Category Archives: Sport

National Trophy round 2: Chantry Park, Ipswich

The second round of the highest level of cyclo-cross competition in this country and I travelled down to Ipswich a bit nervous, but also a bit resigned to my form not being where it was last year. Had an overdue bit of bonding with my … Read More

A hard day’s not cycling

I organised a bike race on Saturday for the first time in a good few years. It was a really very satisfying experience. The ones I used to organise at Cheltenham – mainly road races and time trials – seemed to be such thankless experiences, … Read More

A few of the 15 minutes of fame ticked off.

Part 1 – the video diary Part 2 – the race In a slightly odd and certainly unpredictable series of events, I had the enjoyable and very memorable experience working on a video diary with Sam Bailey of BBC’s Countryfile programme the other week. It … Read More

National Trophy cyclocross round 1 – Pittville Park, Cheltenham

This is quite a ‘precious’ event for me as it goes back in its early days to myself and Pat Alexander organising the first ever cyclocross in Pittville Park. I was slightly disappointed to not have a good race on what should have been a … Read More

Three Peaks cyclo-cross 2006

It’s Sunday night, the bikes are washed down, Lily’s in bed, and it’s a lovely moment to sit here and contemplate what a great day I just had. I prepare for this race as if it’s the only race that matters, and can’t say that … Read More

The cyclo-cross season’s back upon us

Ahhh – what a lovely feeling – the nights start getting longer, the mornings are dewey, and two bikes are on top of the car – we’re heading for a small parkland on the edge of a housing estate in Northwich, Cheshire, for the first … Read More

A good day’s work in the north pennines

Had a great day out on the bike with my brother Phil, taking part in the 105 mile Cumberland Cycle Challenge. A challenging but rewarding route with just under 3,000 metres of ascent, based around Brampton near Carlisle. There was weather to put most Belgian … Read More

Injured Back

Injured Back Originally uploaded by Dave Haygarth. I did my back in on Monday and it bloody killed. You realise how prescious these little bones we carry about are – it affects everything I do and I would give everything to know it’s not going … Read More

Windy Whittle Pike

Had the great pleasure of doing the Whittle Pike race on Wednesday evening. Whilst it’s not a towering Lakeland peak, it’s a classic fell race, incorporating the most formiddable steep climbs and descents you could manage on a relatively small Rossendale hill. There was a … Read More

Clitheroe Grand Prix 2006

Clitheroe Grand Prix 2006 Originally uploaded by Dave Haygarth. The Cliitheroe Grand Prix race is on a bugger of a circuit and saps you. This year’s race was on roads wet from torrential rain. I got into the leading group of six and we made … Read More