Belgian Cyclocross Championships – excerpt
Was watching this the other night, after a similarly muddy British National Championships, when I just wet myself laughing at this poor chap.
Bye Bye Bling
If there’s anything really disappointing about the achievemnt of sporting pinnacles, it’s the bling that goes with it. Cycling is not alone amongst sports in having ridiculous trophies, they seem de rigeur for many sports.
Anyway, due to limited success in my life, I managed to avoid this poison chalice, until last year, when I won the North West cyclocross league. The success in itself, like most of my cycling wins, was more a case of who wasn’t there and who could be bothered to turn up for the ten counting events, but a win is a win, and someone’s got to have the bling.
I had to wave goodbye to the trophy last week, as it passed on to Adrian Dalgliesh, who was this year’s NW champion. He’s done a good consistant series, and despite not winning a race, he’s been up there all season. Congrats to him, and I hope he does more than keep it hidden away, like I did. It’s an achievement, after all, but one that I’d rather have gone un-trophied, in this case.
National Trophy round 5: Derby College
A great course brought a satisfying result to a slightly off the boil cyclocross season for me. Dan Alexander had worked hard in designing an interesting course that was made very hard by waterlogged grass, turning to thick, sticky mud under all the wheels and feet going over it. It turned out that each six minute lap had about 90 seconds of running on it – which would have suited me fairly well in theory, but I was a little bit off the boil with the tail end of a cold. I finished 24th – my best National Trophy result – which should have pleased me but I know that the field was a bit depleted and some good riders didn’t finish because of mechanicals, etc.In the end, I was caught and lapped a lap and a half from the finish by a flying National Champion Phil Dixon, and soon after by team mate Rob Jebb who finished in another excellent third place.
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Half a life
I missed an anniversary 129 days ago.
Using this lazy duration calculator, I worked out that on September 7th last year, I had spent half of my life with my (now) wife Katie. It’s only half a life, but it’s getting more every day. Katie never reads the blog – she thinks it’s a bit daft and excessively self-regarding. But, just in case she does, I love you dearly xxxx.
I’m 37. I’m not old.
Today is my birthday, and being 37, I reminded myself of this lovely bit from the Holy Grail.
Arthur: Old woman!
Dennis: Man.
Arthur: Man, sorry.
Dennis: I’m 37.
Arthur: What?
Dennis: I’m 37. I’m not old.
Arthur: I did apologize about the “old woman,” but from behind you looked, well…
Dennis: What I object to is that you automatically treat me like an inferior.
Arthur: Well, I am king.
Dennis: Oh, king, eh? And how’d you get that? By exploiting the workers! By hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society.
National Cyclocross championships 2007
Wow. If you look back through my cyclocross blog entries this year you’ll see me moaning about courses that are too fast and not hard enough. Well, at long last, yesterday’s national championships made up for that.
The course at Southampton Leisure Centre had been used before for national trophy races, but after a mild wet winter, it was charged up with water, and by 2:15 on Sunday, after various supporting championship races, the Elite Senior race was in nothing short of a mud bath. Laps were taking about nine or ten minutes, and there was plenty of running with the bike (heavy with mud), making this a tough one.
I had a pretty good race and felt like the 32nd position I finished in was about right (there was more than 70 starters). It was a tough trial from start to finish (as these photos taken by my cousin Adrian who lives nearby) show.
The best bit of the day, making the long journey all the sweeter, was that my team mate Rob Jebb finished a superb third, and qualified for a ride in the World Championships later this month.
Most of Southampton seemed to come home with me on my bike and in my (now filthy) kit bag.
Full results and report here on the British Cycling website.
Cherry Ghost – Mathematics
Heard this track by Cherry Ghost a few times on XFM Manchester and it just sends a shiver down my spine every time I hear it. Ignore the crass video – it’s just such an amazing tune. I’m not sure why, but I just love it. They’ve recently got a recording deal (this is just the demo) so expect a polished version to come out later in the spring.
Happy, Sparkly New Year
Was sent this photo by my friend James from a New Year party he was at – I think they did a nice job on this.
Family trip to Devon and Eastbourne
| Following a few days enjoying Christmas at home we went to stay with Phil and Anne in Devon for a couple of nights, then on to Eastbourne to stay with Rachel and Jon for a couple of nights, including New Year. Despite covering roughly 900 miles in four days, we had a really great time, and managed to get home feeling relaxed and refreshed. |
Christmas day 2006 – photos
Christmas this year was at home – and very enjoyable. (My) Mum came over on Christmas eve and had the pleasure of watching her grand daughter open her cringigly large pile of presents. The weather wasn’t brilliant but we managed to get out for a half hour walk, too.
Happy Holidays, cycle style
Listen to a great rendition of Tchaicovsky’s Nutcracker Suite performed entirely on bicycle parts.
Those clever little devils.
Some photos of a weekend at home
Another lovely homely weekend. On Saturday I went to do a (semi-fun) charity Madison Cyclocross in Manchester. The ‘Madison’ bit means that riders race in teams of two and ‘tag’ each other, taking it in turns to do a (5 or 6 minute) lap. I had a good laugh and it’s the antidote to the seriousness of the national trophy cyclocross series.Sunday was a great day for lazing about really – did a few jobs about the house and got in some Xmas shopping in the morning. Had a lovely walk to the park, and a big stew at the end of the day. Purfick.