A day away from the bike today as I was taking part in the 5km Great Westgarth Run at the Friends School in Saffron Walden. Organised in aid of Motor Neurone Disease and by Susan Westgarth, a teacher at the school and sufferer of the the terrible disease.
Decided to paceset for the good lady then took the children round on the 2km fun run but still we have so far raised over £700 for the charity. If anyone else would like to contribute, our site will be open for a while yet, all donations very welcome.
Justgiving Site
Back on the bike in the gym tomorrow
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tired legs
Eventually swapped the bike for the trainers last night and did a few miles run in preparation for a 5km charity run on Sunday. However, got a good group of 6 of us out this afternoon for an enjoyable 30miles round the roads between Saffron Walden and Haverhill
Feeling the legs a bit just now, lets hope all is fine for the morning!
Feeling the legs a bit just now, lets hope all is fine for the morning!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Trains are booked!
I've had a slightly odd week on the training front. Managed a decent 25miles on Tuesday but struggled with 13 miles in the dark on Wednesday evening. Sore legs yesterday so took the night off and now the weather looks decidely ropey so not so keen on a ride tonight either.
Anyway, train tickets to York (from Stevenage) are booked for morning of Friday 14th May. A total of eight of us making the full 3 days. No backing out of it now.
Looking forward to getting a couple of hours done tomorrow if possible with some of the gang, then on Sunday swapping the bike for my legs and doing the Great Westgarth run in aid of MND association - you can donate a £1 or two here if you like :-)
Anyway, train tickets to York (from Stevenage) are booked for morning of Friday 14th May. A total of eight of us making the full 3 days. No backing out of it now.
Looking forward to getting a couple of hours done tomorrow if possible with some of the gang, then on Sunday swapping the bike for my legs and doing the Great Westgarth run in aid of MND association - you can donate a £1 or two here if you like :-)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
More about my bike:
For all those nerdy enough to worry about these things - some details regarding my trusty steed:
Ridgeback Genesis Day 00 Flat Bar Road Bike
Frame - 6061 Heat treated Aluminium
Fork - Cro Mo blades
Headset - Sealed Intellaset w/alloy spacer
Shifters - Shimano ST-R220
Rear Derailleur - Shimano 2200 GS
Front Deraileur - Shimano FD-443A
Chainset - Shimano 2203 52/42/30
Bottom Bracket - Cartridge Cro Mo
Chain - HG50
Freewheel - Shimano Cassette 12-25 8sp
Hubs - Formula Double Sealed
Rims - Alex R450 32h black w/CNC sidewall
Spokes - Stainless steel black
Tyres - Continental Ultra Race 700x 25c
Brakes - Tektro 510 Dual Pivot Brake
Levers - Shimano ST-R220
Handlebar - 6061 Aluminium 540mm
Stem - Alloy Ahead
Grips - Dual Density
Saddle - Ozone SL
Seatpost - Alloy Micro 27.2mm
Pedals - Nylon street with mini clips
How it looks when new:
Ridgeback Genesis Day 00 Flat Bar Road Bike
Frame - 6061 Heat treated Aluminium
Fork - Cro Mo blades
Headset - Sealed Intellaset w/alloy spacer
Shifters - Shimano ST-R220
Rear Derailleur - Shimano 2200 GS
Front Deraileur - Shimano FD-443A
Chainset - Shimano 2203 52/42/30
Bottom Bracket - Cartridge Cro Mo
Chain - HG50
Freewheel - Shimano Cassette 12-25 8sp
Hubs - Formula Double Sealed
Rims - Alex R450 32h black w/CNC sidewall
Spokes - Stainless steel black
Tyres - Continental Ultra Race 700x 25c
Brakes - Tektro 510 Dual Pivot Brake
Levers - Shimano ST-R220
Handlebar - 6061 Aluminium 540mm
Stem - Alloy Ahead
Grips - Dual Density
Saddle - Ozone SL
Seatpost - Alloy Micro 27.2mm
Pedals - Nylon street with mini clips
How it looks when new:
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Lonesome training
Took 90 minutes out of my day to put in some miles today before the bad weather hits for the rest of the week. Set off from home in blustery but dry conditions and headed along B1383 to Audley End. Turn right and pass through Littlebury Green. Cross B1039 and head through Duddenhoe End and onto Langley Upper Green. Head towards Great Chishall then on through Heydon and Elmdon before turning back to Littlebury then final sprint home to Gt Chesterford. Total 25.2miles (40.5km)
View Map
View Map
A New Challenge!
It's been quite some time since my last musings on this blog. However, the time is right to revive it and share with the world my thoughts as I train for the next adventure in my travelling life.
