Marie Antoinette is reported to have said “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” (‘Let Them Eat Cake‘), showing her oblivious ignorance to the famine of the breadless poor. Something in this I can relate to in my current lifestyle as stupidly-busy dad / web developer / husband. There was a time many years ago when I went out to ride socially with a bunch of mates nearly every Saturday morning. We’d have little tussles to the top of the climbs, love the views, stop and have a bit of cake every now and again… basically immersed in café racing culture. Continue reading “Let Them Eat Cobbles”
Liver Hill Fell Race 2011
Was revved up for tonight’s Liver Hill race in Rawtenstall – the local ‘my oh my the clocks have just gone forward and we can do something in the evening‘ event. Having races here last year in pretty nasty boggy conditions, I was looking forward to going over the course on a lovely dry evening, but it wasn’t to be. I wanted Lily to run (again, for the third year) but despite good planning, couldn’t get any childcare to cover the gaps (she’s only eight and couldn’t be left to hang about waiting for me to finish!).
Anyway – managed to make the best of a bad lot – and use the evening to take a few photos of the race. Got me away from my desk for a spell too, which seems a rarity in the evenings at the moment.
Lily put in lots of effort which was really lovely to watch – and what it’s all about. Gushing with pride for the simple things… what a great smile a good race effort produces in a young person. Wish I could bottle it.
Today’s lesson: Learn
Had a very satisfying ride out today with Matthew and Ed Oxley. Arranged ages ago it was a bit of a longshot that the weather would turn out so darned lovely, but it did. When you take a punt on the weather like that and it comes off, you know you’re going to be in for a great day. Continue reading “Today’s lesson: Learn”
Cart, sleigh & horse: Cyclocross season reviewed
I’ve been a bit low on finding the time to blog the last few months. In some ways the world’s moved on. I don’t need to paste a link to a video or anything on this blog anymore because the sharing thing’s taken care of by Twitter and Facebook really. But there are some things I need to record on here for my own purposes and get off my chest and into print. (Well… webby print. You could print it if you wanted – you know what I mean) Continue reading “Cart, sleigh & horse: Cyclocross season reviewed”
Stay-cation half term.
Had a really nice couple of days this week off work but basically doing things you’d to on a holiday. With Lily leading the agenda, it mostly revolved around the animal kingdom, with a visit to Bleakholt animal sanctuary on Wednesday and then Knowsley Safari Park on Thursday.
It’s made such a great change – Katie and I have eaten (and drunk) as though we were on holiday too, but it’s been a great little mid-week switch-off and some great valuable moments in the memory bank.
Lions actually quite genuinely terrifying up close and they weren’t even in a bad mood. Watching the loonies drive through the monkey enclosure and getting their cars wrecked was a sight to behold. Like watching Gypsy Weddings on TV except you could see the strange person up close. Some of them were seemingly upset too. Real Darwinian stuff in action.
Photos all here or slideshow below
Continue reading “Stay-cation half term.”
Selfless devotion to family
Sometimes in life it’s time to stop doing what you enjoy, and pay some dedicated time to other family members.
With young families, my brother in law Simon and I get very little time together and no quality time to speak of in the last couple of years. With his birthday fast approaching, I decided to redress this by trying to get some good face-time together as a little treat to him. Continue reading “Selfless devotion to family”
Everything’s gonna be all Whyte
Interesting project on at the moment on behalf the design team for Whyte Bikes. Ian (who works on product design there) and I go back a long way and given my boundless enthusiasm for cyclocross (and what younger people might call ‘experience’), I’m starting to test a bit of a new venture for them. Whyte are an English brand famous for their mountain bike range, but wanted to get into the cyclocross market. Their new frame – currently a prototype – is highly immersed in that. It’s radically mountainbike, actually – in many ways. Certainly an interesting prospect. Continue reading “Everything’s gonna be all Whyte”
Ronde Van Oost Lancashire
Very much looking forward to the second running of the Ronde Van Oost Lancashire on the 2nd April this year. Friend Alan’s organised it again using the same route as the first Ronde in 2010. Named and themed after the Ronde Van Vlaanderen (or Tour of Flanders for you Anglophiles), it’ll visit some of the backest of back lanes and 2lb loafiest of cobbles streets.
Adding to the value, my brother (and recent Here Come the Belgians signing) Phil ‘de Vlaeminck’ Haygarth will be joining us, as well as Matthew ‘Bosberg’ Pixton, and many other classics riders of note.
Full route, description etc here on Crossjunkie’s blog
KT @ 4T
The lovely Mrs Haygarth ripened to a good age in very graceful and elegant style with a low-key party at home for a few local friends and family.
It’s always a bit weird having a birthday at the cruddy end of Christmas and New Year and last week’s birthday party was serene and very enjoyable. What we’d optimistically hoped would mean a few friends for a nice toast and some daytime nibbles turned into a prolonged afternoon complete with lots of children running about playing some very complex games of hide and seek in a confined area. Continue reading “KT @ 4T”