Bread Making

1st attempt

Bread making has long been a thing I fancied having a go at, making a loaf from scratch with my own hands always appealed for some reason.

So with a basic recipe taken from River Cottage I set about making my very first loaf of bread.

1kg white flour
10g yeast
20g salt
600ml water

Combine the above and kneed for 10-15 minutes and then 'prove' for 1.5 hours.  Flatten out dough and then fold into centre from various points ('knock back').  Cut dough in half and repeat the knocking back process, place on/in a greased tray and prove for another 1/2 hour.  Score top and sprinkle with flour, then bake at 220c for 40 minutes.


My first attempt was quite 'doughy' in the centre, I put this down to a few factors, not long enough at high enough temperature (our oven tends to overcook, so I reduced time and temp) and not enough kneading.

1st batch of cobs

I also took a recipe for 'soft rolls' and gave it a go with wholemeal flour, cooked for the recommended time at the correct temp and they were great.  Still a little 'heavy' (more kneading required) but tasted great but the crust was not that soft.

500g flour
5g yeast
10g salt
35g butter
300 ml water

Combine the above and kneed until 'elastic', prove for 1.5 hours and then 'knock back'.  Split in half and then cut each half into 3 or even 4 parts, knock back each part, then round them and place on oiled tray, prove for another 1/2 hour.  Bake for 15-20 Min's at 210c.

After seeking advice (thanks Jim) I now know to 'steam' the oven to keep the crust softer.

Ready to bake

So today's attempt with new knowledge was to create a nice white 'sandwich loaf'.  Dough mixed as above and rigorously kneaded for 15 minutes, proven for nearly 2 hours and placed in my brand new loaf tin.  I also steamed the oven, place a tray of boiling water in the oven with your dough, this should keep the crust softer.

Looks good to me

Loaf is still cooling right now but even if I do say so myself it looks pretty good, can't wait to tuck in.

And if I can make bread I really do think anyone can!  Go on, give it bash!

Turning the pedals again

It's about time I got active again, not had the motivation to get out recently but it's time I changed that. It's snowing right now so I can't get out on the road so I hit the resisitance machine this morning.  I am going to use this much more over the winter I think and when there is not enough time to go out.

Started myself of with a 35 minute session at a good pace and 'covered' 20.59 km's (12.8 miles).  The machine measures in km's and after been called a luddite earlier this year for refusing to use km's preffering good old fashioned miles, I am giving is and joining the cycling world and using km's for next year.

Todays 'ride' edges me just over half of my 2010 target, disapointed that I have not made my target but I know where I went wrong.

Distance = 12.8 miles
Time = 35 mins
Ave Speed = N/A
Top Speed = N/A
Hillometer = N/A

Weather = Indoor

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2382.2
Single Speed = 27.4
Indoor = 12.8
Total Mileage = 2510.6

Mo disaster

Slightly scary look

Well my disasterous Mo had to go as I had an 'appointment' today that I really needed to be 'presentable' for and as it was a very poor excuse of a mo I guess it didn't matter any, I am matching what has been bid as way of compensation to those who donated.  Needless to say I wont be growing one again

Movember - Day 10

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1057866/

 

A blonde Mo doesn't really cut it in the manly world of Mo's.  So I have to decide, do I stick it out with a silly patchy blonde mo, do I reach for the just for men, or do I give up in the knowledge that I will never be able to cultivate more than stubble, if I do concede I will match money raised so far (£20).

Of course when people realise I have a silly growth on my top lip and ask the question, I then have them captivated and vulnerable to donating, so looking a bigger tit than usual for the next 20 days could have it benifits for Prostate Cancer.

Movember - For prostate cancer awareness

I've decided to do my bit to raise awareness for prostate cancer by growing a Mo during Movember, this should be ammusing as I have crap facial hair growth so at best am only expecting a wispy 'tash to be cultivated, to monitor my progress you can visit

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1057866/

 4th Movember

And here is one of the pumpkins on Halloween

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Ready for carving

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And getting flighty

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Chicks out of the nursery

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Autumn on the allotment

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Thank you Ikea

The story begins a couple of months ago when the bedroom began to smell of very strong body odour, so after a check of the room for dirty old clothing under the bed etc and a good shower for me the smell still lingered, so frantic bed washing and mattress sniffing commenced but the culprit still could not be found.  It was only a couple of weeks later I by chance noticed a very strong whiff of the smell when opening a wardrobe door, on closer inspection the wardrobe doors and bridging unit doors over the bed all stank of old  body odour.

So onto the internet I went looking for similar cases, I found one that had been reluctantly dealt with by Ikea in Warrington, they eventually offered a partial refund to the customer despite the 10 year guarantee on the doors.

At this point I'm getting ready for a long a drawn out battle especially as we had mislaid the receipt and the doors were purchased with the units way back in April 2008.  I'm not happy at the thought of a partial refund but the doors simply had to go, the smell was awful, and even cleaning with strong detergents did not do the trick.

