Well that was winter - and a long time it was, the pale rider has emerged from hibernation and is ready for a spring time of time trials, sportives and watching Eurosport coverage of the Spring Classics - what more could a guy wish for eh?
Catch up soon little blog addicts - stay in a big gear till the end!
Monday, 6 April 2009
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Topless Cycling Totty
Well the title has nothing to do with this post - just wanted to see how many extra readers it attracted - caught you looking!
Wow – it’s autumn time already. Summer has gone and is but a memory. It only seems five minutes since we were still waiting for a spell of glorious hot weather – that’s probably because the thought was still there all the way to September.
My mid-summer curse has continued – I’m sat sitting in the office and its two hours until home time – its gloriously sunny and my mind is focussed on a bike ride – then at less than half an hour to go – the sky darkens and just as home time arrives so does the rain blown in on a howling gale that was a gentle breeze all day long.
So another cycling season is over, its time to dig out the lights, mudguards and over shoes for a winter of chilly fingers and rosy cheeks. My name will be officially changed to “Seen that daft b****** out on his bike in this weather” and all sense of reason will go out of the window for the sake of grabbing an hour on the bike.
We head towards winter and Christmas at an alarming rate and that means two things – crap presents related to cycling and a whole load of overeating and drinking that’ll take right up ‘til March to work off. Mum’ll buy me some track mitts from the local bike shop – she always does – usually a different brand from last year – often a different size too! Then some random aunt will get me something like a puncture repair kit or a spanner set for a kid’s toolkit.
Oh and nearly forgot the third thing – at least one self righteous guy from the club telling you he never missed any training over the winter regardless of the weather – every club has at least one – I think there’s a clause in the rule book states you need one before you can be an official club.
Big slaps for the first person who at the start of next season says they’ve not been doing much or haven’t been going well or only done a few miles and then scorches up the road in a club record or wipes a minute of their PB. As above its in the rule book that every club should have at least one of these members on their books in order to remain an affiliated club.
Well that's enough for now - more waffle soon little Forres people.
Wow – it’s autumn time already. Summer has gone and is but a memory. It only seems five minutes since we were still waiting for a spell of glorious hot weather – that’s probably because the thought was still there all the way to September.
My mid-summer curse has continued – I’m sat sitting in the office and its two hours until home time – its gloriously sunny and my mind is focussed on a bike ride – then at less than half an hour to go – the sky darkens and just as home time arrives so does the rain blown in on a howling gale that was a gentle breeze all day long.
So another cycling season is over, its time to dig out the lights, mudguards and over shoes for a winter of chilly fingers and rosy cheeks. My name will be officially changed to “Seen that daft b****** out on his bike in this weather” and all sense of reason will go out of the window for the sake of grabbing an hour on the bike.
We head towards winter and Christmas at an alarming rate and that means two things – crap presents related to cycling and a whole load of overeating and drinking that’ll take right up ‘til March to work off. Mum’ll buy me some track mitts from the local bike shop – she always does – usually a different brand from last year – often a different size too! Then some random aunt will get me something like a puncture repair kit or a spanner set for a kid’s toolkit.
Oh and nearly forgot the third thing – at least one self righteous guy from the club telling you he never missed any training over the winter regardless of the weather – every club has at least one – I think there’s a clause in the rule book states you need one before you can be an official club.
Big slaps for the first person who at the start of next season says they’ve not been doing much or haven’t been going well or only done a few miles and then scorches up the road in a club record or wipes a minute of their PB. As above its in the rule book that every club should have at least one of these members on their books in order to remain an affiliated club.
Well that's enough for now - more waffle soon little Forres people.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Summer?
Well I’m sat at work looking at the sudden end of summer as the rain pours down in torrents. Any training done tonight will involve the turbo or the gym – you must think I’m a complete dafty if you think I’ll even entertain the idea of going out on the road in that. If the weather man’s website has a severe weather warning on it that’s good enough excuse for me to stop indoors – and I’m not minded to get my bike dirty either.
The only ray of sunshine this week has been the gleam of gold from the GB cyclists in Beijing – well done to all concerned. Let’s hope that we can attract a few more members to the Forres club on the back of this bow-wave of success for this marvellous sport. http://www.forrescyclingclub.co.uk saw a great report about the summer league and the way in which it is a great way for youngsters to get involved.
This week’s top training tip:
If during a sprint another rider comes past you with 25 metres to go – you’ve lost.
More from the Pale Rider’s secret training manual next time.
The only ray of sunshine this week has been the gleam of gold from the GB cyclists in Beijing – well done to all concerned. Let’s hope that we can attract a few more members to the Forres club on the back of this bow-wave of success for this marvellous sport. http://www.forrescyclingclub.co.uk saw a great report about the summer league and the way in which it is a great way for youngsters to get involved.
This week’s top training tip:
If during a sprint another rider comes past you with 25 metres to go – you’ve lost.
More from the Pale Rider’s secret training manual next time.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
End of season already drawing close
Well it’s been a grand few weeks back in Moray after my summer break in Spain – have started to burn of that ballast added by my mission to get the most value from the all-inclusive tariff.
A short spell of sunny weather has given me a great opportunity to get out on the bike – although the weather is quickly returning to Scottish norms.