On Friday 14th May an intrepid group of cyclists will set out (via train first of all) to complete the ~200miles from York back home to Saffron Walden. Why? We are raising funds for a group of young people to travel to Brazil in the August 2010 with the charity Youth with a Mission.
So far, the training has been going well. I am up around 80miles per week but still have some way to go before we set out in just over 6 weeks time!
Favourite routes so far tend to lead out over the (relative) hills around Elmdon and Chrishall near to home. A typical ride being 15 - 20 miles with another 10 or so on top at the weekends.
My trusty steed will be my Genesis hybrid currently fitted out with ultra thin Continental road tyres but in need of something a little hardier for the trip itself.
As for my fellow riders? Well so far signed up alongside myself we have Simon Mattholie, Chris Winfield, Nick Jones, Peter Wilson, Barry Morton and Paul Cubitt. With hopefully more to follow.
You can also follow our progress on our facebook page
More news soon!
On Friday 14th May an intrepid group of cyclists will set out (via train first of all) to complete the ~200miles from York back home to Saffron Walden. Why? We are raising funds for a group of young people to travel to Brazil in the August 2010 with the charity Youth with a Mission.
So far, the training has been going well. I am up around 80miles per week but still have some way to go before we set out in just over 6 weeks time!
Favourite routes so far tend to lead out over the (relative) hills around Elmdon and Chrishall near to home. A typical ride being 15 - 20 miles with another 10 or so on top at the weekends.
My trusty steed will be my Genesis hybrid currently fitted out with ultra thin Continental road tyres but in need of something a little hardier for the trip itself.
As for my fellow riders? Well so far signed up alongside myself we have Simon Mattholie, Chris Winfield, Nick Jones, Peter Wilson, Barry Morton and Paul Cubitt. With hopefully more to follow.
You can also follow our progress on our facebook page
More news soon!
Monday, July 31, 2006
New Horizons
I have now set up a new blog to support my (hopefully) forthcoming sponsored charity expedition, to mark my 30th Birthday.
Please follow the link and add your support
http://explorenewhorizons.blogspot.com/
Many thanks
Please follow the link and add your support
http://explorenewhorizons.blogspot.com/
Many thanks
Monday, June 26, 2006
The Beautiful Game???
Apologies
I am a bad person - I promise one thing and then do not deliver (much like the England football team).
I said I would complete a report of my travels to Chicago on my return. I have been back over 2 months.
So, what of Chicago? Well for the first few days of my trip I was staying in 'the 'burbs' - commuter town of Evanston to the north of the city. This was a fairly affluent area of Chicago and notable for it's complete absence of tourists.
I made a couple of trips in to the windy city for some sightseeing - wonderful views on a clear day from the skydeck of the Sears tower being most notable. Also a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo with the family. This I had very mixed feelings about. Whilst some areas - partucuarly the monkey/gorilla enclosures and the polar bear pool - where well laid out and maintained, others such as the big cat house were frankly a disgrace.
The sight of adult leopards and tigers pacing backwards and forwards, round and round was distressing to say the least.
On a brighter note however, the weather during my stay was condusive to outside activities and held until the wedding of the year at the Chicago Hilton and Towers which was a resounding success. I even managed to get the groom to the service on time and avoided offending any of the American guests with my typical English sense of humour...even the bride's mother!
Anyway, Chicago is now a distant memory and the whole of the UK if not the world has become engrossed in the World Cup...what hope have we got??
I am a bad person - I promise one thing and then do not deliver (much like the England football team).
I said I would complete a report of my travels to Chicago on my return. I have been back over 2 months.
So, what of Chicago? Well for the first few days of my trip I was staying in 'the 'burbs' - commuter town of Evanston to the north of the city. This was a fairly affluent area of Chicago and notable for it's complete absence of tourists.
I made a couple of trips in to the windy city for some sightseeing - wonderful views on a clear day from the skydeck of the Sears tower being most notable. Also a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo with the family. This I had very mixed feelings about. Whilst some areas - partucuarly the monkey/gorilla enclosures and the polar bear pool - where well laid out and maintained, others such as the big cat house were frankly a disgrace.
The sight of adult leopards and tigers pacing backwards and forwards, round and round was distressing to say the least.
On a brighter note however, the weather during my stay was condusive to outside activities and held until the wedding of the year at the Chicago Hilton and Towers which was a resounding success. I even managed to get the groom to the service on time and avoided offending any of the American guests with my typical English sense of humour...even the bride's mother!
Anyway, Chicago is now a distant memory and the whole of the UK if not the world has become engrossed in the World Cup...what hope have we got??
Monday, March 27, 2006
Home and Away
I used to love watching the aussie soap home and away - weekdays at 6pm. far better than neighbours for sure.
