Bike, badminton, beer and brogues

My last training week began with 3 to work and back cycle commutes. I punctured on the first trip - no major menace but I felt a little deflated all the same. On my second commute, my chain came off. This was a bit of a pain as the rear wheel is a bit of a faff on a single-speed bike. For obvious reasons, I guess, unchained melody was ringing in my head. Melody always makes me think of my daughter Melody. Third commute was great - celebrated with a tipple.

Ran on 2 occasions this week. First run was with SJ and the second was a solo affair. Both runs were about 5k and around my village.

Talking of SJ... We both played badminton together which was fun. We cant have played since having kids so this was quite special. SJ informed everyone that she 'thrashed' me but she only beat me by a margin - 3:2, and I won the first 2 games! After our game, we went to the local chippy (still in our sports gear) and ate fish, chips and kebab sat on a local bench in our village. Aces!

I also acquired a new bike for my new 'project'. This bike cost me nowt and is a fully working machine. Ok, it was a girls bike but hey...

'Stop it now Melody...'

A belated card from my buddy

This week saw me complete 3 to work and back bicycle commutes. The weather was relatively sunny and was excuse enough for me to wear my new wonderful Oakley shades (courtesy of Lin for my b'day). Still saddened by the destruction and then loss of my last pair of shades.

Oakley dokeley

My birthday was a relatively quiet affair this year. I still got some nice stuff, like the glasses above. What Chris got me was balls though...

I didn't cycle to work on Monday because it was a bank holiday. On the other day that I didn't cycle, I was doing stuff in Stafford. Here at the hospital in Stafford, I couldn't help but think about bikes.

A rather splendid picture at St Georges Hospital, Stafford

My 2 kids are perhaps too young to cycle lots. However, they did scoot around the kitchen and run a little over the weekend. They also taught me how important it is to stretch.

I ran on 2 occasions during the week. The first run was a 5k run around my village. My second run was around Oversley Wood with SJ and the girls. I ran a total of 7k (we took turns to run around and then walk with the kids). Nice times.

It was also 5 years to the day (Sunday) that SJ ran the London Marathon. I wonder if she'll ever run it again? I wonder if I will? I wonder if the girls will?

Southern Discomfort and other stories about the Easter bunny

Dad's bicycle by Lunar (aged 4)

Last week started with the now usual to work and back commute. Lin's Garmin continued to play up during my first commute and wouldn't start until after a couple of k were cycled. Once home, Strava reported the ride to work was ridden on 2nd August and not the 10th. Had the Garmin gone wonky or was it Strava?! Maybe both. Once home, Lunar was excited to show me a picture she had drawn for me. It was a picture of my lovely cycle. Bless her.

Cycled to work and back on 3 occasions during the week. Garmin was replaced by my TomTom for the second 2 commutes. My real adventure began during the Easter holidays though.

The Easter bank holiday really was a lot of fun. Chris H, Jamie, Andy (Toll) and my good self went for a bikepacking adventure from Windsor to Windsor. Chris had planned the routes and dubbed the adventure 'Southern Discomfort'. This was a 3 day adventure that covered just over 300k of mostly off-road mayhem.

101.7k The 3 Castles Path

Day 1 'The 3 castles path'. Seeing as Chris lived in Windsor, we all met up there for the start of our adventure. Chris was quite the tour guide initially and provided much information about 'the sights' as we went along. It wasn't long until we passed Windsor Castle, the first castle on the 3 castles path.

In between castles and throughout the day we cycled lots of single track, path, gravel, fields, tow path and it was all pretty amazing. Weather was pretty fine throughout and our first food stop was okay. Hot dogs all round.

Naughty boys!

The second castle we reached was Odiham castle. This castle looked liked it had melted or something. Pretty all the same.

Odiham Castle

Throughout the next section I remember we caught up a rather unsocial ginger cyclist. I don't think he wanted to be caught - we soon stopped following his path anyway - however, we crossed his path a little further along that day.

Winchester Cathedral

Once we reached Winchester, Chris our 'tour guide' proudly announced that we had reached the end of the 3 castles path and pointed out Winchester Cathedral. I felt robbed, 3 castles path but we had only seen 2! Jamie and I cycled just a few metres more and found Wolvesley Castle.

Wolvesley Castle

We felt like we had really cycled a 3 castles path now and that was so the highlight of our whole bikepacking adventure. Chris mumbled something about it not being the official castle and spluttered something about a great hall. It was clear he was oh so jealous about not viewing this delightful hidden gem of a castle.

(The Three Castles Path is a 60-mile long-distance footpath in England from Winchester Great Hall, Hampshire to Windsor Castle, Berkshire via the ruins of Odiham Castle. Winchester Great Hall is the only surviving part of Winchester Castle. Wikipedia)

We all came together again and reflected on our awesome first day over a feast at a local 'spoons pub. All was great until Chris had noticed that his and Jamie's mixed grill did not come with eggs. No eggs! What?! This was Easter after all. I had words with the 'egg girl', who in turn had words with the manager. The result - 2 free desserts! Bonus! I asked for 4 but only 2 materialised. I enjoyed sharing Chris's ice cream and crumble - it complemented my chicken noodles just fine!