So first contact is made with the Nottingham store, this was not a good experience, the woman did not believe the doors could smell of B.O. and promptly and smuggly  told me I needed to prove the doors were authentic Ikea items with a receipt.  Of course they are authentic, theyve got bloody IKEA stamped all over the inside of them.  She then said once I had proof of purchase they would send someone out to inspect because she could not smell anything (she clearly has issues with her sense of smell).

Any way, after ringing the  credit card company we got proof of purchase and I spoke to the Ikea contact centre over the phone, they traced the purchase on their system and asked me to pop back to the store with all the smelly doors, this despite me being told someone would come to me.

So I play the game, remove the doors, load the car up and head for Ikea, very calm and polite but ready to dig the heels in if needed. 

Arrive at the store, smelly doors in tow, I got a few looks as I sailed past folks leaving a distinct aroma in my trail.  I'm greeted with a very polite lady who listens to the saga thus far, she then checks the transaction from 2008 and brings up the price paid at the time (£105 for 6 doors in total) I was already aware that the doors were no longer sold and had an alternative in mind.

Without even checking the doors the lady tells me that yes they will exchange for my choice of doors, at this point I'm prepared to pay any difference in the cost, but I'm keeping quiet on that one for now.  The new doors come out at £180 in total.  "Give me ten minutes to get the doors to you" she says as she hands me a coffee voucher for the bistro.  After 10 minutes and a very nice complementary coffee she reappears with new doors.  No mention of paying the difference in price, just a sign here to say you've received your exchange doors.

So a big thanks to Ikea for sorting the issue out, today's visit was a pleasant one with a satisfactory conclusion.

100 Greatest Climbs

I figured that at my tender age (34) I have plenty of time to tick off the UK's 100 best climbs, so I got myself the book and ticked 3 off straight away from my c2c ride, so only 97 to go and only a handfull within cycling distance of home, it's going to take me few years to tick them off.

The book is a safe bet to be on most UK cyclists bookshelves by the time christmas dinner is served this year so beat the rush and head for the hills.....

http://www.100climbs.co.uk/index.html

http://twitter.com/100Climbs

Buy the book from all good bookshops (amazon stock it)

Siamese Sunflower

OK it may not be the tallest sunflower at 7ft tall but it is a Siamese Sunflower grown on my allotment, never come across one(or two) like this before.

Had to be on the way to see the Tour of Britain

Even the road signs pointed to the (team)sky

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Sunday 12th September 2010 *Road*

Five of us rode out to Wootton for the first climb of the day on stage 2 of the tour of britain, I'd allowed 3 hours to get out there....it wasn't enough, I thought I was being generous with the timing allowing for riders with less speed than myself, I under estimated it a bit and as we joined the tob route at the bottom of the hill they had gone through about 10-15 minutes previously.

It was a nice route though and a good ride out topped off by two sociable pub stops, also managed to take in Cloves and Drum which I haven't seen for a while now, also felt the fitness was coming back to me a little.

Distance = 74.4 miles
Time = 5 hrs 39 mins
Ave Speed = 13.2 mph
Top Speed = 38.4 mph
Hillometer = 72.6 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny Spells, 19c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2382.2
Single Speed = 27.4
Total Mileage = 2498.8

Time to start planning

As I wonder around the plot I can't help but think what's going to go where when we start again next spring. It's just a case now of reaping the rewards of this years work and planning for next year.

I've enjoyed my first year on plot 71 and feel as though I've learnt a fair few lessons.

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Camelia and Canal Bridges 107k Audax - Sunday 5th September *Road*

Back on the bike after over a month off, very nice ride starting and finishing in Moira near Asby de la Zouch.  Met Dad for Tea and sign on just before 9am and we set out at half past, pretty much downhill for the first 10k, when I say downHILL I really mean downslope, pretty flat out that way and the ride managed to avoid any hills the area has to offer as you'd expect from a ride with CANAL in the name.

Audax rides are paced to avoid the racer types blasting round, we met all the checkpoints (except the last) bang on the fastest ave speed limit at a leisurely 15.4 mph, the second cafe stop we did stop for coffee and a rather tasty slice of carrot cake, the topping was to die for.

Somewhere near Atherstone we picked up a wheel sucker, he would not do any of the work at all, letting Dad and I ride at the front, this really pissed me off when he waited for us to leave the cafe so he could continue to have a 'free tow'.  The next info control we outfoxed the old devil and stopped to write down the required info, he was in front of us and not happy, he waited for us to catch him up and like a fool I obliged and went past, he clung on again refusing to do any work, so I put the hammer down, the old bugger wont follow this... I didn't go too hard but enough to let him know, the old bastard still clung on.  Next junction I faked a pull off, he was in front again, this time I was not passing him!  Well he slowed right down to 10mph in places, I sat on his wheel with a smug grin across my face, I wasn't passing, this continued in a stop start fashion for some time until around 2 miles to go I passed him, again he followed suit until 500 yards to go and he nailed it like a chav in a Saxo, did I let him let him go.....no I followed suit and followed him into the car park and passed him on the line :)

All in the silly games cost us a bit of time but we still got in 4 hours 15 mins, not a bad time considering my lack of activity recently, you really do loose that fitness fast!

