We don’t normally get to do stuff like this. It was a real treat. Dave & Elsie went to the Saturday and Sunday racing, Lily and Mum just to the Sunday racing and spent Saturday enjoying the beautiful and very chilled city of Maastricht. Continue reading “Family visit to the 2018 World Cyclocross Championships”
It’s a fixed date in my diary. My 20th start in the 3 Peaks Cyclocross was, like other years, just another year of ‘of course I’m doing the 3 Peaks‘. But this year’s 3 Peaks stands out in a lovely way in that it not only saw the return to the race of my brother Phil after a 5 year absence, but the next generation of Haygarths took to the race. My nephew Matt was what I think was possibly the youngest of the 650 entrants and I was gushing uncle-pride when he’d entered … never mind actually competed. A real landmark for me. Continue reading “2017 Three Peaks Cyclocross – a family affair”
Third year on the trot. Each time you learn and refine. It just gets better and better until you reach a pinnacle like this. Continue reading “2017 Family Road Trip – Les Français des Jeux”
My, what a day out. Or rather, ‘What an evening, night and morning’ out. There was so much preparation, an impeccable team of helpers, and plans that would make General Haig look like a chancer. I’d trained and was in great shape. All I had to do was put one foot in front of the other for 23 hrs and 20 mins, and my Bob Graham Round would be completed. Continue reading “Bob Graham Round 1: Dave: 0”
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”
It wasn’t broke so not much needed fixing.
Another gem of a family hol making the most of our nearest neighbour. Brexit was all a shock to the Haygarth system and we needed Euroengagement as a tonic. Continue reading “France 2016. More of the same, please”
Sometimes you just strike it lucky. Whilst the rain tipped down in southern England, our caravan break in New England Bay on the Mull of Galloway was quite literally cloudless for four days. Sun cream, shorts, BBQs and sea swimming. We can’t believe our luck.
Continue reading “Not looking for a New England – Galloway trip May 2016”
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”
With immense sadness but such intense happy memories, we have said goodbye to our lovely Elvis today. Dogs are special, close family members and their relationships are deeply family-centered, so I’ll keep this short and sweet, like the blondie himself. Continue reading “Elvis”
