'll hopefully get to post the details over the weekend.

Since getting back it's been completely crazy. Not a spare minute to be had in any day. I'm struggling with the workload. That said, though, I have prioritised the training today and did get out for an easy 3 mile run on the moor at lunchtime (legs still feeling heavy) and then, as I couldn't persaude either of the boys out on a rare nice evening, hit the "3 hills" on the bike and quite surprised myself with an effort that turned out to be only 10 secs off my record (32.52). I pushed hard, and I died more than a little on the final climb up Monastery Hill, but I'm taking it as a sign that my bike fitness remains good despite the distinct lack of recent miles. I felt the calf tighten a little on the hills, but it seems to have stretched out again now. I'm going along with M's training advice and feeling rather optimistic about a good winter's running ahead. I just need to ensure that I make enough time for the stretching and the bike/run balance. Hopefully, reporting back on this blog will help!

Feeling Heavy

2008-09-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

Overwhelmed

2008-09-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Back with a Bump

2008-09-08T17:27:00.000-07:00

Mixed Bag of Pleasures

2008-09-07T17:25:00.000-07:00

The World Masters

2008-09-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

I felt that I should have woken up ravenously hungry but I didn't really have much appetite for breakfast. I was very much aware that the calf was still tight and also that the last time I was in this position, a few months back, racing when not absolutely sure of the wisdom of doing so, I tore a muscle just half a mile into the event. Having travelled this far I couldn't not race, but I didn't feel able to get into a racing frame of mind. It was all about simply finishing the event without causing myself damage. That was my personal race. At least I was in a better position than M, who had collected her rented mountain bike and would hopefully have a good ride to the top of the mountain in support. On the other hand, with the skies as clear and the temperature as warm as predicted, perhaps she was going to have a better day. I never go well in the heat.

There was quite a bit of time to kill in the morning, but it's amazing how much got absorbed in collecting numbers and chips and faffing around with shoes and kit. Before we knew it the first race was about to start, the V75 and V80s and it was truly astonishing to witness how good these people looked. Could I possibly be that fit in 25 years time? It was inspiring to see. I was actually quite glad that they run a shorter course than us so no embarassing comparisons of time could be made!

With half an hour to go before the start of the race I began to get in the mood a little - despite E asking me if I was limping! The legs didn't feel particularly zippy but after some gentle warming up the tightness seemed to disappear at least. Psychological? I really don't know. My head was more into survival and enjoying the experience rather than racing and I thought about this odd fact that 90% of the runners here today have absolutely no hope of being in contention for a medal ... me included. Why do most of us put ourselves through all the rigours of training and racing merely to finish half way down the field? I mentioned something to E that I think answers the question pretty well. It came to me that we were like extras in a major feature film. There were just a few people with star billing, who actually featured in the main storyline, but the film would be nothing without all us extras, with our relatively inconsequential but nonetheless important walk-on parts. It wouldn't be a feature without us, for we provide all the colour and the atmosphere that makes the event what it is: a celebration of fitness and endeavour, rather than just about medals. That thought made be feel more at home.

We've seen so little sun this year that I found it near impossible to seek out any shade before the start. The sun was like a drug. I couldn't get enough of it ... possibly because this would be the last chance to feel real heat on the skin until well into next year. It was too good to miss. I had almost forgotten what a summer sky looks like. I honestly think that the last time I saw a sky like this was the morning of the White Rose Classic back in June - those wispy high cirrus clouds that suggest the sky is going to stay blue all day. We just haven't had those kinds of days this summer. Occasionally some blue sky in the morning but of the kind that gives way to bits of cloud soon after breakfast and then to overcast skies by mid-morning and rain at lunchtime. As I wasn't taking the race too seriously I thought it worth the risk of dehydration to indulge in a bit of sunlight therapy.

I had no plan for the race other than to test myself as hard as I dare while monitoring the calf for signs of stress. Actually, I wasn't thinking very clearly because I started too well up the field, harbouring this unconscious desire to stay within spitting distance of E - with a mind to attack him on the final steep approach to the summit. The first small climb felt fine and the pace comfortable enough but then we hit a flattish mile across some fields, with no respite from the heat of the midday sun. That section did for me. It soon became obvious that I'd started too fast for my current fitness level. I didn't appear to be moving very quickly but it just felt so hard. It was then all a matter of mind games as I settled to try and enjoy the run and occasion, getting overtaken by first DA and then AH, and unable to find the will to hang onto them. The trouble with 'settling' is that the adrenalin is no longer pumping, and without that natural pain-killer the running feels so much harder. I'm sure the effort felt greater than if I'd been firing on all cyclinders and running a minute a mile quicker.

The course didn't really suit me, with not many good hard running gradients. It seems to use fire roads in the forest which were quite gentle or ski slopes which were too steep - with not much in between. I much prefer a steady gradient which you can dig into and get a rhythm going. It was with some relief, then, that I finally crossed the finish line, without too much care about time or position. M was there to greet me, but I was suffering from the heat and had to sit down for a few minutes before moving on. There wasn't much space up at the top but I didn't really care - not even when another competitor bent over to shake my hand and released over me a good half pint of sweat from out of his cap! I guess it really was very hot. Someone had mentioned 34 deg at the summit!

We soon met up with the guys from the V60 race and it looked like they may have won the team gold. After some refreshment we took a walk back down to the village directly below and the shuttle bus back to the start where the party and music was already going well. Two pints of beer disappeared very quickly indeed. I still had no appetite for any food and it went to my head very effectively. The rest of the evening passed by in something of a haze. The prize-giving was wonderful, even though it did go on for hours. Our lads duly picked up their gold medals and I stood for the national anthem for the first time in years. I normally object on principle, because it is such a terrible dirge, but I guess this was a very special occasion. We went back to our hotel to eat (with M cramming 8 people into the rented Polo!) so missed some of the more entertaining acts that were laid on for us. It was good to finally eat.

I found out that I finished 52nd out of 104 runners in my category. I was in the top half of the field, which was my realistic aim for the day. By strange coincidence, when I ran the race 5 years ago (as a V45) I finshed 38th out of 76 runners. So, my target for next year in Zagreb is clear. There is definite room for improvement. M is highly motivated too. I think she could be close to medal contention if she can run to her potential.

To Dolni Morava

2008-09-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

A Big Day

2008-09-04T15:51:00.001-07:00

It's been quite a while since I've had the inclination to compile anything more than superficial thoughts on this blog. It's all got a bit boring really, but I've wanted to keep writing an entry each day anyway, just to complete the record. This is a wonderful, crazy and ridiculously hectic time of my life, and it will be fun to look back on this written narrative. Days disappear into weeks and then into months. It's good to get some vague feel for where all that time goes. I know everyone seems to experience this acceleration of the passage of time with each passing year, but I feel it's getting up to a ridiculously dizzying speed in my case. Making some notes at least serves to place little markers down. When I've been under too much pressure to write an entry for a few nights I've been amazed at how difficult it's been to remember where those days went.

That is a preamble before declaring that today is actually a very special day, although, oddly, it hasn't really felt particularly special - probably because I'm just too damn tired to appreciate the significance. I caught the train to London this morning (I'm writing this on the last leg of the journey back in the early evening) to sign a contract with the Health Protection Agency to deploy my software across the country over the next 18 months. It's been a long and rather painful negotiation, much of which, fortunately, I've been able to leave in the hands of my business partner. But the deal is done now and with a contract finally in place we can start to recruit some good people to share the workload. That will actually make life a bit harder before it starts to get easier, but it's a process that we have to go through. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel ... and for once it's not an oncoming train! At least I hope not!!

Despite all the pressures and the inevitable long hours ahead, I'm looking forward to developing the application further and working with the users (public health consultants and nurses mainly) to create a tool that they will enjoy using and which will help them in their job. That's a real motivation for me. This contract should bring some financial security, which will be very welcome (after 30 years without having any at all), but if I look deep inside myself, I cannot see the remunerative aspect as being much of a driver. I relish most this opportunity that I've been given to do something of just a little significance in the world, and do it really, really well. That's a privilege and it's what truly drives me when I'm struggling against tiredness during the late nights. So, if you are unfortunate enough to contract a nasty infectious disease, it is more than likely that your case will be recorded and managed using my software. God help you!!

I've still got loads to do tonight in preparation for training the Dutch people next week and configuring the software for their needs. Then tomorrow I'm flying out to Prague with M and a few other local runners for the World Masters. I've got to the point where I really don't care too much about performance on the day. I'm just looking forward to a great mini-adventure with lots of food and drink and lively banter. And, best of all, no computer. I fully intend to be off-line until Tuesday.

Summer Over?

2008-09-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

It's now past midnight and I've not left the house all day. I've barely left my office bedroom all day. The only relaxation was cooking a Thai Curry and watching Desperate Housewives! I've felt very stressed, hemmed in by the pressure of so much to do, with very few available days left (before some key deadlines) in which to grab time at the computer. My calf still doesn't feel quite right, although I'm beginning to wonder how much of that is just stress and paranoia. I probably would have rested even if the weather had been good enough to tease me out ... but the rain continues, and it's turned distinctly cool and windy - so no pining for the great outdoors.

It feels like summer (what summer?) is over on so many fronts. The temperature. The last one-dayer v South Africa was washed out so the international cricket season is over. The boys started back at school. No.1 son is now in the 6th form (how is that possible I ask myself?) and No.2 son is starting his two year run in towards GCSEs. They both had a good day, especially the youngest, who seems remarkably enthused by his new teachers and mostly the fact that he seems to be in sets with all his best mates. He seems very keen to work and get some good grades. The eldest also seems keen to work hard and he's a little daunted by the reality of that, but also looking forward to the reward that hard work brings. He's mature enough to understand that equation now. I really hope all this enthusiasm lasts.

At the Grindstone

2008-09-02T18:02:00.000-07:00

Another long day, punctuated by a trip to the office in Bradford, writing code, fixing bugs, fielding support calls, configuring the application for training in Holland next week. There is just too much to do. Even under this kind of pressure I guess I'm still enjoying what I do, but I am so looking forward to getting away on Friday. It will be pure bliss to be able to turn the head off for a few days after the grind of the last few weeks.

Staying Positive

2008-09-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

The calf was still feeling tight yesterday so I decided to be proactive and call my physio, managing to get in at short notice on a cancellation. The tightness was very evident but I was encouraged to find out that it doesn't seem to be too serious. The feeling is that I should be ok for the weekend. I'm staying positive.

Another long day at the computer meant that I had no energy for a ride tonight. I was actually rather glad to have no one else turn up from the Harriers for the Monday meet - leaving No.2 son and myself to take just a short local ride, only about 6 miles but taking in a few hills, and missing the showers. I couldn't feel any further niggle from the calf, but I was reluctant to push very hard. It was good at least to get some air before settling down to another late night at the computer.

Another wash-out

2008-08-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

It was wonderful to relax yesterday, but I needed to crack on with work today. There is no better way of testing software than using it for real. I found quite a few bugs and spent the best part of the day getting them fixed. Most were fiddly issues which I had left as not essential to sort out for the prototyping stage but now need to be resolved as we are getting closer to full deployment. One of my favourite sayings is that you get 80% of the way in 20% of the time. That last 20% takes five times as long. It's so true.

Took an hour out to watch No.1 son bowl a few overs. Of course, it started to drizzle as soon as he was given the ball, so it wasn't easy for him to grip and extract as much turn as he usually does. At the end of his ten over spell (tight and unlucky not to get a wicket) the rain started coming down more heavily and I retreated for home. And that was it for the afternoon. Another wash-out and another week passes without my lad having a chance to get to the crease. He's barely had a chance to score a single run since that elegant fifty he hit over a month back now. I feel so bad for him.

One run too far?

2008-08-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

I somehow managed to sleep in this morning, not waking until after 10am. I never do this! I guess it's a sign that mind and body are running tired. My plan to get some chores out of the way went out of the window, although I did do the essentials of food shopping and laundry before getting out for a run. I thought I'd just get in one last good quality session before winding down towards the Masters. I went out past the Cow and Calf, climbing up just short of the Pancake Stone, then down to the beck and up to the cairn before returning back via White Wells, about 4.5 miles at a good pace, feeling strong and remembering why it is that running will always remain my first love. When you are feeling good and fit there is nothing quite like the exhilarating rhythm of running trails at a pace.

Hatched a plan with M to get out somewhere a little different for a cycle this afternoon. After a quick look at the map I suggested driving to Thirsk and doing a circuit on the west side of the North York Moors. We found a delightful pub in the village of Felixkirk and from there headed to Boltby and Hawnby, from where we were lured onto the moorland road north and west to Osmotherley. The hills were steep and unrelenting, and the countryside incredibly beautiful: secret valleys, woodland, heather-clad hills, ancient byways, immaculately kept villages. It had everything. Having lived in Cheltenham once, I was minded to describe it to M as the Cotswolds of the north. There was the same kind of quintessentially English feel.

From Osmotherley we took a route back that hugged the side of the escarpment. It looked flattish on the map but continued to undulate and offer more incredible countryside and perfect back lanes. The one blot was having to use the A19 trunk road for about half a mile, but even this had the reward of offering us the sight of some major time-trial that was going on. I would guess that it was a big 100 miler from the amazing number of riders spread out, going both ways up and down the dual carriageway. I matched the speed of one rider who came past, just for a short while, but long enough to decide that this branch of the sport holds very little appeal. It's simply gruelling. Head down for hours on end, in a constant stream of heavy traffic. It was great to watch for a while, and the speed of some of the riders simply awesome, but I was very happy to return to the country lanes and head back to Felixkirk via Cowesby and Kirby Knowle. Our route was only 27 miles in total but it felt like a lot further than that in terms of all the hills. It was wonderful to discover such a beautiful little spot so close to home. It took my mind off the fact that I had started to feel a bit of a twinge in the calf during the ride. I'm not sure what to make of it right now, but it isn't quite right and it's in exactly the same spot as where I pulled the muscle a couple of months back. It's tightened up tonight and I'm trying to ignore it at the moment. I'm really hoping that my run this morning wasn't one run too far!

Kettlewell

2008-08-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Found myself struggling to focus this morning, the brain rather fried from five very long and intense days. I was going through the motions really, just tidying up bits and pieces and not making any real progress. Both the lads have things on this weekend so today was really the last opportunity of the holiday to get out with them both, so I suggested a ride and they were up for that.

I decided to first go for a run at lunchtime. With a couple of days off from the running behind me, I was due a quality session. Only the chance of a couple more good efforts now before the World Masters. I decided to run up the Keighley Gate Road to the masts, a route I've not done all year. It's climbing from straight out the door for 2.5 miles. I'm thinking that it won't be too far off the kind of gradient that we'll be experiencing in just 8 days now. So, I set off at a good pace, legs feeling quite strong, and tried to work hard all the way. On the last stretch I could see that a sub-20 minute time was on so I found the energy to raise the pace and got to the top in 19.52. It's hard to remember back to when I was doing this little time-trial on a regular basis, but I think that's a reasonable time. No matter. It's given me a great deal of confidence for the run next week. With so little specific training, I know I'm not going to be as competitive as I would like, but I don't think I'm going to disgrace myself!

Got sucked into watching England pile on the runs against South Africa in the one-day series. Pietersen certainly seems to have the midas touch ... and long may it continue. Waiting to see the end of the England innings, we didn't set off until almost 3pm but I still held a vague notion that we could possibly go to Hawes to allow the boys to 'enjoy' the experience of Fleet Moss. That wasn't to be, though, for No.2 son struggled on the back road through Appletreewick, Hebden, Grassington and Conistone. It seemed to me to be more psychological than physical, but he didn't seem to have the legs. We stopped at the cafe in Kettlewell for a good feed stop and it occurred to me then that perhaps it was just that he hadn't eaten enough through the day. That seemed to be confirmed on the way back. What a difference! He set a good pace all the way home. Indeed we were a whole 20 minutes quicker coming back on the B road, on a route which is only marginally shorter. We had our customary sprint at the golf course, which was just won by junior following my lead-out. No.1 son got caught by the break and gave himself too much to do, but very nearly got us on the line. I was genuinely impressed with them both after 43 miles of fairly hilly bike riding. Winning the sprint put No.2 son in a thoroughly much better mood, and No.1 son was on a great high from just being able to get out and do this ride at all, and enjoy it into the bargain - a prospect that he would have laughed at if suggested just a month or so ago. I've been looking forward to this kind of scenario for years ... and never truly believed it was going to happen. I felt very lucky today to be able to share this kind of experience with my two fit sons. We've even begun to plan a training camp together for the beginning of next year.

The Devil's in the Detail

2008-08-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

Despite a very late night and a correspondingly early morning, populating my new data structures for the demonstration today, I have felt surprisingly switched-on. When I have to be on the ball I always seem able to get it together, no matter how tired I feel or little sleep I've had. I was sorting out a new bit of code right up to the moment our visitors arrived, finally getting it working at the very last minute. It seems like such a familiar scenario. It's stressful, but I do love the buzz!

Today was always going to be a rest day so I was reasonably thankful that the drab weather was continuing. We worked right through to the end of the afternoon, trying to understand the details of how the Dutch handle the various aspects of communicable disease control. Although we had received all the information on paper, it's amazing just how much more vital information emerges when you start discussing things around the table. The devil is always in the detail. And I think I can be a little big-headed here and suggest that my success at what I do is down to attention to detail. It's a matter of not settling for something that will simply work, but always trying to do the very best job that you can. If I can see a better way of implementing a certain function, then I cannot rest until I've improved the design, regardless of how many hours of previous work that I have to discard in the process.

Finished the day in Leeds by taking our visitors out for a drink and a meal, and I had such a good time that I stayed later than intended and came back on the very last train. I only spent a few minutes catching up with the guys (not having seen them all day) before I had no choice but to collapse into bed.

Brunthwaite Hill

2008-08-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Another tough day at the computer, now implementing the latest version of this new design. I'm happy that it's going to do the job, and I can show the work to our Dutch visitors tomorrow. They are going to be trialling the software next month in the Netherlands and I had to get this right before meeting them and finalising aspects of the design with them.

I celebrated by hooking up with M to watch No.1 son play cricket for a while, a friendly game where he actually opened the bowling with his off-spin. He delivered a few jaffas and got a wicket with a bad one, to a great catch, but it started to drizzle soon after the start of the innings so it wasn't easy to grip the ball. He really hasn't bowled regularly enough this season to have found any kind of rhythm.

It was decidedly chilly watching the game so just as he finished his spell we set off on the bikes to get warm, cycling into the wind and the rain. Typical summer's day really! M has had another setback with her calf and is now resigned to missing out on the World Masters. She needs some good bike rides to keep her spirits up. We went out via Nesfield to Bolton Bridge, left to Addingham and up the climb of Turner's Lane, then right and left to Swartha to the bottom of the infamous Brunthwaite Hill, exactly a mile in length and an ascent of 600 feet. This was M's introduction to one of my very favourite hills and she climbed well. I found it impossible to resist putting in an effort and was pleasantly surprised to feel very strong. I seemed to arrive at the top very quickly, although I didn't have to go far back down to meet M powering up herself. We then enjoyed a rapid descent back through Addingham Moorside and back to Ilkley with the wind on our backs.

Leeds v Crystal Palace

2008-08-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

Spent the whole day, once again, on the system design for this revamped architecture for recording cases of infectious disease. Testing with examples has revealed more complexity and the need to incorporate more flexibility. There is always a balance to be struck between rigour of design and ease of use. Making something logically complete can render it impossible to use. On the other hand, use too simple a design and you lose data integrity. I'm still trying to find the right balance.

Took No.2 son to Elland Road tonight to watch Leeds play Crystal Palace (my childhood team) in what I still call the League Cup, but not before getting out for a run in order to clear my head. Took off at a good pace to Silver Wells, turning just before the Swastika Stone and returning via White Wells, a bit over 4 miles. The legs still felt a little sore from Saturday but I felt strong enough nonetheless. Only left 15 mins between getting back and heading out on the train, enabling me to wind my lad up somewhat with a distinct lack of urgency. He hates that!