Anyway. Yesterday I returned (mostly) unscathed from my week long trip to the high alpine resort of val d'isere. I spent 6 days on a snowboard and failed to break a single bone (unlike one travelling companion).
Val d'isere has a reputation as an expensive and rather upmarket resort. I found it to be mainly full of english holidaymakers. I was suprised I must admit by the number of children taking a skiing holiday during term time but...needs must. I can recommend 'val' as an excellent place for intermediate to advanced skiers although slightly limited for beginners.
Next Sunday coming, I travel again - a little further afield - as I make my way across the pond to Chicago, Illinois, USA for a week of relaxing prior to performing best man duties at a wedding. I will report whence I return.
Anyway. Yesterday I returned (mostly) unscathed from my week long trip to the high alpine resort of val d'isere. I spent 6 days on a snowboard and failed to break a single bone (unlike one travelling companion).
Val d'isere has a reputation as an expensive and rather upmarket resort. I found it to be mainly full of english holidaymakers. I was suprised I must admit by the number of children taking a skiing holiday during term time but...needs must. I can recommend 'val' as an excellent place for intermediate to advanced skiers although slightly limited for beginners.
Next Sunday coming, I travel again - a little further afield - as I make my way across the pond to Chicago, Illinois, USA for a week of relaxing prior to performing best man duties at a wedding. I will report whence I return.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
In search of snow
The weather these past few weeks has been crazy. I've probably seen more snow falling since Christmas this year than for many previous. But none of it lies on the ground. As such I must travel several hundred miles to the Alpine resort of Val d'isere in search of the real stuff.
I will be spending next week crusing the slopes on my pre-booked snowboard and attempting to avoid serious injury. I have not been to Val d'isere previously but I imagine it to be full of many well-to-do English gentry in their designer ski-wear and gucci sunglasses, I'm going on a freebie.
I shall report back on my findings whence I return.
I will be spending next week crusing the slopes on my pre-booked snowboard and attempting to avoid serious injury. I have not been to Val d'isere previously but I imagine it to be full of many well-to-do English gentry in their designer ski-wear and gucci sunglasses, I'm going on a freebie.
I shall report back on my findings whence I return.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Far, far away
In December last, I travelled across many lands (11) and seas (7) to reach the far away destination of New Zealand. This was my second visit to the wonderful country known as Land of the long White Cloud. Those that have never been to New Zealand before wonder how they left it so long, those that have been, feel totally relaxed and at home where ever they are.
During my trip I was visiting friends in Auckland. I laso travelled North to the Bay of Islands, staying in the small historic village of Russell (the first capital of New Zealand and previously known as 'the hell-hole of the south pacific!). In addition I paid a short but enyouable visit to the Coromandel Pennisula a seemingly undiscovered forest east of Auckland.
My final few days were spent on the east coast of the North Island in an area known as Hawke's Bay or Wine Country. Apart from visiting the winery's I paid homage to sea and sky and visited the largest Gannet Colony in the world at Cape Kidnappers, by tractor, across the beach, in the rain.
My report of such an important trip is clearly to brief but I shall ensure that this is not repeated on future journeys.
In March I am spending a week on my backside when I go snowboarding in Val d'Isere, France. News shall follow
Adieu
During my trip I was visiting friends in Auckland. I laso travelled North to the Bay of Islands, staying in the small historic village of Russell (the first capital of New Zealand and previously known as 'the hell-hole of the south pacific!). In addition I paid a short but enyouable visit to the Coromandel Pennisula a seemingly undiscovered forest east of Auckland.
My final few days were spent on the east coast of the North Island in an area known as Hawke's Bay or Wine Country. Apart from visiting the winery's I paid homage to sea and sky and visited the largest Gannet Colony in the world at Cape Kidnappers, by tractor, across the beach, in the rain.
My report of such an important trip is clearly to brief but I shall ensure that this is not repeated on future journeys.
In March I am spending a week on my backside when I go snowboarding in Val d'Isere, France. News shall follow
Adieu
Travels have passed
Well, it is now clearly several months since my jaunt to the Dartmoor National Park. As such my memories have been clouded and I have very little to recall. I do remember however, the beautiful weather, wonderful scenery and friendly people.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Return and Leave
So the days have now passed since I returned from the Emerald Isle and I am ready now to discuss the trip. As I predicted the stag weekend ran according to type save for one particular exception - our attendance on Saturday afternoon at Croke Park to see the All Ireland Gaelic Football Quater-Final between Dublin and Count Tyrone. This was a welcome break to the standard stag fayre and provided many talking points for the remainder of the weekend.