A good ride and good to be on the road again, next Sunday a ride out to watch the pro's pass by on the Tour of Britain stage 2.



Distance = 64.7 miles
Time = 4 hrs 15 mins
Ave Speed = 15.2 mph
Top Speed = 37.3 mph
Hillometer = 41.2 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast/Showers, 15c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2307.8
Single Speed = 27.4
Total Mileage = 2424.4

Whats occuring?

Cycling has been replaced by painting and child care duties, work is a drag, sinister goings on which have happily resulted in two colleagues keeping their jobs but under not so good circumstances.  I have been forced out of my current role at one site into the same role at another, not a huge problem and of course I'll do it, just don't like the circumstances leading up to it.

Been to an interview today for a new role within the same company and am very hopefull after what seemed to me to be a very good interview, just hope I fit the desired criteria.... despite being a slave to a corporate giant I would never go back to self employment, being your own boss and having the responsibilty of others is definately not worth the limited rewards.

The last weeks have seen my family loose another loved one, 'Aunty Dawn' finaly passed away after a 15 year (on and off) battle against cancer.  My Grandmother (83) has lost 3 of her 8 children now, I can not begin to understand how she feels, just the thought of loosing one of mine is unbearable never mind experiencing it 3 times over!  Of course my Dad and his remaining siblings have buried 3 of there own now as well, all ofthem taken far too early.  My heart also goes out to cousins Sandra and Paul right now, I know the loss they are suffering all to well after loosing my mother (54) to cancer as well.

On a brighter note and looking forward, the bike will finally be wheeled out of the shed on Sunday for a 107k Audax ride with Dad, kids bak at school next week and then on Sun 12th I'll be heading out Stoke way on the bike to watch the Tour of Britain.  And hopefully a new job too :)

Cycling, The Rules

The Rules

Great find by Charlie 'the Chair' @beestoncc

Well what a week!

Well we've had fireworks, tantrums, provocation and a honourable stand down ;)

But it would appear one head ache is to be replaced by another (or two) my least favourite irritation is back and a colleague has been suspended, can't say much on either subject but I can see the next few weeks are going to be as much fun as the past few, and all this comes at a time I am unable to get out on my bike and clear my head of all this $h1t, just bloody typical!!!!

I do see a pattern emerging here though, last weekend was a cracker, kids away for the weekend with grandparents, Kelly and I out for a dinner party, great company and great food, the weekend was brilliant.....until I came across a certain comment which we shall say no more about, that ruined the following week for me!

This weekend a family party followed by night out for family Hobbs in a hotel, followed by a visit to my Grandma's made for another good weekend, only to be ruined by work on two fronts on Monday evening.

Next weekend family Hobbs head to London again, you could forgive me for hoping this weekend isn't so great. 

My resignation from the committee of @beestoncc

This morning I have offered my resignation from the committee to the remaining committee members of Beeston CC.

My reason for this is the amount of abuse I have received from one individual  Let's make one thing clear, I have only ever reacted in retaliation to the unfair and very public criticism this person has thrown my way in the last 3 or 4 months, now this seems to be spilling over to my fellow committee members.

(edited - email to committee removed)

In my opinion this person has been a disruptive influence within the club, one the club can ill afford and one the club can certainly do without.

Beware Mr Fox!

It would appear that the local fox community have computers and read my blog!  We were visited last night and he took the three youngsters and mother, did not touch the other two runs at all.  I assume it was Mr Fox but the two places of entry were quite small, so it must have been a young fox, certainly not the big dog fox I normally see.  I can't see a domestic being able to force entry in the way it was done.

It's a well known hazard of poultry keeping and there are not many keepers who manage to avoid at least one fateful visit from Mr Fox.  So what next..... batten down the hatches and carry on!

Remember these little fellas?

Almost 10 weeks old now, been in the 'nursery' run with mum for 3 weeks and coming on great.  Nice little trio with one cock and two hens, I'll give it a couple of weeks and advertise them.

It's really interesting seeing how their markings are coming out, given their parentage of Black Pekin hens and a Lemon Pekin cock.  Not sure what I was expecting to be honest but I am quite surprised that they have all got very similar patterns in their colouring.

Young cockrel

Cock & Hen

Scratching for corn

Another one of the Bantam hens has gone broody, she is now sitting on 4 eggs and has been for 8 days now, so in around 20 days we'll have batch number two joining us.