I have to admit that I wasn't really up for this tonight. I find it hard to embrace football while the cricket season is still going on, even when the weather is more suitable - which it has for the best part of the whole summer! I was still in systems design mode and spent much of the first half with pen and paper in hand, and only half an eye on the football. However, by the end of the second half I was becoming more and more tuned into the game because Leeds were playing some really good football. And I discovered where my allegiance truly lies these days ... much to the delight of No.2 son. In the end, Leeds ran away rampant 4-0 winners and the margin could easily have been greater. It was an impressive display. If they get a home draw looks like I'll be dragged back to watch the next round. I might actually look forward to that.

Classification of Infectious Disease

2008-08-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

Pressure of work has meant that my blog has gone dead for almost two weeks now. If anyone is still visiting, this is just to say that I still hope to keep going. I've been making notes and I will soon take some time to catch up. I've missed my late night e-scribbling, but there has just been too much to do. I've spent the bank holiday almost entirely at the computer, finishing off my new interface for the recording of new cases of infectious disease. It's the hardest design task I think I've ever undertaken. The complexity of the relationships between organisms which can cause many different diseases and diseases which can be caused by many different organisms is astounding. Factor in idiosyncratic naming conventions and historic anomalies and you have this huge mess that has been astonishingly hard to bring order to. But I think I've succeeded. I will find out properly tomorrow when I start populating with the data. I've been evolving this solution over some five years now. I'd love to think that I won't need to work on it much more. It does my head in!

Becoming more sensible!

2008-08-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Back in the thick of it today. Important meeting in the morning, then catching up with all the things that have been going on while I've been away. Some strange bugs have appeared and then disappeared again. There is one that I cannot reproduce at all. I was able to see it for myself this afternoon but not any more. It's never easy dealing with bugs around real-time data. Nothing ever stands still. It's been a very late night trying to get a handle on this, struggling to understand the conditions under which it might occur. It's proving elusive and eventually tiredness has overruled my stubbornness (a couple of hours too late probably), so I've admitted defeat. It's very rare that I'm beaten by a bug this way. I'm normally way too pig-headed to surrender like this, but that's not necessarily commendable. I think I'm becoming more sensible!

Adventure

2008-08-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

The weather was as dire today as predicted so I was happy that we made the decision to come home from Wales a day early. My self-discipline might have been wanting in terms of the work I've needed to get done. I've had a secret day at the computer and I'm going to start a difficult week all the more relaxed for getting a lot done. Late in the evening now, I find myself reflecting on sportive routes and thinking that the Devil Ride got it just about right. One of the most appealing apects of this particular route was that it fitted almost perfectly on one single 1:50000 map (Sheet 147: Elan Valley and Builth Wells), turning at the very top and bottom of the map, and at the right edge too, only just going over the left edge for a few miles into Tregaron. It felt like a very natural line and that is important to me somehow. It was a genuine tour. I also think that in terms of enjoyment it is good to get the majority of the climbing in during the first half of the ride. I'd much rather be doing the big hills on fresh legs than on tired ones. Personally speaking, I do these events with the principal intention of enjoying myself. I want the experience to be fun, not an ordeal! Although a little bit of suffering is essential to that feeling of having given one's all, I don't necessarily want hills tacked on to a route for the sake of it. Gratuitous climbs in sportives could be looked upon in the same way as gratuitous violence in films. It's not strictly necessary. More is not always better.

Today the outline route for next year's Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge was released. I was excited to find that it's now going out all the way to Dolgellau and Dinas Mawddwy to tackle the Bwlch y Groes from the hard side. It's a thoroughly daunting prospect after 100 miles of riding, but also appropriate for what is billed as the toughest sportive of them all. I was not so delighted to discover, though, that the Bwlch pen Barrass climb was going to be at the end. It always felt a little contrived to be doing that loop at the beginning and my first thought was that this indeed was a little gratuitous. That was before I read more carefully and realised that this was no longer to be a loop, but the finish. Starting up The Shelf and cutting across to the Horseshoe Pass seems like a much more natural line to take at the beginning, and although it is going to be hell (with those final few climbs from the Devil Ride still fresh in mind, body and spirit), having a hilltop finish would be an amazing spectacle and experience. The thought of that last very steep climb will be haunting us throughout the ride. I can imagine lots of supporters out willing us all to keep pushing the pedals, to ride to the top and finish in style - when every signal the legs are giving out is simply to stop! I can feel the fear from almost a year away! I might now regret saying that I was half disappointed this year when I saw that sign after the Stingers saying five miles to go and all downhill. This is going to be one very serious sting in the tail. I wasn't intending to do the event again next year as I felt the route was just a little too contrived, but as of this moment I find it hard to imagine not putting myself on the line for the challenge. I suppose I have to admit that it's not always about having fun, but overcoming adversity and taking satisfaction from surviving a genuine adventure. It will certainly add an extra incentive to keep the training going through the winter. Should we be thanking Dave ... or cursing him?

The Elan Valley

2008-08-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

The plan for today was to share with No.2 son the delights of the Elan Valley. Originally we were going to do a longish but leisurely ride together today, followed by a shorter ride tomorrow. Having seen the horrendous weather forecast for Tuesday, though, we decided to get out first thing in the morning and try to get the ride in before the forecast rain arrived, aiming to head back for home in the afternoon. We left the B&B at 9am, our rucksacks packed and ready to be picked up later. We took a fairly direct line to Rhyader, picking up the A road which follows the Wye Valley, before reversing the Devil Ride route from the previous day, climbing up the ridge and over into the Elan Valley. My lad was a little apprehensive about the climb following a big day out for him yesterday, but he actually had no problem at all. It was good in a way that the road could be seen a long way ahead for it made the sense of achievement that much the greater. He was very full of himself at the top and loved the descent and especially the hairpins down to the bridge at the head of the four reservoirs. The route down the valley was sensational and No.2 son loved the feeling of remoteness and the sheer beauty of this half natural, half man-made landscape. I loved most the fact that he was able to appreciate it so much, far more so I'm sure than if he had just been driven around in a car.

Just before the third dam we were hit by a fairly heavy shower which we could see approaching as a wall of water. Prompted by my son, we had our jackets on before it reached us. The timing was such, though, that I was no longer inclined to take the right turn for the out and back trip to the dam at the bottom of the Claerwen Reservoir, so we just headed back to Rhyader for lunch, although my lad wasn't phased at all by getting wet; indeed, he seemed to rather enjoy it. The rain had stopped by the time we reached the town but it started up again while we were eating. It always seems so much worse when you are inside looking out! We took our time, hoping that it would soon ease off again. Which indeed it did - as soon as we got out of town. We retraced the Devil Ride route here, except that we turned right instead of left to Abbeycwmhir. There was no way I was going to do that climb again! This was a fantastic little stretch of road, gently undulating and No.2 son seemed to get inspired here, setting a good pace, taking a route through all the puddles, spraying as much water around as possible, thoroughly enjoying being a kid. From there we continued to take a mostly minor road route back to the B&B, the rain holding off and allowing us to finish in the dry. My lad flagged a bit at the very end, but after 45 miles he was entitled to that, and it also told me that the length of ride was right. He was quite keen to get back home now. Even if the weather forecast had been good, two hard days out on the bike was probably enough for him. And for me too for that matter.

The Devil Ride

2008-08-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

It was good for a change to be not setting the alarm for some ridiculously early hour before doing a Sportive. For once, I felt quite rested when I woke up just before 7am and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with No.2 son and six other people staying at the B&B and riding the event. The bad weather didn't look as if it had quite cleared through, as promised, so there was quite a bit of excitement when a bit of blue sky was spotted just as the toast arrived. It looked like it was going to be a day of showers, which was fine. I don't mind the rain if I know it's not going to last for long.

I said goodbye to No.2 son just before 8am and set off for a gentle 6 mile spin down to Builth Wells for the start of the event. I rather like being able to begin the day straight-away on the bike, and it was fun to see that most of the cars overtaking me on a Sunday morning were fellow Devil Riders. I was actually glad to be on the bike rather than in a car. They were possibly thinking the opposite! Builth Wells was a hive of activity and arriving at the Sports Centre I started to feel that familiar thrill of anticipation I always experience before an event. It was really only last night that I had taken the time to look at the route to see exactly where we were going. It was going to be hard but also very beautiful (if the weather relented to allow us to see the views), and I was really looking forward to exploring some new roads.

Registration was extremely efficient and after my usual bit of faffing around I was on my way at around 8.50am, by which time it seemed that there weren't too many other riders left. The skies remained grey but at least it was dry, and it certainly wasn't cold. I was just wearing a short-sleeved shirt, knowing that the climbing started straight out of the town and I would very soon be warm. It was amazing to see how much in the way of gear many of the other riders were wearing! I have a personal adage that says if you are not feeling just a little chilly before the start of an event then you are wearing too much gear! We headed out due south on the road to Brecon, which was considerably bumpier than I had gleaned from a quick look at the map. It allowed for some spectacular sights in terms of the views to the west, and of the road ahead filled with a seemingly endless stream of riders. My only concern was possibly going a bit too quickly as I continued to catch and pass people. Actually, I did have another slight concern, and that was No.2 son who would be coming this same way in an hour or two. Perhaps I didn't prepare him sufficiently for all these hills. I was tempted to call him but then though better of it. He would be fine.

Turning back on ourselves to Garth, on an even more spectacular piece of road, we got hit by a squally shower, but it wasn't heavy enough to warrant stopping to put a jacket on. It didn't even spoil the ride even, for visibility remained good and somehow the views were even more spectacular for the incredibly dramatic skies. Although there were some very threatening clouds around, it still looked like a day where the rain would be spasmodic rather than persistent. And that's how it proved to be. The rain soon eased and I enjoyed an exhilarating descent back into the Irfon Valley, amidst the most incredibly picturesque hills. There is something very special about the countryside here. It's very different from Upper Wharfedale and Swaledale in my own backyard, the Yorkshire Dales, but has that same kind of unique quality that somehow lies beyond words. It simply has to be soaked up and enjoyed rather than described.

A few miles of respite along an A road to Beulah and then we turned west to head into the hills again, through the most beautifully secluded valley, steep-sided and forested, undulating up and down, this way and that, over a shoulder to Abergeswyn and then opening out when joining the Irfan Valley once more. The road hugged the east side of the valley in spectacular fashion, offering a great view of the Devil's Staircase dead ahead. I felt inspired rather than intimidated. I had to engage the lowest gear almost immediately as the gradient hits you as soon as you cross the river, but although certainly steep, it wasn't desperately hard. It find it impossible to rank these big climbs because so much depends on where they come in the ride. The very steepest of ascents can seem quite reasonable when you are fresh. It's a different matter altogether when you have lots of miles and climbing already in the legs.

The first feedstop was well placed at the top of the climb and, although I really didn't feel that thirsty or hungry, I forced myself to eat and take on water. It then decided to start raining again, heavier than before, so as I was stopped I made the decision to put my windproof on. It was bad timing really because I wasn't able to enjoy the following descent for barely being able to see. The shower didn't last long, though, nor the downhill, because we were soon climbing again. The next section was truly wild and I kept the jacket on in expectation of a long descent to Tregaron, but there was still more climbing to be done before then. I usually feel on these mountain rides that the descents are far longer than I have any right to expect, but this was a counter-example of where the descents seemed shorter than I would have expected based on all the climbing we seemed to be doing. I remember thinking that this ride is tougher than my local Dales events, the Etape du Dales and the White Rose Classic.

Eventually, on the lovely stretch down into Tregaron the sun came out and cued a stop to remove my top. It was never needed again. Turning again and heading north-east we picked up a bit of a tail wind and I really enjoyed a second bit of respite from the relentless climbing. I actually found myself in the unusual position of leading a small group, which gradually increased in size as we overtook lone riders ahead on the road and they latched on. Nobody else seemed inclined to come to the front but I was enjoying the buzz of being there myself too much to mind. Just I was getting to the point where I thought I might be pushing too hard and fancied some help, another group came by and I latched onto them for a fast tow along the rest of this flat section to Pontrhydfendigaid. From there we started climbing and it all broke up again, everyone into their own rhythm, a few quicker than me, a few slower, crossing from one valley into another, this time into the heavily wooded bottom of the Ystwyth at Pontrhydygroes, a beautiful sweeping descent before climbing yet again over into the next valley at Devil's Bridge.

Here, after miles and miles of very little traffic and very few people, we were suddenly squirted out into something of a honey-trap. We were close to civilisation again, only a few miles from Aberystwyth and there were lots of tourists around, presumably being delivered there by the steam railway, the unmistakable sounds of which could be heard from somewhere. I wasn't sure exactly from where for I passed through Devil's Bridge very quickly indeed, concentrating on keeping out of trouble, and then before there was any chance at all to take in the place, I was out the other side and climbing again. The legs were feeling weary now and I was beginning to view the sight of each hill ahead with more and more apprehension. The scenery was still inspiring, and this next section of climb was stunning, with the most dramatically positioned wind-farm I have ever seen. But I was beginning to hurt.

I was grateful to reach the top of the climb at The Arch and enjoy a great descent back into and down the valley of the Ystwyth, knowing that the next feedstation wasn't going to be far away now. I felt the need for food, and, having enjoyed a fair bit of sunshine in the last hour, also needed to top the water bottles up. On the last climb I had vowed I'd take my time over this feed-stop, but once I'd downed a bit of cake and a few crackers I felt the urge to get going again. There is a certain rhythm to these long distance events which somehow demands continuity. The short break had definitely served to energise me, though, and I was able to enjoy the next climb more than the previous one. This next section on the mountain road to Rhyader was every bit as wild and beautiful as I expected it to be. From the top of the climb at the head of the Elan Valley the next four miles was exhilarting, enjoying a tailwind and moving rapidly over one of the most remote stretches of road outside of Scotland.

However, that sense of exhilaration was relatively short-lived as I hit the next climb out of the Elan Valley and over the ridge towards Rhyader. Even with the tailwind I found this very hard. The legs just ran out of steam. I was in survival mode. I think I'd eaten well enough, so I suspect it was just a matter of conditioning and not having done enough quality miles in the previous four weeks. Out of Rhyader there was a lovely flattish section for a few miles before things ramped up again on what would normally be considered a delightful minor road over to Abbeycwmhir, but what in these circumstances could only be thought of as a brute of a climb. If this was at the start of the event, I'd have been up and over without a thought, but coming towards the end, this was tough indeed. I was only barely moving quicker than another rider ahead who was walking. It was only mildly reassuring to know that I wasn't the only one to be suffering.

It's an odd thing that, despite being hardly able to push a pedal on the climbs at this stage, it doesn't seem that hard to maintain a reasonable pace on the flat. Following the descent someone came up from behind and took a tow for a short while, before accelerating past. He had upped the speed considerably, but once on his wheel I was able to stay there for a few miles without too much trouble, before he decided he'd had enough and waved me through to the front again. I couldn't maintain quite the same speed, but I tried and he remained happy to stay on my wheel for a mile or so before accelerating past again - too fast for me to latch on this time, although as it turned out the final feedstop was only a short distance away.

It was actually quite a surprise to hear that there was only 16 miles to go at this point. It felt like it should be more. I couldn't stomach any food other than a few Ritz crackers, but it was probably too late for proper food to provide any real benefit. Beyond a certain point the body seems to turn away from sugary foods towards savoury ones. I'd have killed for a spicy vegetable pasty at that point! The going from there continued to be relatively easy and we soon picked up a "20K to go" sign. A look at the watch revealed that a Gold standard time was there for the taking, something I had given up on when suffering before Rhyader. Trying to remember the map it seemed to me that there couldn't be any more hills so it felt like just a matter of keeping the steady pace going and rolling back into Builth Wells with a big smile on my face.

I should have known there would be a sting in the tail. From Newbridge-on-Wye the route climbed one last time, not much more than 300 feet, but my legs had now gone completely and I was a sorry sight twiddling away in my granny gear, thinking that it would almost certainly be quicker to get off and walk, but knowing that I couldn't possibly suffer that ignominy. I wasn't smiling at this point and I'm not sure I'd have actually been capable of a smile here. A couple of riders came past only going marginally less slowly than me, using some choice language out aloud that I was using privately in my head! Perhaps it helps to give voice to such cursing!!

We eventually hit the turn on to the minor road which would take us back down to Builth Wells, but even this was bumpy with one short steep section to endure. I had not suffered this much in an event all year. But I had also not enjoyed a route more. I know that I did eventually have a huge smile on my face at the finish, getting the gold standard for my age group (6.52) , coming home in 6.43.18, grateful for having been given such a fantastic day out, rewarded with equal amounts joy, suffering and awe at the beauty of the Welsh countryside. The organisation couldn't be faulted. The signage was excellent, leaving no room for any kind of doubt anywhere on the course. A quite superb event from every perspective.

I'd been in touch with No.2 son at times on the mobile and I was very proud of him indeed for having got out a bit earlier than expected, cycling into Builth and doing the first section of the Devil Ride as intended. He had told me that he was on my route and was waiting for me so he could pace me into the finish. That would have been fun, trying to keep up with him over the last few miles, but unfortunately he was waiting on the finishing section of the Little Devil instead of my route, so we missed each other. He did soon join me at the Sports Centre, however, and we found a couple of the people who were staying at our B&B to share in some banter and wax lyrical with about the whole day's experience. It was then just a matter of cycling the 6 miles back to Howey to crash out after what had been a very satisfying day for both of us. My lad had thoroughly enjoyed his Rite of Passage today, and seemed totally full of confidence. Life felt very good that evening as we tucked into a hearty meal at a nearby pub. Days don't get much better than this.

Rites of Passage

2008-08-09T03:24:00.000-07:00

I managed to do most of the packing for our trip the previous night, but, with some business stuff to tidy up, there were still some loose ends to sort out in the morning and I was inevitably in a rush to get our 9.10 am train from Ilkley. Whether it's just a weekend away, a week's break, or longer, it's always such a relief to actually begin the journey and know that any more worrying about forgetting stuff is futile.

Travelling on a summer Saturday is not ideal. The train from Leeds to Birmingham was standing room only and No.2 son and I were forced to sit down on the floor next to our bikes. I'd planned to work on this leg of the trip but I guess I wasn't too sorry to have an opportunity to pick up with the novel I started on the trip to Ireland a few weeks back. The forecast rain for today arrived on time and once again I found myself in the situation of being thankful that an event wasn't being held on the day before! By the time we reached Llandrindod Wells the rain had stopped although the weather still looked threatening. We just had a short ride to our B&B, a mile down the road towards Builth, accomodation I felt very lucky to have found at such short notice, with 500 people entered for the Devil Ride, the majority of which would be staying overnight.

After settling in at the B&B the rain swept through again, not heavy, but enough to deter us from getting out for our planned late afternoon ride. No.2 son didn't seem to mind. I think he was quite happy to chill and plan with me his route for tomorrow. This was going to be something of a Rite of Passage for him. I'd done the same thing with my two much younger brothers at the same kind of age: throwing them in at the deep end, confident in their ability to look after themselves and knowing that they would feel a strong sense of achievement from being self-reliant. I gave him the map and suggested that he follow the first southern section of the Devil Ride, then finishing along the route of the Little Devil. If he watched the Women's Road Race from the Olympics first, then he'd probably not have long to wait before I finished my ride. He seemed happy with that plan and actually very excited about what was going to be quite an adventure for him. It is odd, though, that for my generation, and for the previous one almost more so, kids of fourteen were far more adventurous than they are now. For all their precocity in many areas of life, young people don't seem to have quite the same curiosity about the world as I remember having at that age.

We enjoyed a very good meal in the pub in the village just down from where we were staying at Holly Farm, Howey, and it was wonderful to be able to share this one-on-one with my youngest. His obvious enthusiasm for his ride tomorrow made me feel that I'd made the right decision about this trip. My only fear was him getting a puncture or suffering a mechanical of some kind. But kids of his age have always had to deal with this sort of thing. He'd cope somehow. It would be part of the experience. I told myself that he'd be fine! I'm sure my parents never worried like this. Or perhaps they did but they never let on. I shall have to ask my mum!

