Whilst The Ironman was coasting in the comfort of his indoor gym, The Bigman was out with the Gruesome Twosome on the Creepy Coupe cloaked in a moonlight night.
Word has got out about the Tandem twosome as cars all pulled over in the passing places to let the Gruesome Twosome come through. There was clearly tension in air between the boys on the tandem as silently and individually they pondered whether they could maintain the winning performance of last week on the 'Descent Race'.
As they started the iconic ascent of Col du Cleish, Junior II tried to be subtle in his enquiry ............. 'am I out of step with your cadence, it's just that I seem to be pushing the pedals harder' .........ouch! Not many would dare to make such a suggestion to the Jan Ullricht of his time.
As they crested the summit, the view across Tayside in the dusk was magnificent without a breath of wind. On the decent of the North Face, The Fit One reached new depths/heights ( depending on your outlook) by claiming that the Creepy Coup was travelling at faster than the speed of light!
The climb back up the North Pace was racey. Clearly the descent Race was forefront of mind. But not before a discussion ensued on ................ (PRIVATE)
Once the top was crested and a sharp right hander was behind the pair, the anchor brake was removed and they descended into the pitch darkness.........because they were going faster than the spped of light. At one point The Fit One, riding shotgun, was going so fast he appeared to be passing Junior II.
The braking distance for a tandem with 28 stone aboard is a reasonable distance and so the boys were a tadge optimistic as they approach the T junction and deciding the car approaching from the west wsa far enough away (to wives.it was indeed far enough away)
And then the race commenced. The Fit One again in rear gunner position. The pace eased up. A silence came upon the road. The pace eased up. The Bigman crept into the slipstream with a plan to go earlier this week. As the road started to climb, he moved out to take the wind resistance. The rear gunner spotted the move and called for more power ............ and they simply eased away without even the need to stand up.
They are awesome.
As Santiago was keen to join tonight however could not locate his lights, plans were made for next week, the Duracell to join Santiago in their Ant Hill Mob tandem named, Chugga Boom. Watch next Wednesday's update to find out how the Ant Hill Mob fair against the Gruesome Twosome. Read it hear first.
Another 20 miles and 14ooft of climbing towards the Cape Epic for the Bigman. The designs for the CaApe Epic shirts have been sent to the designer and will be produced by The Cycle Jersey.com
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Way hay summer's arrived
What an afternoon - hot sun, blue skies without a doubt summer has started - let's hope that it continues until it ends tomorrow......
The afternoon sun was beaming through the office window but sadly time was tight so I settled on a sufferfest session in the gym. Man it was roasting. I thrashed my way through an hour session an gave everything I could on the bike. It was very hot and very enjoyable.
Another session on the spin bike planned for the morning. Marathon on Sunday - cold and sniffles arrive tonight - just on time....
Winter officially starts tomorrow with the first really cold north wind heading over....
Normal service is resumed!
The afternoon sun was beaming through the office window but sadly time was tight so I settled on a sufferfest session in the gym. Man it was roasting. I thrashed my way through an hour session an gave everything I could on the bike. It was very hot and very enjoyable.
Another session on the spin bike planned for the morning. Marathon on Sunday - cold and sniffles arrive tonight - just on time....
Winter officially starts tomorrow with the first really cold north wind heading over....
Normal service is resumed!
Sunday 27 September 2009
A pain in the foot
My left foot has been sore every time I've run for the past 2 weeks. Rubbish timing with a marathon next weekend. So it may be more of a limp round rather than my planned attemp at a PB - we'll wait and see but I missed my last long run last weekend and felt my foot whilst out today.
I only did 5 miles this morning and aerobically I feel in good shape.
I'm still going to go for it and hopefully with a week's rest will sort it out.
So the week ahead I'll be focussed on my weak spot. My training is consistent, in accordance with my plans and generally I love it. Food is my issue. I just love nice stuff to eat. Cakes, chocolate and bread are particular fatty favorites of mine. We had a dinner party last night and no doubt the left over puddings will be hoovered up later.....
Anyway, I'm not sure of this carb loading business. This is the process of eating lots of carbohyrates before a big race to maximise your glycogen stores. I understand that it's good practice to eat pasta for a couple of evenings before a big race. I do this every time to limited impact!
It's rumoured that the night before the Caledonian Etape a couple of years ago the Gillespie Crusader bikers ignored this practice and went for a curry instead!! In any event it worked and they all romped home in excellent times the next day. Maybe the secret qualities of a firey curry is the way to go......
Training this week will be focussed on the bike - more probably the spinning bike - to keep my fitness up. Hopefully the foot will recover and I'll be back on for a PB next weekend.
I only did 5 miles this morning and aerobically I feel in good shape.
I'm still going to go for it and hopefully with a week's rest will sort it out.
So the week ahead I'll be focussed on my weak spot. My training is consistent, in accordance with my plans and generally I love it. Food is my issue. I just love nice stuff to eat. Cakes, chocolate and bread are particular fatty favorites of mine. We had a dinner party last night and no doubt the left over puddings will be hoovered up later.....
Anyway, I'm not sure of this carb loading business. This is the process of eating lots of carbohyrates before a big race to maximise your glycogen stores. I understand that it's good practice to eat pasta for a couple of evenings before a big race. I do this every time to limited impact!
It's rumoured that the night before the Caledonian Etape a couple of years ago the Gillespie Crusader bikers ignored this practice and went for a curry instead!! In any event it worked and they all romped home in excellent times the next day. Maybe the secret qualities of a firey curry is the way to go......
Training this week will be focussed on the bike - more probably the spinning bike - to keep my fitness up. Hopefully the foot will recover and I'll be back on for a PB next weekend.
Blustery Bigman
A quiet Sunday afternoon surfing the Fife hills. What better way to spend an afternoon. Bigman and The Wee Yin headed for Col du Cleish to enjoy the panaramic views towards the Cairngorms. The strong wind out of the south west carried the pair effortlessly to the crest of the iconic ascent in less than 30 minutes.
As they turned west towards Crook of Devon it was a different story. Even shifting into the crouch position, with The Wee Yin tucked in behind the Bigman the blustery conditions made for tough going. The thought of a massive cake endowed with mega chocolate at the Powmill Milk bar was sufficient inspiration to keep turning the pedals.
The Milk Bar was busy with all shapes and sizes but no other nutters out on bikes in this weather!
As the pair climbed back over Mont Veknockhill, it was like two rows of table football shunting the bikes from side to side at will. Fortunately, there was no racing on the track today and so the road was quiet. After the crossroads, on the downhill section, Bigman burst through 64kph, wind assisted. It felt good.
Despite the wind, it was a sunny afternoon and, once agin great to experience a wonderful countryside. A nice 45km circuit to set them up for teh working week and a nice warm up for Bigman before going to the five-a-side tonight.