An open reply to @adambird

In reply to this - http://adambird.com/an-open-letter-to-liamhobbs



I have posted this here to give Adam the choice NOT to read it if he wishes.

Firstly I should appologise, I did overstep the mark on my A weight lifted blog, I should not have refered to Adam as an "arrogant jumped up *%&@" in hindsight that was uncalled for.

In danger of been seen to act like a child I must state for the last time that I do not understand how it has come to this, on numerous occasions I have tried to keep positive lines of communication open with Adam despite harsh criticism coming from his direction.  Each attempt of mine to resolve any difference/missunderstanding has been totaly ignored and I have no idea why.  Some people just like to bear a grudge I suppose, this I could understand if there was a valid reason as to why.  Yes my replies via twitter may not be as subtlle as Adam's occasional comments, what can I say I like to be direct.

I am still open to resolving whatever the problem is..... life is too short for this shit.

It has never been in question for me how I would react to Adam at a cycling function, we have a common interest in Beeston CC afterall, it goes without saying that I would be polite and civil, I hope Adam can promise the same.

At no point do I deem any of my behaivour 'threatening' and would like an explanation as to how it could be conceived as such.

Please respect my right to reply.

I would have much more respect for someone who washed their undies in private and not aired them via blogs for all to see, the only reason I respond this way is so Adam doesn't deem it too personal.  I shall make this my last on the subject (unless I do receive a response) to avoid any more accusations of harrasment.

Oh and for the record my response to "Ride ’til your sick" on @bunchcc was delivered as somewhat of an olive branch, it was sincere and with no sarcasm or malice, wish I hadn't of bothered now.....

Beginning to reap rewards

Every other day I make my way to plot 71 to water the melon, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in the greenhouse as well as the courgettes and others outdoors, until now I was coming away most days empty handed bar the occasional raid on the courgette plants or the potato patch.  Now though every time I/we head away from plot 71 it is with a haul of varying sizes.  Still too early to be harvesting brasica's but everything else is now repaying me.

Single Speed @bikepure 'd

As many of you will know I am a keen supporter of Bike Pure, a charity working to keep cycling clean.  I wear the wristbands, my car and bikes all wear the stickers, the single speed was always destined to fly the flag...

The single speed also ventured to the allotment today along with kids as there summer of cycling continues, another 4.9 miles added to there total, by the end of the hols I'll have Robert making it to the top of 'Cardboard Hill' in one go.

Distance = 4.9 miles

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2243.1
Single Speed = 27.4
Total Mileage = 2359.7

Saturday 31st July *Road*

Longest ride to date almost, 78 miles.  Set out on a 70 mile ride but felt good with 10 miles to go so added a loop round to Kegworth to the end to up it to 77.8

Definitely feeling the benefit of not riding hard for a couple of weeks, my aim is to hit the 100 by the end of the season, it was a goal for this year but things didn't go as planned and I missed the club Challenge ride.  So started my build up to the ton this morning and it was pleasing to get closer to 80 than the planned 70.  Everything felt great all the way round until about 73 miles when I momentarily hit a low spot, I felt empty for a little while, turned my mind to positive thoughts though and pushed through until the end, felt resonably fresh again by the time I got home.

Not many hills on todays route but I'm still pleased with my work on the slopes, using much fewer gears these days.  Hanbury Hill was a tester this morning, short and steep and the first real hill of the day, a few months ago I'd have really struggled with stuff like that, now I'm pushing to go faster on hills like that.

All in all a very pleasant ride (apart from when I had to turn round due to a farmer closing the road to move his cows) which saw a new 100k PB of 3hrs and 47 mins, also pleased to achieve the distance, 80+ next week :)

 



Distance = 77.8 miles
Time = 4 hrs 44 mins
Ave Speed = 16.5 mph
Top Speed = 37.5 mph
Hillometer = 35.9 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast, 17c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2243.1
Single Speed = 22.5
Total Mileage = 2354.8

Kids outing

Took the kids out for a spin around Attenborough nature reserve taking in Beeston Marina along the way.  Kids loved the ride, and the ice cream they had even more :)  Best bit is that they are keen for more, these holidays are going to see more cycling than I thought after all.   I took the single speed out, hard to judge it on this ride as it was very slow, but it was comfy and reasonably responsive.

Distance = 8.8 miles

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2165.3
Single Speed = 22.5 *edited 30/7/10 to add 5 miles
Total Mileage = 2277

Single Speed 'Beestonised'

'Beestonised'

So the saddle and bar tape have gone orange, as well as new set of bullhorn bars for more comfort when on slower family rides.  Was toying with the idea of white outers for the cable and maybe even black/white/orange bands on the forks between the blue and chrome.  Jobs for another day maybe....

