How much mud?

I persuaded Ali to join me on the hit the north preview ride today. After ages sorting out her brake, yes at last she can use her own front brake and I can keep mine on my bike. Its my fault for not getting the part for it sooner! We headed over on road, getting there to only a few waiting in the car park. We headed off and soon were enjoying the mud and slippy slippy cobbles! Round once, with a couple of wrong turns when we could no longer see anyone in front, before heading off home. This involved more mud as we took in some of the trails and a couple of Chocolate stops to get a tired Ali home!

A dark dark night ride

Rain all the way home again and it was in the door, bowl of cereal and then Odile was here to go night riding. Trails were linked together in a new way and it seemed even darker than normal up on the hills. Great to get out and we more or less avoided the rain!

Muddy, dark cross commuting

Today was the last day of my midday saunter down a sustrans route between schools. After the recent slightly damp weather and leaves everywhere I didn't think ruby would enjoy it so I took the cross bike. Nice easy start to the morning with 6 miles on roads that were pretty clear. Just got the outcomes finished before the rain came then it was off to school number two. Very very muddy trek between them, ruby would have cried! Usual fuss from them so four of us went for a pint afterwards. Then a sprint across Manchester to the office, just getting there in time to return files.

Hometime and I rode to Prestwich before heading off-road, I had a joystick on the bars and one on my head. I was impressed that this was enough to ride with and even when it was foggy and I had to turn the one on my head off it was fine.

By the time I was home I was very muddy and Ali suggest Jalfezi and bubbles for tea. A nearly perfect day and I was only a little scared on the off-road sections.

Running as the sun rises

Up and out at 6:30 again this morning. It got brighter and brighter the whole way round. I wore my Garmin but didn't look at it, just took it easy. Think I need to train myself to just cope with running at that time and worry about how slow it is later. Although I never saw the sun I assumed it was rising somewhere.

Just over 3 miles, in just over 30 minutes.

Lights, waterproofs, winter?

I think winter has arrived, I rode into work in full waterproofs and then back home and I needed them! I've never been a fan of waterproof trousers but when you are not getting changed they are essential!

Bike was covered in lights as well and they were needed, yes winter is here!

A late track session

Last night it was off to the track, finishing after my bedtime. Learning that standing starts are hard and a crash that I fortunately avoided coming down in. But still did the squealing sound effects. All fun and games!

Muddy puddles

Well last week was fun and tiring but there was relatively little exercise really and no running. So after a nice rest day yesterday to recover from working 14 hour days I headed out running today. The plan was 30mins, off-road working reasonably hard. I had it in my head I wanted to average 10 min/mile. My garmin is set in kilometres so I had thought that was about 6:15 min/km. Off I went across the grass behind my house, I always get odd looks here especially when it is muddy as there is a perfectly good pavement next to it, but my knees thank me for it. Over the main road, down to a bit of hidden singletrack that now has gates all along it, one to miss on the bike! Onto the golf course and up a muddy slippy climb, heard a cheer through the trees from some golfers, not sure if it was a good shot or for me! At the top add another muddy loop, then back to the edge of the golf-course. Ignore the gravel track and its along the football pitches, they are very muddy and a little hilly. Up the steps, then push along the backs, last bit of pavement and I'm home. 9:47 min/mile average over 2.92 miles. Not bad going.

October Round Up

Well October is over. I did a few cross races, but mainly rode to and from work and the odd night ride and enjoyed just riding a bike again. I wasn't in the mood for anything major and work miles kept me ticking by nicely! I also got out running again, building up slowly but 3miles is fine again. I've been getting up early for a run and that seems to work as otherwise I don't bother running.

The figures:

10.4 mile running
91.05 miles moutain biking (52.05 singlespeed)
163.72 miles cyclo-cross
383.23 mile road

11303m of ascent


Progress on targets:

1. Run at least once a week Failed in March :o(
2. Run 300miles in the year 42% complete
3. Cycle an imperial century a month Failed in March :o(
4. Cycle 8000miles in the year 88% complete

So onto November, much the same as October I suspect. Riding to and from work, some night rides. Hoping that will happen twice a week, once with the boys once with the girls. A couple of cross races and some weekend mountain bike rides with Ali. All the time trying to keep the running ticking over.

Three days of track racing

Well the World Cup at Manchester has come to an end and my three days of working has finished as well. It was hard working such long hours and always being on my feet but I also saw most of the races I wanted to which was a real bonus. Also it should help my new bike fund (or if ali is reading this my pay off credit card fund).

Ali came up with a plan for today as I was finished by 6pm and we had a Curry in Rusholme before getting the train back. Unfortunately the size of my belly was so obvious on the train I'm thinking I need to stop eating everything in sight!

Night riding

Ali was running over near Rivington so I got a lift over and met Odile for a night ride. I came up with the idea of heading over to the Nab. I need more practice in trees when its dark there was a lot of screaming from me! Then it was back to Rivi, up, down and back round via the castle, the trails there were lovely covered in leaves. Before we split and I headed home.