Diva 100 . . .

took place last Sunday on one of the hottest days so far this year.

Most of the girls turned up on road bikes, which after having ridden this on my commuting bike made a lot more sense.  My bike’s great for cycling to work and the occasional trip to Telford, but it was hard slog for a 100k + 3 miles.

The 3 extra miles was because I missed one of the arrows and if it hadn’t been for a bloke in a passing car telling me I was going the wrong way, I would probably still be tootling around the countryside of Warwickshire.

As is usual when I enter an event, things started to go wrong and only after five miles into the ride.  Each time I tried to go up to the large ring or down into granny, my chain came off and so until the first feed station at about mile seventeen, I rode my bike as a single speed in the middle ring.

A very nice young man called Gary from Gary’s Bikes who was the mechanic for the event came to my rescue as it turned out the part that holds the gear cables under the bottom bracket area had snapped off.  If you live in the Bristol area and own a bike, you have to use Gary for your repairs and service.  He’s so easy to get on with and is a keen cyclist too.

It was a very hilly route; according to my Garmin I climbed over 2,800 feet and towards the end felt every inch of every hill.  When I reached the finish I could hardly get off my bike, my quads hurt that much.

My time according to the official timing was over 7 hours; my Garmin stated 5 hours and 23 minutes.

The difference was made up by two feed station stops; waiting for Gary and then him fixing the part to my bike; eleven stops to put my chain back on (my gloves are covered in oil;) 14 stops to apply sun screen and a few stops to eat and drink.

It was a brilliant event; well organised and well supported along the way.  They also put on lunch at the end . . . bonus.

I’d definitely do it again, but would probably use a road bike next time.

Lovely news . . .

I’ve known for several weeks, but was forbidden to speak a word until my daughter Laura had a scan last week.

Baby Wilde is due 30th November

Congratulations to Laura and Vin

x x x

Snowdon trek . . .

The Company I work for is one of several brands owned by a French company and one of the things we’ve done as a group since 2011 is fundraising for Barnardo’s.

Last September a new department was setup, which I’m part of.  Mike who also works in the team and I go to the gym together and as part of his ‘wanting to get fitter,’ Mike was looking for a challenge and so we decided walking up a mountain seemed a good idea!

Before Keith and Chris from our team had any chance to escape, we roped them into joining us and decided to use the trek as a way to raise money for the charity.  We set the date for the 19^th May hoping we would have reasonably good weather.

Apart from us, we managed to convince Paul, Mandy and Mark from other departments and Dawn from another brand based in our building, to join us.  Mark brought his son Thomas and Mandy, her partner Kevin.

John, Simon and Phil from another brand in the group decided to walk with us as part of their training for their charity walk up Kilimanjaro in 2013.

Mike, Dawn, Mandy, Kevin and I camped here the night before, which is based at the start of the route we all agreed would be our way of reaching the top.  It’s supposed to be the easiest!

I was reluctant to take my expensive tent as I would be leaving it during the day of the walk and so decided to buy a cheap pop-up tent . . . big mistake, which I’ll discuss later.

Mandy and Kevin were meeting us at the campsite, so we set up our tents, had a brew or two and had a wander round the farm while we waited for them to arrive.

The view to the right of our tents was near the start of the track, which looked rather daunting . . .

it was soon forgotten when we found this little fella during our mooch around; such a little cutie.

It’s very obvious Mandy and Kevin are used to putting up tents.  No sooner had they arrived, their tent was up and we were on our way into Llanberis for fish and chips.  It’s a nice place and has many shops geared for walkers, which fortunately for Dawn and my bank accounts, were all closed!

We ate our food by the lake; fed the leftovers to the swans and ducks and went back to the campsite.  Our gamble on the weather being good in May didn’t pay off and I was glad to have my ski jacket to keep me warm.

I was tired after the driving and we decided to get into our tents early.  The rain soon appeared and didn’t stop all night.  My tent was waterproof, but not having a second skin, it was quickly covered in condensation on the inside.  By this time the wind was gusting and each time it hit my tent, drops of water from the roof would land on my face.

I woke up the next morning after three hours sleep and stuck my head out of the tent to see a very dismal day in front of me.  It was also cold, which meant a lot of moving around to keep warm while getting ready and waiting for the others to join us.

