Well I'll admit it - it was me who put the kiss of death on the weather - with talk of here comes summer and my last blog about warm beers at BBQs. At least we stopped dry for the BBQ and many thanks to the organisers for a great night. When I say we stayed dry - I'm referring solely to the weather - one or two wets were consumed - and if my head on Saturday morning was anything to go by I had my share. It was great to see a club social so well supported and also to see everyone have a good night.
The summer league rolled around again and the sunny Tuesday morning and afternoon swiftly adjusted itself into a cold and wet evening. The twisty turny circuit definitely does not lend itself to wet weather - I finished down on last week, cold, wet and covered in road splatter mud. Need to have a chat with a Met man about the weather next week.
Didn't do much on the bike over last weekend - didn't even leave the house on Sunday - how much rain came down that day???
Anyway no more waffle today except to say see you all on Saturday morning for the coffee morning - Forres Town Hall for a 1000hrs start - no Saturday morning rides this week boys and girls - its all hands to the pumps - well the sink and the dish cloths actually. So get baking and get yourself to Forrres on Saturday morning.
Thursday 26 June 2008
Thursday 19 June 2008
Smokey Dokey
A grand week for me – better than the weather was over last weekend. The Summer League saw another less than summer like night with a very strong breeze making the back straight seem twice as long as usual and a few spots of rain every lap threatening to spoil the whole night. But despite that the youngsters turned out as usual and zoomed round the course with big smiles on their faces whilst we oldies rattled round with grimaces firmly in place. Well done the little people.
Last weekend saw me travelling the country in pursuit of another sportive and I had a decent enough ride on Sunday despite the lousy weather.
This weekend sees no races, no sportive but more importantly the Forres Cycling Club BBQ at Roseisle – warm beer, burnt meat, stinking of smoke – and all the time wondering about the salmonella risk from that chicken leg – why do we do it every summer? Also, why is it that blokes suddenly become cooks when put in front of a fire with a grid on it, how does that miraculous transformation take place? Or is it something directly related to the amount of warm beer added to the bloke before he gets to play with the firelighters?
Anyway off to Asda's for some of their 2p sausages and savers burgers - 100% grissle with added lard mmmmmmmmmm yummy
Last weekend saw me travelling the country in pursuit of another sportive and I had a decent enough ride on Sunday despite the lousy weather.
This weekend sees no races, no sportive but more importantly the Forres Cycling Club BBQ at Roseisle – warm beer, burnt meat, stinking of smoke – and all the time wondering about the salmonella risk from that chicken leg – why do we do it every summer? Also, why is it that blokes suddenly become cooks when put in front of a fire with a grid on it, how does that miraculous transformation take place? Or is it something directly related to the amount of warm beer added to the bloke before he gets to play with the firelighters?
Anyway off to Asda's for some of their 2p sausages and savers burgers - 100% grissle with added lard mmmmmmmmmm yummy
Thursday 12 June 2008
Problems with wind
Last weekend saw a fantastic array of racing here at Forres CC – a 10 on the Saturday and a 25 on the Sunday morning followed by the APR on a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon. And as I had predicted in my previous waffle my participation was limited to the 10 and standing in a flouro jacket on the Sunday afternoon – catching some rays was the limit of my activity there. Well done to all riders who battle against the headwind out on Saturday afternoon – that wasn’t mentioned in the plan at all.
Did a reasonable time despite that awful headwind all the way out - as in it was in the middle of the two targets I'd set myself - so could only be pleased with that but felt I could have done better - sounds like a school report that....
Was almost worth all the effort when you do that - even worth cleaning my bike for on Friday night - only joking.
Summer League – and the joy of a float night last week was swiftly forgotten on a stinker of a night – strong winds and a series of showers made sure most (if not all) didn’t improve one iota from last week. A massive thank you to the marshalls and helpers who helped out on such a terrible evening – and do so every week on our behalf – unsung heroes each and every one. Also a great big well done to all the kids who turned out this week despite that awful weather.
The summer league was followed last night by another running event – one more of the local forest runs – which had the beautiful (if cool) start on the beach at Roseisle – then a rattle through some forest trails before hitting some singletrack and dunes – eat your heart out MTB fans! Enjoyed the run out – despite a very tired pair of legs – but enjoyed a glass of vino watching The Apprentice when I got home even more.
As a result of that I’m having a night off tonight before another sportive at the weekend – hope this horrid wet and windy weather clears up before then. Might even clean my bike again.
Dont forget its Bike Week next week - so in the nicest way "get on ya bike"
Did a reasonable time despite that awful headwind all the way out - as in it was in the middle of the two targets I'd set myself - so could only be pleased with that but felt I could have done better - sounds like a school report that....