As they turned west towards Crook of Devon it was a different story. Even shifting into the crouch position, with The Wee Yin tucked in behind the Bigman the blustery conditions made for tough going. The thought of a massive cake endowed with mega chocolate at the Powmill Milk bar was sufficient inspiration to keep turning the pedals.
The Milk Bar was busy with all shapes and sizes but no other nutters out on bikes in this weather!
As the pair climbed back over Mont Veknockhill, it was like two rows of table football shunting the bikes from side to side at will. Fortunately, there was no racing on the track today and so the road was quiet. After the crossroads, on the downhill section, Bigman burst through 64kph, wind assisted. It felt good.
Despite the wind, it was a sunny afternoon and, once agin great to experience a wonderful countryside. A nice 45km circuit to set them up for teh working week and a nice warm up for Bigman before going to the five-a-side tonight.
Saturday 26 September 2009
The Duracell duels with Range Rover
With the Ironman tapering down for his Nessie Marathon next week, a flattish route was the venue for today's outing on the road bikes.
With The Fit One unavailable for team selection today, the posse was made up of some old favourites. Santiago has not been on his bike since the Col du Carnock International meet at the end of August but has now got over his disappointment on not achieving a podium position. Similarly, The Duracell returned to the saddle with the posse for the first time since the Col du Carnock meet. It feels like so long since the Marathon Man last came out with the posse, that it was probably around the time some bloke was talking about taking a giant step for mankind. Bigman and The Ironman made up the complement.
What a cracking day. A stiff breeze out of the west would make it a challenging push out to the wild west. Stirling and the Corrieri's Cafe was the target destination. The sun was shining brilliantly and the temperature was racing up to 17 degrees. Bigman was taking no chances and went for full winter fleecy longs. Santiago has missed the changing season and was resplendant in summer gear. The Duracell had full change of clothes for all seasons in his saddle bags.
The Ironman joined the posse on the cycle track to Clackmannan having done a wee 4 mile jog to warm up before coming out. The banter along the cycle track to Clackmannan was tremendous as the pairings changed enabling each rider to catch up on what had been happening in the lives of others. The watching dog walkers tipped their forehead in recognition of the posse as it passed by. Perhaps they are part of the 650 highly intelligent blog watchers reading these pages. Many people of all shapes and sizes, ages and sports were represented on the cycle track today. The sun has that affect on people.
The miles sped past as the posse chatted their way to Stirling with limited race activity. Well not until the smell of fresh coffee reached the nostrils of the Duracell. The Duracell is a renowned connosseur of fine coffee and after the last roundabout he drove his spurs into the Dawes and over a 300 yards distance wound up to warp 9. Santiago was shaken as the wake from sonic waves washed by. Bigman spotted the move and slotted into the wind tunnel The duracell had created. In reality, he was sucked in as he was following just behind as warp power was achieved.
The traffic was moving slowly ( around 25 mph) and so Bigman 'road the wave' of a transit van all the way to the cafe.
It would be inappropriate to report who ate what. Suffice to say three of the posse enjoyed a fine hot segment Apple and Caramel tart doused in vanilla ice cream to build carbs for the return journey.
A decision was made to return by a different route. The posse would climb to Fishcross and ride along the ridge towards Coalsnaughton. The views acorss the Ochil mountain range was superb with Castle Cambell near Dollar looking magnificent as it clung to the hillside. On the way though Fishcross a young and impatient driver rammed his fiesta (complete with go faster tinted glass windows, bazooka looking exhaust pipe, and AC/DC blasting out the sun roof)(at least he has good taste in music)in to first gear and put his pedal to the metal. The smell of burning clutch took Bigman back to Alpe d'Huez with lorries and busses wrestling with the gradient.
Why the need to rush, when there is so much to look at. No time to stand and stare ..........
The Famous Five turned onto the link road across to Forestmill Cafe which includes a slight rise before you reach the cafe. With the exception of the entry to Stirling the ride had been peaceful with limited bursts of testorone induced acceleration. Santiago was about to change all this. As the climb arrived he eased to the front. Bigman sensing the increased urgency moved to match the pace and effortlessly tracked Santiago up the climb. The Marathon Man, showed his lack of match fitness by claiming to not recognise a race was taking place! He missed the signs.
As The duracell approached the junction with the Saline road he shared a wee tip with The Marathon Man about how to beat the junction without losing momentum. Unfortunately on this occassion a 4 litre Range Rover was approaching from the West. Having a rapid risk assessment, The Duracell concluded teh likelihood of the Range Rover coming off worst in the duel wa slight and not one to be banked upon. The Duracell wisely gave way.
The climb over to Gowkhall was a gentle affair with the scenery being inhaled. A great day out covering 45 miles through some of Scotland's finest scenery. Great to be out with such a fine group
With The Fit One unavailable for team selection today, the posse was made up of some old favourites. Santiago has not been on his bike since the Col du Carnock International meet at the end of August but has now got over his disappointment on not achieving a podium position. Similarly, The Duracell returned to the saddle with the posse for the first time since the Col du Carnock meet. It feels like so long since the Marathon Man last came out with the posse, that it was probably around the time some bloke was talking about taking a giant step for mankind. Bigman and The Ironman made up the complement.
What a cracking day. A stiff breeze out of the west would make it a challenging push out to the wild west. Stirling and the Corrieri's Cafe was the target destination. The sun was shining brilliantly and the temperature was racing up to 17 degrees. Bigman was taking no chances and went for full winter fleecy longs. Santiago has missed the changing season and was resplendant in summer gear. The Duracell had full change of clothes for all seasons in his saddle bags.
The Ironman joined the posse on the cycle track to Clackmannan having done a wee 4 mile jog to warm up before coming out. The banter along the cycle track to Clackmannan was tremendous as the pairings changed enabling each rider to catch up on what had been happening in the lives of others. The watching dog walkers tipped their forehead in recognition of the posse as it passed by. Perhaps they are part of the 650 highly intelligent blog watchers reading these pages. Many people of all shapes and sizes, ages and sports were represented on the cycle track today. The sun has that affect on people.
The miles sped past as the posse chatted their way to Stirling with limited race activity. Well not until the smell of fresh coffee reached the nostrils of the Duracell. The Duracell is a renowned connosseur of fine coffee and after the last roundabout he drove his spurs into the Dawes and over a 300 yards distance wound up to warp 9. Santiago was shaken as the wake from sonic waves washed by. Bigman spotted the move and slotted into the wind tunnel The duracell had created. In reality, he was sucked in as he was following just behind as warp power was achieved.
The traffic was moving slowly ( around 25 mph) and so Bigman 'road the wave' of a transit van all the way to the cafe.
It would be inappropriate to report who ate what. Suffice to say three of the posse enjoyed a fine hot segment Apple and Caramel tart doused in vanilla ice cream to build carbs for the return journey.