Our day ended by cycling to the start of the South Downs Way. Here we (Chris) found a stealth place to camp down for the night. Tarps up and soon the sound of snoring after a little tipple of port from the hip flask.

Day 2 'the South Downs Way'. This day began about 6:30. Had slept pretty well considering the snoring and trumping of my buddies. Cooked up a nice porridge and washed this down with a tasty brew before we cleared camp and headed off.

First to awake

My 3 buddies, still asleep

Chris and I had cycled this route before on our mountain bikes. Lots of beautiful track but rather hilly throughout. Big climbs and fast descents throughout the day. Just to make things more interesting, decided to ride my bike with brakes that didn't work. 

94.2k The South Downs Way

I think some random walkers were impressed (or thought 'such lunacy') with the speed I sped down some cobbled, gravelly descents - truth is, I couldn't slow myself or stop. Not sure what Chris's excuse was... Both Chris and I were stopped by a fence at the end of at least one descent. Still have the scars to prove it! - a barbed wire fence was my buffer! I reached speeds of 62.7k today and Chris 67.2!

Lunch stop today was pretty amazing. We found a great pub that served up a mighty fine ploughman's lunch. Cheese so thick, oh man, was worth cycling all the hilly k's just for this.

Who'd have thought we would see a shark?!

The next stop was great too. We tasted the delights of Caroline's ice cream. Mmm, much better than Kevin's cream!

Fast down

Slower up

Not everything was fine and dandy though. The puncture pixie visited a few times throughout the day. In fact, by the end of this day, I had 2 punctures, Andy 3 and Chris 1. Jamie was the winner and had none. 

Today was tough. After 80k of tough tracks we decided to leave the off-road tracks and cycle a stretch of tarmac instead. Good choice - the tarmac led to a pub where steak burgers and rum followed! 

The camp spot tonight was on the grounds of a girls school, hidden between some trees. I had spotted the site on route to the pub - good job Andy and had remembered how to get back there. Tarps up and into bed after a quick swig from the flask. Jamie won best tarp set up again. Jamie really was the winner (best tarp set up throughout and zero punctures).

Day 3 'flat is the new fat'. I was first up again today. Breakfast was mighty fine, Heinz pasta and noodles. Delicious!

Not so smug in the morning is he?!

Camp

After packing up camp, Chris fitted my bike with new BB5 brake pads and wow, my bike was transformed. Working front brakes, wow, that really was a new experience.

102.5k Last day of The Southern Discomfort Tour

Today's route was much flatter than the previous day. The roads were still gravelly though and the sights most beautiful. My bottom was starting to feel it had been sat on a saddle for a long time now.

There was still some mad fast descents here and there and a couple of tough climbs too. Somewhere during this adventure my glasses broke and went AWOL. This became a real problem on this day as a bug got caught in my eye during the descent. Chris managed to get the bug out after a few pokes.

We stopped at a lovely cafe for lunch. It was called the Milk Churn if I remember correctly? Here, we all devoured some tasty cheese on toast and drank tea. A few other cyclists were gathered here too - one cyclist had an artificial leg. Don't think I could have cycled this adventure with only one leg.

The route was quite diverse and at one time we were cycling through what must have been an air strip. Hard to believe that the long roads we cycled were largely traffic free, in the middle of nowhere and just so awesome.

As we neared the finish, we stopped in Windsor for another ice cream. Well, we were on holiday! Pretty sure we burnt enough calories over the past few days.

Windsor Castle

Last push and we were almost where we started. Windsor Castle looked just as great at a distance as it did close up. After just a few k we were back at Chris's domicile. All agreed this was a fantastic adventure. Cheers to Chris, Jamie and Toll - they all rock!

Inside/outside

My Melody, Spring has sprung!

Wow, completed my second week at my new (temporary) work place. Where did time go? Only felt like I had been there a couple of days. Time is never time at all. Work went ok and at this moment in time am very pleased I made a change. Highlight of the working week was probably having acupuncture. Yup, that's right, one of the SMS nurses (Helen) stuck 5 needles in each of my ears. This apparently causes serotonin to be released and essentially changes brain chemistry in a positive way. Each needle made me jump as it went in, kinda felt like I was on a plane taking off (pressure) whilst they were inserted, and my left ear bled a little after needles were removed. Did I feel better for it? - I dunno, but had a nice weekend so maybe the serotonin kicked in...

Didn't run long of far this week and missed Parkrun too. Started the week with a 5k XC run though and finished with a 10k XC run. Both runs were over the fields of Studley and were just lovely. 