Just needs a name now

Another broody hen

After the succes of our first batch of 3 chicks who are now 8 weeks old and going strong in the nursey run another hen has gone broody.  I set 6 eggs under her yesterday, and like the previous hen she seems to have settled on 4 of them to sit on, I'll give her till tomorrow before removing the discarded eggs.  Fingers crossed we get as good, if not better result then the last batch.

A weight lifted

Had a meeting last Sunday morning regarding Beeston CC's website, as I previously blogged I came in for some rather unfair criticism from an arrogant jumped up *%&@ who since then hasn't even had the bollocks to talk to me, anyway enough about that....

After much support from the remainder of the club for which I am truly grateful it was always my intention to hand the website over to someone else who could take it further, it was important though to wait until a good solid offer came in which was best for the club, not just accept the first offer that came along.  We only received two offers, the first of which would have been a backward step, the second which I and others are very pleased with will definitely take the clubs web presence forward.

When I took the site over in difficult circumstances it was always going to be an interim solution, a fact that some people seem to have forgotten.  It would give us 12 months to find and deliver the best possible solution, 12 weeks in and we have found the best solution, we now have 9 months left to deliver, early indications suggest this will actually be achieved well within 9 months of the original 12 month plan.  I would call that a success (if delivered on time) rather than the flop some people may have perceived it to be.

I cant go into too much detail yet as the remainder of the committee need to approve this proposal and then an announcement to the club will be made from the chair, but I am extremely confident that Beeston CC will have the best website of any cycling club in the East Midlands if not the UK.

Once again thanks for the support and kind words from the vast majority of the club, it's been a pleasure to be able to help.

How many blogs?

I had two, then I was considering having three, one for cycling, one for the allotment and possibly one more for life's general musings,it was then I thought why not just put them all together but categorised so some sense could be made from them, so here we are, all my blogging in one place.

It may be no use to most but it is my space to kee track of what Ive been up to on the road and down on plot 71, a reference point for me to come back to when needed.

Wednesdsay 21st July *Road*

Took a new route which starts out the same as the hilly course, through Dale Abbey, the early hills went really well, no granny ring out of Sandiacre, did resort to it on No Mans Lane though.  After Dale Abbey I headed to Ockbrook and then on past Elvaston Castle and onto a familiar stretch through Aston & Weston on Trent, Swarkestone, Milton.

From Milton I headed to Greysich Lane, a riding friend of mine uses this as his 'measure', I've tackled both ascents of this hill but only once, today I took on the harder side of the hill and cruised it, don't get me wrong it wasn't easy, but it was nowhere near as bad as it was the first time I did it.

After Greysich it was off to Heath Lane, one of my 'measures', again I was very pleased with my ride up Heath Lane, the humidity of today didn't help but it was completed with me feeling comfortable at the top.  The hard work was done now, a quick ride through the grounds of Calke Abbey and then headed home through Breedon, Kegworth and along Long Lane.

The ride felt good, I pushed it a little at times and make an effort to keep getting out of the saddle for shorter hills.  Still feeling quite positive with my cycling right now, shame the summer holidays are just round the corner, that will slow my cycling down somewhat with two kids to look after, the aim is to get them out on the bikes in the holidays :)

                                                                        Calke Abbey

Distance = 54.9 miles
Time = 3 hrs 25 mins
Ave Speed = 16.0 mph
Top Speed = 39.5 mph
Hillometer = 49.5 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny Spells, 24c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2165.3
Single Speed = 8.7 *edited 27/7/10
Total Mileage = 2263.2

Jens Voigt - Legend

I dont normally blog about pro cyclists and I wont make a habit of it, but big Jens is an absolute legend in my book, he pulls himself inside out for others every day, he suffered a horror crash in le tour 2009, and he'shad another biggie in 2010, but he got back up took a service bike as his was mangled and he carried on.....

Jens comments....

"That stage pretty much got off on the wrong foot. For starters, we just went out so hard. We started out climbing up the Peyresourde Pass and everybody came out with their guns smoking.

I came over the top only 20 seconds down on the front group, but about 2 kilometers into the descent my front tire blew and I thought, “Oh God,” and I went down. Just one year after my horrible crash, and there I was tumbling on another mountain descent. And let me tell you, about the only place that feels good right now is my right ankle. The rest of me is all road rash. Plus I’ve got five stitches in my left elbow and then there are some ribs that are not in the right place! I may have to get x-rays, but I hate x-rays (the radiation), and plus, if I’ve got a fractured rib, what can anyone do about it?

The worst thing of all was that I almost got forced out of the Tour for a second year in a row. The problem was that the first team car was behind Andy Schleck, and the second had decided to go up ahead to hand out water bottles at the foot of the next climb. As a result I had no bike, because mine was shattered.

So then the broom wagon pulled up and was like, “Do you want to just get in?” And I said, “Oh no, I don’t need YOU!” But there I am with blood spurting out my left elbow and no bike. Finally, the race organizers got me a bike, but it was this little yellow junior bike. It was way too small for me and even had old-fashioned toe-clip pedals. But that is the only way I could get down the mountain, so I had to ride it for like 15-20 kilometers until I finally got to a team car with my bike.