A decision was made to return by a different route. The posse would climb to Fishcross and ride along the ridge towards Coalsnaughton. The views acorss the Ochil mountain range was superb with Castle Cambell near Dollar looking magnificent as it clung to the hillside. On the way though Fishcross a young and impatient driver rammed his fiesta (complete with go faster tinted glass windows, bazooka looking exhaust pipe, and AC/DC blasting out the sun roof)(at least he has good taste in music)in to first gear and put his pedal to the metal. The smell of burning clutch took Bigman back to Alpe d'Huez with lorries and busses wrestling with the gradient.
Why the need to rush, when there is so much to look at. No time to stand and stare ..........
The Famous Five turned onto the link road across to Forestmill Cafe which includes a slight rise before you reach the cafe. With the exception of the entry to Stirling the ride had been peaceful with limited bursts of testorone induced acceleration. Santiago was about to change all this. As the climb arrived he eased to the front. Bigman sensing the increased urgency moved to match the pace and effortlessly tracked Santiago up the climb. The Marathon Man, showed his lack of match fitness by claiming to not recognise a race was taking place! He missed the signs.
As The duracell approached the junction with the Saline road he shared a wee tip with The Marathon Man about how to beat the junction without losing momentum. Unfortunately on this occassion a 4 litre Range Rover was approaching from the West. Having a rapid risk assessment, The Duracell concluded teh likelihood of the Range Rover coming off worst in the duel wa slight and not one to be banked upon. The Duracell wisely gave way.
The climb over to Gowkhall was a gentle affair with the scenery being inhaled. A great day out covering 45 miles through some of Scotland's finest scenery. Great to be out with such a fine group
Phew what a scorcher......
Fife was in all it's glory this morning. I'd been out for a wee 4 mile run first thing as the sun was rising in the east and I knew it was going to be a cracking day for a ride.
We met on the bike path at Carnock. A fairly full squad rocked up including Bigman, Duracell, marathon man and santiago. It was great to catch up with the boys and the chat shared our recent stories as we sped down to Alloa. Santiago and Marathon Man took most of the wind with Duracell and myself taking up rear gunner position as we took the benefit of the draft most of the way to Corrieries in Bridge of Allen.
The bigman was sharing a story from this months cycling mag which advised of the world record speed of 166mph. This seems impossible but it was done with a drag car leading a guy out. Apparently he'd tried trains and other forms but the drag car was the best option. It's amazing to think that the someone has achieved that speed. I get scared at 40mph!!!
The bigman decided to try and break the record on the way into the Bridge of Allen. He drafted behind our own drag car aka Duracell on the Dawes and then pulled out of the slipstream to sprint to the cafe. We soon discovered the reason for the sprint was to insure the procurement of a slice of caramel apple pie with ice cream - well they might have been running out. World records in the Gillespie Crusaders will created through the offer of cakes and coffee!
Corrieries is one of the great cafes on our route. It's a cyclist cafe come chippy with old classic cycling tops in frames on the wall. There is a great painting/print of a 50's race up the Col Du Galibier, one of the Bigmans conquests in the summer. I asked him if he had noticed that the picture show the guys nearing the top of the ascent on the big front cog!! Technology has moved on so much but the strength and power of the guys in the picture was awesome and inspiring.
We went back through Fishcross and back towards Saline. There's a wee climb as you close in on the junction with the main road. It's a classic sprint. To beat the bigman these days would take a colossus who is on form! Santiago, was in the great words of Clint Eastwood, feeling lucky. He wound up his bike and pushed his way to the front of the pelaton. The Bigman read the move and quietly moved into position for the kill. It was over before it started. Santiago had gone far too early. He will learn from the experience and come back a wiser racer next time out.
The journey home was bathed in autumnal sunshine. It had been a warm and refreshing run in the sun. We'd completed 60km at an enjoyable speed and caught up with good friends.
Cycling brings people together like few other sports. It's an individual event but the friends that you make with out training and sharing coffee are friends that you value. I tell the guys moving to Fife is one of the best decisions that I've made. They are a good bunch.
We met on the bike path at Carnock. A fairly full squad rocked up including Bigman, Duracell, marathon man and santiago. It was great to catch up with the boys and the chat shared our recent stories as we sped down to Alloa. Santiago and Marathon Man took most of the wind with Duracell and myself taking up rear gunner position as we took the benefit of the draft most of the way to Corrieries in Bridge of Allen.
The bigman was sharing a story from this months cycling mag which advised of the world record speed of 166mph. This seems impossible but it was done with a drag car leading a guy out. Apparently he'd tried trains and other forms but the drag car was the best option. It's amazing to think that the someone has achieved that speed. I get scared at 40mph!!!
The bigman decided to try and break the record on the way into the Bridge of Allen. He drafted behind our own drag car aka Duracell on the Dawes and then pulled out of the slipstream to sprint to the cafe. We soon discovered the reason for the sprint was to insure the procurement of a slice of caramel apple pie with ice cream - well they might have been running out. World records in the Gillespie Crusaders will created through the offer of cakes and coffee!
Corrieries is one of the great cafes on our route. It's a cyclist cafe come chippy with old classic cycling tops in frames on the wall. There is a great painting/print of a 50's race up the Col Du Galibier, one of the Bigmans conquests in the summer. I asked him if he had noticed that the picture show the guys nearing the top of the ascent on the big front cog!! Technology has moved on so much but the strength and power of the guys in the picture was awesome and inspiring.
We went back through Fishcross and back towards Saline. There's a wee climb as you close in on the junction with the main road. It's a classic sprint. To beat the bigman these days would take a colossus who is on form! Santiago, was in the great words of Clint Eastwood, feeling lucky. He wound up his bike and pushed his way to the front of the pelaton. The Bigman read the move and quietly moved into position for the kill. It was over before it started. Santiago had gone far too early. He will learn from the experience and come back a wiser racer next time out.
The journey home was bathed in autumnal sunshine. It had been a warm and refreshing run in the sun. We'd completed 60km at an enjoyable speed and caught up with good friends.
Cycling brings people together like few other sports. It's an individual event but the friends that you make with out training and sharing coffee are friends that you value. I tell the guys moving to Fife is one of the best decisions that I've made. They are a good bunch.
Friday 25 September 2009
Thank crunchie it's Friday
Thank crunchie it's Friday. Three days of blissful biking ahead. Bigman skipped onto the Trek to complete a couple of repititions over the iconic Col du Cleish ascent. It was a blustery evening with good sunshine and a relatively mild 16 degrees.
The outing was less about the pace and more about doing the miles of travel, the metres of climbing, and the clearing of the head froma challenging week.
There is nothing more relaxing than a few miles on the bike in the peace and trnquility of the countryside watching the sheep in the fields with nothing more on their mind than where their next meal is coming from!
Tomorrow the posse is off to Corrieri's cafe in Stirling. A favourite for its toffee and ice cream pie.