Only one week left of the Tuesday League races – that’s a pity as I’ve been enjoying them immensely. They’re a great chance for riders of all levels to take part – right from the really little youngsters through to us really big oldies. A grand concept that should be applauded – and if you haven’t done so – they should be tried – come along and ride on Tuesday – it’ll give you something to aim for next spring.
Blimey heck – I’m already talking about next season !!! Forres CC have a 10 at the end of this month – best get my entry from to Moraig asap – then that’s my “racing” season over !! ( when I say racing – I actually mean turning up for races and giving the fast lads someone to pass halfway round). It’s been a good season for me – solely by virtue of it’s been a return to racing after a (very) long absence – so it had to be good – the Tuesday league has been a massive help in that respect – I am hoping that after riding loads of those 20 milers on a twisty circuit then a straight (?) 10 miler should be faster – and that’s a relative to my times not fast in the normal sense of the word.
Anyway that’s my views and news for this week – post a comment, pop back soon, keep cycling and stay safe
Pale Rider.
A short spell of sunny weather has given me a great opportunity to get out on the bike – although the weather is quickly returning to Scottish norms.
Only one week left of the Tuesday League races – that’s a pity as I’ve been enjoying them immensely. They’re a great chance for riders of all levels to take part – right from the really little youngsters through to us really big oldies. A grand concept that should be applauded – and if you haven’t done so – they should be tried – come along and ride on Tuesday – it’ll give you something to aim for next spring.
Blimey heck – I’m already talking about next season !!! Forres CC have a 10 at the end of this month – best get my entry from to Moraig asap – then that’s my “racing” season over !! ( when I say racing – I actually mean turning up for races and giving the fast lads someone to pass halfway round). It’s been a good season for me – solely by virtue of it’s been a return to racing after a (very) long absence – so it had to be good – the Tuesday league has been a massive help in that respect – I am hoping that after riding loads of those 20 milers on a twisty circuit then a straight (?) 10 miler should be faster – and that’s a relative to my times not fast in the normal sense of the word.
Anyway that’s my views and news for this week – post a comment, pop back soon, keep cycling and stay safe
Pale Rider.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Holiday time
Well it has been a couple of weeks since the Pale Riders last words of wisdom so here is the latest instalment.
Haven’t done much on the bike of late – managed a couple of Tuesday League rides – well I tootled around in my usual pedestrian pace making up the numbers.
We have been on a weeks holiday, topping up the Budweiser belly and the lobster pink tan. A full week all-inclusive break on the Costa (that’s the Spanish Costa – not the coffee shop in Tescos) It was great – the hotel did a full breakfast until 11 o’clock, proper fish and chips at lunchtime and they had Eastenders on Sky telly in the bar. We did go out for a meal one night – any more than that would have meant we lost out on the all-inclusive deal we’d got. We went for a steak meal – some people went to a Spanish restaurant and had that paella stuff but we didn’t want to risk any of that foreign stuff.
I managed to watch some of the Tour on Eurosport (does 3 hours every afternoon count as some?) in the bar around the corner from the hotel so I was happy every afternoon whilst the Mrs sat by the hotel pool and read her book. I did have to keep nipping back to the hotel to get an all-inclusive beer during the advert breaks – only bought 2 beers each day in the bar with Eurosport on or they’d think I was a tight Scotsman – perish the thought – tight? Me? Okay I was tight by 11 O’clock most nights – but if they’ve got local beer on the all inclusive what do you expect?
We had a walk out a few days and I managed to find a small bike shop – prices were very good but only bought a souvenir Coca Cola water bottle – well I didn’t want to go mad did I – would be no room in suit case for duty free booze and fags.
Well back to full training this week eating up the miles on the roads of Moray and exploring the wonderful sunny countryside around us and if you think the above gives you any clue as to the real identity of the PR – dream on.
Haven’t done much on the bike of late – managed a couple of Tuesday League rides – well I tootled around in my usual pedestrian pace making up the numbers.
We have been on a weeks holiday, topping up the Budweiser belly and the lobster pink tan. A full week all-inclusive break on the Costa (that’s the Spanish Costa – not the coffee shop in Tescos) It was great – the hotel did a full breakfast until 11 o’clock, proper fish and chips at lunchtime and they had Eastenders on Sky telly in the bar. We did go out for a meal one night – any more than that would have meant we lost out on the all-inclusive deal we’d got. We went for a steak meal – some people went to a Spanish restaurant and had that paella stuff but we didn’t want to risk any of that foreign stuff.
I managed to watch some of the Tour on Eurosport (does 3 hours every afternoon count as some?) in the bar around the corner from the hotel so I was happy every afternoon whilst the Mrs sat by the hotel pool and read her book. I did have to keep nipping back to the hotel to get an all-inclusive beer during the advert breaks – only bought 2 beers each day in the bar with Eurosport on or they’d think I was a tight Scotsman – perish the thought – tight? Me? Okay I was tight by 11 O’clock most nights – but if they’ve got local beer on the all inclusive what do you expect?
We had a walk out a few days and I managed to find a small bike shop – prices were very good but only bought a souvenir Coca Cola water bottle – well I didn’t want to go mad did I – would be no room in suit case for duty free booze and fags.
Well back to full training this week eating up the miles on the roads of Moray and exploring the wonderful sunny countryside around us and if you think the above gives you any clue as to the real identity of the PR – dream on.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
What summer?
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.
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, 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
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