Challenges and flashbacks...

Lee with the latest guide dog puppy Flint

This week has been all about challenges and flashbacks of this time last year. As ever I'll start with Lee and end with cycling but there will be quite a blurred line between the two!

I went looking for pictures from a year ago and there's not many...well not many that aren't dogs! The pic above is from me running 5k in the garden because we were isolating. The garden isn't huge it was 155 lengths of the garden path. On January 9th 2021 my isolation ended and I took the dogs out for a walk. When I got back I rang Lee an ambulance. She went to KGH for a few hours but was released home with a hefty prescription. I spent most of the Sunday finding a pharmacy and then the next day I called an ambulance again. For Lee and I this was such a different experience. As they drove away I wondered if I'd ever see my wife again. Lee on the other hand thought they'd sort her out and she'd be home quite soon. Neither of us expected what happened. 10 weeks in hospital, 5 in ICU, 28 days of not being able to talk to each other...all of these things have been on both our minds this week. 

This would be bad enough but we also have the heart ache of seeing Lee's Dad deteriorate. 

For Lee herself, she's been very tired, felt weak and wobbly and has a lot of pain in her limbs. She has been prescribed amitryptaline for neuropathic pain and has been signed off work for another month.

Life working for the NHS hasn't been easy through the Christmas period. The Daily Mail is correct, we are experiencing high levels of sickness. However unlike their disgusting editorial direction, this is not because of poor attitudes or weak sickness policies. Everyone is knackered, everyone has a story of loss, some people are running on empty. Personally this week I have felt exhausted at times. Which is why this weekend I NEEDED a good bike ride.

On Friday evening the Cyclasylum organisers cancelled the usual Saturday group ride. Probably quite sensible because the forecast was dire. I used this opportunity to have a relaxed start before taking the dogs out later than usual. Whilst walking the dogs I decided that despite it being cold and wet I would go for a ride.

In order to go out I put on every bit of winter riding kit I own. The best bits of which are my Northwave winter boots, Vanelli winter jersey, Endura Gillet and my Planet X merino socks. Also helping a lot are my Race Blade mudguards. 

It wasn't that bad whilst I was out in it. I was reflecting on so many things. It was January 2019 when I lost my Pap (Grandad,) and a couple of weeks later we lost Harvey our lovely gold labrador. It was so on my mind I saw a roadkill deer and thought it was a dog!

I had no plan for this ride. I just decided to stay within 10 miles of home and keep going for as long as I wanted. Having decided also to have an easy ride, I somehow found myself on East Farndon Hill. I stopped for a snack at Prince Ruperts view. That was about 15 miles in and cycling was doing the trick, I felt as if the weight of the world was lifting from my shoulders.

 

Having been to Prince Rupert's view i thought for balance I should go to the parliamentarians side of the battle field. Fairfax had a much better view than Prince Rupert and it goes a long way to explaining why the Royalists lost. Both views are on top of the biggest hills in the area. To add to these lung busting climbs there was a strong headwind going into Naesby. At least the rain wasn't persistent!

Having got to the top of Naesby Hill i decided I should enjoy the benefit and headed back down the other side and onto Cottersbrooke via the gated roads. Then another good climb into Brixworth. This time a good tailwind helped me up the hill. By then I decided I wanted 40 miles so I went home via Holcot, Walgrave, Old, Foxhall and Harrington. For the last five miles it was heavy rain but still with a strong tailwind and all that good kit on, I couldn't have cared less! As it says in my blog description, I ride because cycling is good for the soul!

As usual Sunday morning started with Junior Parkrun duties. I wanted to ride again today but it became apparent that the ground would not defrost quickly. So instead I decided to get on the rollers, to make it more interesting I watched the full match replay of Saints rugby victory yesterday. That was 80 minutes on the rollers. It's a long time because you sit in the same position more than you would on the road and even shifting my hands and going no handed at times, I was very numb at the end! However it's more miles for my #NHS1000miles challenge!

Big shout out to all my fellow riders from capers and the local clubs who competed in the National cx championships this weekend. Some great results. Commiserations to Phil Wilkinson who had a horror crash and a leg gash so nasty it required surgery. Get well soon Phil! I could share the pictures but might need to put a health warning on the blog!!!

Hopefully next week it won't be icy everyday and I can ride to work. I have my Dad's bike trailer to help lug all the stuff I need to the office! True to form, before lending me the trailer Big Dave sorted out new tyres and got slime tubes fitted. I know...I said tubes...the trailer wheels are not tubeless. Apologies to anyone who is now in shock!!! Anyway I'm looking forward to some mileage accumulation and a bit of "stealth training!!!"