20 miles and 1500ft closer to the Cape epic
The outing was less about the pace and more about doing the miles of travel, the metres of climbing, and the clearing of the head froma challenging week.
There is nothing more relaxing than a few miles on the bike in the peace and trnquility of the countryside watching the sheep in the fields with nothing more on their mind than where their next meal is coming from!
Tomorrow the posse is off to Corrieri's cafe in Stirling. A favourite for its toffee and ice cream pie.
20 miles and 1500ft closer to the Cape epic
Thursday 24 September 2009
Christmas is coming.............Cape countdown continues
In 12 weeks we will be celebrating the shortest day of the year and the nights will gradually become lighter. This means that the hours of darkness we now experience are the same as when the guys fly out to Cape Epic in 25 weeks time.
What a thought!
What a thought!
The artic adventurers v the tractor boys
It was a night to remember. I'm not going to add much to the last epic post and story but to say it was a fab night out. Biking at night is special. In Fife the road is lit by the Mossmorron flare which seems very active at the moment.
The craic was good. It always is will spinning up and speeding down the hills of west Fife. Junior 2 is as mad as the Fit One - I'm not sure which of the pair is madder as they went down the hills at the speed of light.
The other odd thing is that watching the Fit One on the back of the tandem you keep waiting for him to pull out to overtake the lead rider!! It's a bit weird.
The rest of the week has been a combination of running and spinning (a vein attempt to try and catch up with the Bigman!). I've a rest day today and will run again tomorrow. 8 days to the Loch Ness Marathon and I suspect a PB is off the cards....
Time will tell....
The craic was good. It always is will spinning up and speeding down the hills of west Fife. Junior 2 is as mad as the Fit One - I'm not sure which of the pair is madder as they went down the hills at the speed of light.
The other odd thing is that watching the Fit One on the back of the tandem you keep waiting for him to pull out to overtake the lead rider!! It's a bit weird.
The rest of the week has been a combination of running and spinning (a vein attempt to try and catch up with the Bigman!). I've a rest day today and will run again tomorrow. 8 days to the Loch Ness Marathon and I suspect a PB is off the cards....
Time will tell....
Wednesday 23 September 2009
The Power of too .............. equals mour
It was billed as the race of the Autumn season and it had more thrills, yet no spills, than a Manchester football derby even without added time.
The Fit One and Junior too were wheeling out The Creepy Coupe Tandem Machine (borrowed from the Gruesome Twosome) Have they ever been seen at the same time in the same place???
It was dusk as the pair met up with Bigman on his mountain bike and they headed for a rendezvous with The Ironman just outside Dunfermline en route to race up the iconic ascent of the Col du Cleish.
Earlier in the day the Ironman had left a message to say that he was feeling under the weather with a serious bout of Ironman Flu and would give the outing a miss. Bigman, who had also been suffering from ordinary man flu and had had a 04:30 start yesterday and 05:00 start today was considering giving it a miss. Before listening to the voicemail message, he called The Ironman who was now up for the challenge. How could Bigman call off now?
Last week, Bigman had a battle of the bottle. Did he get on his bike or would sense prevail and crack open a bottle of Pouilly Fume. Sense prevailed and an outing lost. Tonight, with the support of a friend, common sense lost the day and the race was on. It is great how the power of two can spur you on to greatness.
Speaking of which the Gruesome Twosome in the Creepy Coupe were speeding ahead up through Townhill with the scent of victory in their nostrils. Well perhaps only Junior II, as The Fit One was clearing his tubes so frequently there is now a loch at the foot of Cleish.
The duo were in great form, and it is little wonder the charity is called Talking Tandems as the chatted for miles on end.
Despite operating at 60% power, The Ironman powered up and over the crest of Col du Cleish followed by The Bigman and an effortless push by the Gruesome Twosome saw the Creepy Coupe climb the crest. The lights of Kinross and Scotlandwell sparkled in the darkness on a still Perthshire evening. And then it was down the descent of the North Face with The Fit One in pilot position. Ordinarily he is a scary downhiller and Mrs junior II is expecting a little cyclist on Christmas day ( guess what the wee one is getting for Christmas if he pops out on time!)And this was no different. Have you ever seen one of those slow exposure photgraphs taken of car lights at night ..... a long streak of red light ......... this was the creepy coupy streaking down the North Face.
At the foot of the crags, the duo changed postions and Junior II moved to pilot position with The Fit One as the 'Jan Ulrich' engine on the back. Like a scene from Trawlermen, the Duo wound in the white lines, eyeing the horizon as it came closer to their grasp. The orange glow from the flaring at Mossmorran coloured the fluffy clouds brightly. Either that or the Wee Yin had got a bit excited when puting a log or two on the coal fire!
As they crested Cleish, Junior II called for maximum power and Ulrich responded and once again they were off like Dundee fans hearing there were only a few pies left at half time.
The final race point of the evening was close and The Fit One, like a rear gunner from 633 squadron, kept watch on the position of the competitors as they sped down from Cleish building momentum with every pedal stroke. Like a scene from The Descent of Shap on Lejog 2006 when The Duracell on the Dawes called for maximum warp, the creepy Coupe was calling for warp 10 'shouting the immortal words 'Scotty a cannae hold her, she's breakin up'.
The Fit One was calling the strokes from the back and when the Bigman, having tucked in the slipstream went for the win, the Duo stood up in unison and pushed for the line. They have practiced the manouevre well and Torvill and Dean would have been proud of the synchronised movement. The guys accelarated away and the Bigman was defeated and deflated for the first time in many weeks.
This was a brilliant fun evening and the banter was magnificent. A shower of rain reminded us the weather is on the turn however it did not dampen the spirits and there needs to be a revenge match. Will the Creepy Coupe Clobber Cleish next time or will the Ironman once more show his steel. You heard it first here!
The Fit One and Junior too were wheeling out The Creepy Coupe Tandem Machine (borrowed from the Gruesome Twosome) Have they ever been seen at the same time in the same place???
It was dusk as the pair met up with Bigman on his mountain bike and they headed for a rendezvous with The Ironman just outside Dunfermline en route to race up the iconic ascent of the Col du Cleish.
Earlier in the day the Ironman had left a message to say that he was feeling under the weather with a serious bout of Ironman Flu and would give the outing a miss. Bigman, who had also been suffering from ordinary man flu and had had a 04:30 start yesterday and 05:00 start today was considering giving it a miss. Before listening to the voicemail message, he called The Ironman who was now up for the challenge. How could Bigman call off now?
Last week, Bigman had a battle of the bottle. Did he get on his bike or would sense prevail and crack open a bottle of Pouilly Fume. Sense prevailed and an outing lost. Tonight, with the support of a friend, common sense lost the day and the race was on. It is great how the power of two can spur you on to greatness.
Speaking of which the Gruesome Twosome in the Creepy Coupe were speeding ahead up through Townhill with the scent of victory in their nostrils. Well perhaps only Junior II, as The Fit One was clearing his tubes so frequently there is now a loch at the foot of Cleish.