Then, I still had to get up to the grupetto. All I can say is that that desperate times need desperate measures, but I got up there. And once I did it was grupetto all day long.

Needless to say, I had plenty of time to come up with a fitting book of the day. It’s from the Disk World series by Terry Pratchett. In it, the protagonist is Conan the Barbarian, who is a 70-year-old who has just survived everything. At one point he, and his other old warrior friends capture this village, but then they find that they are surrounded by an army of tens of thousands, and his only reaction is, “Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!” And that’s the way I was today when I was lying on the ground. I just thought, “Oh no, I’m going to Paris this year, I’m going to Paris. There’s just no way you are going to get me out of this race for the second year in a row!”

Charge x Wiggle Bucket Saddle Only £15.29

Charge x Wiggle Bucket Saddle Only £15.29

Ordered this to 'Beestonise' the single speed, bar tape too much?

Developing as a cyclist?

Over the past few weeks I am noticing many changes in my cycling ability, the c2c has given me the confidence that I can actually get over big hills.  Before where I used to select the granny ring at the bottom of the slightest incline I now leave the gears alone and get out of the saddle on the shorter stuff, on the longer stuff I'll keep the middle chain ring as long as I can, I actually attack hills now rather than shy away from the things.

50 miles used to leave my legs feeling as though they were lumps of lead, now I'm fit and still willing to keep pedaling at the 50 mile mark.

I have not used the heart rate monitor recently but I can feel that I am fitter, I don't get out of breath so easily and I can feel my heart rate is slower, perhaps I should use the H/R monitor for a while to measure my progress.

The single speed will no doubt improve my fitness further.

The only thing I'm not happy with is my apparent inability to loose a decent amount of weight, I've gone from 103kg down to 99.8kg but just seem to hover around the 100kg mark.  I eat far less snacks nowadays and don't drink beer any more (unless we go out).  I know muscle growth will account for some of this but I was expecting the weight to drop of easier than this.  I guess it will happen over a longer period of time, I'd still like to get down to 90kg if I can.

All in all I'm really pleased with my progress thus far and am looking forward to being able to complete 100 milers with relative ease within the next 6 months.

Sunday 18th July *Road*

Out at 6am this morning as I have babysitting duties for the rest of the day, the early starts don't bother me, infact I enjoy being out on the bike before the rest of the country gets up and out.  Weather was a bit dank this morning, got caught in a few light showers but nothing to detract from the ride.
Tour of Loughborough again today but this time including Beacon Hill, the highest point in Leicestershire, it is about a mile long from the village of Woodhouse Eves wich was reached from a short stint of cyclo X through the Beacon Park estate.  You can follow the road to W/Eaves but it brings you out part way up Beacon Hill.  Beacon Hill itself is not hugely steep but as said is about a mile in length.

The legs felt more like themselves today allthough the headwind  slowed things a little, at the top of Beacon Hill against the wind 26 miles in and I was ready for home, the ride gets easier from that point though, 53 miles in and almost home I felt as though I could have gone on for more, infact I would of done had I not had to be back for babysitting duties.  A good ride!

I was also able to push up inclines on theway home without getting out of breath as I used to, I can really feel my fitness coming on, the c2c has also given me the confidence that I can acheive larger rides including big hills.



Distance = 53.2 miles
Time = 3 hrs 24 mins
Ave Speed = 15.6 mph
Top Speed = 37.0 mph
Hillometer = 39.5 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast/Showers, 14c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2110.4
Single Speed = 0.8
Total Mileage = 2200.4

Thursday 15th July *Road*

Been meaing to do a club favourite for a while now, Frenchies 'Tour de Loughborough' has become a regular run for Beeston CC members of late and I have been planning on doing it for a while.  I was due to set out towards Hoby again but on getting up this morning and seeing the strong gusts I thought it wise to come home with the wind behind, The 49 mile Tour de Loughborough fitted the bill perfectly.

A nice ride all on roads I have covered before but not in one ride, the legs struggled a little on the hills (I say hills, they were little inclines compared to Monday and Tuesdays) and it was a real struggle into the headwind which was gusting at over 20mph, once I had peaked at Beacon Hill near Loughborough it was down virtually all the way home.  I set off in winter gear in mid July but by the time I had reached Mountsorrel the sun was blazing and it was time to strip off the leg and arm warmers.  Nearer to home the roads told me that they had had a good soaking, I'd avoidedthe heavy showers too, bonus!  Today was a recovery ride from the c2c so it was taken very easily, especially the few hills.



Distance = 49.0 miles
Time = 3 hrs 6 mins
Ave Speed = 15.8 mph
Top Speed = 37.6 mph
Hillometer = 36.7 ft/mile

Weather = Overcast/Sunny Spells, 16c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2057.2
Single Speed = 0.8
Total Mileage = 2147.2

So what next?

