Only now, after a few hours of calm can I bring myself to put fingers to plastic. The last few days have been glorious, too bad I had to work I thought, but never mind at least I am working. Still, human nature being what it is(or is it just me) I wanted to skive off and go for a ride. Cant do that on this job , its a big one and the pressure is on with deadlines. Five thirty PM , my son Connor phones " Can we go for a ride Dad?". " No problem, I'll be home in half an hou,r tell Harry and get ready to go" I replied. Real Do.
So back to work , finished on a straight edge and home for six. Ran upstairs, got changed ,said hello to the boys (Who were ready!!), got our bikes from the garage and I had a flat rear tyre!,. " Right lads , you get yourselves off, because its golng dark, and ill fix this puncture." I said, so off they shot. Took the wheel off, and three people decided to phone me( which was nice) .fixed puncture, got wheel back on the bike and the boys landed home looking happy and sweaty in equal measures."Okay boys , Im just nipping out , for a hard twenty minutes loop, because it is nearly dark now and I dont have a front light thats charged. See you in a bit." Thats when I realised the back tyre had gone down again....I felt like throwing the bike over the garden wall David Millar style, but I managed to reign myself in to a few choice esoteric words and phrases. Ill try again tomorrow afternoon.
CSP Around the World in 80 Days
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Friday, 18 March 2011
Has anyone seen William Power
William, or Will to his friends, seems to have gone missing.
I returned from work this evening with best intentions of doing an hour on the turbo. That was of course until I saw the bottle of red, breathing easily, like a basking whale through it's blowhole, the whale's blowhole not having a cork of course, unlike the wine which once had one but was now feeling as free and liberated as a Frenchman after D-Day. Anyway, as I was saying, I saw the bottle of red, saw the bike sat in eager anticipation of my arrival on the turbo-trainer in the kitchen, and it was just then, at that precise moment, that Will Power left the building.
If you see him let me know because it's his fault my mileage will be light this week.
I returned from work this evening with best intentions of doing an hour on the turbo. That was of course until I saw the bottle of red, breathing easily, like a basking whale through it's blowhole, the whale's blowhole not having a cork of course, unlike the wine which once had one but was now feeling as free and liberated as a Frenchman after D-Day. Anyway, as I was saying, I saw the bottle of red, saw the bike sat in eager anticipation of my arrival on the turbo-trainer in the kitchen, and it was just then, at that precise moment, that Will Power left the building.
If you see him let me know because it's his fault my mileage will be light this week.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
CSP at the Turf, Around the World in 80 days
For those that have not seen this, we are on the BC website.
CSP at the Turf
Supporting Leukemia & Lymphoma Research
CSP at the Turf
Supporting Leukemia & Lymphoma Research
Dick Turpin wore a mask!
A lovely ride in the sunshine was enjoyed by the Family Welsh today as we cycled from home in Padiham to Cafe Cargo in Foulridge along the canal for lunch before returning home the same way. A reasonable 30 miles which when multiplied gives us 120 towards the Round The World total. We considered docking miles off Evan for those moments when he was merely a passenger on the tagalong, however his protests and suggestion that he'd done all the pedalling at times saw no such penalty imposed.
Unfortunately my attempts to make it to the top of the exit ramp at Gannow tunnel resulted in a snapped chain which may just possibly be why Shimano suggest you use a new joining pin when you split the chain - whoops! Anyway, we were then faced with a walk/push to Gannow Top before freewheeling into Burnley to get to On Yer Bike for running repairs. Getting there at 11am left us with the dilemma of how to fill 30 minutes before they opened, so after a short debate we settled on Rhode Island Coffee House for a particularly fine latte. Back to the bike shop and my request for a new chain was quickly met with an equally quick request for £20. My subsequent request for them to fit it, which thanks to the glaring omission of a chain tool was met by their poker-faced request for a further £7.50, representing their minimum labour charge. My look of astonishment, combined with Helen's look of intent as to how to investigate where to store a mini-pump, held no sway and so 90 seconds later, once installed, we left the shop looking more broken than the chain and as deflated as a snake-bitten innertube. I must have spent over £3k in that shop over the last 5 years and that may very well be the last £27.50 they'll ever have off me.