Happy Pedalling 

Good bye 2021...you will not be missed!

My beautiful pink yeti!

This is my first blog of 2022...a year that I sincerely hope is better than 2021. As usual I'll do a family based update and then drift into my cycling stuff. The break will be in bold.

Lee dropped her phone in hospital...

It's no exaggeration to say I nearly lost my wife in 2021. If I were to positively reframe that...in 2021 Lee survived Covid19 despite being as ill as it gets, lung failure and weeks in ITU. She has now been off work for a year as the long road to recovery continues. I know she'll get there because she is brave, strong and determined.

As the new year starts we are facing another tough situation. Lee's dad, also called Richard has been battling cancer since 2017. In those years he's done really well but it's not looking too great now. Christmas day was really tough but at least we had the chance to open presents together.

I read a great quote from the Dalai Lama. It's about hope and I find it helpful.

This is the break

The cycling bit isn't going to be long. For one reason and another my 2021 cycling wasn't as I'd hoped. There's good bits in there. I'm happy with my progress in cyclocross. I didn't race today but I am looking forward, covid conditions, permitting to the last race of the season on the 16th. I wasn't fit enough at the start of the season and the same can be said for the Dartmoor classic in June. I'm not beating myself up about this. I wasn't in the right place to train hard and follow a healthier lifestyle.

That leads me to my ambitions for 2022. As usual I'm taking part in Red January, Dry January and #NHS1000miles. My plan is to really go for it and try to cycle 1000 miles in the first 7 weeks of the year. Until I get to that magic number I will be abstaining from alcohol. I'm also going to cycle to work as often as I can. If I do this I'll kick-start the year with a healthier lifestyle and a really good base miles. training block.

Big shout out to all my cycling friends who achieved amazing things on their bikes on 2021. 

Happy Pedalling

Birthday weekend, great time with friends, some cycling to finish the week...

The blog is different things to different people. If you want to hear about Lee read the first bit. If you want the cycling stuff read the second bit. The break will be in bold. If you want to read it all that's cool too!

On Friday we headed to Plymouth and had a very straightforward trip down. As usual we stopped at Gloucester services on the way. That night at Ged & James House we had a fabulous Caribbean take away from soul food and a LOT of rum!!!

On Saturday morning I headed to Central Park Parkrun. For the first time I was able to make my way to the start without needing a car (if you ignore the 200 mile journey the day before.) I managed to turn it into a 10k as well as the very hilly 5k. This was only the second ever Plymouth Central Park Parkrun. Fittingly for the pirate capital of England they even had pirate tailwalkers!!!

Just to make sure I got 20 000 steps in we then took Flynn the dog for a lovely walk whilst Lee and Ged did some Christmas shopping. 

On Saturday night we had a superb meal at the Dome, once owned by Gary Rhodes. 

Sunday was my birthday. We should have been here this time last year. It was Ged's birthday a couple of days before so it's a joint celebration.

As a birthday treat Sara took Lee and I out on her boat. It was a stunning day and the harbour in Plymouth is beautiful. 

Lee still needs her afternoon nap, so she took this on the boat. 

The dome shaped  building to the left of the lighthouse is the restaurant from the night before!!!

Once back at Ged & James the barbecue was in full swing. James does not do burgers and sausages, this was full on smoked beef, pork and a whole chicken in his impressive array of smokers and rotisserie! All of this was of course washed down with a lot more rum 🏴‍☠️ except for Lee who persisted with non-alcoholic alternatives. You may have spotted a food theme here...I've possibly put on half a stone these last couple of weeks!!!

On Monday we headed to Looe in the day time. It was beautiful and we had a nice time but...Looe is 2/3rds closed on a Monday! The food theme continued with fish and chips, ice cream and a visit to a very good rum shop!!!

In the evening we went to Illuminate at The Royal William Yard. This was a very clever light display but apparently not as good as last year. Then you know...more Rum!!!

On Tuesday we did a bit of shopping and then went to Pier One for lunch. I think this restaurant has the most amazing setting and view. It's not far from the Dome but we were there in the day time!!!

We came home on Wednesday after a thoroughly enjoyable short break with great friends. Myfitnesspal is being used again from Monday! As for Lee. She did very well but the tiredness and muscle fatigue is all to obvious. She struggles on anything but a flat, even surface. She missed her naps a couple of times and this might explain the data on her smartwatch. In her sleep Lee is experiencing tachycardia, she hit 180bpm one night! Despite this Lee remains in very good spirits, she was so much fun to be around! She is on course for a return to work in January!!!

Now it's time for cycling!

