I’m not really wanting to make a big things on social media etc about my planned Bob Graham Round. I’ll be setting off at 7pm this Friday and aiming to cover the 42 summits / 66 miles / 27,000 feet in under 24 hours. A feat achieved by plenty of people, and an incredible challenge to the man/woman-on-the-street, but just a personal goal I’m capable of and very keen to achieve. Continue reading “Running through life with thanks to Charlie”
Still loving ‘cross in my 48th year. Also loving the transition of the love from me to Elsie. She’s just completed her second season of a full league in the North West. Continue reading “Cyclocross review 2016-17 – a golden one for an oldie”
Sometimes you can just get sucked along in the momentum of things. Sometimes it’s just exciting to get outside of your comfort zone. I do a lot of sport, but it’s rarely outside of my comfort zone, and even less so as I get older. Until this month. Continue reading “Leaving the comfort zone behind: My #256challenge”
My immediate reaction was that my performance was lacklustre. 43rd position after such a struggle of a day is certainly nothing to write home about. But the story of the day is (still, sorry) how much I love this race. The passion for it just doesn’t seem to diminish as it throws punches at me but sucks me harder in like an abusive relationship. Continue reading “3 Peaks Cyclocross 2016 – undying passion”
No surprises in telling you that the 3 Peaks cyclocross, the 54th edition of which is taking place this Sunday is my favourite race. With any an annual event, it’s always going to feel special. Part familiar, part rare, part scary and part exciting. Continue reading “The Three Peaks Cyclocross: Ace and Rubbish”
We were due a good ‘with cousins’ holiday… and this was a corker. Phil, Anne & family had had their arms twisted that a ski holiday could be affordable and achievable if we drove, and I told them we could. Katie and I had driven to the Alps before (in 2012-13 New Year) and we knew is was kind of no big deal. So we booked a chalet and off we went for February half term.
Continue reading “Stick to La Plagne – our 2016 family holiday”
In years gone by there’s been many a post about my exploits and passion in the world of cyclocross. So much so that I’ve shied away from any updates here for most races. It can be taken as read that I love that sport with a passion and enthusiasm and that’s that. Continue reading “Changing of the Haygarth ‘cross guard? Elsie’s breakthrough.”
I’ve never read The Tale of Two Cities but that incredibly well-known opening line from a novel sums up my 2015 3 Peaks.
Okay – it wasn’t quite the worst of times – far from it – but when things are going really well, it seems to emphasise the problems when they come. And they came. But more on that later. I wanted to gather thoughts whilst fresh in my head as usual. The next few days will be absorbed with the 3 Peaks just like the previous few weeks have been, but it’s good to write these things down whilst they’re fresh on my mind. Continue reading “3 Peaks cyclocross 2015: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times””
I pick my events to blog about. I do quite a bit and blogging about them all like some training diary could get dull. But in my modern era (i.e. since I started blogging in 2004 and started collecting GPS data in 2007) the Golf Ball fell race has been covered with almost obsessive regularity. Continue reading “Files, Damn Lies and Statistics – 2015 Golf Ball Fell Race”
I often spend time thinking about my local treasures but so rarely spend the time to sit down and write anything. But today I went a ride with cycling friend Alan Dorrington over Rooley Moor Road and I found the route inspiring enough to speak out. Continue reading “Rooley Moor Road – an appreciation”
I races a triathlon on Sunday – I had a spare-sih weekend and an powerful urge to put myself out of my comfort zone. All went well – my full blog is here over on the PlanetX Bikes website Continue reading “Pool tournament: dabbling in triathlon again”
It was sunny and I was on a beach. That’s the short version. When you go to the beach and it’s sunny, you have fun. That never changes. Continue reading “Seaside fun: Battle on the Beach 2015”