Having seen my wallet completely emptied, and without a card to back us up we detoured via Lomeshaye village and through the park to Helen's mum for an emergency loan from the bottom of the sock-drawer in order to enable a family lunch purchase.
Back on track we motored along to Foulridge, enjoying the off-road trail as the handling characteristics if my new cyclo-cross bike were investigated. I can't wait to have a proper play without dragging Welsh Junior behind me. A lovely lunch was denied by the dawning realisation that Grandma has supplied sufficient cash for food, but not enough for the 2 pints of Black Sheep we had our eyes on. Denied!
The return home was as uneventful as an uneventful thing on its day off, until Helen announced that her knee was giving her considerable grief. Unqualified physiotherapist as I am I immediately diagnosed an ITB issue and prescribed a stretching regime to commence at once. Sceptical looks went ignored, as to be fair to the little grunts and occasional squeals of pain until we got home and Helen attacked the ibuprofen tablets and gel. I write this ad she sits in wonder at the loss of feeling in her hand. Note to Helen, don't forget to wash your hand after applying ibuprofen gel!
Unfortunately my attempts to make it to the top of the exit ramp at Gannow tunnel resulted in a snapped chain which may just possibly be why Shimano suggest you use a new joining pin when you split the chain - whoops! Anyway, we were then faced with a walk/push to Gannow Top before freewheeling into Burnley to get to On Yer Bike for running repairs. Getting there at 11am left us with the dilemma of how to fill 30 minutes before they opened, so after a short debate we settled on Rhode Island Coffee House for a particularly fine latte. Back to the bike shop and my request for a new chain was quickly met with an equally quick request for £20. My subsequent request for them to fit it, which thanks to the glaring omission of a chain tool was met by their poker-faced request for a further £7.50, representing their minimum labour charge. My look of astonishment, combined with Helen's look of intent as to how to investigate where to store a mini-pump, held no sway and so 90 seconds later, once installed, we left the shop looking more broken than the chain and as deflated as a snake-bitten innertube. I must have spent over £3k in that shop over the last 5 years and that may very well be the last £27.50 they'll ever have off me.
Having seen my wallet completely emptied, and without a card to back us up we detoured via Lomeshaye village and through the park to Helen's mum for an emergency loan from the bottom of the sock-drawer in order to enable a family lunch purchase.
Back on track we motored along to Foulridge, enjoying the off-road trail as the handling characteristics if my new cyclo-cross bike were investigated. I can't wait to have a proper play without dragging Welsh Junior behind me. A lovely lunch was denied by the dawning realisation that Grandma has supplied sufficient cash for food, but not enough for the 2 pints of Black Sheep we had our eyes on. Denied!
The return home was as uneventful as an uneventful thing on its day off, until Helen announced that her knee was giving her considerable grief. Unqualified physiotherapist as I am I immediately diagnosed an ITB issue and prescribed a stretching regime to commence at once. Sceptical looks went ignored, as to be fair to the little grunts and occasional squeals of pain until we got home and Helen attacked the ibuprofen tablets and gel. I write this ad she sits in wonder at the loss of feeling in her hand. Note to Helen, don't forget to wash your hand after applying ibuprofen gel!
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
15 miles at the velodrome
Been on a course this morning with BC and was given a fab opportunity to join the staff velodrome session. Had to be there for 7.50am, which was a massive achievement in itself and get on the track for 8am. I grabbed my shoes and quickly filled myself with lucozade, whilst eagerly eyeing up the competition (and talent, ahem). As I entered the D, I noticed my course tutor and other members waiting patiently for instruction, everyone had ridden the track at some point, but I haven't done my accreditation....so in true Grayson style decided I wouldn't miss out on the party and would get stuck in. I suppose I was really nervous, but especially so when I saw a guy in full GB kit and smurf helmet flying round on a tt bike. He appeared to be going faster than light and my eyes couldn't keep up with him. I was so impressed that I stood agog, unable to concentrate on the coaches briefing and entered the Cote D'Azure (I think this it said beautifully in a broad Manc accent) totally clueless.