Didn't cycle long or far either. However, commuted by bicycle to work and back on 2 occasions. Removed the winter tyres from my Genesis and swapped for some gravel tyres. Tyres appear to roll okay. Would have commuted to work sooner only it took me a while to bag a locker. First commute was silly - I got to work way too quick and was hardly on my bike at all. Decided to further my route and make it a bit more worthwhile by not taking a direct route and cycling better paths. Commute distance is still super short but better than nothing.

My Lunar (and SJ) indoors.

Camped over the weekend too. Well, kinda. Lunar and I slept in our new family tent (in the garden), just to try it out. Lunar is like a hot water bottle. Jamie reckons I should take her bike-packing with me next weekend. I just might...

My Lunar (and moi) outdoors (camping).

Benjamin Allen, who the 'heck is he?!

Monday was the start of my new job. I figured I wanted the day to start well, so before my work day began, I ran a 5k circuit around my village. Whilst on my run, I posted my acceptance letter for the job I started this day. Better late than never! 

Genesis Day 1 (I have one just like it)

Day 1 was great. Day 1 was spent working from home. Simply because I was able to complete my work in speedy time, my own Day 1 (i.e. my single-speed Genesis) was taken out for a venture. What an awesome bike - had forgotten how great she rode. My ride took me on old paths from my old commute and newer paths for my new commute. Cycled just short of 50k in all. Nice! What a great start to my working week.

My second day at work didn't see me work so much but it hurt my head all the same. It's always the same old story when I start anything new and/or think hard. I think any fish's head would hurt if it was out of water. My head prevented me from training today. It seemed the mind ruled the body.

..you can't live easily 
you can't even speak
fish all of them speak
all over the world..

Third day at work was altogether different. The day was spent in Stafford attending service development and information governance meetings. Fish all of them speak. I hope to be able to speak fish in the passage of time too. After all, I am a fish out of water or perhaps a fish in hot water. I dunno. After work, myself and the Mrs went for a quick run which was nice. SJ ran a loop with me and then I continued on and ran a second loop. Loopy!

Days four and five at work went relatively well. All my health colleagues were very friendly, helpful and fun. Chris (maybe there is something in the name) was the most friendly of all. Wow, I completed a whole week doing my new job. (My new role hasn't really started as yet but that's a minor issue). So often I comment that work gets in the way of fun. Well, with this new job I no longer work weekends and hence had a weekend of fun!

Saturday saw me complete Benjamin Allen's Spring Tonic - a 200k audax organised my Mark Rigby. Ron was my buddy on this adventure and he kindly picked me up and took me to the start in Tewkesbury. A group (maybe 40ish) of cyclists gathered at the start and  after a few words from Mark we were off at 8 a.m. Mark became quite tearful as he informed us of the death of Mike Hall (an ultra distance cyclist) only a day or 2 ago following a RTA. A minutes silence was held in his honour. 

Ron was keen for us to 'jump on the buss' and benefit from a tow during the first stage. I didn't mind this fast pace start which came to an abrupt end once we hit traffic lights. The end came because Ron had his first visit from the puncture pixie. After this Mia-hap we became lantern rouge but no worries, we enjoyed a more leisurely pace to first control. Our route took us across stunning views of the Malverns and to Leominster for breakfast. Breakfast was at a pub where we had a full English. Was lucky to get there after Ron had navigated me down a 1 way street in the wrong direction.

Next stop was Hay-on-Wye. This was a pretty section but I was slightly annoyed once Lins Garmin ceased to work. It had worked for 3 hours but then the screen froze and that was that. We stopped at the troll bridge and purchased some cookies and flap jacks before a final push into Hay-on-Wye the bookshop capital of the UK. Ron suffered a second flat here and in his angst threw away his tyre and tube!

Next stage took us through the aptly named 'Golden Valley', which did appear quite golden in the shining sun. Hills aplenty here and much climbing. We climbed through Goodrich and entered the Forest of Dean. Ron suffered further mishap - some plastic got caught in his rear mech and his (was mine) map holder got busted in half. Was pleased that we were cycling along with another couple for a spell as I had so much to talk about. Once at the control we ate pastries and drank much and felt better for the remaining journey ahead.

As we left Lower Soudley, Ron's troubles emerged once more. His shifting had gone wonky and then we found out his chain link had gone duff. Tools out and problem fixed. Last leg was cycled along the Upper reaches of the Severn Vale. Just before reaching Tewkesbury we caught the couple we had cycled with earlier and used their front lights to guide us to the arrivee! Yay, job done! A couple of Desperado's to celebrate and a stamp from Mr Rigby!

Sunday was a glorious day to finish the week. The sun was shining bright. My Mrs took advantage of the great weather and mowed the grass. I took advantage of the great weather and cleaned 2 of my bikes. We both took advantage of the weather and watched our kids run around the garden jumping through water. Oh, what a life!