So my main focus for getting back on a bike was to complete the c2c, that's now in the bag so what next?

Well there are many 'want to do's' on the list, Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Etape du Tour, numerous well renowned sportives in the UK and LEJOG, I'd even consider a sub 12 hour  c2c.

Project wise I have the Peugeot to do up, that's looking like a winter project though to be honest.

This years target of 5000 miles is looking unlikely, I will have a six week setback in the shape of the school holidays soon, this will cut my cycling down somewhat.  The slow start to the year due to poor weather did not help either, but I shall push on and see what I can acheive this year, 4000 wouldn't be so bad I suppose.

So what is next........ well for this year it will be completing my first 100 miler, there are a few sportive options for this that I am considering, but the 100 is a definate target for 2010.  Longer term, LEJOG is a must, not sure when though, Ventoux & D'Huez?  They are going nowhere, I'll get round to them sometime in the future.

Velo Solo!

The single speed is here, took her for a short test spin today and I have to say I think I am going to enjoy this :)

Needs a splash of orange here and there to fully 'Beestonise' her, the saddle needs replacing so there will be an opportunity for orange there, and I'm thing bar tape as well, that will be enough ;)

c2c

Started the trip with a c2c 'shakedown'  Kelly dropped us off just outside the lovely village of Ulpha, leaving us 23 miles via St Bees to the B&B in Whitehaven, the idea was just to loosing the legs a little, the climb out St Bees certainly did that, little did I know at that point that that was just an 'inconvenience' compared to what lay ahead.

Distance = 23.3 miles
Time = 1 hrs 42 mins
Ave Speed = 13.7 mph
Top Speed = 37.0 mph
Hillometer = 101.5 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny Spells, 17c 

Day 1

Set out from Whitehaven just before 9 am, the first few miles are on cycleways around the houses of Whitehaven and out into the countryside, rolling hills soon become the order of the day but nothing too testing until Winlatter, that was my first real test on the c2c, it felt hard!




 

                       First Sight of the hills                                Lowes Water

 A quick snack at the visitor centre at the top of Winlatter and we were off again heading for Keswick, we didn't stop there but the little bit we saw reminded me of what a lovely town it is.  Back onto a section of cycleway out of Kewsick, the old train line out of the town was through some nice wooded area and took us 3 miles out of town until we met the A66, we followed alongside this for a few miles until turning off towards Greystoke.


From Greystoke we headed down to Penrith for a lunch stop in a lovely quiet Cafe.  After a lovely omelette and chips off we went up a nasty little dig, well it was nasty on a full stomach and onwards towards the biggy of the day, Hartside.

We were soon in Renwick and at the bottom of the 4.5 mile (and 1300ft) climb to the top of Hartside, it just went on and on.  I was OK up untill a switchback before joining the main road, that took a fair bit out of me but I recovered and made it to the main road up, about a mile and a half to go at this point.  The headwind now felt as though it was blowing me back down, head down I ploughed on, past the cottage on the left, not far now, one last bend near the top and it levels out a little, I even dropped it a couple of gears and pushed for the top.  I had made it, at that point it was the hardest thing I had ever done on a bike, it took a big effort and a large slice of will power to pull me up there, not forgetting the weight I was carrying in the panniers, this was the pinnacle for me.

After a well deserved glass of Coke and a coffee for Dad we headed downwards towards Alston, our stop over point.

Distance = 75.6 miles
Time = 6 hrs 24 mins
Ave Speed = 11.8 mph
Top Speed = 35.2 mph
Hillometer = 129.4 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny Spells, 16c








Day 2

Alston is a lovely town, apart from the cobbled hill out of it, very picturesque I agree but not the easiest thing to cycle up after a full english before setting off towards the highest point of the c2c route, the climb began only 5 miles into the day, far too early for me as I like to have have a good few miles in the legs before a goodclimb, oh well, we couldn't move the hill.  
 

  
Any how we reached Nenthead at the bottom of the climb, I got my head down a dug in, this was harder than Hartside, much harder.  It was also harder than the correct route I suspect, the top of the climb was like a wall! I didn't beat me though.  I say the correct route as I had my head down so much so that I missed the turn.  After waiting for Dad at the top for 5 minutes the phone rings. "Where are you?" "At the top" I reply "No your not" says Dad...... I had missed the turn and climbed 16ft further than the highest point on the c2c (had to get that bit in) We decided to meet in Allenheads.  About 5 miles later we were reunited.

A nasty little climb out of Allenheads and I'm beginning to wonder if this climbing is going to end, we knew we had one nasty one out of Stanhope further down the line, this was supposed to be an easier day!  Rookhope to Stanhope showed as flat on the c2c booklets profile, was it heck, another steep but shortish climb took a little more out of the legs.