Choices and Consequences

2008-08-08T15:43:00.001-07:00

I've had difficult choices to make around this coming weekend and, apart from not being sure I've made the right decision even, I know I've not gone about in the best way. It's caused a bit of grief all around and I'm left with a stodgy head from thinking about it too much. The upshot is, though, that I'm off tomorrow with No.2 son for a few days cycling in Wales, including the Devil Ride for me on the Sunday. I need to do some important documentation on the software so I'm having to take the laptop with me. My boy is taking his too, so we'll be mixing some time on the bikes with some time at the computer, me writing, him playing. He's really excited about going away and having me to himself. I feel rather ashamed that we've never done this before. But this is a good time. He seems really keen to get lots of miles and hills in - and also enthusiastic about planning a ride of his own while I'm doing the event. I have to admit that after missing the Ryedale Rumble and the Pendle Pedal these last two weekends I've been developing sportive withdrawal symptoms! I've chosen, to some extent, to put my needs first to do this event, and I've had to deal with the consequences of that today. It's not been easy and I'm still beating myself up over it. Once we get the maps out on the train tomorrow morning I'm hoping my head will clear and get filled with anticipation. I adore the hills of Central Wales and I think it's over 10 years since I was last there when I did the Autumn Polaris with my good friend MO (Note to myself that I really must find his number and catch up. It's been years). We enjoyed the scenery and the riding so much that we deliberately decided to extend the ride and so failed by a considerable margin to make the time limit- thereby losing all our points to penalties!

Reaching my limit with work, I finished up a couple of hours early and went out with both the boys to Burnsall and back this afternoon. No.1 son is really getting into the cycling now and he had no qualms about leaving the test match with new captain Pietersen on 84 not out in order to go out on the bike. It was a reasonably good-paced ride too. No.1 son is getting fit rather quickly! He seems definitely up for some longer rides now he knows that 25 miles is comfortable.

This was my last chance for a run for a few days so I took the opportunity to get out on the moor soon after returning from our bike ride. I ran up to the cairn via White Wells and enjoyed a circuitous return. Like Wednesday, I felt good, with a bit of zip in the legs, and I had to concentrate in order to stop myself from going quicker than I felt I should. It was great to be running at a healthy pace and still be having to rein myself in! I think I'd forgotten just how good it feels to run when your legs are fresh and free from niggles. The tightness felt on Wednesday evening has gone and I've felt nothing further tonight. I'm feeling more and more optimistic that I will be racing again soon.

Bug Blitz

2008-08-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

I made good progress with the software late into last night and the early hours of this morning. I've felt very tired today, but I've been fuelled by being able to regularly tick things off my mental list. Lots of problems fixed with the software, while at the same time doing some essential housekeeping and applying a bit of polish. The application feels more and more robust, as well as looking good at the same time!

It was another overcast, but warm and close day, with no breeze to move the heavy air. It would have been a great day for a bike ride, but there was no time for that until the evening, when, as if on cue with my arrival back from the office, the storm clouds appeared and rain set in for the night. In a way, I didn't mind too much because I was on quite a roll with the software. I do really enjoy it when I'm programming and being productive. I've had quite a blitz on many little bugs today. It's been very satisfying, and my head is clearer for being able to see the way forward now I've hacked down a lot of the undergrowth! The next week or so doesn't appear so overwhelming now.

A Runner Again!

2008-08-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

Still felt completely frazzled today. There are too many things to sort out, too many things demanding my attention. I seem to be spending most of my time working out the priorities rather than just cracking down and actually solving the problems. Things improved at lunchtime when I forced myself to get out for a run. And this was definitely running rather than the jogging I've been doing up until this last weekend. I did 6 laps around the Millennium Gardens, the route I used to take my gang of Wharfedale Juniors around a few years back. I did efforts going up on the track and recovery back down on the grass, and it felt wonderful to be able to extend myself a little. It was also wonderful to feel like there was more to come if I wanted. I'm still being very cautious so I held back a little and followed the circuits with a steady run up past White Wells, through Rocky Valley and back home via the Tarn, dripping with sweat because it was a very warm and muggy day. I was out for 45 minutes in total and it was the greatest joy to have that freedom to run again, and feel good. This was the first time in getting on for two months when I've felt like a runner. I'm not ready yet to give this feeling up. I've now got to make sure that I keep the progress steady and not get carried away. I've felt just a little bit of tightness since so that's a reminder that I'm not out of the woods completely.

Overwhelmed

2008-08-05T16:11:00.001-07:00

After a very chilled weekend in the Lakes and a peaceful day of core programming yesterday, reality struck back hard again today with issues on our live systems and some difficult decisions to be made. Trying to plan the next couple of weeks, there just seems to be too many things that absolutely have to be done to fit in with all the things I want to do in that time. Something has to give and it's been very stressful trying to find the right compromises.

After a lovely start to the morning, the rest of the day has been grey, wet and very uninspiring - so it has been easy to take a rest day today. With bugs to fix I ended up working until late, meaning that there still hasn't been any time to catch up on my missing blog entries. I'm leaving placeholders and hope I can find the time soon.

Barden Bridge

2008-08-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

Grizedale Forest

2008-08-03T16:09:00.000-07:00

Coniston Water

2008-08-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Burnt Out

2008-08-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

Suffocation

2008-07-31T07:36:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those days where you just feel that the Gods have got it in for you, that they've decided to have a bit of fun at your expense. I haven't been seeing the funny side of it at all. It's been a miserable day. What should have been a simple task taking no more than an hour has taken me from 8am right through to 1am of the early hours, with just one short break - all down to software tools simply not working as they should, with no indication of why. There is nothing, simply nothing I find more infuriating than commercial software (from companies with billions of dollars at their disposal) telling you that there is an error. Just an error. Full stop. No detail. No help. Today, every method I tried to perform this one task threw up such undefined errors, a brick wall being moved around to block my every move. I got very wound up in my head, to the point where I could no longer think clearly. Eventually I found a way through and then another problem occurred, which actually was relatively easy to understand, but by this point my head was so muddled and mired in paranoia that I kept imagining much more complex issues than what was really involved. To mirror my dark mood, it rained almost all day, out of a uniformly grey sky. It was a muggy, airless day, and that's exactly how I have felt myself: muggy headed. But actually worse than that. I can best describe it by saying that my brain has felt increasingly suffocated all day. It's a horrible feeling.

Feeling the Pressure

2008-07-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

The pressure is building towards going live in Scotland. I've been doing masses of work under the bonnet in respect to rewriting the code more elegantly and efficiently (with the wonderful benefit of hindsight), and these will be our first clients to use the application in its shiny new 'go faster' form. There is always a lot of last-minute debugging and configuration and I've been right in the middle of that today. As ever, too much to do and not enough time to do it in.

It was the last Under 17s league match of the season tonight, at Adel, and with so many of the lads on holiday No.2 son was persuaded out of his early retirement to play. I was late leaving the office, missed the train, and enjoyed a very fast ride out to Adel in exactly 40 minutes. Just what I needed. It was beautifully balmy, an evening made for watching cricket indeed. We won the game fairly comfortably (in the end) with No.1 son getting out cheaply but taking a couple of good wickets, and No.2 son taking a possibly match-winning catch on the boundary off a skier when Adel's No.3 was on 49 and threatening to take the game away from us single-handed. The game didn't finish until 9.30pm and I had forgotten that the nights are beginning to close in quite quickly now. I had an even more rapid return home, in time-trial mode (reminding myself why I don't do time trials!), in 36 mins. With my computer not working and having forgotten to charge up the Garmin, I'm intrigued to know what speed that was, but it was good for my head to have a real blast, before another late night working.

Scandalised

2008-07-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this in the early hours of the morning at the end of another very warm and very long day. As ever, before going live with software, all kinds of issues have come out of the woodwork. It's been very intense but I've got loads achieved and I think we're looking good - although we have put the date back a day because of some anomalies found in the data given to us by the client. I still haven't found time to catch up with the blog entries from Ireland. I'm forcing myself to write this entry for today because if I get any further behind it may well be all over. There are so many things I need to do that the things I merely want to do are getting sadly neglected. However, I did get out for half an hour on the moor this evening, just after some heavy showers passed through. It was great to be out in the air, but I can't ever remember struggling so much to reach the cairn. The legs feel so very heavy. I can only think it is symptomatic of both playing and working very hard indeed this last couple of weeks. I hope so, because I really can't imagine doing much more running if it's going to feel like that! At least I was rewarded with some incredibly dramatic views up the Wharfe valley, the sun forcing its way through some dramatic storm clouds.

Before falling into bed there is one thing that I have to note here. I found today the most outrageous bug in any piece of commercial software I have ever used - in over 30 years. I came across it using this same application that I have already been moaning about on this blog, and which has given me one hell of a lot of grief this last couple of weeks since upgrading. It shall be named: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. The horribly clumsy and ill-conceived interface apart, this is a different league of problem altogether that revealed itself today. Put as simply as I can, I just wanted to delete a row from a table. The row is highlighted and a message warns me that the deletion can't be undone. The change is permanent. That's not a problem because the row I want to remove is unambiguously marked and I definitely want to delete it. I hit "Yes" to confirm that I wish to go ahead - to which the application promptly responds by deleting the row below the one that is highlighted, leaving the row I actually want to delete worryingly intact. I don't even know what row I have actually deleted, with no way of finding out either because it is irrecoverable. It kindly warned me about that! It's completely outrageous. Once I had deleted one row I knew I had to recover the data from backup so I tried again and the bug was completely reproducible. I had to show one of my lads just as proof that I wasn't somehow imagining it and going completely mad. I well understand that all software is buggy to some extent, but this is nothing short of scandalous. At least it makes me feel better about the relatively trivial bugs that I'm gradually eliminating from my own software.

Riding with the boys

2008-07-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

Into the office again today, working on the Scottish system due to go live on Wednesday. The sun has been hidden most of the day, but it's been very warm still, too warm to be stuck inside. I have this feeling that summer is passing quickly by and I'm not making the most of it!

Following his heroics of yesterday, No.1 son has realised that he's actually fitter than he thought, but understands the importance of getting fitter still. He expressed an interest in doing some cycling so I bought him some enormous SPDs at the weekend so he could ride my winter bike - with the saddle raised a good 3 or 4 inches! It was Harriers cycling tonight, which I almost forgot about having missed the last 3 weeks for various reasons. I didn't expect to see anybody, but NT turned up to make it a foursome with my lads. We went to Askwith, up the hill, and back via Otley and Weston, about 14 miles round trip. No.2 son was still not himself and struggled a bit (more mentally than physically perhaps?), but No.1 son, although having to work very hard, really enjoyed the ride. He had so much fun that he was left wondering why he hadn't done this in some 2 years! I'm now harbouring hopes that this is something we can all share now on a regular basis. It felt really good to be able to enjoy this ride tonight with both my boys.

Glowing

2008-07-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

Without doubt the best day of the summer so far. I wanted to get out with the Earlybirds first thing but I decided that I really couldn't squeeze that into the day along with everything else. Having been away for a week I needed to get some bug fixes sorted, so I decided to get up early to get stuck into that instead. That meant that I'd have more time to go out for a ride with No.2 son, before watching No.1 son play cricket in the afternoon.

After all the enthusiasm of last week I could tell that No.2 son wasn't really up for a ride today, but I ignored his protestations of tiredness. We'd been planning to go to Barden Bridge and do the big climb to Halton Heights, but just on the gentle spin out through Nesfield he was hanging back. I still find this difficult as a parent, trying to judge how hard to push the kids when they are not truly willing. It's a difficult balance. At Bolton Bridge I asked him what he wanted to do, and he decided that was to return home. I was disappointed, mainly because I knew he was now going to be down on himself and will not be feeling the same buzz tonight that he was enjoying last week. He wanted me to carry on though, not wanting to spoil my ride, and despite some misgivings I decided that would be best for both of us. Having missed out on a ride this morning I really wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather. You only get a handful of days like this all year ... if that. So, I headed to Barden Bridge, took the climb up from Skyreholme, across to Greenhow and back via Thuscross Reservoir and Blubberhouses. It was a stunningly beautiful day, with the Dales looking at its very best. I kept flipping between coasting along in the hot sunshine, enjoying the scenery, and putting in efforts, enjoying the toil. The legs have still not come back properly to life. The last hill onto the moors above Askwith was as hard as it usually is after a much longer ride. I was happy to get back after 30 miles and was actually quite thankful that I hadn't contrived to enter the Ryedale Rumble happening today not too far away. I think that would have been hell!

No.1 son had already informed me that he was opening the batting for the 3rd XI, which had been one of the reasons for putting some effort in, followed by another call where I was informed that they were fielding first, enabling me to ease off a bit. I grabbed a long drink before going down to the cricket club. My lad had been brought on unusually early so I only caught the last over of his first spell, which was apparently good but wicketless. When he came back on a bit later, much to my relief because the game was going a bit dead at that stage, things got quite lively. His fourth ball was a real ripper of an off-break, pitching on a perfect length, beating the defensive push and removing the bails. The next ball was spooned up in the air for a straightforward catch. The hat-trick ball hit the pads somehow but was a bit wide and was survived. Then, with the very first ball of his next over he delivers another ripping off-break which is a carbon-copy of his first wicket. That made three in four balls and the new batsmen was very lucky to survive the rest of the over. I'd been waiting to see my boy perform like this all year. Last season I was treated to a couple of such displays, but this season he just hasn't been given many opportunities, and that's when he's been playing at all, with the weather having been so bad. The innings was wrapped up pretty quickly thereafter and I wallowed in fatherly pride during the tea interval.

Just as I've not seen No.1 son take too many wickets this season, I've not seen him score too many runs either. I never get more nervous than when he's batting during a period when the runs aren't coming for whatever reason. He wants it so bad. And I want it so bad for him. I also know how hard it is. Cricket is a ruthless game. Just one moment of indecision and it's all over. Because he'd got a few wickets and would now take something away from the game regardless, I felt a little less concerned than normal, and he was more relaxed too - which meant that he started with a lot of fluency, the very first ball flicked off his legs for a perfectly timed boundary. I soon lost my nerves watching him because he looked so comfortable at the crease. I still find it amazing to watch my 16 year old do things I was never able to even aspire to do myself. The team were only chasing 137 so he had plenty of time. He was very patient and assured in defence, waiting for the bad balls to come along, which he dispatched with increasing confidence. It was such a pleasure to watch. I can't even begin to imagine the joy of being able to time the ball as sweetly as he did this afternoon. For a player of his natural ability it is odd that he'd never got a fifty before. I guess I was a little nervous when he got to 46 today, but he was gifted a full toss and it was despatched with disdain for a boundary and I was able to witness that first milestone in his career. I can hopefully look forward to seeing a lot more. By now, in the searing heat, he was clearly exhausted but he held his concentration well and carried his bat for 62 not out. The team only lost two wickets, but the other batsmen all said how hard it was out there and were amazed that my lad had kept going so well. Perhaps he is fitter than we both think! All I know is that I took more pleasure from that experience today than I have in any of my own achievements this year. I feel like I'm still glowing, with equal amounts attributable to the sun and to fatherly pride!

Guilty Summer Pleasures

2008-07-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

It was Twenty20 finals day today. For the last few years I've happened to be away on some event for this weekend so this is the first chance I've had to witness the finals since its status has transformed from a bit of fun to possibly the most prestigious tournament of the year. I can well imagine that the players and administrators at the counties feel that way, even if they wouldn't admit to it publicly! It was also the deciding stage in the Tour de France. Would Cadel Evans, as expected, overhaul the lead of Carlos Sastre in the time-trial? It was a day of guilty summer pleasures, then, and a nod back to my childhood: a glorious summer's day to be spent mostly inside watching sport on the television.

Forty years ago it was the Test Match in black and white, with just one camera, the sound turned down with the radio commentary on. Now it is with Sky and countless camera angles and technology to support the action. Some of the players are even fitted with mikes. I'm not nostalgic for the old days. I've completely embraced the new and I absolutely love it. Cricket is just about the only thing that will keep me inside or in my seat on a beautiful day - although I did go cycle a fairly quick 25 miles to Burnsall and back before it started so that I wouldn't be pining for the great outdoors too much. It seemed a bit of a shame to be turning back for home at Burnsall, with the whole of the Dales beckoning, but I wasn't feeling very zippy. It could be the best cycling weekend (in terms of weather) of the whole year and I've gone and stuffed my legs!

So, I embraced a relaxing day and thoroughly enjoyed the cricket, culminating in a classic final where Middlesex beat Kent on the very last ball of the tournament. It was cricket at its very best, lots for the purists to enjoy as well as loads of twists and turns in the plot to keep everybody entertained. I feel very grateful to have fallen in love with this sport at an early age and been captivated by it all my life. And I'm very happy that No.1 son feels the same - and, in his case, fortunately, with the talent to actually play the game at a reasonable level. He finally got a chance to bowl for the 2nd XI today and picked up three good wickets. He was so happy to be able to come through the door and tell me about it. He had said not to bother come watch because he didn't expect to get a bat or a bowl.

The time-trial was great viewing. I've been a fan of Evans for some years now but after the Alpe d'Huez stage I switched my allegiance to Sastre. He has a far stronger team behind him, but the tactics, the desire and the application he showed on that climb were amazing. With the time-trial coming he had no idea how much time he would need to gain, but he laid it on the line and took as much as he could get. He gave himself a shot, albeit quite a long one, and it paid off today. From the first time check, at which point he had only surrendered a handful of seconds, it was clear that this was to be his day. Quite simply, deep down where it hurts, he wanted it more than anybody else. Fantastic to have witnessed.

Back on-line

2008-07-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

I've been away from the internet for exactly a week. This is quite possibly the longest gap I've had without being connected to the world in around five years. I'm taking it as a good sign that I really haven't missed it at all. It's been wonderful not to have been troubled by the need to respond to e-mail ... or post my blog entry for the day! I've been able to turn my head off almost completely, but today it has been necessary to engage it again and that's been a bit of a shock to the system. Fortunately, not too much has come up in my absence, but one rather weird bug did need fixing urgently today and that took all afternoon to track down. It's going to be a busy few days now because we have another system going live next week and there is a fair bit to do in preparation. I also have to update this blog with a week of missing entries. I feel a certain obligation to keep this record complete now.

Went out on the bike with No.2 son again this evening, about 12 miles up Curly Hill, across to Langbar and back via Nesfield. The sky had clouded over since the sunshine of the day - which I had missed from being stuck in the office - but it was a wonderfully balmy evening. The route was my lad's idea. I've been feeling so tired today that I would happily have suggested a ride out to Bolton Abbey and back. He's really keen to get himself fit at the moment. I'm hoping we can build some momentum during the school holidays with the hope that we can keep it going through the autumn and into winter this year.

The Great Orme

2008-07-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

The alarm was set for 3.45 am this morning to ensure that we weren't rushing to get to the ferry terminal at Dublin for 8.15. As it happened the drive at that time of day took less than 3 hours so there was loads of time to spare - a rare event for M and myself! We're both getting better at this - and enjoying being less stressed by that ticking clock!

We passed through quite a bit of rain in the central plain of Ireland and the crossing was rather grey, but once in Wales the sun was out and when we stopped briefly outside Holyhead we enjoyed that extraordinary experience of being physically assaulted by the temperature, something you only normally feel when leaving the air-conditioned terminal buildings of continental airports after having flown from the UK. It's a sign of how miserable our summer has been that a genuine summer's day was such a shock to behold. It really was as if we had forgotten what it felt like.

We stopped off at Llandudno on the way back to pick up M's mother, which gave us an excuse to have a run on the beautiful limestone peninsular of the Great Orme. M thoroughly enjoyed showing me one of her regular routes on what is a very special place for her. We were out for about an hour at a gentle pace, soaking up the sun and the incredible views, covering about 6 miles I guess. I was aware that the left calf is not feeling right, although not in a significant enough way for me to rule out simple paranoia! During our run I realised that it was 30 years since I'd last been here on the Orme, when I organised a New Year's caving tour of this part of North Wales, staying at Youth Hostels and travelling around by bike - heavily laden with all our pot-holing gear. My only clear memory of that entire holiday was of having to abandon the proposed route one day because the snow was too thick on the road, and waiting for a train with totally frozen hands. The crazy things you do when you are young!

Made it back home just before 6pm to be greeted by No.2 son in ebullient mood. He'd been getting out on his bike, very much inspired by the Tour de France, and was really full of himself. He couldn't stop talking! It was such a lovely warm evening that I suggested we go for a ride, and he was up for that. We just went out to the top of Askwith Hill and back, but at a good pace. I could see that his bike fitness was returning fast ... and his enthusiasm. He was on a real high for the rest of the evening. I know that feeling well.

