Three great photos ‘from the archives’ here from Flickr – all from a user called Fleming2009 (I think I should know what the first name is but it’s been on the tip of my tongue for ages!)
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.”
Three interviews in one: Bontrager, Jebb and Gould
Tim Gould’s three-peaks-specific interviews are hard to come by on the web – the era of his doiminance pre-dated the digital age, but this page of interviews from rouleur magazine gives three in one – two dominant winners Gould and Jobb, and a seasoned and respected ‘name’ of cycling Keith Bontrager.
Read the article here.
My favourite quote is from Rob Jebb, whose tale he told at the 2008 Three Peaks podium still makes me giggle…
When I was about 14 I was watching the race at the summit of Ingleborough on my bike, supporting Fergy, when Tim Gould came running towards me with a bent wheel. He noticed I was on my bike and asked for me my wheel. I said no, as I didn’t know how I would have got home with a bent wheel. As Tim ran on he was swearing at me for not having given him the wheel – I didn’t really think anything of this but the marshals on the summit were not impressed that a Peugeot professional swore at a youngster and reported him the organiser, John. John made Tim write a letter of apology, which I’ve kept to this day. In the letter, he said that he hoped the incident would not deter me from riding the Three Peaks in the future!
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”
Nick Craig and his monster 3 Peaks training ride
Great story here that I read a while ago about seasoned campaigner and former winner Nick Craig. Nick’s renowned for his MTB marathon prowess, but riding the current existing section of the pennine bridleway in a day is very, very impressive.
I rode a 35 mile section of it a few years back when i worked for the Countryside Agency (the best work day ever – ‘testing’ waymarkers by trying to ride it without a map !!!) and I was wasted after the experience. Nick’s attitude comes across brilliantly in this excellent article.
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”