Then came Stanhope, what a bugger that was!  2.5 miles of hell, especially the first half up to the cattle grid, it was steeeeep!  That was hard but not for long so in a way not as bad as other hills encountered but the effort required at points was more than any other.  At least that was it, downhill from here.

                        Road to Rookhope          View from top of Crawleyside Bank


After that big hill it was back onto cycleways all the way to Sunderland, some of this was a little hard going on a road bike equipped with 700x23's but was almost navigated without any issue until about 15 miles from Sunderland.  Hit a large stone which caused minor rim damage but enough to puncture the tube, this was not spotted until the second change of inner tube, nothing that a patch on the rim couldn't cure, and a minor repair the next time the tyre is off.  If I'm honest I would avoid this part of the route if doing it again, as said it was little rough (but just about manageable) for a road bike

 After 34 miles of Sustrans tracks we made it to the coast, it had been hard going off road for so long and the finish line was welcome.  We had made it.  This was my motivation for getting back on a bike, a change of direction from off road to on road along the way and I'm really enjoying my cycling.

Thanks to all the good wishes I received and all the donations to Macmillan that you made (there is still time if you haven't).

Distance = 62.6 miles
Time = 5 hrs 29 mins
Ave Speed = 11.4 mph
Top Speed = 38.8 mph
Hillometer = 99.7 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny Spells, 19c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 2008.2
Single Speed = 0.8
Total Mileage = 2098.2

Well, that's it!

Off to Cumbria tomorrow, got a 25 mile ride planned from Ulpha to Whitehaven to keeps the legs moving, then 9am we'll be down to the seafront in Whitehaven to begin.  Follow my twitter and facebook pages for updates as well as gps tracking on the link above.

Tarted up n ready to go

I've always been weary of too much bling on a bike, it's like these young lads with their saxo's and dustbins strapped to the underside along with numerous neon lights....you get the picture. So it is with care and consideration that I have subtly 'enhanced' my Trek, new tyres were needed a while ago so on went some schwalbe blizzards in red, then it was time for a wheel upgrade so on went the mavic's, and just as a treat for the c2c I popped some red bar tape on, finishes it off nicely I think :)

 Too much bling?

What a difference the wheels made!

Well within 200 yards of leaving home I was already impressed with the Mavic Aksiums, they felt much lighter and more responsive, it was riding a new bike, it's hard to describe the difference, the closest I come to it would be to say that difference between the wheel sets was almost as big as the difference between riding my NRS compared to the Trek when I first got it, yes the gap really is that big!

Hills seem to be achieved much easier, in general the whole ride was much more pleasant due to the wheels.  I'm no wheel expert by a long shot but would definitely recommend Mavic Aksiums as a good upgrade to any mid to low end machine.

Monday 5th July *Road*

What was going to be an easy week with 3 short rides already changed.  I decided to bang a longer one in yesterday as a tester, glad I did.  I've had a bad throat *sorry VIRUS* for a few days and I could feel it in yesterdays performance.

Firstly how about the new wheels....WOW what a difference, I could not believe how much difference they made, so much so I wont bang on about it here I'll blog another post for that.

Took the lap of Burton that I did with Mike W of Beeston CC a few months ago, took us just over 4 hours (15.8mph ave) on that day and I was shagged by the time I was home, yesterday it took me 21 minutes less and I wasn't quite as shagged :)  For some reason this seems to be quite a testing route, can't quite put my finger on why, but it certainly takes it out you a little.




Distance = 62.6 miles
Time = 3 hrs 42 mins
Ave Speed = 16.9 mph
Top Speed = 42.5 mph
Hillometer = 35.0 ft/mile

Weather = Sunny Spells, 24c

2010
MTB = 89.2
Road Bike = 1846.7
Total Mileage = 1935.9

Project Peugeot

Project Peugeot is born, not sure what to do with her yet as I'm looking at a couple of completed single speeds on ebay.  Probably be another single speed though, one thing for sure I'll keep it as original as I can, not sure of her age yet, I shall endeavour to find out though.

c2c route

Route plotted, ready to go :)

One bike man (for now)

For a short (hopefully) period of time I am a one bike man, the Giant NRS has gone via fleabay (for an excellent price).  So what next?  The brief is a retro (probably Peugeot) donor to be converted to single speed, something I can have a blast on but still use for family rides on the river bank, multi purpose but more racy than not.

Currently got my eye on a Giant Bowery on ebay,  I've got a top line price in mind though and I'm not going over that, after all this is only a second bike, one for a bit of fun and there in case the Trek is ever off road.

Greenhouse earning it's keep

Things are really starting to kick off in the greenhouse now after many seeds sprouting and being nursed into the garden, Tomato's, Celery, Cucumber, Melons and freshly sown Rhubarb are in abundance

Rhubarb and Peppers with a few late brasica's underneath

Tomato's, Cucumber's, Celery and Melons