Mallaranny and Achill Island

2008-07-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

Westport

2008-07-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Rest Day

2008-07-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

Western Lakes Polka Dot Challenge

2008-07-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Following the the Joyce Country Challenge and what must have been a good 20 miles of running, jogging and walking yesterday, the legs felt a little achey on waking up this morning. It was really good not to have to rush. The event start was only 3 miles from the cottage that Esroh had found for us, which meant that we had until 9.30 am to get ready for a gentle spin out to Ballinrobe for the start at the very civilised time of 10 o'clock. The expected numbers had been depleted by a clash with a road race scheduled at short notice for the same day so only around 40 or 50 riders were signed on. It was to be a mass start, with a motorcycle escort. I first thought that the escort was just to get us safely through the town, but he was actually to accompany us for the whole ride. The roll out was at an easy pace and we pretty much stayed together for the first very flat 10 miles. This was the longest stretch I had ridden without a hill all year! I was thinking that I could get used to this kind of cycling, chatting away to people without stress or strain. It was all remarkably sociable and non-competitive.

The pack only started to break up on the first climb. The lack of a competitive feel to the event made me a little uneasy about pushing too hard on the climb, so I kept well within myself in a small group just behind the leading riders. I really had no idea if there was an observed etiquette or not. The climb of Lally's Hill to about 300m was wild but actually rather gentle compared to the hills I am used to in the Yorkshire Dales. We seemed to be over the top very quickly and were rewarded with spectacular views over Lough Mask, to which we descended at the village of Toormakeady. I felt something distinctly odd about the bike handling on the way down, and it finally dawned on me that I had a soft back tyre. I should really have stopped to check it out but it's so hard to break your rhythm and momentum when descending. On reaching Toormakeady I did finally stop to be able to confirm that I did indeed have a slow puncture. I didn't want to lose the little group I was with so I quickly pumped it back up and carried on. I was hoping that it would be slow enough to avoid having to stop to fix it completely. Past experience suggested that could take me a long time!

The road from there climbed back up again, offering more wonderful views over Lough Mask, before reaching the main feed station. This caught me a little by surprise, firstly because the time had gone so quickly, but also because it felt so relaxed. Instead of riders dibbing, quickly collecting food and water, and whizzing straight out, everyone was sat down, drinking tea and soup, and generally taking their time over eating their sandwiches and cake. It was a proper lunch stop. It was great because I was able to have a couple of mugs of tea and some food before changing the tube in the back wheel. I was assured that people wouldn't leave without me! Because I felt no pressure of time and wasn't in a panic, it was all done very quickly. Or perhaps it's just that I'm finally getting the knack!

As the riders I was with earlier started to drift out, I decided to join them and found myself in a group of four. We were soon over the little climb and past the point from which we left the road yesterday to begin those many miles of trackless wandering. It didn't seem possible it was only yesterday that we were running along here. But another day, another event, and a whole different tempo. We were into the wind beside the beautifully wild and wonderfully named Lough Nafooey and we silently shared the work at the front. I had the rare experience of having those on my wheel struggling to keep up and when we came to the short climb (see picture) which led up to the where the feedstation from yesterday's event was situated, I began to pull away.

The climb from the head of Lough Nafooey

A great descent followed and then a right turn to take us down towards Lough Corrib. Here we picked up a bit of a tailwind and having overtaken a few riders on the descent I was starting to feel a little competitive. The road ahead was now a more major affair with some straightish sections where I could see other riders ahead. I upped the pace and started to pick people off. A few latched on to my wheel and I rather enjoyed being the lead man. Suddenly, though, I found myself on my own and it was only later that I found out that people had decided to stop for a pint at a bar! It was hard not to think that perhaps they have the right idea about events over here!!

Meanwhile, quite oblivious to this very relaxed approach going on behind me, I was on a bit of a roll, enjoying the tailwind and the fantastic scenery, but mostly taking pleasure in my fitness and feeling strong despite the rigours of the day before. The route was well marked and it wasn't too long before I got my bearings and was in familiar territory, following the road to Clonbur and then Ballinrobe. I chased down a couple more riders, but they were getting thin on the ground now. I arrived back at the cycling centre just under 5 hours after starting, just catching another rider as we entered the town. I was amazed to find that only one other person had already returned. The informality and lack of fuss was very refreshing. I had a quick bite to eat and then reversed the course to see how M was doing, taking pleasure in cheering through quite a few of the riders I'd been chatting with earlier, including Esroh. At Clonbur I decided to stop for a break and shortly after saw the broom wagon pass through. I was told that M was with two other ladies and would be with me soon. It turned out that M had enjoyed a very long and civilised lunch stop indeed with her two new friends, and I escorted them all back to the finish, now beginning to properly feel the accumulated tiredness from a long weekend. By the time I'd got back to the cottage I'd completed 100 miles for the day.

As it turned out, M and I were the only two people to complete Esroh's double challenge. I'm trusting that these two visitors from faraway shores will now be written into local legend - and function as a spur to get more local people to take this on. They should, for it really did make for the most wonderful weekend. Esroh's sportive route was stunning, although, I have to admit, not as hard as I was expecting. The hills are beautiful here but nothing like as demanding as the ones we have back home. Which isn't a problem at all. Not every event has to be a killer! For something a little different, to be integrated into a holiday, I can thoroughly recommend this event and would love to see others travelling to have a go next year. I'm pretty sure I can guarantee the same fabulous hospitality that we received.

The Joyce Country Challenge

2008-07-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Ireland

2008-07-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

Pre-holiday Panic

2008-07-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

Going Live

2008-07-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

I carried out the update of the software late last night and did some testing in the early hours of this morning. Going live with software always gives me anxiety. No matter how much testing you do, users always seem to find new and unexpected ways of doing things. As it turned out there were no major issues today and that was an enormous relief. I fixed a few minor bugs which were spotted as a result of analysing the live data, but they didn't impact upon the use of the system. I honestly didn't expect it to go this smoothly!

Countdown Day

2008-07-15T01:15:00.000-07:00

The final countdown day before going live with a shiny new version of my software in Bradford. This is always a stressful time. The nearer you get to the crunch, the more the mind becomes focussed, the more issues you discover to check out, and therefore the more problems you find. But the dress rehearsal eventually went okay and everything was in place for the changeover following the last clinic tonight. That was done smoothly and all seemed to test fine. I guess I will only find out for sure tomorrow.

Met up with our Libyan friends again today. Following a visit we made to Tripoli at the beginning of last year, they are very keen to deploy the software over there, the little issue of producing an Arabic interface aside! They are such truly wonderful people. They arranged a trip to the desert for us last time and I acquired a bit of a reputation by going for a long run across the dunes and then back to the hotel. Now they want to take me even further into the desert! Their hospitality is fantastic.

Got back from the office feeling very weary but it was a pleasantly warm evening so I tried to persuade No.2 son to come out for a short ride on the bike. Neither of us really wanted to get out, but I finally convinced him that it would good for both of us to get some air. He's caught in that bind of not being very fit at the moment and knows that he's going to struggle for a while before the fitness kicks back in. But, actually, I was surprised by his speed and strength - in short bursts anyway. We just went out through Askwith to Weston and back, about 10 miles, and he had me working very hard in places! And we did both feel so much better for it. I made him remember that feeling afterwards so that I can remind him about it!

Come back legs!

2008-07-14T00:56:00.000-07:00

The legs felt very tired after yesterday's ride so it wasn't inconvenient that the day was full of work commitments. I did manage to get out for a gentle run with M, a loop of about 5 miles out through Cottingley Woods and back via a variety of ancient field paths and tracks around Wilsden. It's always refreshing to explore somewhere a little new, and the calf felt fine, but the running legs are still missing! I really hope they come back soon.

Park Rash

2008-07-13T15:19:00.000-07:00

Last week, having missed out on the Three Counties and not ridden with the Earlybirds for a while, I suggested to El Cid a route for today, one of my very favourite longer rides, but one that I'd not done all year: going up Park Rash from Kettlewell and then a circuit around to Pateley Bridge. With El Cid having been hauled away to attend a wedding this weekend, I wasn't sure if there would be any takers, so it was good to arrive a few minutes after 7am to see both Stefano and MS at the meeting point, for I knew then that I'd have a good ride! A group of five headed up the valley on a lovely morning (again the Weather Gods are shining on me). We lost one at Barden and another at Kettlewell, before the three of us climbed Park Rash, which many consider to be the hardest climb in the Dales. It was impossible to dispute that today, for I had to dig deep to stay in touch with the other two. It's unrelenting for a long while. I suspect I found it difficult because I think I push myself a lot harder on these training rides than I do in the longer events (where I'm more concerned with conserving energy), and also because I'm riding with other, stronger people and I'm wanting to keep the pace up. But it might also have been because I was a little out of sorts with myself. I actually had very little energy riding out to Burnsall and if I'd been on my own I think I would likely have turned back there.

Somehow the climb of Park Rash woke me up a bit, and I really enjoyed the exhilarating descent down Coverdale. I love this part of the route. Virtually traffic-free lanes and a real sense of remoteness. We crossed to the other side of the valley at West Scrafton, through Coverham to East Witton and then started climbing again, up the hill to Ellingstring and over to Leighton Reservoir and then up again and over into Nidderdale at Lofthouse. The pace had been good and my legs were starting to get quite weary. From Lofthouse Stefano picked up the tempo along the valley to Pateley from where we took the vicious climb up to the top of Heyshaw Moor, with the sun now out. It was actually beginning to feel quite warm. From there I was on auto-pilot, just hanging on really. We got back to Ilkley in exactly 5 hours for the 74 very hilly miles. It was gratifying to realise at the end that the other two were fairly stuffed as well. It had been hard. After feeling rather lethargic this last week I really felt like I needed this ride today.

In the afternoon I cycled over to Burley to watch No.1 son play in a 3rd XI cup game, one that had been postponed from a wash-out while he was in Peru. Apart from the fact that the weather was truly beautiful (finally another little teasing taste of summer), I wish it hadn't been rearranged. My lad was run out from a direct hit without facing a ball, and in a rather dire low-scoring game, he didn't get a chance to bowl either. In a team which is there - or so I thought - to foster the development of the younger cricketers, it made absolutely no sense to me that he didn't get a few overs to try to make something happen in the game. He was really fed up at the end. And I was fed up for him. I love cricket with a passion, but it can be awful when things are not going your way. If nothing else, it is at least offering him some valuable lessons in life!

Playing Catch-up

2008-07-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Having more or less lost the last two days of work I had to spend the first day of the weekend playing catch-up. At least my head was a lot clearer and I made good progress. In between spells at the computer I spent some time hanging out with the boys. It feels like I've not had much quality time with them recently. It felt good to have them both at home again, and although they are quickly back to needling each other - which is what siblings like to do - I think the two spells they've had apart have actually brought them closer together. There seems to be a bit more care and respect about each other - albeit in a very subtle way. They would never admit to it!

Early evening I decided I really ought to get some air and headed out on to the moor for a jog up to the cairn. The chance to get out the previous three evenings was completely scuppered by the heavy showers. I took it very easy, although I didn't seem to have much choice in that because I seem to have lost my running legs. There was no spark there at all. I felt very unfit! But I survived the couple of miles without mishap. I couldn't detect any tightness and no aches or pains afterwards so I should be happy. It's just upsetting that I felt so slow! More catching up to do.

Another gritty day

2008-07-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

I was hoping for a better day today, but it didn't work out like that. It was the same story all over again, this same application causing me to question my sanity even further. I was faced with a situation where I was being shown something that just didn't make sense. I could apply no reasoning to explain it at all. In the end, with some much needed help, I was given a perspective on the logic behind the weird behaviour I was witnessing. It was all about assumptions. And I'm becoming increasingly aware of how often it is that I assume something which seems perfectly reasonable (to me), only for it to be proved invalid, and thereby rendering whole chains of thought invalid at the same time. It's worrying that I can be so at odds with the world, but I think today was a case where the designers made their own assumptions - and it is those which are invalid rather than mine. Writing this now, with a bit of space, I can understand most of the weird behaviour of the last few days, but I contend that my assumptions about behaviour were reasonable enough, particularly since they were based on how the previous version of this application worked. I think I was right in my expectations. I feel like I shouldn't have to get my head into other people's assumptions. If it was a one off it could be excusable, but all Microsoft software seems to be like this. The interfaces are always clumsy and counter-intuitive. They are an easy target, I know, but it's hard not to believe that they don't make that extra bit of effort simply because they don't have to. And it makes me thoroughly fed up when it ruins my day.

There was an Earlybirds meet in town tonight for a drink. I wasn't feeling very sociable but I made the effort to go and I had a great evening. I think I really needed a few beers. With Cacophony laid up with his broken wrist and with Gizzajob and Harry Quinn having both completed the Etape du Tour, in what sounded like horrible conditions, things have been a little quiet of late so it was good to catch up with everybody's news.

A day to forget

2008-07-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

I don't feel inclined to write much about today. I've been stuck at the computer from first thing this morning until early evening and feel like I've achieved nothing. There have been moments when I've questioned my sanity. I've found a small design flaw in my software and because of the pressure of time decided to take a short cut rather then sort it out properly. I should know by now that that is always a bad idea. In the end I wasted loads of time, although in fairness to myself that was mainly because of design flaws in some Microsoft software, a new version of which I was using for the first time. The old version was idiosyncratic enough, but this new version just seems to be a whole lot worse. I know a lot of this is down to me being used to working in a certain way, but I still can't help but think that an interface which leads someone to think they are losing their mind has to be considered badly designed.

No.1 son at last got some cricket in tonight. Opening the batting he scored a quick 30, including a majestic straight-driven six, before getting caught in the deep going for another big one. He hit the ball really hard, and inflicted a bit of damage on a couple of the fielders along the way. It was great to see him timing the ball so well, especially as he hadn't had a bat in his hand for some 3 weeks. A big score was there for the taking so I guess I was a little a bit annoyed with him - as he was with himself - for getting perhaps a little carried away, but it was also the right thing to do in the context of a 20 over game. In the end, the heavens opened again before the game was over, and for the second successive evening I cycled home in a deluge.

Holme Moss Revisted

2008-07-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

I needed to meet No.1 son off the plane at Manchester Airport this morning so it made sense to cycle over there to get a ride in - to make up for what is likely to be otherwise a barren week. I was planning to leave at 5.30am but somehow that didn't happen, and in the end, after one false start (forgetting my bum-bag with some key essentials), I didn't set off until a bit after 6am. I think I must have been half asleep because I suddenly realised that I was going to have to ride a bit damn quick to make his 9.20am arrival time. Climbing up the hill out of Cottingley, down to Thornton, and then all the way up to Queensbury, I chose a great route to Brighouse, avoiding Bradford completely, but it was hard work. Perhaps it was simply down to the very early start, or that I was pushing the pace, but I didn't seem to have any power in the legs at all. Nevertheless, I made good time to Huddersfield, only to have great trouble finding the road on from there to Holmfirth.

It really annoys me that signposting is so bad in towns. If you want to find the nearest motorway or city there is no problem, but if you want to find a nearby small town it can be hopelessly difficult. I found myself heading out on the wrong road, having to turn back and resort to asking a few locals, who were no help at all, before eventually finding a road which I recognised from a few weeks back. It was a relief to be heading away from the town and into the hills, and rather exciting to catch a glimpse of the TV mast on the top of Holme Moss. It was a long way up! I had lucked out yet again with the weather. It was cool, but dry and windless, a wonderful change after all the wind and torrential showers of the last few days. From the top it felt like it would be all downhill to Manchester, but I only had an hour before the flight was due to land. I really didn't want him to be standing at the arrivals gate wondering where I was.

So, short on time, I made the decision to avoid the scenic route through Glossop and Hayfield and take a more direct line. I'm not sure how wise this was because I really hadn't accounted for the heaviness of the traffic, which was hard to fight through - and the endless sequence of traffic lights. Again, the signposting was far more geared to getting people on to the motorways, but although - having now looked at the map in detail - I didn't take the optimal route, I managed at least to avoid making any bad mistakes. I took in the delights of Hyde, Stockport and Cheadle, before picking up the road to the airport. The best clue to the direction I needed was the planes themselves, which were coming in ever closer over my head! I eventually got to the airport half an hour after the scheduled landing time at 9.50am. My lad was there already. I was very relieved to be told that he'd just walked through the gate 30 seconds before! What timing. If it wasn't for the bizarre signposting for cyclists at the terminal, which seemed to direct me into the dead-end of a loading bay, I would have been there on time.

It was good to have the train ride home to talk about his trip to Peru, although we both felt exhausted. He had really missed his cricket, and hadn't really got the travelling bug. He'd had a great adventure, but was very, very happy indeed to be home. He had an under 17s match in the evening, but as if on cue, the rain started up again late afternoon, and after a brief period of respite - just long enough to entice us all down to the ground in the hope of being able to play - the heavens opened once more, which set in for the rest of the evening. I felt really bad for my lad that yet another game had been lost to the rain. I am also amazed at how lucky I continue to be with my cycling. Just like the trip back from the airport a few weeks back, I managed today to hit the only little window of calm amidst a run of bad weather. Uncanny!

Precious Time

2008-07-08T23:44:00.000-07:00

One of those days today where I was always short on time. I don't think I've ever felt it to be a more precious commodity than right now. Trying to balance the commitment to family, friends, work, and one's own fitness, is sometimes an almost overwhelming challenge. It wasn't actually that hard today, but I always felt too rushed, never quite able to completely focus on the immediate problem in hand for having half an eye open to all the other things going on. It's good when those commitments can be combined ... which is the plan for tomorrow morning.

Slippery Slopes

2008-07-07T05:28:00.000-07:00

No training again today (blobbing on the Harrier's Cycle Run), but it's somehow been a good day nevertheless. Still very cool and miserable for July, with more heavy showers punctuating the overall drabness of the weather - and I'm still not quite right with this cold - but I'm finishing the day on a bit of a high. Got a lot of software bits and pieces sorted out, so there is a feeling of things coming together despite the massive pressure that's on me right now. Also, got caught by the rain on the way to the station from the office in Bradford, so ran half a mile to avoid getting completely soaked - a test for the calf that was passed without any real problem.

Late in the evening, catching the last of the light and inspired by Graham Napier's antics for Essex in the 20-20 quarter against Northants (if any player has ever been so completely in the zone then it is this man at the moment), No.2 son wanted to throw a ball around for half an hour. I did quite a bit of running back and forth, again without a problem. Haven't done much of this with my lad this summer, but it was a lot of fun. And I'd forgotten just how well he can catch, and how well he can throw. A dislocated shoulder from a bike fall a few years back has done my throwing arm in, but at least I can still catch ... although I dropped a few tonight, something I never used to do. I've an awareness that my reaction time and coordination are not what they used to be. Another slippery slope I find myself sliding down!

Wimbledon

2008-07-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

I've not left the house all day. Not even to pop out to Tesco. It was raining when I woke up this morning and it never really stopped until lunchtime, since when we have 'enjoyed' some really heavy, inundating showers. It's been an odd feeling, incarcerated in the house by the weather, thinking of loads of my friends, some cycling the 3 Counties, some doing the Etape du Tour in the Pyrenees, others running at Kettlewell, all braving this horrendous weather. There is that mixture of emotions again, part thankful to be warm and dry, but part envious of that battle against adversity that makes us feel so alive.

I got a lot more work done this morning, but I feel a bit down. Not very alive. It's a feeling of anti-climax I suppose. It's probably essential to have the odd blobby weekend, but I didn't enjoy just hanging out so much today. I think I'm only really good for one day like this at a time! But then, it was a pretty good day once more to binge in front of the TV. I've never been much of a Formula One fan, but I've got drawn into it this year by No.2 son's interest and the British Grand Prix today was exciting to watch, with a great result for Louis Hamilton.

That was then followed by the men's final from Wimbledon and what a match it was - even better than last year's epic. It was fantastic to see a great match where the big points were won by amazing winners rather than lost by unforced errors. The fourth set tie-break brought back memories of Borg v McEnroe in 1980 and that match still seems so fresh in the mind it was almost frightening to realise that was all of 28 years ago. This is when I really feel old, having a sports nut as a dad and therefore having watched the big sporting occasions from my very tenderest years, when Wimbledon was an amateur tournament and the few professional players like Rod Laver were barred from taking part. Is that really in this same lifetime? It seems scarcely possible.

