A very proud pushy dad here… Lily did her first running race this evening at Marl Pitts – the junior event in the Liver Hill fell race. She was so excited – so was I. The course for juniors was (I’m guessing..) about a mile and a quarter – out-and-back – and pretty much uphill all the way out. Continue reading “Lily-Livered… Lily does the U11s Liver Hill fell race”
First weekend of spring
God what a great feeling that is. Sooooo flipping ace to have a bit more daylight this evening – and twinned with a bit of sunshine it’s made it feel like the first big spring day. Continue reading “First weekend of spring”
Cannondale Six Carbon – my lovely new bike
Had the great pleasure of building up my new bike from Wheelbase on Wednesday night. Just waiting for a slighly nicer day than today to take it for a spin… it’s light, as it looks, and I’m sure it’s going to handle as well as it looks. Decided to stay with the compact chainset for now til the big crits start in the mid summer time. I might as well use those generously twiddly gears for the ridiculously hilly Fred Whitton wide in May. It also needs another 2cm ont he stem – it’s a bit shorter than my last frame – but that’s on order. Continue reading “Cannondale Six Carbon – my lovely new bike”
Mothers Day (and not bad for fathers too)
Had a nice chilled weekend really. Didn’t do too much. Elsie’s making us restrict our expectations a bit at the moment so relaxed, homey time is good. Mother’s day entailed a big roast, a quiet trip to the shops at Bolton and a play in the field with the dog and the girls.
Saturday was special too in a similarly laid back way. Lily’s been looking after a teddy bear from school for the week, and doing a pretty enthusiastic job of it. When she complete’s Millie’s diary tomorrow, I think she should mention a 5 mile cycle into Ramsbottom and back (Teddy Millie was in Lily’s doll backpack). A lovely way to start a Saturday. I also managed the third enjoyable but shortish Mountain Bike excursion in a week – this time round the back of the windmills on Whittle Pike.
Mark Cavendish wins Milan San Remo!!!
It may not mean that much to any non-cycling people out there, but seing Mark Cavendish win today’s Milan – San Remo has an enormous impact on me. For the first time in my life, I have seen a Brit win a classic cycle race.
Dileas – an old friend moves on.
Just had the sad but inevitable news that my brother’s dog – Dileas – has had to be put to sleep after a slow decline over the last few months. He was a lovely dog and with a very special nature – he was a companion with me on a few runs – sometimes just him and me in the days before we got Elvis – and particularly gentle with children. Continue reading “Dileas – an old friend moves on.”
A weekend in Ripple and a trip to the Forest of Dean
Had a lovely time this weekend with our old mates Andrew and Denise in Ripple, near Upton on Severn. The catalyst for going down there was an invitation from Andrew to come and run in the Forest of Deal half marathon, so it meant that it was a weekend of fun, leisure, and food, but also one of fitness payback. Continue reading “A weekend in Ripple and a trip to the Forest of Dean”
New motor
Well… after three gruelling trips to car showrooms and a load of time spent looking on the web at prices, deals, dealers, and cycling (well – some pleasure was needed), we settled on a sensible, comfy, safe option (read: “Unimaginative, square”). It’s fun to see a clean car in our driveway though, and one without internal baby sick smells is a unique experience bound to change our lives for a good few days!
I’m being over cynical – I must admit I like the tinted child windows (so roadside onlookers can’t see vomiting) and the alloy wheels make it look a good deal more blingy than any Vauxhall Safira can be. I also love driving an automatic after wanting one ever since I first drove one.
New fun bike: Commencal Supernormal VIP
Let the fun begin… Just built this up over a few days after Matthew got the frame for an utter bargain on eBay. Raiding my parts box, shopping around prudently on eBay and nice discounts on finishing kit from Wheelbase meant that it cost me a grant total of £314. I’m going to have some fun, aspecially with Lily’s new Islabike also here this week…
Lily as Tinkerbell
It’s world book day today and they’re all dressing up as a charachter from a book at Lily’s school. My tough, toothless bike racing little girl is dressed as Tinkerbell. Continue reading “Lily as Tinkerbell”
Cadair Idris and the Rhinogydd – another lovely weekend of gentlemanly leisure
A fine weekend of walking in Wales just gone. My cousin Adrian brings together ten or so of us each year at this time for a trip to the hills. Continue reading “Cadair Idris and the Rhinogydd – another lovely weekend of gentlemanly leisure”
Smiths Covers
Discovered a few lovely Smiths covers by accident whilst enjoying Morrissey’s wonderful and powerful latest album. Continue reading “Smiths Covers”