The duo were in great form, and it is little wonder the charity is called Talking Tandems as the chatted for miles on end.
Despite operating at 60% power, The Ironman powered up and over the crest of Col du Cleish followed by The Bigman and an effortless push by the Gruesome Twosome saw the Creepy Coupe climb the crest. The lights of Kinross and Scotlandwell sparkled in the darkness on a still Perthshire evening. And then it was down the descent of the North Face with The Fit One in pilot position. Ordinarily he is a scary downhiller and Mrs junior II is expecting a little cyclist on Christmas day ( guess what the wee one is getting for Christmas if he pops out on time!)And this was no different. Have you ever seen one of those slow exposure photgraphs taken of car lights at night ..... a long streak of red light ......... this was the creepy coupy streaking down the North Face.
At the foot of the crags, the duo changed postions and Junior II moved to pilot position with The Fit One as the 'Jan Ulrich' engine on the back. Like a scene from Trawlermen, the Duo wound in the white lines, eyeing the horizon as it came closer to their grasp. The orange glow from the flaring at Mossmorran coloured the fluffy clouds brightly. Either that or the Wee Yin had got a bit excited when puting a log or two on the coal fire!
As they crested Cleish, Junior II called for maximum power and Ulrich responded and once again they were off like Dundee fans hearing there were only a few pies left at half time.
The final race point of the evening was close and The Fit One, like a rear gunner from 633 squadron, kept watch on the position of the competitors as they sped down from Cleish building momentum with every pedal stroke. Like a scene from The Descent of Shap on Lejog 2006 when The Duracell on the Dawes called for maximum warp, the creepy Coupe was calling for warp 10 'shouting the immortal words 'Scotty a cannae hold her, she's breakin up'.
The Fit One was calling the strokes from the back and when the Bigman, having tucked in the slipstream went for the win, the Duo stood up in unison and pushed for the line. They have practiced the manouevre well and Torvill and Dean would have been proud of the synchronised movement. The guys accelarated away and the Bigman was defeated and deflated for the first time in many weeks.
This was a brilliant fun evening and the banter was magnificent. A shower of rain reminded us the weather is on the turn however it did not dampen the spirits and there needs to be a revenge match. Will the Creepy Coupe Clobber Cleish next time or will the Ironman once more show his steel. You heard it first here!
Monday 21 September 2009
Epic Caper team under fitness challenge
The gauntlet has been well and truly thrown down! The Fit One and juniorII are both serial donors of their personal time to the The Talking Tandem Charity, an organisation that enables the partially sighted to enjoy the freedom of cycling that other people take for granted.
The daredevil duo beleive that the tandem will climb the north face of the iconic ascent, Col du Cleish faster than either Bigman or the Ironman riding their mountain bikes.
The date is set, the time is set, the lights are charged up, and now the wait begins .............. Wednesday night is only 48 hours away and already the training regime has been stepped up.
Who will win the Autumn Col du Cleish battle of the Titans?
Watch this space. You will read it first. If this is your first visit to this blog site, you are now one of 621 intelligent readers who know a good thing when you read it.
The daredevil duo beleive that the tandem will climb the north face of the iconic ascent, Col du Cleish faster than either Bigman or the Ironman riding their mountain bikes.
The date is set, the time is set, the lights are charged up, and now the wait begins .............. Wednesday night is only 48 hours away and already the training regime has been stepped up.
Who will win the Autumn Col du Cleish battle of the Titans?
Watch this space. You will read it first. If this is your first visit to this blog site, you are now one of 621 intelligent readers who know a good thing when you read it.
Saturday 19 September 2009
Ironman's got talent....
As I mentioned I lost my passport this week.
This became obvious when I was confused with a local pub DJ - maybe the real DJ is now the ironman....
This happens all the time....
Will the real ironman stand up!
This became obvious when I was confused with a local pub DJ - maybe the real DJ is now the ironman....
This happens all the time....
Will the real ironman stand up!
Bigman Mountain Man....
It was a grey start in Fife. I met the Bigman at our usual corner and we set off towards Dunning. It was going to be a day of many hills. Many many hills.
As we climbed towards Knockhill, we chatted through our relative weeks, mine involved the theft of my identity, my new laptop, wallet, iPod etc etc - it was a disaster. I can only hope the poor soul who stole my identity makes a better effort of it than me!!!!
Anyway the climb up knockhill gave the first indication of the day that followed. Bigman led the way and I was dropped off the back. The pelaton was not it's usual size with only 2 of us making the trip. I didn't notice much difference from normal but every time the Bigman got in his stride I fell off the back. I assumed that the Bigman's extra training was paying dividents and felt inspired to let him know that he was 'the man' on the hills. Later in the trip he queried why I was dropping back because we weren't climbing exceptionally quickly. This worried me a little. I think training, like in life, you have good and bad days. Today was just a bad day at the office. Don't get me wrong not an entirely bad day at the office becuase we covered 90km at a reasonable speed.
We climbed up the hill to Dunning, me in the wake of the man mountain, and as we reached the top enjoyed the first glimpse of the autumn sunshine.Given we were both in full winter kit we were both operating above temperature...
In Dunning we met the Balingary Bikers. They were half way round the opposite route. We stopped and shared a few stories before setting off to climb the beast. We were reliably informed by the Fit One that this was the climb made famous by the Milk Race whenever the Milk Race was run.
It starts fairly gently before kicking up vertically and heading for the heavens. It's steep, very steep. You start nervously glancing down at the back ring of the big only to realise that you are already on the granny gear. The hill is unrelenting, uncompromising and the toughest bit of road I know. We climbed silently, well apart from the sound of heavy breathing. A high five welcomed us to the top. It had been a great climb.
The hills don't stop here though and continue for the next 6 miles until you drop down into the valley that is home to Milnathort. A quick chat and Loch Leven's Larder was the coffee venue. We arrived tired and happy. I fear that the arrival of 2 sweaty bikers might not be target market to which the Larder aspires but nevertheless we were welcomed enjoyed our carrot cake and scone before setting off home.
Cleish seemed a mear pimple after the hills we had climbed.
We reached the hill at the bus museum. I bided my time. I had after all lulled the Bigman into a false sense of security. I waited and waited. Just a few metres from the top I went for it. A big YeHa as a arrived on his shoulder and nudged past. But it was all in vein as the bigman managed to grab enough centimetres ahead to claim the victory. He had been ready and was geared up for my eventually doomed but carefully planned assalt at the King of the Mountains. He was a mountain man today. The hills were too small and the climbing looked easy. He is in awesome form at the moment.
The breeze home was a nice wind down to what had been a fantastic day out.
Night training was discussed and car deserted roads seem he place to head. We're on a mission to tame the Epic. Derek's ahead in terms of strength and fitness but I'm going to get stuck in and will get there in great shape. Weighed in at 13 st 10 lb which is not bad given my weakness to beer and chocolate in Belgium!