I have to admit that I was rooting for Nadal today. There was a sense of destiny about it. They both wanted this title so very much, but perhaps Nadal, in the end, wanted it more, the sheer physicality of Nadal's strokeplay eventually winning out over Federer's guile and finesse. It felt like they were playing for more than the Wimbledon title too. This was to decide which of the two is the best player in the world right now. And the longer the match went on the more there seemed to be at stake. The greatest thing was that instead of their games falling apart under the pressure, they both seemed to be able to raise yet further and further on the really big points. It was almost certainly the most spectacular match to watch in the game's history. It had everything.

It's hard to imagine seeing anyone breaking through their hegemony for some while, so I'm hoping for and expecting a re-match next year. Better try to keep that weekend free. I think Andy Murray has some work to do to join this very top league. I wonder how he felt watching that final today? It must be somewhat daunting. Or perhaps inspiring?

TV Binge

2008-07-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

I let the 3 Counties Challenge go this weekend. A decision was made for me by RT, whom I was planning to go up with tonight with his son, HT. He told me I shouldn't do it, since I wasn't feeling quite right, and also with having to leave No.2 son on his own again. It was the right decision because I felt a great sense of relief for it being made. It was also made easier to come to terms with by the weather being thoroughly miserable today, and the forecast not great for tomorrow either.

So, I took the advantage of working in the morning, watching the torrential rain with some smugness, and thinking of poor M and her mates at the Triple-T at Kettlewell, getting thoroughly soaked. In the afternoon No.2 son and I settled down with our laptops to indulge in a bonanza of sport on television: the 50 over semi-final between Yorkshire and Essex, the women's singles final from Wimbledon and the first stage of the Tour de France. That was then followed with the last in the current series of Dr.Who. It was actually quite a lovely way to spend the day with my youngest.

Just before dusk, with the rain more or less gone, I decided that I had to get a bit of fresh air, so took another walk/jog to White Wells, this time about 40:60. I enjoyed a couple of spells where it felt like I was running properly, and still felt no niggles. I'm getting there.

Tour of the Moor

2008-07-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

I've definitely come down with No.2 son's cold, although it's quite low grade, at least for the moment. It's one of these weird bugs where I develop the cough almost before the onset of any other symptoms. So, I'm working at home again and on my own since my lad decided he was well enough to go to school today. Had a problem to sort out at lunchtime so I went for another walk/jog on the moor to give myself some space to think about it and find the best solution. I decided to make my regular pilgrimage to the cairn, realising that it was a very long time since I'd last been up there ... perhaps my longest ever gap since coming to Ilkley. I even got up there on crutches a week after I broke my leg! I began to realise how much the cycling has taken the place of the running, and although it was very gentle it still felt really good to be back in the old familiar rhythm. I was fine except for one moment on some rocks where I felt a little twinge. It didn't trouble me again but it was reminder enough that I've got to be careful.

My problem was solved on the run - something which often happens - and it was good to remind myself of the importance of taking a break. After an intense afternoon I was more than ready for another break come the evening. No.2 son, feeling much more himself, had gone down to the lido with some mates, so I felt free to get out on the bike. I was going to be soft and take out the Scott, but bizarrely I found that I'd acquired a rear puncture - the first I think I've ever had on this bike. So it was out with the winter training bike on a beautiful summer's evening. It felt so good to feel the warmth of the evening air. There seems to have been so few hot days this summer. I decided on a favourite route which I hadn't done all year, what I call my tour of the moor, a circumnavigation of Ilkley Moor, hugging the edge as much as possible. I decided on the clockwise tour, because anti-clockwise means having to go straight up the Cow & Calf from outside the front door! Clockwise gives a run out along the A65 before turning up to Addingham Moorside, left along Light Bank Lane, down Brunthwaite Hill and then straight back up the horrendously steep climb from Howden Park before descending to East Morton and then back up to the edge of the moor again, past Dick Hudsons and returning via Burley Woodhead to finish with the great descent down from the Cow & Calf. I can freewheel the last mile right to my door. The 20 miles round trip was completed in 1.20.50. The breathing was a bit wheezy but the legs felt ok. Part of the reason for doing this tough route was to help decide whether or not I should be doing the 3 Counties this Sunday. With the legs good, but the breathing a bit dodgy, it hasn't really helped make my mind up at all. There were times on this ride when I felt like last weekend's DLMC had nothing on some of these hills. I can't work out whether that is just me not feeling right or simply that on a short ride you attack the hills a lot harder?

Urban Legends

2008-07-03T15:36:00.000-07:00

I think I may be coming down with No.2 son's cold. He's felt better today, but has now developed a hacking cough which kept him awake last night. Poor fellow. A few weeks back I was hatching a tentative plan to do the short course of the Three Counties Challenge with him, but that has now been long abandoned.

It felt good to be back working on my core software today after a long gap, although it hasn't been easy picking up the threads again. It's been somewhat slower than I would have liked. Went up to White Wells again for another walk/jog, this time about 50:50 of each. I felt nothing while I was jogging, but did just feel a bit of tightness while walking back from town this evening. I don't think it's anything to worry about but it does suggest that the caution I'm applying is appropriate.

With so much time on his hands at home I've managed to get No.2 son into this blogging lark. He has problems with spelling (inherited from my mum I think), but has a good way with words. He's quite surprised me with his turn of phrase and the depth of his thinking. In one of the entries that he wrote today he referenced this 'fact' that we only use 3% of our brains. I picked him up on calling this a fact and I'm happy to report that he took that on board and changed the wording. Some such percentage figure is often to be seen quoted in respect to the capacity of brain power that we actually use - totally without a hint to any kind of context or evidence - to the extent that it has entered into our culture as some kind of received wisdom. But it belongs to the realm of urban legend. By being quoted and repeated so often, it starts wearing a counterfeit cloak of authenticity It really bugs me that people accept this kind of thing with so little questioning. I told my lad that his mother may use only 3% of her brain (because I think he picked this up from her), but I certainly use 100% of mine, on a good day anyway! He thought that was funny. And he thought that his mum would find it funny too!! I hope to have made a point that will stick.

Danefield

2008-07-02T17:17:00.000-07:00

No.2 son is still unwell and off school. I was supposed to be heading up to Scotland today, to train our new users in Fife, but there was no way I could leave him on his own feeling the way he does. Fortunately, my partner was able to shuffle a few things and go in my place. So, I worked from home today and finished off the very last few bits and pieces ready for this new release. It was a relief to finish. It seems to have taken a very long time, and used up a lot of energy.

Took a 20 minute break in the afternoon to walk/jog up to White Wells, about 60:40. Experienced no problems and if felt really good to be out on the moor. Beginning to feel optimistic about getting running again before too long.

My lad felt considerably better this afternoon, so, with his permission, I took advantage of being here instead of Scotland to escape for a few hours to support the club in the Danefield Relay, a favourite event of mine on the Chevin. I've had some good runs in this over the years and would have loved to have been running myself, but it turned out to be good fun to watch. I went over on the mountain bike and got a few circuits in on the bridleway, seeing the runners disappear into the woods and then reappear again as they zig-zag around the course. M (the master planner) had organised a bit of a do afterwards at the Cheerful Chilli, which proved a great success. I'd heard a lot about the food and it didn't disappoint. This could become a bit of an annual institution! It felt good to cycle back afterwards (for a total of almost 20 miles) in order to work off the fairly extreme excesses of the evening's dining!

Beginning Rehabilitation

2008-07-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

Set the alarm with the intention of being an Earlybird this morning. With Cacophony out for a while, and Gizzajob and Harry Quinn possibly tapering down before the Etape next weekend, I felt I should try to make an appearance this week to give El Cid some company. As it happened there were a few people out on what was a rare beautiful summer morning, including Gizzajob, still getting in the miles. We enjoyed a steady run out to Cavendish and then back via Langbar and Conker Hill, getting ever warmer in the sunshine. The legs didn't feel unduly tired, although there wasn't much power going up Langbar trying to keep up with Gizzajob.

Had a client meeting in the morning where we went through all the new functionality and enhancements I've been working on this last few weeks. It went very well. Lots of plaudits, gratefully received, and good spirits all around. I came away on a bit of a high.

Tried a little bit of jogging today and that was fine. It was only a matter of a few hundred yards or so, but I felt nothing amiss at all. My running rehabilitation has begun.

Reality Bites

2008-06-30T01:05:00.001-07:00

Back to work. Back to being a parent. Back to responsibility. One of the very best things about these long Sportives is that they take you completely out of yourself. They can function like an extended and rather energetic kind of meditation.Everything in your 'other' life is forgotten for a few hours ... or for many hours as in the case of yesterday's event. But you inevitably have to return to reality - and today it had a bite.

No.2 son's ear infection has got a lot worse. I was hoping nature would take its course quickly enough, but he was in terrible pain today, screaming for a period of time that seemed interminable for the both of us. He was pleading with me to do something. It was awful. He's now on antibiotics and dosed up with paracetamol and a lot more comfortable.

It was a nice evening and I was planning to go out on the Harriers cycle run tonight, but I couldn't leave the poor fellow on his own. So, I made extra effort over dinner for him and we curled up on the sofa to watch Andy Murray delight us in a 5-set thriller at Wimbledon. It seems like years since I've sat down and watched a match so intently (other than the final perhaps). It brought back memories of my childhood when I was glued to the television for the whole fortnight. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the drama of it, and I've always believed that the scoring system in tennis is a work of genius. I have no idea about the history of it, but it's perfectly constructed to maximise the drama at every stage of the match. And you've never lost until the last point is played out, as Murray proved so clearly tonight, in the deepening gloom. It's such a mind game. Fantastic to watch.

It's been a hard day but it ended on a high note. Yesterday already seems like a long time ago.

Mega Challenge

2008-06-29T01:05:00.000-07:00

The day of the Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge started at the the ridiculously early time of 3.30am. With Cacophony sadly absent, El Cid drove Chills and myself down to Ruthin to arrive just after 6am with light drizzle falling - marking the end of my long run of perfect weather on events. There we met up with Knacker and Spectre, and also The Condor. The climbing started pretty much right way, the route going straight up Bwlch Pen Barras from Ruthin. This actually suited me better than a fast roll-out on the flat and I felt good on this first climb, having difficulty holding the reins, so to speak. At the summit of the pass we seemed to have lost El Cid and my guess (knowing his canny judgement of pace) was that he was just determined to take a steady start and conserve his energy for later. I felt that I should probably be opting for the same strategy but I was enjoying myself too much and felt that we had a good group together already. In the absence of El Cid at the front of the pelaton, The Condor was co-opted, in an unspoken kind of way, as surrogate team leader. The only problem with that was that he's a class apart from the rest of us, but what the hell. I decided to go with the flow!

Even in the intermittent drizzle the scenery was stunning. I've only visited this part of the country sporadically, and after each trip I pledge to visit more often because it is just so beautiful ... before somehow forgetting. I've now made the pledge again. Another long, more gradual climb out of Ruthin (again) and then the Horseshoe Pass towards Llangollen. I was feeling comfortable on the start of this climb but as my group picked up another group the pace seemed to increase just a notch and I decided to be conservative and hold back. I was thinking of El Cid, with his masterplan, ready to come steaming over the Bwlch-y-Groes with the rest of us twiddling away on dead legs. I felt like buying into that plan!

It was good to have some space and be able to look around at the incredible landscape rather than the back of someone's wheel. It was just so pretty. A small part of me wanted to stop and take it all in, but I already had sight of the road descending on the other side of the valley and a much bigger part of me was driven on by the prospect of those long sweeping bends. So, a very rapid and exhilarating descent into the Vale of Llangollen before taking the road out to World's End. This section was really lovely, a little back lane of a road, snaking its way up a hidden valley underneath the ancient Offa's Dyke. It somehow seemed out of time and World's End a remarkably appropriate name. I had been steadily overtaking small groups of riders and once the climb kicked in I felt myself going well, again having difficulty holding in the reins. Up on the top there was a great high moorland section with a following wind before a steep descent to the first feed station, where I met up with my group again.

Knowing the next section was a little intricate and without any big climbs, I got in and out quickly and rejoined the gang. This part of the course is a bit of blur in retrospect, pretty enough but without any significant landmarks. All I do remember is that it started raining at the top of the climb out of Rhosemor and that it was definitely rain rather than drizzle, and whereas before there were breaks in the cloud to suggest a shower, now the sky was uniformly grey. There was a sense that this might now be the order of the day. And, space-head that I am, I had forgotten my waterproof! Once again, I backed off the pace a bit and took the Moel Arthur climb on my own before soon rejoining the group at the second feed station. Although it was raining and everyone was wet, spirits were very high, possibly down to the wonderful fare on offer here. The pasta was a revelation, so combined with several cheese sandwiches and a slice of malt loaf, I had quite a feast. This kind of 'normal' food is just so much better than energy bars. And somehow I think the body knows what it needs.

Just before we left, El Cid arrived, claiming that he wasn't just taking it steadily, but that he couldn't keep up with us. I still wasn't sure. He was only 5 mins adrift after 60 miles and we'd had the advantage of riding together a lot of the way! Anyway, off into the rain, with a lot of water now on the road and loads of spray. Not that I actually found it particularly unpleasant, except perhaps for my hands going numb. It was a shame that the landscape was now hidden in mist, but I was still thoroughly enjoying this amazing sense of journey, joining together places, some that I've driven through on odd occasions, others, like Denbigh, that have only previously existed as names on a map. We were soon on the infamously billed "Road to Hell", over the moors to Cerrigydrudion, in the rain and into the wind. It should have been hell really, but it actually passed without too much pain. A lot of that might well be due to the good company I was keeping, The Condor, Chills and Spectre all doing more than their fair share at the front, along with a few other strong lads who had joined us. Feeling guilty, I did try to get to the front on one occasion, but I didn't last long before I got swept up. As the elder statesman of the party, perhaps it is my privilege to get towed around! But the pace must have been quite good because I think we dropped Knacker at this point, and he had been riding strongly up to here.

The section from Cerrigydrudion to Bala passed very quickly and in better weather. The clouds were breaking and the stunning landscape re-emerged from hiding, offering us a glimpse of the big mountains of Snowdonia to the west. We were soon at the third feedstation, the 90 mile point, and the time seemed to have passed very quickly. If this was a regular event we would be close to finishing, and I have to say that the legs felt better than they usually do at that stage. And it certainly didn't feel like I'd been conserving much energy. Just after leaving we met El Cid just coming in, so he was still just a matter of a few cheese sandwiches behind us on the road. Was he still being canny? Would we soon see him come flying past on one of the big descents?

Just after Bala, The Condor and his clubmate got a little impatient with the pace and upped the ante a bit more than I was prepared to go along with. I knew what was coming and was determined that I wasn't going to suffer any more than I had to. Not long after leaving behind the beautiful Bala Lake and beginning to climb again it was possible to glimpse the top of the Bwlch-y-Groes through the trees. I was tempted to point it out to the guys I was with, but thought better of it. I've found out before that not everyone shares my same sense of anticipation and enthusiasm for these big climbs! I found my groove, which was a little bit slower than that of those I'd been riding with, but I can honestly say that I enjoyed the climb, which gets more and more spectacular the higher you get. The view down south to Dinas Mawddwy was stunning, and seeing the road drop away so steeply that side I've really got to come back here to climb it the other way. I wasn't too sorry, though, to be turning left today, and back towards home. This next stretch provided the highlight of the day's riding for me: 3 miles or so of high moorland road, twisting and undulating with great visibility so that you didn't have to use the brakes and lose any speed. Being on my own here, I could take the natural racing line and it was amazing how quickly I caught back up with the group that left me on the climb. A steep final descent to the deeply wooded shores of Lake Vyrnwy, a short few moments of respite on the flat, and then back into climbing groove.

Once again, I found myself falling behind the rest of the group, which now only included Spectre from our original party. I wasn't really suffering, certainly not like I had the previous Saturday climbing up from Bradley; it was just that I had no power in the legs. I was feeling the fatigue and had no choice but to go at my own pace. In retrospect I always wonder if I could have gone quicker, pushed myself harder, because I seemed to be more comfortable, in terms of breathing at least, than those around me, but I think I was simply short on power. The muscles couldn't deliver any more. It was simple fatigue - but, again, not to the degree where I wasn't able to enjoy the climb. Another wonderful descent followed down Cwm Hirnant, and then to the final feed station, just before which Chills cruised past me leading a small group. He'd punctured in Bala and had clearly got fired up in an effort to rejoin Spectre and myself.

Aware of the weariness in the legs and with an eye to a Gold standard time, I didn't linger at the last feed and headed out before the other two. I got up the first of the 'Stingers' before they caught me up, and tried to hang on to their wheel for a while before deciding to return to my own natural pace. By now the cloud had broken up considerably, offering long spells of sunshine and spectacularly clear views. Having ridden the whole way in a short-sleeve summer shirt under a long-sleeve top, which had now dried off completely, I was tempted to remove a layer, but somehow I just didn't want to break the rhythm. I was looking at the computer and the watch, and began to think that a sub-10 hour time might be on, especially with a bit of a tailwind helping out. Up and over a particularly nasty sting in the tail of this ride and I could sense that I was catching up with a few of the group I had loosely been with since Bala. The top of this climb offered a great view to the hills ahead, which I suddenly recognised as the ridge that we had climbed over first thing in the morning. Even allowing for the amazing visibility, it looked a lot closer than the 10 miles away that it should have been according to the computer, which had only just ticked over 130 miles. And then there was this amazing sign on the road saying "5 miles to go and all downhill". I experienced a rather strange set of emotions when catching sight of that, which I can't really separate in time. I think they were felt simultaneously by two very different parts of me. One part felt cheated of 5 miles of riding and the adrenaline rush of chasing down the clock to sneak in under 10 hours. It was obvious now that I was going to do that quite comfortably. The other part of me felt a sense of relief and elation that the hard work was over and that I was going to get that Gold standard.

It was interesting to see standard times for this event adjusted for the age categories, but I have to admit that I didn't take them very seriously. My Gold target was actually 10.15, but it wouldn't have felt deserved if I hadn't broken 10 hours. Perhaps I just don't want to admit to getting older, but I want to be measured alongside my mates. It was a great feeling to descend into Ruthin at speed and ride the last mile with good form and not having felt a single twinge of cramp along the way. As something of a journey into the unknown I felt a very great sense of achievement in getting around in good style (in a time of 9:34:47) and with a smile on my face for most of the way. It was an awesome route, but it hadn't seemed anything like as hard as I was anticipating. I think that's simply down to conditioning. I've done the right training and a couple of long events now, so I had prepared well. That's what I really like about the cycling over the running. You put the work in and you get rewarded in direct proportion. It's a simple equation. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work like that when you run, where it's a much more complex equation to solve, with seemingly odd, imaginary variables to contend with!

I was pleased to find that I had lost only a couple of minutes to Chills and Spectre over the last section. The Condor had been in a while, but he had only taken 20 minutes out of me from Bala, much less than he usually does in the latter stages of an event. I had a strong suspicion that El Cid would sneak in just before the 10 hour mark so we went across to the finish line to see if he'd make it. With my watch indicating the final minute a rider appeared. It was Knacker. We told him to sprint for the line and I knew it would be tight ... which it was. He missed Gold by just 16 seconds! It would have been comfortable but for missing the feedstation at Bala and having to double back. Knacker told us that El Cid was ahead of him on the road so we thought that we must have missed him arrive, which would have been very poor form. As it turned out, he came in 5 minutes later, having ridden in and then out of Ruthin, missing the finish and doing an extra 4 miles ... possibly wanting to get in the full advertised 140 miles as opposed to the 136 miles that I clocked! It was a shame that we didn't all get our Gold standard times officially, but they'll know that they earned that mark, and that's all that counts really.

Finally, I must record my thanks to the legions of helpers and marshalls that gave up their time to make this event happen. Everyone was cheerful and wonderfully supportive and helped make this one of the very best days I've ever had on a bike. It's certainly one that I will never forget. Thanks also to those in my group for helping me get around in such a good time, plus all those anonymous riders whose wheel I pinched for a while here and there. I was the cheerful one on the Scott with straight bars. Cheers!