The next hour seemed to go in a blur and a blind panic. Why did I spend ages looking at man in GB kit? Why did I not tell the coach that I hadn't done much track riding? If I were to fall off, I would quite possibly take half of British Cycling with me and how would I live it down? I would be remembered as the one that didn't make it through, the one that did not pass go. I saw Bikeability as my future, for ever and ever and ever. Standing in the rain, in Colne, wet, debraggled and miserable. With this in mind, I decided to dig deep and focus. Different backsides came and went. My legs went round and round. I rode on the black. On the red. On the blue. On the top. Back down, back up, back up, back down and down and up a few times more, in pairs, square dancing, knitting, lumps and bumps, stacking...the works. I stayed with the group, didn't drop off the back (ATW or lucozade is obviously doing me some good) and at 8.55am, I finally looked up for the first time and totally relaxed. I rode one more lap and then up came the board - 4 laps, 3 laps, 3 laps, 1 lap and back to Cowte Du Azyouwere.
LOVED IT - booked on again next week!
The next hour seemed to go in a blur and a blind panic. Why did I spend ages looking at man in GB kit? Why did I not tell the coach that I hadn't done much track riding? If I were to fall off, I would quite possibly take half of British Cycling with me and how would I live it down? I would be remembered as the one that didn't make it through, the one that did not pass go. I saw Bikeability as my future, for ever and ever and ever. Standing in the rain, in Colne, wet, debraggled and miserable. With this in mind, I decided to dig deep and focus. Different backsides came and went. My legs went round and round. I rode on the black. On the red. On the blue. On the top. Back down, back up, back up, back down and down and up a few times more, in pairs, square dancing, knitting, lumps and bumps, stacking...the works. I stayed with the group, didn't drop off the back (ATW or lucozade is obviously doing me some good) and at 8.55am, I finally looked up for the first time and totally relaxed. I rode one more lap and then up came the board - 4 laps, 3 laps, 3 laps, 1 lap and back to Cowte Du Azyouwere.
LOVED IT - booked on again next week!
Monday, 7 March 2011
A Cast of Thousands
Now forgive me but I have been known to spend some time in composing a decent photograph, foreground/background etc, but I have to admit I've been completely outdone by CSP's Nicola H.
Not only has she managed to Photoshop ex-England international and leukaemia survivor Geoff Thomas into her pictures she's also put a near 15000 crowd behind some of the others.
If it wasn't for the fact that I was there and spend a hour last night counting the £515.60 raised in bucket collections inside and outside the ground I wouldn't quite believe it. Thank you Burnley Football Club for allowing us to do this, and thank you Geoff Thomas for coming along for the party.
Not only has she managed to Photoshop ex-England international and leukaemia survivor Geoff Thomas into her pictures she's also put a near 15000 crowd behind some of the others.
If it wasn't for the fact that I was there and spend a hour last night counting the £515.60 raised in bucket collections inside and outside the ground I wouldn't quite believe it. Thank you Burnley Football Club for allowing us to do this, and thank you Geoff Thomas for coming along for the party.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
A Roll in the Kitchen
My delicate derierre was re-acquainted with saddle and Lycra this evening with an hour on the turbo-trainer in the kitchen. 10 minutes spinning in 39x15 to warm up followed by 10 minutes 53x18 before an uncomfortable 10 minutes of 53x12. 5 minutes easy spinning into another 5 of big-gear torture, 5 off, 5 on, 5 off and then 3 maximum power efforts of 5 seconds on, 1 minute off with a gentle spin to cooldown and finish the hour.
Now where's that cake?
Now where's that cake?
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