As we climbed towards Knockhill, we chatted through our relative weeks, mine involved the theft of my identity, my new laptop, wallet, iPod etc etc - it was a disaster. I can only hope the poor soul who stole my identity makes a better effort of it than me!!!!
Anyway the climb up knockhill gave the first indication of the day that followed. Bigman led the way and I was dropped off the back. The pelaton was not it's usual size with only 2 of us making the trip. I didn't notice much difference from normal but every time the Bigman got in his stride I fell off the back. I assumed that the Bigman's extra training was paying dividents and felt inspired to let him know that he was 'the man' on the hills. Later in the trip he queried why I was dropping back because we weren't climbing exceptionally quickly. This worried me a little. I think training, like in life, you have good and bad days. Today was just a bad day at the office. Don't get me wrong not an entirely bad day at the office becuase we covered 90km at a reasonable speed.
We climbed up the hill to Dunning, me in the wake of the man mountain, and as we reached the top enjoyed the first glimpse of the autumn sunshine.Given we were both in full winter kit we were both operating above temperature...
In Dunning we met the Balingary Bikers. They were half way round the opposite route. We stopped and shared a few stories before setting off to climb the beast. We were reliably informed by the Fit One that this was the climb made famous by the Milk Race whenever the Milk Race was run.
It starts fairly gently before kicking up vertically and heading for the heavens. It's steep, very steep. You start nervously glancing down at the back ring of the big only to realise that you are already on the granny gear. The hill is unrelenting, uncompromising and the toughest bit of road I know. We climbed silently, well apart from the sound of heavy breathing. A high five welcomed us to the top. It had been a great climb.
The hills don't stop here though and continue for the next 6 miles until you drop down into the valley that is home to Milnathort. A quick chat and Loch Leven's Larder was the coffee venue. We arrived tired and happy. I fear that the arrival of 2 sweaty bikers might not be target market to which the Larder aspires but nevertheless we were welcomed enjoyed our carrot cake and scone before setting off home.
Cleish seemed a mear pimple after the hills we had climbed.
We reached the hill at the bus museum. I bided my time. I had after all lulled the Bigman into a false sense of security. I waited and waited. Just a few metres from the top I went for it. A big YeHa as a arrived on his shoulder and nudged past. But it was all in vein as the bigman managed to grab enough centimetres ahead to claim the victory. He had been ready and was geared up for my eventually doomed but carefully planned assalt at the King of the Mountains. He was a mountain man today. The hills were too small and the climbing looked easy. He is in awesome form at the moment.
The breeze home was a nice wind down to what had been a fantastic day out.
Night training was discussed and car deserted roads seem he place to head. We're on a mission to tame the Epic. Derek's ahead in terms of strength and fitness but I'm going to get stuck in and will get there in great shape. Weighed in at 13 st 10 lb which is not bad given my weakness to beer and chocolate in Belgium!
Lumpy outing delivers weighty eighty plus
The forecast was set for cloudy with a slight chance of rain, followed by a spell of sunshine. Nothing unusual in that............ everything in a day without the snow.
The Ironman and Bigman met up at the usual place resplendant in full winter gear including the winter gloves. Today would be the first return to The Pass of Condie since before the summer. It has to be one of Scotland's best kept secrets, the glen from Yetts of Muchart through to Dunning. It is a gentle climb as you wind your way up to the crest of a 4 mile descent to Dunning. As you leave the Glen Devon road you are welcomed by the tumbling, overflowing waters from the Glen Devon loch which sparkles in the sunshine as you enter the enchanted glen.
A good pace was set as the pair raced up over Mont Veknockhill, with the constant chatter passing away the miles. A few buckets of perspiration leaked during the climbs to the crest of Dunning and we have not even reached the formidable Dunning Hill, a steep one in four climb that has you out of the saddle to avoid the front wheel leaving the road. As they raced down to Dunning, Bigman warned The Ironman of frequent debris that lies around the sharp corners. If only he had taken his own advice he would not have 'enjoyed' a bacck wheel slipping over the road as he passed over a stream of water before a harp bend. The grass verge sped towards the Madone and only a the last minute managed to pull away before disaster struck.
In his inimatable style, The Ironman invited Bigman to take the hill at his own pace. Back came the rejoindre, only if you wait at the top.
The pair zoomed up the Dunning Hill as if it was invisible, only the slightest pecking was discernable amongst the perfect silence of the countryside. The views over Perthshire and Tayside were superb as the sunshine painted a warm glow over the fields.
Climbing the Dunning Hill, is only the first (and worst) of a series of three sizeable climbs before the planned coffee stop at Loch Leven's Larder. The guys made plans for returning here on the tractors for night time training through the winter. Very few cars were on the road making it ideal for winter training, not to mention the bruising hill climbs.
Milnathort was shortly achieved following a welcome downhill. A carb induced carrot cake, fruit scone and two litres of water lifted the energy levels for the return over the north face of the iconic ascent, Col du Cleish. In an attempt to dampen spirits, the rain decide to apply some smur liberally across the cyclists as they crested the Col. It only served to deliver a view of the most magnificent rainbow with both ends visible however there was no gold at either end.
As the pair chased down to Dunfermline, The Ironman tucked in behind Bigman with the intention of challenging his pace at the traditional race point. Bigman shifted down the gearing in anticipation and was only just able to hold of the Attack of the Ironman ( sounds like a Star Trek movie!)
A fine 85km covered in an elapsed time of just over three hours and about 3000ft of climbing. It was certainly a lumpy ride proving a weighty eighty five Km.
The Ironman and Bigman met up at the usual place resplendant in full winter gear including the winter gloves. Today would be the first return to The Pass of Condie since before the summer. It has to be one of Scotland's best kept secrets, the glen from Yetts of Muchart through to Dunning. It is a gentle climb as you wind your way up to the crest of a 4 mile descent to Dunning. As you leave the Glen Devon road you are welcomed by the tumbling, overflowing waters from the Glen Devon loch which sparkles in the sunshine as you enter the enchanted glen.
A good pace was set as the pair raced up over Mont Veknockhill, with the constant chatter passing away the miles. A few buckets of perspiration leaked during the climbs to the crest of Dunning and we have not even reached the formidable Dunning Hill, a steep one in four climb that has you out of the saddle to avoid the front wheel leaving the road. As they raced down to Dunning, Bigman warned The Ironman of frequent debris that lies around the sharp corners. If only he had taken his own advice he would not have 'enjoyed' a bacck wheel slipping over the road as he passed over a stream of water before a harp bend. The grass verge sped towards the Madone and only a the last minute managed to pull away before disaster struck.
In his inimatable style, The Ironman invited Bigman to take the hill at his own pace. Back came the rejoindre, only if you wait at the top.