Here we are at the start of our walk (except for Tom who took the photo) . . . for some reason I look like I’m about to trek across the Antarctic!

Photo taken by Thomas Willington

The hat and hood were soon off once we started.

Photo taken by Thomas Willington

I more or less marched up the first half to the café or that’s how it felt.  I decided to walk with John who like me, is a competitive soul; a stupid decision on my part as he has done many walks during his training.  My quads and I were very relieved when we reached our stop and I sat down hoping the others would take a long time to reach us so I could recover.

The path was a lot rougher and harder in places than I had imagined.  It also became evident quite early on that the higher we climbed we weren’t going to be seeing any views.

Photo taken by Thomas Willington

Once rested, we all set off again.  I started off with John, Simon and Phil . . .

Photo taken by Thomas Willington

but couldn’t keep their pace and so latched onto Mike and Mandy.  The path became a lot steeper and we found ourselves having to take rest-breaks to give ourselves a chance of reaching the top.  Not sure if Mandy’s hiding her face or has just had enough.

Chris joined us and he and I carried on together slowly, but surely making our way to the top.

Photo taken by Thomas Willington

It took Chris and I about three hours to reach the top.  It was no surprise to find John, Simon and Phil were the first, followed by Mark and Thomas.  We’d met Kevin who wasn’t far off and was sat waiting for Mandy and Mike.  They were next to meet up with us and a bit later Dawn, Keith and Paul arrived.

After a much-needed rest in the café we went outside for a group photo before making our way down.  Kevin’s missing this time as he took it.

Photo courtesy of Thomas Willington

I didn’t like the first part of the descent as it was steep and slippy and at times momentum got the better of me.  The mist was lifting the further we walked down and we could at long last see the views.

Photo taken by Thomas Willington

Mark, Thomas, Paul and Chris were driving back and made their way to the car park in Llanberis.  Keith, John, Simon and Phil had booked into a hotel for the night, but came back to the campsite while we packed our tents and stuff away.

I’ve gone right off pop-up tents . . . mine’s in pieces in the bin at the campsite.  No way could we get the tent back into it’s cover.  The only way we could pack Mike’s away was to strap bungee ropes around it!  Mandy and Kevin have the knack and deserve a medal for making it look so easy.  Once the car was loaded up we said our goodbyes and started the journey home.

Despite feeling completely shattered, it was a great weekend and we were all so glad we’d reached the top.  It was a really nice way to spend time with work colleagues and friends.

On the way home I told Mike and Dawn that I would never, ever walk up another mountain and I was going to stick to cycling instead.  I obviously have a short memory as Mandy, Mark and I are already planning to walk up Ben Nevis . . . we just need to convince Mike and Dawn to join us!

Back on the bike at long last . . .

It’s only been a few weeks since I was last on my bike, but it’s seemed an eternity!

The intermittent pain from my stupid quad strain had made me wary about going out on my bike in case I made things worse.

Frustration, however got the better of me and I decided to go ahead with last weekend’s bikepacking trip I’d arranged with Stuart and kept my fingers crossed all would be okay.  We were joined by Emma who was bikepacking for the first time.

I got to Stuart and Dee’s around 11ish on Saturday and after meeting Emma; eating my lunch; chatting and faffing, we set off for a night out bivvying in the Cambrian Mountains.

It’s been a while since I last went out with a loaded bike and found the first 10 minutes or so a bit of a struggle as we climbed up through the forest.  Amazing how quickly you get back into things and soon it was like I’d never had a break.

Things didn’t look to be going too well after we’d been out for half an hour or so . . . we lost Stuart!  Emma and I were so busy chatting, we didn’t notice he’d taken a left turn off the fire road and gaily carried on in our own little world.

We descended, went through a stream, climbed up the other side and ended up at the main road where finding no Stuart, turned around and rode back to the stream . . . still chatting of course.

I’ve cycled with Stuart long enough to know he wouldn’t have ridden too far without waiting for us at certain places and yet I still carried on.  Where’s the logic in that?

We crossed back over the stream and while deciding what to do he appeared at the top of the hill, which was a relief to the both of us.  Apparently it didn’t make much difference about how we got to our camping spot, so we set off again the way Emma and I had just ridden back!

The day was not the warmest and was mixed with wind, sunshine and rain, but I didn’t care as I was out on my bike and making a bid for freedom.