On my previous visits I have always thought of Dublin in a similar light to say Amsterdam, Barcelona and say Prague those other popular weekend break destinations. In terms that is of the relaxed and friendly atmosphere and noisy but well behaved nightlife.
This visit my illusions were shattered. It seems Dublin has become more an extension of Britain abroad with drunken fools around every corner. The place felt more like London or Leeds than Madrid or Munich. Ireland may be a fully paid up member of the EU but Dublin (and more specifically Temple Bar) is becoming more like UK by the day.
Still, tis not all bad. The abusive and thuggish bouncers that frequent every pub, club and bar in the UK have not yet found their way across the Irish Sea and the Dublin staff still maintain a pleasant and friendly demeanour (despite the abuse).
So, we move on. This weekend I will travel to the beautiful but remote Dartmoor National Park in Devon for a week of holidaying under canvas. Many activities are in store and these will be reported on my return. Until then.
On my previous visits I have always thought of Dublin in a similar light to say Amsterdam, Barcelona and say Prague those other popular weekend break destinations. In terms that is of the relaxed and friendly atmosphere and noisy but well behaved nightlife.
This visit my illusions were shattered. It seems Dublin has become more an extension of Britain abroad with drunken fools around every corner. The place felt more like London or Leeds than Madrid or Munich. Ireland may be a fully paid up member of the EU but Dublin (and more specifically Temple Bar) is becoming more like UK by the day.
Still, tis not all bad. The abusive and thuggish bouncers that frequent every pub, club and bar in the UK have not yet found their way across the Irish Sea and the Dublin staff still maintain a pleasant and friendly demeanour (despite the abuse).
So, we move on. This weekend I will travel to the beautiful but remote Dartmoor National Park in Devon for a week of holidaying under canvas. Many activities are in store and these will be reported on my return. Until then.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Dublin approaches
Tomorrow morning (12th Aug) I am travelling to the fair city of Dublin - capital of the Republic of Ireland. The reason for my journey (every journey has a reason - although often this may not be apparent until the trip has been completed) anyway the reason is for a 'stag' weekend for a friend and former work colleague.
The stag w/e has become an affectionate part of the British way of life and in recent years I have visited such wonderous delights as Glasgow, Brigton, Sheffield, Bristol and Southend on these.
The normal course of action for a stag do is to arrive at destination early Friday evening and head straight to a local bar for some light ales and a 'quiet night' in anticipation of Saturday's events. Inevitably, drinks flow fast and as gentleman (many of whom have nothing in common other than being relations/friends/colleagues of 'the stag') become aquainted, so the night gets ugly and finishes far later than planned.
Often events will be booked for Saturday (afternoon) such as paintballing, karting, clay pigeon shooting or other manly pursuits where the stag (and often his best man) cannot possibly win. These will be followed by beers and unhealthy meat products in a public house then a rapid dash to the accomodation (for those that can be bothered) to change - for what? Not for dinner but for more beers and the obligatory niteclub (sic).
Sunday morning rolls up and farewells are said - for some they may not meet again but for many the next time they come face to face will be in the cramped pews of a church when, upon spotting a familiar face from the stag do they give 'the nod' and introduce each other's better halves with a knowing wink.
And so it goes. Dublin is a beautiful city (by day), by night I wonder what will behold.
The stag w/e has become an affectionate part of the British way of life and in recent years I have visited such wonderous delights as Glasgow, Brigton, Sheffield, Bristol and Southend on these.
The normal course of action for a stag do is to arrive at destination early Friday evening and head straight to a local bar for some light ales and a 'quiet night' in anticipation of Saturday's events. Inevitably, drinks flow fast and as gentleman (many of whom have nothing in common other than being relations/friends/colleagues of 'the stag') become aquainted, so the night gets ugly and finishes far later than planned.
Often events will be booked for Saturday (afternoon) such as paintballing, karting, clay pigeon shooting or other manly pursuits where the stag (and often his best man) cannot possibly win. These will be followed by beers and unhealthy meat products in a public house then a rapid dash to the accomodation (for those that can be bothered) to change - for what? Not for dinner but for more beers and the obligatory niteclub (sic).
Sunday morning rolls up and farewells are said - for some they may not meet again but for many the next time they come face to face will be in the cramped pews of a church when, upon spotting a familiar face from the stag do they give 'the nod' and introduce each other's better halves with a knowing wink.
And so it goes. Dublin is a beautiful city (by day), by night I wonder what will behold.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Welcome to my News
Hello and welcome to my Blog. This is my personal (and clearly now public) journal of my travels past, present and future. I hope to share with you my experiences of the new and varied places I visit and offer some tips and ideas for anyone thinking of following in my footsteps.
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