The pair zoomed up the Dunning Hill as if it was invisible, only the slightest pecking was discernable amongst the perfect silence of the countryside. The views over Perthshire and Tayside were superb as the sunshine painted a warm glow over the fields.
Climbing the Dunning Hill, is only the first (and worst) of a series of three sizeable climbs before the planned coffee stop at Loch Leven's Larder. The guys made plans for returning here on the tractors for night time training through the winter. Very few cars were on the road making it ideal for winter training, not to mention the bruising hill climbs.
Milnathort was shortly achieved following a welcome downhill. A carb induced carrot cake, fruit scone and two litres of water lifted the energy levels for the return over the north face of the iconic ascent, Col du Cleish. In an attempt to dampen spirits, the rain decide to apply some smur liberally across the cyclists as they crested the Col. It only served to deliver a view of the most magnificent rainbow with both ends visible however there was no gold at either end.
As the pair chased down to Dunfermline, The Ironman tucked in behind Bigman with the intention of challenging his pace at the traditional race point. Bigman shifted down the gearing in anticipation and was only just able to hold of the Attack of the Ironman ( sounds like a Star Trek movie!)
A fine 85km covered in an elapsed time of just over three hours and about 3000ft of climbing. It was certainly a lumpy ride proving a weighty eighty five Km.
Friday 18 September 2009
Iconic ascent re-visited
Thank Cruchie it's Friday. Bigman and The Ironman had planned to meet at the usual spot with the tractors to get another 2000ft of climbing. It's been a tuff week for the Ironman with his wallet and identity being stolen in Brussels. If any of you bloggers come across a man purporting to be The Ironman witha heavy Belgian accent, then please report it on this blogsite.
I am pleased to report we have the REAL Ironman. The pair headed for the iconic ascent of Col du Cleish on the tractors. The evening was overcast yet no rain forecast.Life is becoming easier on the mountain bikes. Perhaps we should add a combine or maybe a Dawes!
It was great to start the weekend with a bit of heart pumpimg. A small 40km loop with climbing of 1800ft.
Tomorrow the peleton is heading for the Dunning Hill, a massive climb famous from the 60's Milk Race. It is not for the feint hearted. Bikers beware.
I am pleased to report we have the REAL Ironman. The pair headed for the iconic ascent of Col du Cleish on the tractors. The evening was overcast yet no rain forecast.Life is becoming easier on the mountain bikes. Perhaps we should add a combine or maybe a Dawes!
It was great to start the weekend with a bit of heart pumpimg. A small 40km loop with climbing of 1800ft.
Tomorrow the peleton is heading for the Dunning Hill, a massive climb famous from the 60's Milk Race. It is not for the feint hearted. Bikers beware.
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Entering the twilight zone ....................
Another cracker of a day and all the promise of a superb autumn evening. What better way to celebrate harvest season but with a twilight outing on the 'tractors'. The Ironman, fresh from international duty,accompanied by BIgman set out for one of Fife's most iconic ascents - Col du Cleish with its chiselled out cliff faces as you ascend the north face complete with hairpin bend (one).
The sun was beginning to rest for the day as it hesitated on the barley fields before turning the country side golden as it hid behind fields before disapperaring from view.
A role reversal took place with the pair swapping clothes. Well, not literally, The Ironman was resplendant in winter longs and full waterproof jacket and winter gloves. The Bigman, instead, went for teh summer look with shorts and fingerless mitts and no waterproof.
The plan was to kit up with full lights and do 4 climb repetitions of Clesih. This means climbing 2000ft, equivalent of 66% of Table Mountain which is day one of the Cape Epic and a distance of 40k which is twice the distance of the Table Mountain climb prologue stage on day 1.
It was great to be out on such a perfect night. The lights of Kinross sparkled as they viewed Perth and Kinross from teh crest of Cleish.
Somewhere out there, The Fit One, Santiago, and Junior II are forming a tandem posse with the Talking Tandem charity crew. It is a great night for cycling.
The sun was beginning to rest for the day as it hesitated on the barley fields before turning the country side golden as it hid behind fields before disapperaring from view.
A role reversal took place with the pair swapping clothes. Well, not literally, The Ironman was resplendant in winter longs and full waterproof jacket and winter gloves. The Bigman, instead, went for teh summer look with shorts and fingerless mitts and no waterproof.
The plan was to kit up with full lights and do 4 climb repetitions of Clesih. This means climbing 2000ft, equivalent of 66% of Table Mountain which is day one of the Cape Epic and a distance of 40k which is twice the distance of the Table Mountain climb prologue stage on day 1.
It was great to be out on such a perfect night. The lights of Kinross sparkled as they viewed Perth and Kinross from teh crest of Cleish.
Somewhere out there, The Fit One, Santiago, and Junior II are forming a tandem posse with the Talking Tandem charity crew. It is a great night for cycling.
Tuesday 15 September 2009
The training night that never was .............
It was a brilliant summer's day in Glasgow. The Fit One sent a text looking for a partner for tonight. Plans were made for a montain bike outing on the tractors albeit lights would be required as it is getting dusk around 19.30.
Bigman headed for the train looking forward to the outing after a training day off yesterday. A text came in from The Fit One. Local Government business was taking precedence. Bigman was going solo.
By Falkirk, The Fit one was back on the blower, game back on. And then came Linlithgow. Hardly a puff out of the station and the mobile burst into life to the Fit One's personalised ring tone of Queen's 'Don't stop me now'. By the end of the call the ring tone 'Another one bites the dust' would have been more appropriate, as the Local Government demands reeled him back in. This left Bigman riding solo.
Well it would have if The Wee Yin had not made a very fine Sweet and Sour Chicken supported by noodles. No problem, woof it down and head out, was the immediate thought.
A fine meal later followed by freshly brewed coffee and it is fair ro say the appetite for bursting a gut climbing Cleish four times was loosing its appeal as the odour of a 2006 Pouilly Fume oozed from the glass.
This is the kind of commitment that will NOT pay dividends at Cape Epic. The Ironman returns from Brussels tomorrow and so greater discipline will be evidenced. As avid readers know his single mindedness when it comes to healthy diet is 'unique'and cannot be equalled.
A mountain bike session is on the cards tomorrow night. In the meantime, 2006 was indeed a fine year :-)
Sunday 13 September 2009
Caledonia etape re-visited
The Indian summer continues unabated and The Bigman and the Wee Yin decide to make the most of the fine weather and re-visit the Caledonian etape route for the first time since the disastrous Tack fiasco earlier in the year.
They set off from Pitlochry with some cloud and intermittent sunshine. It was not long before the clouds were burnt away and the countryside was shining in resplendant autumnal colours as the the fearns begin to turn and the trees start to shed their leaves in readiness for the winter snow.
The Wee Yin has lost none of her Alpine climbing ability as she zoomed up the Queens View.They witnessed an international incident as a Belgian bus and a Dutch bus danced with each other on the narrow raod. The bikes zipped past while the car drivers was with bemusement.