On Thursday I was desperate for a spin. We'd had another good meal with the kids on Wednesday as we had our family birthday celebrations. I was feeling fat and lethargic and needed a good ride! So I took my Forme Calver for an off road spin.

Via Harrington and Arthingworth I headed to the Brampton Valley Way. I took this to Lamport and then headed back to the bridleways. 

Then it was across the fields towards Mawsley and back round through Orton for a nice 20 mile loop. 

On the way I found some decent mud to ride through...I did think I needed more mud specic tyres...which is good because I got some for my birthday! 

These Hutchinson tyres were so quick to fit and the bead gave that satisfying pop on the first inflation. Some people think tubeless is a faff. I think good tyres, good wheels and a tubeless specific pump make it relatively easy. I'm looking forward to testing these on Tuesday at Capers.

I did intend to ride with Cyclasylum on Saturday but it was  horrible weather. Bearable for dog walking but not nice for cycling. Kudos to Richard G and Andy P for being Hardy enough to still go out. Meanwhile Bruce and Charity enjoyed an extended walk!

This morning I was due to be volunteer coordinator at junior parkrun but icy conditions meant the course was unsafe and we were forced to cancel. With time on my hands I decided off road was the only sensible option and picked an old favourite route wise!

I headed out via Rushton through crunchy icy puddles. I'm 51 years old and love the noise an icy puddle makes as much as I did when I was 5. 

From there I made my way through Weekly Woods and onto Geddington.

The aim was to see what state the chase was in. Often at this time of year it's very wet and muddy, fun for a few miles but not fast riding!

By the time I reached that lovely old oak tree it was clear that the frosty conditions had firmed the ground up. The downhill section was improved further as the hedges have been cut back. At the bottom of the hill I turned round and came back! I'd have to use more roads otherwise and this was not what I wanted. Once back in Geddington I took the bridleway  which comes out opposite Boughton House.

I do think the  Duke of Buccleuch needs persuading to have a cyclocross race on his grounds!

From there I headed around the back of Brambleside and into linear Park, where I bumped into Kate and Nathan Gallon and Dexter dog! Then I headed home, happy to have had a nice ride!

Once back I tried to clean my bike but my hosepipe was frozen. I got it cleared eventually but froze myself in the process! 

Next up was Sunday dinner at Mum and Dad's where we met Flint, guide dog puppy number 7! This was a lovely way to finish my 2 weeks leave!!! I've had a splendid time and I'm happy to go back to work for a rest from all this fine dining and extravagance!!!

Big shout out to my fellow cyclocross riders from Corby Capers and all the local clubs. Some great results in the regional championships today. Rider of the day has to go to Paul Dickens for becoming the Central Region V60 champion! Well done to everyone though. There's loads of riding to come with the World Masters in Ipswich next weekend and still 2 rounds of the Leicestershire League in January. 

Happy Pedalling 

Birthday leave, Time with Lee and #crossisboss

Friday was the start of two weeks leave for me. I wanted a decent break around my birthday to make up for my lockdown 50th and to spend some good time with Lee. We are heading to Plymouth on Friday to see good friends but before then...loads to do! So this week I'll be doing a Lee catch up and then I want to talk about the brilliant cyclocross race we had at the weekend!

It all started with a triple 50th celebration with our good friends Martin & Vicky. We headed to the Red Lion in Rothwell where we were served expertly by our daughter Níamh!

Then we headed over the road to the Thai Gardens for a typically brilliant meal. This was the best way to start the weekend!

On Saturday I dropped a wedding cake off that Lee had made and then headed to the Saints. Sam wasn't with me because his girlfriend's Dad was treating the family to the VIP experience with a pre-match meal.

Yes that is Teimana Harrison sitting at the table with Sam! After the match it was a quick turnaround to get back to Mark and Claire Frost's wedding reception. 

It was great to see the big man so happy. We've been mates since working together at St. Andrew's Hospital. I don't think there's a nicer man on the planet! Lee though, after a night out on Friday and making a cake only lasted an hour before she was exhausted. All this without touching a drop of alcohol because of her meds.

On Monday we bought a new car. It's very much like the old car but instead of being a dirty diesel, I've gone "slightly greener," and got a petrol hybrid. On Monday night I was just about to head out to Cyclones when Lee called me from slimming world. She was having a tachycardia episode and felt dreadful! Thankfully it all calmed down before we needed to take a trip to hospital! Ian managed Cyclones without me and I'm grateful to him for that! 

Yesterday Lee and I headed out for a date day with a twist. We started by getting our Covid19 booster jabs together before going for an explore. I'd seen a Christmas event advertised at Weedon Ordinance Depot, its not for a few weeks but I thought the place would be interesting and there'd be bits to hold Lee's interest. This former Napoleanic ammunitions depot is indeed interesting, it's still in development in terms retail units but it already has classic car garages, The Roman Way Brewery, gyms and antiques shops. 