We rode through some nice spots; had a few hair-raising moments where Emma and I clung for dear life onto our handlebars while going through the mud and water (all adds to the fun) and eventually ended up below Plynlimon at Nant Y Moch where we set up our tarps in the trees in the top right corner of this photo.

Photo from a trip in 2010

I say we set up our tarps, it was actually Stuart who set them up and once we’d organised our sleeping bags etc we settled down for a brew and something to eat.

I’d made a tuna pasta bake for my tea and had intended on heating it up, but was so hungry I ate it while I was waiting for the water to boil for my drink.  It actually tastes alright cold.

Although camped in the trees, the wind was still harsh.  We spent most of the evening gathering wood and anything else that burned to keep the fire going and so didn’t really get a chance to sit beside it long enough to appreciate.

Considering my eldest son’s a firefighter I shouldn’t really admit to this, but I love playing with fires.  Emma put her socks to dry by the side and it wasn’t long before one was on fire!

We hung on as long as we could, but eventually admitted defeat and went to bed.  My throat had felt like I’d swallowed sandpaper since the Thursday before and to stop it getting worse I snuggled down in my sleeping bag, pulled the head part over to cover my face and tucked it into the top part that went across my neck.  I was now in an envelope feeling very cosy and was still in the same position when Stuart took this photo of me in the morning.

It wasn’t as windy when we got up and thankfully no one was in a rush to pack up and go.  A breakfast of porridge and a couple of cups of coffee and I was soon raring to go!

As is usual I was the last to pack everything onto my bike, but once ready, we headed back the way we came until we turned off right, which would eventually have us cycling past the reservoir onto the mountain road to take us back to Stuart’s.

Emma was obviously feeling it on the Sunday, but considering it was her first bikepacking trip she did amazingly well and still had a sense of humour, which was good as the climb that faced her was not a nice one.

Stuart rode most of the way up with her, overtook me and as Emma and I arrived at the top, took this photo.  Emma was thankfully smiling; I couldn’t smile as I had a mouth full of malt loaf!  Sometimes thinking nice thoughts isn’t enough when your legs are aching.

There was still more climbing ahead of us, but the worst was over . . . music to Emma’s ears!  As we made our way along, it rained a bit and snowed a bit and by the time we reached the mountain road the wind had really picked up.

I was already wearing a short-sleeved top, arm warmers, gilet, long-sleeved cycling top and my waterproof jacket, but it was so cold and windy I put my Rab microlight on top to ride the 6 miles downhill to Pennant.  Funny really, I was all wrapped up on top like it was winter while wearing shorts!  I’d put some knee warmers in my bag, but didn’t feel the need to use them.

The descent was freezing on my face, but it was fast and fun and was a relief to mine and Emma’s legs.

I’d fallen off my bike into a stream on our way back and was glad to change into some warm dry clothes.  That added to a brew and a flapjack, it was a good way to end the weekend.

Another memorable trip; great cycling and great company and best of all my injury didn’t get worse . . . in fact it seems to be better as it has ached a lot less since I got back.  My sore throat on the other hand is another story!

Next trip is the WRT . . . could just do with it being a tad warmer!

Being injured sucks . . .

it’s stopped me from going on my bikepacking trip with Stuart over the Easter weekend; from taking part in #30daysofbiking and from going to the gym although I’m back this Thursday for personal training with Steve . . . upper body only!

My right groin and knee have been aching on and off for a while, but have been more annoying than a problem.  I woke up the Sunday morning following last Saturday’s day out with Stuart aching like mad from my hip to my knee and knew I’d pushed my luck with the days climbing we’d done.

You’d think being 55 I’d know when to stop, but I never seem to learn.

Icing, resting, compression shorts and Ibuprofen did nothing to help and a trip to Patrick my physio has confirmed I have a quad strain.

After much prodding and manipulating my leg into places I didn’t think possible, he’s given me some stretching exercises to do and I’m to let him know how I’m getting on when he’s back from holiday.

It was Patrick who convinced me to give up running and go back to cycling.  Bad news for him in a way as this is only the second injury I’ve picked up through being out on my bike, so he rarely sees me now.

This strain’s a persistent little beggar as the pain seems OK one moment and then comes back with vengeance.  It’s not just painful, but annoying and frustrating . . . I want to be out on my bike.