Subdued

2008-06-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

It's been an odd sort of day. No.2 son was off school yesterday with a bit of a cold and an ear infection and is still not feeling too bright. Yet again, we've had to abandon plans for a ride together, so we've just hung out in a very modern way, each of us on our laptops, me working (fixing still more bugs that I've just found), him playing on Football Manager, while casually watching the sport on TV, flipping between the cricket from Lords and the tennis from Wimbledon. With No.1 son on his adventure in Peru, and with No.2 son not quite his normal exuberant self, it's felt very quiet and subdued here.

Some of that is probably down to unwinding before tomorrow's epic and feeling a slight sense of trepidation. This Mega Challenge event of Dave Lloyd's is something of an unknown quantity and it looks like it might be quite windy and with the possibility of some heavy showers. Inevitably, there is going to be a bit more suffering on this than the last two Sportives I've done on my local roads. I'm really looking forward to it, though, and I would be devastated if something got in the way of me taking part. Knowing that it's going to be extremely punishing, it's hard to articulate why I'm so keen to do it. Much is to do with exploring an area I don't know very well. I got the maps out tonight to mark the route up and it takes in many classic climbs that I've long wanted to do. I still get a thrill out of translating those narrow yellow chevroned lines on the map into the reality of three-dimensional sweat and toil. Having plotted the route with a marker pen across three 1:50,000 maps I am now more daunted than ever. It seems to be a ridiculously long way, and includes a lot of big climbs. So why am I so keen to do this thing?

Good news received from Cacophony. He's back home without having to undergo surgery and already targeting the Pendle Pedal at the beginning of August. What a man! That turbo is going to get some serious hammer. We're all going to miss you tomorrow, especially me. I'm expecting to have to do more work on the front than I'm used to!

It needs to be mentioned that Cacophony was without his helmet yesterday, having apparently washed it in preparation for the DLMC. It was the first time he'd been on the bike without it in many years. Likewise when I rode the Lakeland Loop in April. I always wear my helmet. So, both of us ride helmetless on one occasion out of many hundreds, and we both suffer crashes. It seems to be wise not to tempt Fate!

A sad day

2008-06-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

This whole day has been overshadowed by the desperately sad news that Cacophony had a bad crash this morning. Out on the regular Earlybird run to Cavendish and back, on the road all of us here in Ilkley have ridden many hundreds of times, he had the terrible bad luck to choose his moment to round that one blind bend just as a car was doing the same in the opposite direction. I've always been aware of a risk there, especially in the summer when all the greenery obscures the limited visibility that you get in the winter, and you weigh up the odds and take what seems like the very slightest of chances. I know that I always feel a very tiny but palpable sense of relief when I'm through that bend without mishap.

There's no doubt that we all play this numbers game. The more miles you put in the more likely it is that you will have a prang. So, Fate decided that it was Cacophony's turn this morning. El Cid's description on the forum sounded horrendous, so I guess the big man could consider himself fortunate to get away with just a broken wrist. It could have been very much worse. He's some tough nut. And I know he'll be back soon with more determination than ever. I know the kind of resolve I had myself when I smashed my knee in a collision a few years back, completely determined to return fitter than ever. You can't keep a good man down. And they don't come any better than this guy. Get that turbo out Cacophony! Keep those legs spinning and go stick one on Fate!!

Washout

2008-06-26T14:26:00.001-07:00

Another long day of bug-fixing and I think I can say that I'm almost there, but I've felt really tired today. No.2 son and I were spoilt for choice tonight, but had decided earlier in the week to go for the Otley Town Centre Cycle Racing over the crucial Yorks v Leics 20-20 match at Headingley. The idea was to get a good ride in and arrive at Otley for the 7pm race where JH was going to be in the mix. That all went out the window as the rain set in during the afternoon. The cricket was abandoned without a ball being bowled. We never made it to the cycle racing. I couldn't work up any enthusiasm to ride out in the rain to watch, and nor could my lad. I also couldn't get my head around how dangerous that would be, riding at speed, wheel to wheel, in pouring rain. Scary!

So the day was a complete washout. The whole summer has been a damp squib so far - except for the days on which I've had long rides or events. I really hope my luck is going to hold a bit longer. The thought of doing the DLMC on a day like today is also scary!

Nostalgia

2008-06-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Worked from home today with the intention of getting my head down to clear all the last remaining issues for a new release of my software. It seems to be taking forever to finish this off and I'm fed up with it. Come 5.30pm, working pretty much straight through, I was ready for a break so I joined No.2 son to watch the end of the 50 over game between England and New Zealand. The match was well poised so I thought I'd just relax and blob for a bit before heading out to Addingham on the bike to help DH with the Beamsley Beacon Fell Race - which I would ideally have been running tonight but for this injury.

Not long after we started watching there was an incident where the bowler (Sidebottom) effectively took the batsman out just after he had set off for a quick single, resulting in him (Elliott) having no chance to make his ground as the ball was lobbed to Pieterson at the stumps to complete the run out. Collingwood, as captain, should clearly have withdrawn the appeal and have the batsman reinstated, and the umpires seemed to give him the chance to do just that, but he failed to do so. I have a passion for competitive sport, but I like to think that I don't lose sight of the fact that it is the spirit of the competition that is the truly important thing, not the matter of winning at any cost. I frustrate No.1 son by not taking any great pleasure out of one-sided matches, whether it be England or his own team. Ignoring any possible wider context, in a one-off game, I've always said to him that I'd rather see his team lose narrowly in the last over than perform a demolition job on the opposition. If a game is too easy for one side, it almost becomes pointless as a contest. It's not much fun for anybody really. The drama of great sport comes out of having two closely matched people or teams. The greatest drama is when the balance keeps tilting one way and then the other. The best drama of all is when there is a last minute twist in the plot. And that is what I witnessed today. I found myself being drawn into the drama more and more, to the point where I it was impossible to leave my seat. I just couldn't miss seeing how this was going to unfold - despite my commitment to help with the race. Cricket can do this to me. It can become the most important thing in the world, indeed, almost the only thing in the world at that time.

Well, the match did indeed swing one way and then the other ... until finally it went down to the very last ball, with any result still possible. The tie was the favourite result in my eyes, but, in a split-second moment of choice, going for the outright win rather than settling to share the spoils, England gifted the game to New Zealand in a final second plot twist. I guess I would have preferred to see a tie, but I'm glad England didn't win. It wasn't so much that New Zealand deserved their win, but that England deserved to lose. At least Collingwood had the guts to apologise afterwards and admit that he had made the wrong decision. Better late than never.

All this is really by way of explanation for why I didn't appear at Addingham until after the race had started tonight. It's always been a low-key event and I knew David would cope, but I felt a little more guilty when he told me that there were almost 100 runners out on the fell. We usually struggle to get half that number. My favourite little local race was beginning to get popular. I was sent out to marshal on the road before the footbridge crossing, and I have to admit that it was with mixed feelings that I witnessed the runners come through. It was such a beautiful evening, after a rather miserable day, and it was a great sight to see so many people out, most of whom I knew. But I would dearly have loved to have been running myself. On the other hand, I also knew that I wouldn't have been competitive, and this was always a race in which I competed hard. The steady, even climb and fast descent always suited me (not to mention the small field!), and I had a wonderful run of 2nd, 1st, 2nd from 1993 to 1995. I'm very proud of having my name on the trophy alongside some of the local greats (even the legendary Tommy Sedgwick) and I will take any opportunity to tell people!!

So, after seeing everyone through, on the way back to the pub to do the presentation (which always seems to fall to me), I was feeling more than a little nostalgic for those Halcyon days which are never going to be enjoyed in quite the same way again, thinking about the leaders racing it out for the top places and actually finding it hard to believe that that was once me. Having kind of reinvented myself as a cyclist, it seems like a different lifetime.

Summer Solstice Celebration

2008-06-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

Today was the Earlybird's Summer Solstice Celebration Ride, an event now in its third year, and growing in popularity it seems, pulling all of nine enthusiastic souls (two more than last year) from their beds at first light to make the 4.30am start. It seemed like no time at all since I rode back into town last night from Nesfield and here I was heading out again. All the usual suspects were there, with the pace, as per tradition, set by El Cid and Cacophony. I have learnt that there are just three rules for this Celebration Ride:

A brisk but not too brisk a pace, so we all ride together and still have time for a coffee afterwards, before we rush off to work.
No goats
Sacrificial virgins only by prior inspection and approval by the Committee.

The first rule was accomplished with precision, as we completed the 43 mile round-trip to Kettlewell in two and a half hours, to bring us back just five minutes after the opening of the coffee shop. The big mugs of latte were welcome not just for the taste but for the opportunity to warm up the hands. I had two layers of gloves and my hands were frozen. Some of the others wore nothing on their hands at all. It was a beautiful still morning, but decidedly cool. As for the other rules, nobody brought their goats along and sadly no virgins had passed inspection, but there was, instead, a host of wildlife willing to sacrifice themselves to our speedy pelaton. However, despite the best efforts of hundreds of rabbits and pheasants, none of these suicide missions was successful, although some got scarily close!

Conversation was a little more muted than usual, possibly in reverence of this ancient ritual, but more likely due to the fact that most of us were barely awake. Indeed, there was a surreal quality to this ride. The time passed incredibly quickly and on returning to Ilkley it was almost as if it had been a dream. It was actually hard to believe that we'd been all the way to Kettlewell and back. Where did all that time go?

Got a good looking over from a new physio today, someone coming highly recommended. I thought it might be helpful to get a fresh perspective on this long-standing problem of mine. And it was basically good news. No structural imbalances to be concerned about. Nothing chronic as a cause. And the tightness didn't seem to be any worse in my bad leg than in my good leg. Looks like a bog-standard pull. Just one of those things. And I should make a fairly speedy recovery. The lesson I've learnt is that I should not race on tired legs, so, in future, I'm going to be determined not to get sucked into racing within three or four days of another event, no matter how favourite a race it is, and no matter how much I promise to myself that I will just take an easy run around the course. If I observe that, then I think there is a good chance that I could make it through a year without injury, which is something I've not achieved in a very long while.

Absolute Perfection

2008-06-23T15:33:00.000-07:00

It's simply amazing how these Monday nights continually attract such good weather. Out tonight on the Harrier's cycle run were MB, JF, NC, and JH with his Dad, coming along for the first time. I was hoping No.2 son would join us, but he got a better offer from one of his mates, and as he's still nursing this whopper of a bruise and slightly dented pride from last week, I decided to let him off the hook! The cloud had been breaking up all afternoon and by the time we set off at 6.45pm the sky was almost clear. And how clear! It was as if first the rain and then the wind had washed and blown every last trace of dust and pollution and vapour out of the air. It was stunningly, magically clear.

We went to Bolton Abbey, up past Hesketh Farm to Embsay and then back via Halton Heights. The views from there were awesome. Looking back, Pendle Hill seemed so close that at first I didn't recognise it. The pace was nice and steady, so a good recovery ride for me, although I did get a bit competitive with young JH at one point, who got rather frisky climbing out of Eastby and went up the first ramp too fast - so I couldn't resist pegging him back and scoring a point by taking him before the top! You have to show these young'uns their place occasionally - and I might not get too many more chances with this one. The boy is very strong.

So, a lovely 23 mile ride on the most perfect evening of the summer so far. It felt good to have ridden that with seemingly no effort at all. Tending to ride mostly with people who are stronger than me, it was comforting to be reminded that, despite the lingering memory of Saturday morning, I am actually quite fit right now!

Crazy Weather

2008-06-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

The forecasters have had it spot-on this weekend. They predicted almost to the minute when the rain would come through yesterday, and today's gales arrived on cue too. I've been feeling blessed again in being able to get in my two long rides before the rain and then the wind. It's been a bit hard on No.2 son, though, because we had planned a long ride today, and that just wasn't going to happen in these conditions. I've been very lucky to have caught ideal and often near perfect weather with every sportive I've ridden. I can't imagine how hard it would have been on the EduD or the WRC if we had caught today's weather. The sound of the wind whistling through my office here has been wild!

I did persuade No.2 son to get out and brave the gales for a short ride, planning to do the 'Three Hills', but in the end the wind was too much for him and we missed out Monastery Hill to do just the first two hills and about 6 miles. When you've been riding a bike forever you take a lot of the skills completely for granted. There is all that knowledge stored in the body that enables you to control the bike without any thought at all. I didn't think anything of being gusted about on the descents, but my lad found it quite difficult, hairy even. And I guess that's because he's still going through the process of absorbing those kind of handling skills. It was such a long time ago for me that it is difficult to imagine a time when I didn't have them.

Bonked !

2008-06-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

It required quite an act of will to get up early this morning to meet up with the Earlybirds, and I was greeted by a group of a good dozen riders. Considering the 7am start, with people no doubt having been up early and working hard all week, this is really rather impressive. So, it was a good social start to the ride, going out via Askwith to Otley, Farnley, and up Norwood Edge (that first climb in the WRC), at which point, having got widely spread out, we regrouped. We then split into two groups, those doing a longer ride and those doing the normal Saturday morning short ride. I have to admit that I was already stuggling to keep pace with the quicker lads and it was therefore a little disappointing to find that only four of us were up for the longer route, El Cid, Gizzajob and JR - so nobody to help ameliorate the pace. I knew then that I was going to have a tough ride. The good news, though, was that the calf actually felt much better than yesterday. Perhaps it just got really well stretched, removing some of the tightness, but I was very happy to know that I didn't do it any harm.

From the top of Norwood, a convoluted route to Greenhow, then Grassington, where the decision was made to head out to Arncliffe and over to Malham. I could easily have opted out at Arncliffe to loop back home down the valley, but I wasn't going to be allowed to get away with that! As the ride went on, I found myself struggling more and more on the climbs. There was just nothing in the legs. For a change, we took the eastern descent into Malham and then on to Gargrave, Broughton and Carleton before El Cid led us a merry tour back into Skipton, then out to Bradley. I have to point out that it was considerably merrier for the others than it was for me, for I had now seriously bonked - and there is undeniably a perverse pleasure in seeing someone suffer on the bike! The climb out of Bradley is a bit of a bitch at the best of times and I had to endure some serious pain up there, digging deeper than I've had to in a long while. I told the lads to go on and leave me to twiddle back, but the team ethic is so strong that they were having none of that. With the engine delivering no power at all, I was climbing at what felt like a snail's pace, and the lads came back down to pick me up and tow me across the tops to Cringles. By now the forecast rain had arrived but it was only drizzle. Still, it was really good to know that we were almost home. I haven't felt so happy to finish a ride in many a year. Thanks lads for looking after me so well. You were great. The Garmin gave me 73 miles in 4.38, and about 7,000 ft of climb.

Forgetting all the pain, without which I know there is no gain, the big plus is that the calf survived without a problem, and I've clocked up 145 miles within the space of 24 hours. The down side is that this is what I'm going to be doing next Sunday in just one ride. Odd that I'm looking forward to it so much!

PS The rain decided to set in for the rest of the day, so (very selfishly) it's been good to be able to work and watch the rain lash against the windows, knowing that, but for this calf injury, I'd be out in the wet and clag, flogging up Buckden Pike right now. Holding that thought, I'm finding it much easier to put a positive spin on the events of the last week.

Holme Moss

2008-06-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

I thought I should accompany No.1 son to Manchester Airport. It seemed a bit harsh to just wave goodbye at the station in Ilkley! So, we got up early and arrived in very good time (for once) at the airport, all of two and a half hours before his flight departure. I'd brought my bike so I locked it up at the station with the idea of getting my boy checked-in quickly so I could cycle back home. I reckoned on a bit less than four hours so I should get home at lunchtime to still give me time to get a day's work in.

Well, things didn't quite go to plan! They never do, do they? First, there was an enormous queue at check-in and it was moving very, very slowly. I started observing people as they got to the desk. Lots of smiles and good humour, but the process simply took a long time. How hard can it be to allocate a seat and check the bags? We eventually reached the desk and I was still optimistic that it would be straightforward for us. It wasn't. For some reason there was a check against my lad's name, which meant that he couldn't be booked in. A phone call was required to the ticket desk. Engaged. Still engaged. Finally get through. The lovely woman at check-in reports a lot of tapping going on. More tapping at the keyboard. And more. The check-in woman quips that an essay is being written. We get the feeling she is used to being in this situation! Eventually the check is cleared and she books him on the flight to Atlanta. She comes to book his bags through to Lima and another problem arises. Something to do with a mismatch of names on the two flights. It seems that amidst all that essay writing someone misspelt his name. The whole process had to be repeated! Finally, the names for the two flights matching, the bags could finally be booked through. Except that the printer had now run out of paper! Almost two hours had passed in total and my lad's flight was now boarding! A hurried hug goodbye and I can only assume, as I write this, that he made his flight. I guess his adventure started a little earlier than expected.

But my day's adventure still had some panning out to do. I went to retrieve my bike, only to find an additional lock had been placed around it. The lock I had used was a rather token combination thing, but this was an altogether more serious affair with heavy chain and a huge padlock. What now? It transpired that my bike had been deemed a major security risk, the tubing apparently a possible hiding place for semtex - although how securing it so enthusiastically was going to help I cannot fathom a guess. Some joker told me that it could be released on payment of a £10 fine, but not for 24 hours! And I fell for that one - hook, line and sinker! The 'man with the key' was elusive for some time, before he eventually turned up with a smile on his face. I actually found it hard to begrudge them having some fun at my expense.

So, well over two hours later than expected, I started my ride home. I'd planned a route on the map on the way over, using some minor roads to get me across towards Hayfield, then mainly A roads after that because there wasn't the time to take any detours - although I did make one such excursion by mistake, missing a turn and not realising until I'd gone 3 miles out of my way. I really have to cure this stubborn resistance against looking at the map. That proved to be my only error though and I didn't need to look at the map again. From Hayfield it was over the hill to Glossop and then the B road to Woodhead, surprisingly quiet and very beautiful. The day had started overcast, but was clearing all the time, with the sun coming through more and more often now. Just a very short distance on the busy A628 to turn up towards Holme Moss. I'd been long looking forward to this big climb, up to 534m at the TV Mast, having known about it for years but never ridden it. I guess it's a sign of my fitness that I seemed to get to the top very quickly, steep at first but then just a long steady, continental style climb to the summit, very wild, with little traffic on the road.

From there it was back into more familiar territory for me, down into Holmfirth and Huddersfield, then the drag up and over to Brighouse and up and over again into Bradford, before the final climb on the moor road through Baildon to descend into Ilkley from the Cow and Calf. Although far from warm, even in the sun, it was now a really lovely day, cotton wool clouds peppering the deep blue sky. Even Bradford looked pretty! And, I have to say, that after seeing lots of wonderful scenery today, the very best view of all was that from the Cow and Calf down onto Ilkley and up the Wharfedale Valley. It looked at its superb best today.

This ride was a bit of a tester for me really. I wasn't entirely sure how the sore calf was going to respond, and, with many railway crossings, this route gave me lots of 'get out of jail' options in case of a disaster. Fortunately, they weren't needed, but the calf never felt right, and was quite achy on the climbs. I didn't push it too hard for that reason, and tended to stay in the saddle a lot more than usual. It doesn't feel too bad right now, but I guess I won't know for sure until tomorrow when I plan to join the Earlybirds. At least I found the space that I was craving.

Space

2008-06-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

It seems that the weeks are going by more and more quickly at the moment. I suppose it's a function of having so much on, so many things to think about, that there is no space for reflection and actually witness the time passing by. It just disappears. My running is what normally provides me with space in my life, and it works better than cycling because it is so much simpler. A pair of shorts and my running shoes, and I'm out the door, sometimes just for twenty minutes, but it gives me that bit of perspective that is so important. Without the running, I find it hard to get that vital long-range view, and that's how it's been today. I've felt closed in, kind of pressured, and, as a result, I've been struggling to work effectively.

No.1 son is flying out on his own to Peru tomorrow morning, so in between bouts of programming I've been helping him get organised. Not that he's actually needed much help. For being just 16 years old, I've been very proud of his self-sufficiency and quiet confidence. This prospect would have frightened the life out of me at his age, but he's taking it all in his stride. I think he's going to have a great adventure. And I've hatched a cunning plan to get some of that vital and much-needed space tomorrow!