We had a look round the shops which were full of interesting pieces. We found this dog ornament which we couldn't resist.

Then we found these industrial looking scales which look great and will be practical for Lee's cakes.

Finally we found something for the 'cycling,' corner in our front room. After all that we headed to Market Harborough to visit Farndon Fields Farm Shop. I'm a sucker for these places and as well as getting some nice bits, including local ales for our trip to Devon, we also had a nice lunch!

All of that was possibly a bit much for Lee as the booster jabs kicked in. I left her feeling tired as I headed to Capers cyclocross training last night and when I returned she was having full on side effects! As usual I haven't even got a sore arm! It's not fair, I wish I could go through this for her!!! Most people recover quickly from the side effects so we should be good for Plymouth on Friday! 

That's the Lee bit done. Stop here if you don't want to read about the Cyclocross race...start here if that's what you came for!

Here I am at 08.30 prepared for a day of marshalling - racing - marshalling at West Glebe Park, as Rockingham Forest Wheelers hosted a round of the Central Cycocross League. To be more specific, this was a home fixture for the Corby Capers.

The technical course, designed by Phil Wilkinson, ably assisted by David Hill, was a mix of grassland and woodland sections. It featured a testing drop off, a tricky run up and some fun bits with jumps! Phil, David and the team spent Saturday putting the course together and thankfully it was intact on Sunday morning.

There's a flow to a cyclocross day. It kind of goes: calm, chaos, repeat! It was great fun cheering on the youngsters in the early races. Sean and I discussed how we'd like to see more local youngsters involved. Between the three local clubs we do have a few kids racing but it seems to have dipped a bit. This is particularly true for the kids we coach at KCC cyclones. However, take nothing away from the kids who were there, they rode hard and as one of their coaches I'm very proud of them.

The biggest challenge was keeping dog walkers away from the course. There was also some lovely engagements with the interested public. A bloke watching his kid play football wandered over to ask about it. Another young man spent ages asking me questions and telling me about riding in the woods every day. 

Before I knew it, it was time for my race. The field of riders was huge with several rows at the start grid. I was towards the back but as usual tried to get a good start and move up. In the background of the picture above you can see riders down, I'm not sure how I avoided this crash because it happened right in front of me! Another rider wiped out on a corner and needed first aid, I hope he's okay, he did walk away from his crash!

I had one plan at the start of the race...see if I could catch up with Ian Bird.

Amazingly I did catch him and then overtake on lap two. As the two KCC riders in the race I was hoping that someone got a picture of us together. It was short lived though. Currently I have enough pace to catch Ian but not enough stamina to stay with him! It was a good battle whilst it lasted!

All round the course people cheered me on. It is an amazing feeling to hear people call your name and offer encouragement. I kept going as hard as I could until I had an incident. 

One section was unridable to all apart from the best riders. The rest of us had to run up and jump on at the top. On my penultimate lap I went to jump on...I think a good rider behind me was riding up...I didn't know this and as I went to jump on I kicked his bike, fell over my own and then me and my bike got stuck in a tree! I untangled but lost about a minute...in a disoriented state I ran down a slope before another run up. A rider shouted me from behind, moaning I was in his way! Spectators who knew me but I didn't see shouted: "don't listen Rich, you paid the same entrance fee!" I like that a lot! I also heard someone say : “that’s going in the blog!” 

From there it was the bell and the last lap...I pushed hard again but there was no one to catch! On the last lap I discovered I could ride the second bit that I'd been running. Why did it take me so long to discover that??? As I crossed the line, everyone was congratulating each other on a great race. Cyclocross is a sport for all and in those final moments there’s a sense of togetherness. A big shout out to two of my great cycling buddies Rob Campbell and Chris Barratt. Rob was in his first race and Chris is working back to fitness. Anyone who puts on a number and races is a hero in my eyes!

After my race I took up my marshalling position on a corner which appeared quite boring at first…then there was five minutes of slight drizzle…which changed everything!

Loads of riders slipped and slid around, many hitting the deck. Most had a soft landing and no one was hurt.

Also on this corner I had several good chats. The best of these was catching up with my old friend Jessica. The details of that conversation are between us, all I can say is, it was most enlightening! I also need to thank Gary for bringing me a much needed coffee.

Before we knew it the racing ended. It was a long day but it went very quickly! We all got stuck in to make short work of the course tidy up. This was a fabulous day. It was made by the cyclocross community doing what it does best!

Happy Pedalling