Bike update

Sadly the Nicolai went onto pastures new, I believe to be converted to Rolhoff. The Specialized Alez Elite also went to another owner.
New in and obvious from the previous posting is the Pearson Double Cross. That's already seen some racing and some hard winter training sessions. Also new, well sort of is a Graham Weigh cross bike. This is a new budget frame on which I'm fitting a mix of old early ninties Campagnolo I had kicking about and ebay and STW sourced secondhand parts.
Also lurking in the background is an old Gios frame. It's a lovely thing, but not up to todays standards. However I do intend to have it resprayed and fitted with modern Campagnolo and carbon forks. To turn it into what I'd call a gentlemans bike.

Cyclo cross.

After a pretty dreadful year riding wise, what with all the injuries sustained, I have come to find myself in and nearing the end of racing in my local cyclo cross league. After having plenty of time to consider where I wanted to go with my riding, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to return to racing. So with a few miles of running xc under my belt and the desire to race, I promptly entered the local Central CX league. As of now I've completed four of the six events, leaving my local race at the Milton Keynes Bowl and final race at the Hillingdon cycle circuit still to go.
My performances in the races have been pretty much as expected, not stunning but not 'Lantern Rouge' either. However I'm hoping the cross racing will act as a springboard into road racing in 2010.
The road racing being my main target for 2010.

Just prior to my first race I entered a Sportive with fellow BuzzardsMTB riders. It didn't take long for me to realise that they weren't my 'cup of tea', much prefering a session with my buddies or the local reliability trials.

Anyway winter is almost here and I've just had my first wet and muddy ride in months. Whilst most riders chose to stay tucked up in bed, I took the oppertunity to test my cross bikes wet weather capabilities which just so happened to be excelent. So that's my worries taken care of for next weeks almost 'certain to be wet' cross race.

Stay posted!

New Hardware

Planet X Carbon Pro SL
Nicolai Argon custom singlespeed
Giant XTC
Winter hack (project)

Run Bike Run Bike Blah blah blah

This is going very well now, though I don't know how I'm ever going to manage night runs in the winter? The running shows some real signs of improving and though I don't feel it I must be getting tired. Last night it took an hour of chasing the Buzzards before my biking legs kicked in, and then as Lance would say it was 'no chain'.
Running also gives me more time to ponder about where I want to go with my riding in the future. The thing I think about a lot is the 3 Peaks and it does seem the next obvious choice. Also I'm thinking about next years FNSS XC races when I will be a grand vet.
The other thing I'm thinking about a lot right now is my singlespeed and if there is a place for it within my current and probabal futue riding plans, I can't help think a cyclo cross bike might be a better winter option?
Anyway this is a full on week, no let ups, run then ride and no rest days. Next week I'll up the mileage but I'll get rests in to compensate.
Chillin in a darkened room right now making plans most cunning.

Mental Hillness

Before I go any further I should say I've just Hoovered up my glasses, so I'm having a bit of bother seeing close up so please forgive any spolling mistakes.

Mental Hillness! 12 hours!!  bike or run!!! Hayfield September 2009. Really fancy this one. I asked about trying to get a four man run team together but that hasn't happened. So again it looks like I'll be having another attempt at a 12 hour solo. Though the good thing is that this one is run during daylight hours, never seen the point of specifically running them in darkness? Not booked in yet but hopefully myself and a small Buzzards contingent might make it.

Went out withthe Buzzards today and I'm feeling pretty good, any extra fitness gained between now and the event would be a real bonus though very unlikely.

Anyway onwards and upwards, just wish my calf muscles would ease up a bit after my runs......................nurse. 

It's been a while!

Over a year in fact.

So what's new? Well the Inbred and Carver have gone to new homes, and the old crosser bit the dust. In their place there now sits a racey Giant XTR self build, a Nicolai singlespeed (poss the only one in the UK) a Planet X road bike and a Spesh Allez Elite hack bike.

As for my riding,well I half did a SITS 24 hour solo but bust my finger. Got up and riding again a month or so later only to seriously bust up my back in a stupid fall. Took to the road bike to build up fitness only to crash on my first MTB ride and tear my Intercostal thingy wotsit, that was Good! Friday.

Joined the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists and got mullered several times. Started using the road bike quite a lot, even had a quick session in France. Started my XC runs again and err that's about that so far this year.

Getting myself properly sorted for the big 50 at the end of the year. Planning another 24 hour solo,some road racing and a trip to bag some Alps.

More later...................