Negative Feedback

2008-06-18T01:00:00.000-07:00

That tide metaphor has proved very apt today. I seem to have been toiling against the current all day, especially with work, getting snagged on rocks, generally making hard work of things. I'm at the stage where I'm fixing the little bugs, the less consequential ones which tend to be fiddly and hard to solve, and sometimes prove not to be bugs in my software, but bugs in the browser - as was the case with one issue today. I need to be on form for this kind of thing really, but I'm just not firing at the moment.

I've always believed that energy breeds energy, and the reverse seems to be true too. Not having had any proper exercise for three days now, I feel ridiculously tired and lacking in energy. I need to reverse the feedback loop. I had hoped that was going to happen tonight, intending to cycle out to watch No.1 son play at North Leeds, again, this time for the U17s, but the forecast was for rain, and the weather at 5pm was so miserable that I thought there was no way the game was going to get played and I ended up working instead. As it turned out, they did get a game in, but my lad had a bit of a shocker, out for a duck opening the batting. He's having a rough season, not getting much time at the crease, and when there, feeling too much pressure to make the most of it - and getting out as a result. He's kind of stuck in a negative feedback loop like me. Psychologically, cricket can be a truly brutal game. I guess he's learning some valuable life lessons this summer. I felt sick to the stomach when he came back to give me the story. It's his last game for three weeks because he's leaving to see his mum in Peru in a couple of days and I really wanted him to finish on a high. A lot of games have had to be rearranged this season for various reasons, and they all fall within the time he's going to be away, so he's missing even more cricket. He's putting on a brave face, but I know he's beating himself up hard over this. I so want to help, but there is nothing I can do. Perhaps this trip away is actually coming at a good time. He'll get some space. And that's what I need too.

Feeling Flat

2008-06-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

I've felt very flat this evening. Another long day dealing with nitty-gritty issues at work, with little respite. I've hardly been for a training run in weeks, but today I was really craving a run on the moor. It truly is the case that you never appreciate what you've got 'til it's gone. We take our freedoms in life so very much for granted and it is only when you lose one of those freedoms that you recognise how precious it is. I experience this every time I pick up an injury, and every time I swear that I will never take my fitness for granted again. But I always do.

I'd hoped I might be able to get out for a ride tonight but logistics with the boys just didn't work out. It's not a bad thing, though, to have taken a complete rest today. A little bit of patience is probably needed at this juncture.

Sulks and Grumps

2008-06-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

I've been sulking a bit today, but not as much as I usually do when I pick up an injury. Part of that is down to the fact that, with the cycling, I now have two strings to my bow, so I still have one good leg, so to speak. But I think it's mostly because this injury has been caused by my own stupidity rather than circumstance. I can't curse Fate this time around! I usually get a little reclusive when I'm injured, which I think is because I just don't want to have to deal with people asking after me, but now, through this blessed blog, I really can't do that any more. I feel like I've made a commitment and it would seem rather bad form to give it up just because things aren't going so well. But I'm finding it's a lot more difficult to write about negative emotions than the positive ones that I usually feel. I don't like having to report that I've been impatient with things all day, and short with the kids. I've generally been a bit grumpy. Now there's honesty for you!

Things weren't helped on the Harriers cycle ride tonight, with MB, NT and JF along. I brought No.2 son for the ride and after looking strong on the hills, he unfortunately contrived to catch his back wheel on the barriers on the road to Cavendish and took a nasty fall, picking up a mother of a bruise to his thigh. We had to let the others go on and so limped back at our own pace. It always seems that once the current starts to turn against you, it soon becomes a veritable tide! So, we're both nursing injuries tonight, and I'm hoping his enthusiasm for the bike has not been dented in any serious way. I don't think so.

The calf is a little sore, and I'm aware of tightness, but I can walk on it without discomfort. I felt it on the bike, but only really on the hills. I'm not expecting it to give me too many problems. With the realisation that the Dave Lloyd Mega Challenge is only 12 days away, I certainly hope not.

Just Stupid!

2008-06-15T05:27:00.000-07:00

The plan was to run a 10K trail race this morning, and although the legs were tired from yesterday's mountain biking and I was still aware of this slight tightness in the calf, I was up for it. There was a certain momentum to things and, despite a nagging doubt that it possibly wasn't a good idea, I just rolled along with the flow. A beautiful morning, a pretty country park venue, a festive atmosphere. It was difficult not to get caught up with it all. I started the race steadily, but I suppose not that steadily because I didn't want M to get too far ahead of me, for I could see that she wasn't just going for first vet but first lady overall! I remember thinking that the calf felt fine and the legs not overly heavy and starting to plot a strategy of holding back on the first lap of the course, then trying to come through the field on the second ... when I started to feel a niggle. I went into some kind of denial for a hundred yards or so, because you so very much don't want to believe what you are feeling. But then reality kicked in hard and there was no choice but to accept the sobering fact that I had pulled something in the calf.

The first reaction is not so much about the longer term but the disappointment of not being able to race. The adrenalin had started to pump around the system and it had suddenly got nowhere to go. Then came the realisation that I'll be missing out on Buckden Pike next weekend, and then possibly a whole host of other summer evening races. How could I have been so stupid? I really started beating myself up. All the signs were there and I simply refused to heed them. But, then, over the last few years I have grown so accustomed to this calf tightness that I would barely have raced at all if I were to have been overly cautious. I've always found it hard to enter into the spirit of watching races when I can't race myself. There is this really strong feeling of being excluded. I limped back to the finish to see M come in just behind the winning lady. She'd run a great race, taking the lead with a mile to go, forcing the winner to dig deep to earn her victory. I'm not sure if I'd have beaten her today. I then felt bad that M may have been deprived of taking my scalp!!

My little escape from responsibility over and naturally feeling rather low, I then had to get back to Yorkshire and do the right thing by the boys. No.2 son had arrived back from a sleepover and was feeling lonely at home, while No.1 so was playing for the 3rd XI at North Leeds. He really wanted me to see him play, so M kindly took me out there. We just missed him get a quickfire twenty odd off just 13 balls at the end of the innings to help his side post a score of 159. I thought it wouldn't be enough, but the home team was skittled out for just 69, my lad taking a stunning diving slip catch to dismiss their most dangerous batsman. That made up for him not getting a chance to bowl his off-spin.

I was then left to cycle the 18 miles back home to Ilkley, finding a few miles of bridleway to justify being on the MB. I felt the calf a little when pushing on the hills, but it didn't cause me too many problems, although I thought it wise to take things steady. I'm hoping it's not going to effect my cycling. The only positive spin I can place on this is that it will force me to concentrate on the bike now rather than spread myself across two disciplines. But I'm going to miss the racing. That's a buzz I just don't get from the cycling. Will I ever learn?

Sherwood Forest

2008-06-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

On the Mountain Bike this weekend for a change. Having been neglected for a good month, or even more, I'd been planning to check it over all week but just never seemed to find the time. And, of course, come this morning, and in a rush, it punished me for not giving it enough TLC. Eventually sorted things out and rode over the moor to meet up with M for a drive down south to meet some friends. The bike felt very heavy after riding the Carbon last weekend, and the climb up to Keighley Gate was slow. I suppose it is not helped by being straight uphill all the way from the front door. But I was reminded just how good the ride is from the top and along the canal. I must contrive to do this more often into the office.

M hatched a cunning plan for me to get to explore some of Sherwood Forest. Such a big part of my English heritage, but I'm ashamed to admit that I'd never visited it before. I feel like I've explored every inch of the upland areas of England, but most of the Midlands is a black hole to me. So, to put this right, I started at Clumber Park near Worksop and enjoyed a great circuit around there on some really good tracks - technically very easy, but lovely to ride nonetheless. From there I picked up the Sustrans National Route 6 which provided an off-road link to Sherwood Forest, although I was unable to follow the route through because it was being used by a motor rally. I'm normally a bit of a rebel when it comes to being told where I can and cannot take my bike, but I wasn't going to mess around with sharing the forest tracks with rally cars at the speed they were going!

The diversion was attractive enough and I rejoined Route 6 to take me to the edge of Sherwood Pines Forest Park where I was to meet back with M. Unfortunately, coming in from the far side, there were myriad single-track trails, but no signposts, and, as you do in Forests, I very soon lost any sense of direction. Things were then exacerbated by the fact that the rally drivers were doing a stage here too, and my route to the main centre seemed to be cut-off. I felt bad for running so late, but I did get to explore a lot of the trails, and when I did eventually find a route through, it was the best riding of the day. There was one section of old woodland, the track dappled in sunlight, everything fresh and kind of steamy from a recent shower, which was timeless, and it was easy to imagine that nothing had changed in centuries.

There were loads and loads of families out on their bikes enjoying all these easy trails. This is something completely lacking in Ilkley and around about my part of the world. I have the best road cycling anywhere, but it's not for families and kids. The hills are too steep and there are very few places where you can get off the road like I did today. My ride in Nottinghamshire was just over 30 miles giving a total on the MB of just about 40 miles for the day. Finally, the showers abated and the sun came out for a picnic in a wonderful green space set amidst the trees. If they can sort their signposting out - which we were told they are doing - then this will soon be a superb place to come ride some great single-track.

Twenty-Twenty

2008-06-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

It was head down today to try to finish off this current tranche of work so I can take some time out this weekend. I feel very stale from having spent too many hours at the computer this week, but need to leave things in a tidy state. I can never properly relax if I have unfinished business. So, a day at home with an early start and a late night, the only break being to chill out watching the 20-20 International against New Zealand. I am a passionate cricket lover, and adore the long form of the game, but I'm also developing a passion for this, the very shortest form of the game. With so little time to spare at the moment it suits my lifestyle well. Where test match cricket has high drama, 20-20 cricket has high octane action. It can never fully satisfy my cricketing soul because drama touches the emotions, and the crash-bang-wallop action of the 20 over game, being much more superficial, cannot do that. But it's fun to watch ... and it looks like a lot of fun for the players too. I really hope that doesn't change with these massive cash prizes that are soon going to be on offer.

Where'd they go?

2008-06-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

I work up early this morning and spent a good twenty minutes drifting in and out of sleep, toying with the notion of getting up and going out with the Earlybirds. The two sides of me were at odds with each other in a very closely fought contest, before my lazy common-sense self was finally defeated by that driven, usually more dominant other self. But it had taken until 6.20 am so I was then involved in a frantic rush to get out of the house in ten minutes - which I didn't quite make. I was only a couple of minutes late so I set off in pursuit of the gang, but the legs didn't want to work that hard so early in the morning. I chased hard until Nesfield where I could see the road ahead for half a mile, and there was still no sign of them on the road, so I realised that I was never going to catch them. I settled for a gentle, quiet spin, and enjoyed the peace and quiet of the morning. It started to drizzle a bit at Bolton Bridge so, feeling a little uninspired, I turned around there and dawdled back, half expecting to have the gang come flying past me - but they never did. I wonder where they got to?

Today, I finally found an elegant way of solving the problem I've been working on all week, somewhat helped by finally getting a clear specification of the requirement. I feel so much better for having been able to come up with something that is aesthetically pure as well as robust. Having to write ugly code really depresses me!

No.2 son has been getting out on his bike a bit of late and I thought it would be good to get out together after dinner for a short ride as it was a pleasantly still evening. I wore his reluctance down pretty quickly and got out at 9pm for just 6 miles, taking in Curly Hill and the bridleway across to High Austby. He's definitely getting fitter. I'm hoping that he can start building up over this next few weeks so we can get some good rides in during the summer holidays. No.1 son was supposed to go riding with his mates this morning, but it was impossible to get him out of bed. I think he could get into it and really enjoy himself on the bike, but his driven self has tunnel vision only for cricket. I guess I'm going to have to work on him. It would be so fantastic if I could get them both out for a day's ride.

This calf niggle is not showing any sign of improvement. It's beginning to annoy me now, that I just pushed it a bit too hard. It's probably something of nothing, because I've been here many times before, but I'd like to know for sure. It's bugging me tonight.

Conditioning

2008-06-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

Slept like a baby last night and was better able to cope with the stresses of work today as a result. The left calf is still a little tight, but I'm not too worried about it. The legs feel more tired today than they did after Sunday. If the opportunity had arisen then I would have got out on the bike - because I'm in that kind of mindset - but I didn't get back from the office until late. With the boys demanding food, and then The Apprentice to watch, it was just never going to happen - which is probably just as well because I'm creaking a bit going up and down the stairs right now.

Of course, it's hardly surprising that I'm feeling some fatigue and I have to admit to being quite chuffed at being able to race at all last night after Sunday's efforts. It's quite amazing what you can condition the body to do. I suppose it's about 20 years since I've pushed this hard to see what's possible. And I guess I'm harbouring a desire to carry on pushing. It's addictive!

St. Ives Trail Race

2008-06-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

It was a difficult day at the computer today. Aesthetics are very important to me, and I prefer to pursue elegant solutions rather than merely pragmatic ones. This often gets me into trouble because elegance comes at the price of time - in the short run anyway. In the longer run, elegance usually equates with better in every sense. Sometimes, though, an elegant solution just doesn't seem to appear - which normally suggests that the problem is being framed in the wrong way. This is what I came up against today and I've been forced to eschew elegance for the sake of simply getting something working because time is short and I have to deliver.

The problem is a hard one, though, and every time I seem to have cracked it, another scenario appears which throws up the need for more thought - and complexity. By the end of the afternoon I felt some kind of overload occurring inside my head. I lost the ability to think clearly and I hate that feeling. I started to doubt my powers of reasoning, which do seem to be eroding with age. In many ways I find this mental erosion harder to deal with than the inevitable physical erosion. I suppose, like with the physical fitness, you just have to keep up the exercise. With everything on the work front coming together at once right now, I don't think that will be a problem!

Tonight was the Ilkley Harriers v Bingley Harriers mob match that M and I have promoted amongst our clubs. I had no idea how many people were going to turn out as a result of the cajoling e-mails that I've sent, so I was quietly relieved when the red and green vests started to appear around the registration area, and soon seemed to be out-numbering the blue and white vests of Bingley. It was another beautiful evening, but still feeling rather at odds with myself, I had no real intention of racing tonight. The plan was to have a steady run around the St.Ives Estate and enjoy the scenery, and some new tracks. That very soon went out of the window with the very fast downhill start. I found the legs to be not as tired as I expected and seeing familiar people around me, it was simply impossible not to get just a little bit competitive. After overtaking a few fellow Harriers I settled in behind GB, one of those friends who I really wouldn't want to have beating me - because he would never let me forget it! After a mile I began to realise that, actually, yes, the legs were quite tired and this was not going to be easy. But I was now in full racing mode and I overtook GB and got in behind CM and MF. There was a lot of narrow, twisty paths in the middle of the course, so it was very hard to overtake and I settled for simply maintaining my position. I certainly didn't feel like going any faster anyway. It looked like the V50 race was going to be between CM and myself, so the tactic was to hang in there and hopefully get my man on the final climb.

As it turned out, the fatigue of Sunday clicked in at around the 5 mile mark and the last mile was very tough, with my troublesome left calf tightening up. Not knowing the course, things were made worse by having no real idea of how far there was to go. I don't think I've been so glad to see the finish of any event all year. But I was in the prizes with 2nd V50, and 15th overall, which can't be too bad. GB had hung in there really well because he was only just behind me at the end. He very nearly claimed a fine scalp there! I would have had nothing to respond with if he'd attacked me on the last hill.

As for the mob match, we had a fantastic turnout, including Mrs.Gizzajob, who I think was running her first ever race, and that really was the main point of this match, to encourage people out who wouldn't normally run a race. Regardless of probably winning the match, I think we can call the event a great success. I certainly got to meet a lot of new faces from the club. And CM from Keighley and Craven wants to challenge us to something similar. This concept could really catch on.

Feeling High

2008-06-09T16:07:00.000-07:00

I often experience a sense of anti-climax after these big events, but there was no such feeling today. I've been high on life! I had a potentially difficult meeting this morning but actually found myself being quite sharp and had the confidence to push aside all the bull-shit. I feel like I've been empowered somehow! Also, I've previously felt rather 'washed-out' after these long sportives, but I haven't really found that today. I guess it's a sign that I'm getting fitter and better conditioned. I'm taking that as a reward for all those long hours of training in the cold of winter.

I finally made one of my Ilkley Harrier cycle meets tonight. I was joined by PW, NT, MI, young JH, plus new recruits NC and son. We took a steady ride out to Barden Bridge and back via Cavendish, with a few efforts along the way. A very social ride on a beautiful evening, and the legs felt fine, although, quite understandably, they lacked a bit of zip on the hills. It was probably the best thing I could have done, to take an easy 20 mile spin today. It will be interesting to see how they cope with racing tomorrow.

Gold !

2008-06-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

The White Rose Classic today and I was relaxed enough about it this morning to turn the alarm off and fall back to sleep! As a result I was in a rush getting ready, only managing a single slice of toast for breakfast, and was much later than intended setting off from home to cycle the 6 miles to the start at Otley. The planned leisurely sign-in and some pre-event banter with my Earlybird mates seemed to have gone out the window, but then El Cid passed me in his van just before Burley so it was good to know the gang were running late too.

Superb organisation at the start saw us hit the road as a group just after the appointed 7.45. It was a perfect day. From the texture of the sky you just knew it was going to stay fine, and it felt good to be able to discard the windproof and travel really light. El Cid and Cacophony shepherded the group from the start, ensuring a steady pace. If felt just about right to me. It was all quite social early on and then on the way up to Greenhow I came up behind Superlight who had started a little earlier than us. Got chatting, as you do, lost concentration and suddenly found myself adrift of the group. It wasn't a lot of distance, but it took me a mile or more of hard effort to catch back up again. I was actually amazed at how much I had to graft in order to rejoin.

A brisk pace was set all the way to Grassington, where we took an express refuelling, and on up the Wharfe Valley at an even more brisk pace. I found myself working quite hard all the way to Buckden and wondering if I was perhaps going too hard. But I really didn't want to lose the group. We got a little strung out on the climb up Fleet Moss, but we all got to the feed station at Hawes at pretty much the same time. I was surprised that we were keeping together so well, so all credit to our team leaders for that.

A bit of a nagging wind (breeze really) out of Hawes which forced me to have to concentrate quite hard - and then on to the Coal Road. As with each time I've done it this year, I found the climb pass very quickly. El Cid was just 50 yards up the road all the way, but although I could have closed the gap, my internal governor insisted that I stay within my comfort zone. Looking at the watch it seemed like a Gold Standard time was definitely on, and I really didn't want to blow up and miss out. I might possibly never get a better chance.

I always seem to struggle a bit on the climb out of Dentdale and today was no different. I'm sure a lot of that is in the head. Surpised to pass CM here, but soon realised that he was just out for a tootle today. I'd been riding with MS for a while now and after getting away from me on the climb, we joined forces for the run down to Stainforth after I picked up a tow to catch him up. He did a bit more work than me because I began a fight with cramp at this point. As soon as I pushed the pace up I got twinges. I still felt reasonably strong but I had to limit the speed. From Stainforth I had to let MS go again. Apart from cramp never being far away I felt like I had run out of fuel, much like at the same point in the Etape du Dales. It was also getting distinctly warm. It was fine when you were travelling at pace, but as soon as you slowed on the climbs, it hit you. And I was beginning to run out of water. The section over the moorland across to Malham was a bit of a grind, but I think I can say that I still enjoyed it by simply backing off the pace and taking in the amazing scenery. The quality of light today was sensational. The Dales were to be seen at their very best.

After a rapid descent into Malham I was ready to linger a bit at this final feedstation, but once off the bike I got a terrible attack of cramp, both quads going into spasm and locking up. I must have looked quite a sight as I hunched over in agony, waiting a seemingly interminable time for the attack to pass. I was rather embarassed to have to ask someone to pick my bottles up for me because I didn't dare bend over! I decided that the best thing to do was to get straight back on the bike. I swigged down some electrolyte and, quite amazingly, the cramp went away. I didn't suffer another bad attack until the spin back to the rugby club in Otley after the finish. At one point, I really thought that was going to be it for the ride!