Was almost worth all the effort when you do that - even worth cleaning my bike for on Friday night - only joking.
Summer League – and the joy of a float night last week was swiftly forgotten on a stinker of a night – strong winds and a series of showers made sure most (if not all) didn’t improve one iota from last week. A massive thank you to the marshalls and helpers who helped out on such a terrible evening – and do so every week on our behalf – unsung heroes each and every one. Also a great big well done to all the kids who turned out this week despite that awful weather.
The summer league was followed last night by another running event – one more of the local forest runs – which had the beautiful (if cool) start on the beach at Roseisle – then a rattle through some forest trails before hitting some singletrack and dunes – eat your heart out MTB fans! Enjoyed the run out – despite a very tired pair of legs – but enjoyed a glass of vino watching The Apprentice when I got home even more.
As a result of that I’m having a night off tonight before another sportive at the weekend – hope this horrid wet and windy weather clears up before then. Might even clean my bike again.
Dont forget its Bike Week next week - so in the nicest way "get on ya bike"
Thursday 5 June 2008
June is bursting out all over
Well another fine sunny week in Moray – apart from the showery bits in between! Managed to squeeze in a couple of rides over the weekend and once more rattled around the summer league event at a less than impressive rate of knots.
Saturday afternoon was a fantastic ride out – not long by most people’s standards but it was a sunny day, I felt good and the scenery looked fantastic. I rode up the climb from Pluscarden towards Rafford. The sun was shining and the lush green grass and trees in the valley contrasted beautifully with the blue sky and the mountains in the background – even the freshly cut trees smelled nice – that pine fresh smell you only get in loo cleaner adverts was suddenly filling my nostrils – but this was the real thing and not some chemical fragrance designed to make bleach more attractive. It was one of those afternoons when you just felt great to be alive and cycling through this lovely countryside. Bet the guys racing in the Elgin CC events later that day didn’t enjoy the scenery quite so much.
Sunday was a lot cooler and I did get out on bike but suffered a long “wish I’d put a long sleeved top on” kind of thought for most of it. Enjoyed the ride nonetheless and found a new lane – isn’t it great when you find a new lane – its like you’ve discovered something nobody knew about – whilst its just you’ve found another way to get lost.
Midweek saw another running event and the Pale Rider joined a whole crowd at the summer league – most of whom managed cracking times on what was effectively a float night – most riders got PBs – young and old alike. That’ll just make next week all the harder though – there’s always that crash down to earth after a success.
This weekend sees me taking part in the club TT weekend – only signed up for the 10 so far – think any further involvement will involve standing on a corner in a bright yellow jacket and pointing. Lets hope the entry numbers are up and so is the temperature but not the windspeed eh? Good luck to all who are riding – get a late entry in to those who aren’t – and thanks in advance to organisers, marshals, tea lady’s etc.
and finally ---------
This weeks cycling top tip:
Always apply your chamois crème before applying any warm up oils or embrocating products.
Saturday afternoon was a fantastic ride out – not long by most people’s standards but it was a sunny day, I felt good and the scenery looked fantastic. I rode up the climb from Pluscarden towards Rafford. The sun was shining and the lush green grass and trees in the valley contrasted beautifully with the blue sky and the mountains in the background – even the freshly cut trees smelled nice – that pine fresh smell you only get in loo cleaner adverts was suddenly filling my nostrils – but this was the real thing and not some chemical fragrance designed to make bleach more attractive. It was one of those afternoons when you just felt great to be alive and cycling through this lovely countryside. Bet the guys racing in the Elgin CC events later that day didn’t enjoy the scenery quite so much.
Sunday was a lot cooler and I did get out on bike but suffered a long “wish I’d put a long sleeved top on” kind of thought for most of it. Enjoyed the ride nonetheless and found a new lane – isn’t it great when you find a new lane – its like you’ve discovered something nobody knew about – whilst its just you’ve found another way to get lost.
Midweek saw another running event and the Pale Rider joined a whole crowd at the summer league – most of whom managed cracking times on what was effectively a float night – most riders got PBs – young and old alike. That’ll just make next week all the harder though – there’s always that crash down to earth after a success.
This weekend sees me taking part in the club TT weekend – only signed up for the 10 so far – think any further involvement will involve standing on a corner in a bright yellow jacket and pointing. Lets hope the entry numbers are up and so is the temperature but not the windspeed eh? Good luck to all who are riding – get a late entry in to those who aren’t – and thanks in advance to organisers, marshals, tea lady’s etc.
and finally ---------
This weeks cycling top tip:
Always apply your chamois crème before applying any warm up oils or embrocating products.
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