I have little choice though, but to be patient; not easy when you’re used to never sitting still!

Glorious sunny Wales . . .

made yesterday’s cycling all the more fun.  My cyclists tan is already on the way!

I left home around 7:30 and drove through fog until I was about 6 miles from Welshpool when the weather suddenly changed to a cloudless sky and sunny.

The sun was still shining when I arrived at Dee and Stuart’s, so after the usual faffing, chatting and tea drinking, Stuart and I set off on our bikes with a feeling of optimism for a good days cycling.

The plan was to head to Llanidloes for tea and cake and so the first climb of the day was by turning right out of Stuart’s and cycling on the road to eventually get off-road.

It’s not the most pleasant of climbs and after having done four hours of spin and a PT session with Steve, which included a 30 minute workout on my legs during the last week, my quads were protesting!

The view though once we’d reached this point (1,200+ ft) was worth the effort.

At various parts of the day we came across sheep with their lambs; some of them only a few hours old.

We eventually ended back on the road and turned off to go through Hafren Forest; more climbing.

A view looking down part of the climb and halfway up where we stopped for a drink and snack . . .

and looking up towards the next bit, which obviously continued up and up around the corner!

The climbs never seem so bad when the sun’s shining.

To get to Llanidloes meant us turning off the fire road and into the trees.  We had to walk our bikes as parts of it was like walking on quicksand.  Thankfully it didn’t last too long and we were able to get on our bikes and eventually ended up at this point.

Fortunately it was more or less downhill to get us back on the road to Llanidloes.

It was nice to get to the café and sit down for a while.  I decided on a coffee and a scone, which turned out to be an excellent choice; Stuart had tea and a mars bar cake.

We set off out of the town and cycled down a different road to the one we arrived on to get back to Hafren Forest.  After all the climbing we’d done, this climb for me was the hardest.  One of those where you have to think nice thoughts to get through it.

We stopped for a breather halfway up to look at the dam at Llyn Clwyedog reservoir.

These ruins are next to the dam . . .

and are what’s left of Bryntail Lead Mine.

We got back on our bikes and rode the rest of the climb and eventually ended up on the flat and stopped for a belated lunch sat next to the reservoir.

The final stint back through the forest was fairly effortless and especially the last few miles as it was all downhill into Pennant.

It was an excellent days cycling . . . 32+ miles with 3,500+ of climbing.

I’ve given my quads . . .

a right old bashing over the last few days!

I cancelled Thursday’s personal training session with Steve and rearranged for Saturday teatime.  A bit stupid really considering I’d told Jez I’d spend Sunday cycling at Cannock Chase with him and my bike of choice as usual was my single speed.

Explaining this to Steve and telling him I could do without a workout on my legs fell on deaf ears and so I woke up Sunday morning with sore quads, which felt far worse going up and down the stairs.

Being optimistic and a trooper, I still took my single speed with the idea in my head that the sun; the buzz I get from being out on my bike and Jez’s company would blot out any pain I felt when climbing the hills.

The hills were still painful, but I didn’t get off and walk up any of them.  If I’m honest that was mainly due to there being loads of people around and I was too proud and competitive to get off my bike in front of them!

Pine cafe’s closed and moved to another area, so we stopped our ride at lunchtime to have a drink and something to eat at Swinno’s.  It’s always nice sitting outside and chatting to anyone who stops by.  It’s also nice to catch up with everyone who works there.  Jake is one of my favourites and as I only see him every few weeks I got him to pose with Jez for this photo.

We set off again, but ended up having to return to Birches Valley before planned as Jez’s bottom bracket was making some unhealthy sounds.  Despite this, it was an excellent day.  We rode some great single track; climbed some good hills (painful as they were) and as usual had a good laugh.

It will be a few weeks before Jez and I meet up again.  He’s off to Scotland and has Mountain Mayhem coming up and I’m off to Wales for a few trips, but we’re hoping to fit in another day soon . . . we might even get to the Long Mynd if we’re lucky.

Yesterday evening was spin for an hour followed by advanced spin for another hour.  It was very strange as my quads started off the first class screaming at me, but within twenty minutes it was as if I’d got no feeling in them, which was obviously good.

My legs feel remarkably good this morning, which bodes well seeing as I have two flights of stairs to march up and down all day at work.