I was on my own all the way from Malham back to Otley, which suited me to be honest. I wanted to be in my own space at this point. I felt the need to go at my own pace, and enjoy the beauty of my 'back garden' country as opposed to watching the back of someone's wheel. It was also great to be riding the last 20 miles of an event on roads that you know like the back of your hand. I had a good eye on the watch, and although not knowing exactly when I started, I had increasing confidence in getting that Gold - although I knew it would be tight. I just had to get up Langbar without the cramp returning. As I got closer to home, the legs seemed to feel fresher and fresher, which must certainly have been in the mind. The tactic up Langbar was just to take it real slow and ensure that I was in good shape to push on at the top. And that's exactly what I did. No problems with cramp and managed to ride strongly all the way back to the finish to record a time of 7.21.58 ... and a Gold Standard. I feel like I can retire now!!

Descending Langbar (5 miles to go)

Photo from cyclingimages.co.uk

The organisation was quite superb throughout. Nothing could be faulted. Great food and tea on tap at the rugby club. And masses of banter. I kept trying to get away to cycle back home, but each time I went to get on the bike I spotted someone new coming in that I knew and had a chat. Helped by the warm sun, the craic afterwards was fantastic.

Of the mates from the Earlybirds group that I was with until the Coal Road, Chills got a superb 7.01 finish, and El Cid an equally good 7.03. Gizzajob was delighted with 7.10, just reward for a lot of hard training this year - and I'm going to look into his new gel-only food technique. Well done mate! MS finished just a couple of minutes ahead of me in 7.18 and Cacophony a little behind me in 7.32, which I could tell he was disappointed with, but it was his first long event of the year. With this under his belt, the big man will be pushing the others hard for sure. RM finished in an excellent 7.11, his pedigree coming through today. He also uses straight bars so it was good for once to have some company in that respect. Finally, Superlight found that his overdraft didn't occur such heavy penalties as he feared to come home in 8.57.

A completely fantastic day out for one and all. I eventually clocked up a total of 132 miles. I'm going to bed tired but on a fantastic high.

Winding down

2008-06-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

I actually managed to get a full night's sleep last night, with the result, of course, that I feel totally wiped out today. I know it's the body winding down before tomorrow's 117 miles, but it's still difficult not to be a little daunted by that prospect when you're feeling so tired. Following a decision by a client on Friday I needed to write a bit more code today to be ready for more testing on Monday, as well as some more bug-fixing, but it's been a little slow fitting that in between some necessary chores and time with the boys. It's been one of those days when you seem to be busy all day, but don't seem to have much to show for all the effort.

I was intending to go for a short ride with No.2 son this afternoon, but jet-lag got the better of him. He fell asleep after lunch and it was impossible for me to wake him up (oh, to be able to sleep that soundly!), and by the time I did I was feeling too tired myself to make the suggestion. But that's fine. I'm finding myself much more relaxed about this event than the Etape du Dales, which I'm sure is because I'm not really placing any great expectation upon myself. First and foremost, I simply want to enjoy a long day out on the bike on my very favourite roads.

There has been a lot of talk on the forums this week about Sportives not being races. I certainly don't regard them as such. The biggest factor is that we all start off at different times so it's actually not possible to race in the true sense of the word. You are racing against the clock, certainly, but that is a very different thing. Sportives can't be considered as time-trials either, because riding in groups and drafting is a big factor, and actually one of the major attractions. There is a lot of luck involved here too. I find that half the fun is to be had in the opportunities to hook up with ad hoc groups during the event, sharing, even if only fleetingly, a common bond of purpose. I always feel that I'm riding with and never against other riders in this context. I really think that's the key point. When I'm running a fell race I am definitely running against other people! I want to beat the other runners around me. When I'm riding a sportive I am riding with the other people. There is no sense of wanting to beat the people in a group that you are riding with, because the likelihood is that you all started at different times.

There is an ethic to the Sportive which I like to think is upheld by the vast majority. It's hard to imagine two people riding around together and then having a full-on sprint at the end to determine the winner. They are not races in the traditional sense of the word. For that reason I think it is perfectly sensible to prohibit the offering of prizes, but it seems a bit silly to stipulate that results should not be published in finishing order, because, if we're honest, that's how we all really want to see them presented. We're not children. I think that's an unnecessary artifice. I understand that it is vital for legal reasons that Sportives are never classified as races, and the bottom-line is that this really comes down to the riders being responsible and not treating them as such. I'd be happy to see the organisers disqualifying any rider who drops litter or rides recklessly. There is never any excuse for that. At the end of the day, we are all just enthusiastic hobbyists having a day out and a bit of fun. I would hate to have that jeopardised by a selfish few. Not sure how I suddenly found myself on the old soapbox there. It just kind of happened. Right, better get myself organised for tomorrow ...

The Traveller Returns

2008-06-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

I wanted to get up early to catch the Earlybirds, or perhaps I'd better say Earlybird (sorry to miss you again Mark), because I think they've been a bit thin on the ground this week. But it wasn't to be. I got to bed a bit too late again, trying to finish off some new code so it would be ready for testing this morning. In the end, though, it took me until mid-afternoon to finish, but I got there eventually and I was pleased to have come up with an elegant solution to this multiple appointment issue that I've been struggling with.

The legs felt a little sore from the Chevin yesterday, and they still feel quite sore today. I guess I ran harder on the descent than I have for quite a while. I'm trusting that they'll be fine for Sunday and the White Rose Classic. I usually reckon that I'm recovered from most things in 3 days. The weather looks set to be fair, indeed quite perfect at the moment if there is no change to the prediction. I'm really looking forward to it, because I'm determined first and foremost to enjoy the day out, without the pressure of worrying about time. I think that's the true spirit of the Sportive. Things might change on the road, of course, but that's how I'm going into it. Nice and relaxed. It's actually a wonderful feeling to be fit enough to have no fear of the distance nor the climb, and to know that I'm going to have a blast!!

A fair bit of chat on the bikeradar forum about the demise of cyclosport.org, and a fell running friend of mine, Keith Parkinson, has very quickly put up a simple listing of events at http://www.sportivelinks.org.uk to fill the gap that had been left, only for the site to get resurrected this afternoon under a new banner. It's all distinctly odd and I'm hoping that Mark will provide his community with an explanation of the strange events of the last 48 hours. I discussed with Keith earlier today the merits of simple lists. It was E.F.Schumacher who coined the phrase "Small is Beautiful" from his book of that name, but I actually prefer "Simple is Beautiful". Not wanting to take anything away from the community aspect of cyclosport.org, Keith's single page list of events and links is actually a far more accessible and useful reference than anything we've had before. Simple is indeed beautiful. It's easy to forget that when the scope to create complexity is so great!

The highlight of the day was being re-united with No.2 son after his travels in Peru. He's had a hard time of it with stomach bugs and altitude sickness, but he's enjoyed an amazing experience nonetheless. The highlight for him was Machu Picchu and the climb up Wayna Picchu where he felt the urge to run up and overtake all the 'tourists' to get to the top before anyone else. He always had this urge when he was young, to run rather than walk up hills, but I feared it had been lost. But you can't deny your genetic heritage! It's good to know that he really is a chip off the old block!! Hopefully this can be a springboard from which we can now get some good riding in together.

A new home

2008-06-05T16:07:00.001-07:00

I started the morning by blogging my entry for the Chevin Fell Race last night, only to find that the cyclosport.org server had gone down before I was able to save the post. After a few revisits, a message revealed that Mark Harding had pulled the entire site, quoting reasons of legalities and lack of support. If the site is down for good, then this is a very great shame indeed. Mark has put a huge amount of work into creating a community and I believe it had become the first port of call for thousands of cyclists wanting to get information on events. I did question for myself whether it was possible to make a living out of such a site, but it seems crazy that having built up such a large and loyal following, he has been compelled to leave the community high and dry, so to speak. I've developed these casual relationships with other bloggers that I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to rekindle.

I feel I owe Mark one for being the person responsible for getting me into this whole blogging experience in the first place, but I hope he has a good reason for pulling the plug. When you create a community I think you perhaps take on a certain responsibility towards that community and I would feel rather let down if this came down to petulance! For now, I'm sure there is enough speculation going on without me adding more. Mark, if you get to read this by some route, thank you for all the work you've put in, and your certainly significant role in promoting events and raising the standards. I hope you can find a way to get your venture back on track, perhaps, I would be so bold to suggest, as a paying hobby rather than a full-on career! I wish you luck.

As it happens, I've had another dormant blog account for some time now and I began last week to start archiving entries. Being 'in the business' I'm always a little paranoid about backing things up. A word of advice, if you don't have at least one copy of an electronic document, it may as well not exist. Copy everything of value. Again and again! You need the weight of many duplicates in order to lend some substantive quality to things that actually have an extremely intangible and ephemeral physical existence!! So, my blog has a new permanent home here courtesy of those nice people at google. Hopefully, I'll be around here for a while.

Otley Chevin Fell Race

2008-06-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

It would have been a perfect day to have been out on the bike, but more crazy schedules and the whole afternoon spent at meetings in Seacroft meant that would never have been possible, even without the Chevin Fell Race looming in the evening. This race is one that I always look forward to, and usually run quite well in. It starts from near the town centre and heads pretty much straight up to the top of the Chevin, with a little loop around the summit ridge, before going back down, fortunately not quite as directly as the ascent, which goes up the formidable set of steps!

I always cycle the 6 miles over to the race to warm the muscles up and actually left a bit more time than I usually do to get changed into running gear. I arrived with a full forty minutes to spare as opposed to my usual fifteen! Warming up, the legs didn't feel very lively. I usually target this race a bit and ease off for 2 or 3 days beforehand. This year I decided to see how I would fare with the legs fairly full of bike miles. This began to feel like not such a good idea! The first section of the race is flat and I actually felt ok from the start, but as soon as the climb ramped up I realised that the legs were indeed as tired as I suspected they were. This is where I usually dig in and start overtaking people, but it was really all I could do to hold my place tonight. I took the steps fairly steadily, but still seemed to be in massive oxygen debt at the top. I felt like I was running much slower than normal but at least I wasn't being overtaken. I had a lead on DC, who I haven't beaten in quite a while, so my incentive was to try to stay ahead on the descent tonight - which I managed to do. Usually I have quite a few mates around to compete with but tonight I was actually happy to have a bit of a void both ahead and behind, enabling me to coast in to some extent. I finished 29th in 21.25 and first V50 (fortunately DA was on the organisational side tonight - although actually I would have rather relished the contest). M cycled over too and claimed first lady V50. The first of a few such doubles I hope!

I've dug out my times from the last few years, and I'm encouraged that I'm perhaps not declining into decrepitude as quickly as I sometimes think!

2005: 20.56 (3rd V40); 2006: 20.49 (1st V50); 2007: 21.05 (1st V50); 2008: 21.25 (1st V50)

Do I have the courage to dig a little deeper, into the old cardboard boxes, to see what times I did before results got posted on the web?

Missing the rain ... again

2008-06-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Worked at home today and it was actually a joy not to have to be anywhere and just work straight through. Redesigned and implemented a solution to a tricky little problem and I think I managed to get it all working before the end of the afternoon. Concentration was helped by the fact that it had rained all day. Although the forecast was for it to clear for the evening, it was taking its time and, feeling very jaded from not having moved from the computer all day, I began to wonder if I would have the resolve to go out in the damp with the Earlybirds. But I had made an arrangement with Superlight so I didn't really have any choice. It's good to have these commitments sometimes!

As it turned out the evening was beautiful. The bad weather disappeared away to leave a virtually windless evening, with the rain making everything feel very fresh and intensely green. It was a great social ride. We spun out to Cavendish and up the lovely climb from Skyreholme - which taken a little more steadily than I usually ride it on my own felt remarkably easy - before returning via Hartlington Rakes and Burnsall, a bit under 30 miles I would guesss. I still haven't sorted the computer out on the training bike, and I still keep forgetting the Garmin!

There was a sudden decision on the way back to take in the climb of Langbar, but time was getting on and I had only made a holding meal for No.1 son, so I decided to decline the last hill. I was wondering if I've ever done that before. Felt a bit wimpy, but then I am racing tomorrow night. Should probably try to conserve a little energy for that. Superlight kept me company on the return via Nesfield. It was good to be riding with him after a gap of many years. He's doing the White Rose on Sunday on pretty much pure memory. He wrote me this last week, "The WRC is looming and I have very little in the road miles current account, so I am anticipating going seriously overdrawn on the day and getting hit with some pretty hefty unauthorised borrowing charges". Judging by tonight he might get away without being stung too hard. The muscles do seem to remember ... to a point!

Caramel

2008-06-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

Having missed quite a few Harrier's Monday evening rides of late, I was forced to miss another by having to stay late at the office for a meeting. It was a really beautiful evening too, but I did get in a much needed walk to clear the head before joining M to see Caramel at Pictureville. Another wonderful independent film, which more than made up for missing out on any exercise today. I told No.1 son later that it was an arabic film with subtitles, about the everyday lives of four women in Beirut and set in a hair salon. He wasn't complaining that I hadn't invited him along! The strange thing is that I know he would have enjoyed it - despite his cool 16-year-old self. Actually, I think I would defy anyone not to enjoy this beautiful film.

The Earlybird misses the rain ... almost

2008-06-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

After working very late it was a massive struggle to get up early, especially as the forecast suggested rain. I was moving very slowly when young HT called for me. We had made an arrangement, but at only 16, and knowing how my own 16-year-old fares that early in the morning, I was actually rather surprised to see him. The lad is keen! I was the usual few minutes late but we were still in time to meet up with another six riders for a run out to Buckden. El Cid and Cacophony led the group out at a steady cadence but once past Bolton Abbey things started hotting up a bit. As the other strong men like Chills and Stafano got to the front, the pace went up a notch or two, and a real rhythm to the ride began to develop. We were riding into a bit of a northerly so it was good to know that there might be some assistance on the way home. We went around the triangle at Buckden and immediately felt the effect of that bit of help.

On the flat section back to Kettlewell we were shifting at close to 30 mph and there was a palpable buzz in the group. What a feeling this was, snaking at speed through the exquisite upper Wharfe valley, briefly interrupting the peace of a few walkers who were clearly in awe of such a colourful spectacle so early on a Sunday morning. This is where cycling as an activity has a big edge over running. This element of teamwork is unique. Sharing the work, looking after each other on the road, giving signals, moving as one. The whole definitely felt like it was greater than the sum of the parts. Actually, my part seemed to become rather minor as I felt the odd twinge of cramp and was having to work very hard to stay with the pace. Normally strong on the hills, every incline began to hurt and I found myself being shelled out the back. Fortunately, under the leadership of El Cid and Cacophony, there is a strong group ethic, which means that they eased off a bit to let me get back on again.

It was decided that we'd finish the ride going over Langbar. Normally I would relish the prospect but by this time I was in survival mode and was content to just twiddle my way up. Stafano was well up the road ahead of us all, but it was very impressive to see HT reach the top ahead of everybody else. How does he do that at just 16 years old!! I think the lad has some considerable talent! Myself and Gizzajob bring up the rear, somewhat ironically as we both reckon ourselves as natural climbers. I think we just had all the energy ridden out of our legs by the speed merchants! By this time the rain that had been threatening for some while was now upon us, but it was too late in the ride to dampen anything really. HT's computer gave us 54 miles in a shade over 3 hours for an average of 17.9 mph. A fantastic morning's work gentlemen - made all the more satisfying for the fact that the rain consequently set in for the whole day. I'd certainly had a hard ride. I needed to take a power nap before I could get back to work!

No place like home

2008-05-31T14:51:00.000-07:00

I've never quite understood why travelling is so tiring. Spent the best part of yesterday sitting in various trains, but wake up feeling exhausted. It's not helped in any way by still having a mass of stuff to get down to meet this deadline for Monday. The day starts with warm and with clear blue skies but my head is too full of demands to be able to properly enjoy it. It becomes a little easier to be at the computer after the cloud builds up, but this is still a day I want to be outside rather than in.

Because of the lack of time it makes more sense to go for a run than a cycle, so M comes over on the bike to join me for a run on the moor. This is just what I needed, and it felt really good to be running in my back garden again. I'm hardly doing any running training at all at the moment, just relying on the racing to keep me fit, and so I've spent very little time up on the moor of late. It was rather wonderful to be reminded of how much I've missed it. Much as though I love the cycling, there is something very special about the remote peace and quiet of the moor, particularly on a warm summer's day. We went out along the ridge to the Swastika Stone and then into the forest for a loop back around to the Buck Stones, to Cowper's Cross and on to the Cairn and home, about 9 miles.

Seeing M cycle back up the hill, I was so sorely tempted to get the bike out myself. It was such a beautiful evening, but I managed to resist somehow, knowing that I had to keep a clear head to work, and also thinking that I should be patient and wait for the Earlybirds ride in the morning.

Blobbed

2008-05-30T14:53:00.000-07:00

Set the alarm early in the hope of getting out on the bike again to explore a bit more of Fife, but the showers they were forecasting for the morning turned out to be rather steady and incessant rain. The clag was well down too, so feeling very uninspired it was back to the laptop again. I got a lot more done on the journey home, but being summoned to the office for a crisis meeting pretty much meant that there was going to be no opportunity for a ride today. Couldn't really arrive home late after leaving No.1 son on his own for 2 days, to whizz straight out on the bike! Instead it felt rather good to blob with him in front of the TV. I don't do that very often, but it can be a rare pleasure when I do.

Lomond Hills

2008-05-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

Up early to get the train to Scotland and the weather is beautiful: still and clear. This is usually the kind of weather I experience when I head on the train down to London, and I always harbour a resetment about having to miss so much of the day on the train and in a meeting. The fact that I am heading north makes it a little bit easier, but I still detect a bit of resentment. I love where I live!

I've still got this silly deadline hanging over me so I have to work through the journey, but I never really mind that. I find the train very conducive to work. I always manage to get a lot achieved and sometimes save something difficult and interesting for such occasions. The time certainly passes quickly that way. The meeting with my new clients, public health doctors and health protection nurses went very well. Lovely people who are all very enthusiastic to start using the software. No real issues come up so I'm happy that it's going to be quite a straightforward implementation. The best thing is that they are all willing to embrace new technology. No technophobes to have to win over! But I digress ...

Get back to Kirkcaldy where I'm staying just before 6pm and I'm straight out on the bike. It's a beautifully warm evening, with fantastic views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh. I only have a vague plan and a torn out page of a road atlas to guide me. Potentially a recipe for disaster! I soon discover that road surfaces in Scotland are no better than in England, if not actually worse. And the same can be said for signs. I'm heading out to the Lomond Hills and want to use the back lanes, but I keep finding myself on the main roads. This is always a problem, whenever I visit somewhere new. From the middle of towns there never seems to be any help to guide you towards the unclassified roads. In Spain I once gave up on such a quest, after repeated failed attempts, and in the end had to ride the route in the opposite direction to find out exactly where the back road appeared. In the end, there was no sign to indicate that it was in any way more significant than any of the other roads I had tried and which didn't lead anywhere. They obviously want to keep the tourists away! I was reminded of that experience here because I kept finding myself entering industrial estates, from which there appeared to be no exit other than from the direction I had entered. Keeping the local roads for the locals. I suppose I can empathise with that.

Eventually I found the turn off to Falkland that I was after and it was immediately like entering a different world. Rural Fife was laid out before me. The climb soon started, and I'm feeling very low in energy, as I have done from the start, so I take it very steadily and enjoy the views and just being somewhere new. I'm passed by someone flying down the hill the other way and amuse myself with the thought that he might be a cyclosport.org reader and soon be reading about himself! The descent down to Falkland seems a lot steeper than the way I've just come up, but still goes on for a long time, so I'm encouraged that my lack of speed climbing was down to it being a bigger hill than I had realised! Falkland is a quintessential Scottish village, complete with its own Palace. It reeks of history and a sense of place in that history. I could understand why they refer to this area as the Kingdom of Fife.

Now in the countryside it is much easier to find the byways and most of the rest of the ride is on quiet roads, with a few more short climbs to enjoy. I've been reminded though that although it is good to see somewhere new, I've missed the continuity of my riding back home. I think that's become important to me. It's been a bit of a pain to have kept having to stop to look at the map and backtrack here and there. And I also have to admit that although it's really pretty here, it still isn't the Dales! I am so, so spoilt. I've asked the question before. Is there any better place to live for a cyclist than Ilkley? Get back to my B&B with 37 miles on the clock and happy to have got to know a little corner of Fife.