The Community Council have got together to run a cafe and post office in Kinloch Rannoch and this was the destination for the first coffee stop of the day. Quality food and a friendy environment. Bigman considered asking after the Tack man however grace kicked in before the words escaped and he moved on without question. There was very little wind and the Loch was stil in many areas.
As they approached the end of the loch, they met a couple who had lived in Cape Town for most of their lives before returning to Scotland. Bigman could not miss the opportunity to do a bit of a reckie for Cape Epic. Stunning scenery and lovely temperatures. Be sure to take in a game park was the advice. ( Clearly, The Ironman's reputation goes before him) It seems so near yet so far next March. Bigman is living the dream now. They circumvented the loch and headed back the route from which they had come. A couple of reasons - all the tacks may not be washed away and secondly Bigman had to be back for fives that evening. The reduced route of 65 miles would allow for a spot of lunch at the Loch Tummel Inn with stunning views over the loch.
Pitlochry was merely a short hop back. At an average speed of 26kph and elapsed time of just under 4 hours, a fantastic day out was had and it was great to experience such brilliant hospitality once again from the people of Perthshire. Bigman is about to sign up for Caledonian Etape 2010. Amongst his cycling compadres and in his 51st year, he will be in a class of his own, The Master Class.
Chaos in the Kasbar....
Away from training and relaxing in Belgium Moonwalker and I headed out for dinner last night. Following the recommendation of the AA Guide we found a wee Morrocan restaurant. The atmosphere was fantastic and we settled in to the crowded room with a rather nice Pouilly-Fumé.
They had packed the tables in to prize as many euros out of the tourist punters and it was cosy to say the least. Our food arrived. Moonwalker, keen to spice up her dish, opened the tube of harissa sauce provided. It wouldn't open. Moonwalker likes a challenge and gave the tube one final squeeze.....
It was like a scene out of platoon. Harissa sauce everywhere. None on me, loads on her but even more on the 2 guys at the table next to us. Moonwalker was in shock. We apologised for the exploding tube. The 2 guys, looking like they had just been through a war zone seemed unfazed and accepted that accidents happen.....
We munched our food, which to be honest wasn't great, got the bill, paid for our neighbours wine and headed for the door. As we were leaving we made a dart for cover and safety as we saw another table wresting with another harissa tube....
Dangerous stuff that harissa sauce....
Saturday 12 September 2009
Economic downturn hits the Shire
It was an Indian summer and Junior I was travelling with friends from Aberdeenshire (known as the Shire for Hobbit fans)for the weekend before the Cockbridge road is closed for the winter. The Ironman is basking in Belgium and so it was only The Fit One and The Bigman available for team selection. With such a cracking day, they decided to head for the metropolis of Auchterarder and Cafe Kissa where the cakes are monstrous equalled only by the welcome.
The Fit One had been out re-hydrating last night and the 'benefits' were slowly kicking in. The pair lamented on the weather this year compared to one year ago when the LeJoG team handed over the baton in Hawick in a very very wet night. It was a good climb up and over Mont veknockhill to meet up with Junior I and his mate, known as The Cav Man. The climb up Glen Devon is always pleasant with the Cav Man commenting that the hills look like Telly Tubby Land! Clearly the dark nights in Aberdenshire lead to much re-watching of DVD's until the new stock arrives in the spring. Although he has a point, the landscape is familiar. The run down Glen Devon to Auchterarder was superb with the river flowing fast by our side. Golfers were out on Gleneagles in shorts and the locals were watching a football game topless. Now this is a good indication of real heat when the men of Auchterarder 'cast clouts before May is oot'.
A doze of carbs and we were soon on our way. But not before the deep pocketed and short armed men of Aberdeenshire claimed to have come out without money. Indeed it is a disease spreading faster than swine flu, as the Fit One had already caught the bug by Auchterarder! After checking whether there were any dishes needing washed, the Bigman paid the bill and we were allowed to leave. Returning may not bring such a monstrous welcome.
Junior I was living up to his podiun silver position on the International Col du Carnock meet as the guys started the climb back up Glen Devon. He was out of the seat and pounding the pedals as if a fiver was fluttering in the wind ahead of him. The Bigman, some years his senior, tucked in behind for the drag. The pair worked well togeher and soon wound in the 3 mile climb. At the top they waited for the chasing pack before gliding down past the loch and on to Powmill, base camp for Junior I for the weekend.
The climb over Mont Veknockhill was most enjoyable with the view across to Wallace monument at Stirling one of the finest in Scotland. As Bigman and The Fit One sped towards the crest, The Fit One claimed to be too tired to race to the crest today. Now Bigman has travelled far and wide, however never come down tthe clyde in a banana boat. And so it came to pass, the whirring noise of quickening tyres as the Fit One increased his pace, but alas, at the critical moment, a crash of gears meant momentum was lost and the climb belonged to the Bigman, at least for today.
A great day, great company, and great to meet The Cav Man, a new member of the growing band of Epic Caper characters!
The Fit One had been out re-hydrating last night and the 'benefits' were slowly kicking in. The pair lamented on the weather this year compared to one year ago when the LeJoG team handed over the baton in Hawick in a very very wet night. It was a good climb up and over Mont veknockhill to meet up with Junior I and his mate, known as The Cav Man. The climb up Glen Devon is always pleasant with the Cav Man commenting that the hills look like Telly Tubby Land! Clearly the dark nights in Aberdenshire lead to much re-watching of DVD's until the new stock arrives in the spring. Although he has a point, the landscape is familiar. The run down Glen Devon to Auchterarder was superb with the river flowing fast by our side. Golfers were out on Gleneagles in shorts and the locals were watching a football game topless. Now this is a good indication of real heat when the men of Auchterarder 'cast clouts before May is oot'.
A doze of carbs and we were soon on our way. But not before the deep pocketed and short armed men of Aberdeenshire claimed to have come out without money. Indeed it is a disease spreading faster than swine flu, as the Fit One had already caught the bug by Auchterarder! After checking whether there were any dishes needing washed, the Bigman paid the bill and we were allowed to leave. Returning may not bring such a monstrous welcome.
Junior I was living up to his podiun silver position on the International Col du Carnock meet as the guys started the climb back up Glen Devon. He was out of the seat and pounding the pedals as if a fiver was fluttering in the wind ahead of him. The Bigman, some years his senior, tucked in behind for the drag. The pair worked well togeher and soon wound in the 3 mile climb. At the top they waited for the chasing pack before gliding down past the loch and on to Powmill, base camp for Junior I for the weekend.
The climb over Mont Veknockhill was most enjoyable with the view across to Wallace monument at Stirling one of the finest in Scotland. As Bigman and The Fit One sped towards the crest, The Fit One claimed to be too tired to race to the crest today. Now Bigman has travelled far and wide, however never come down tthe clyde in a banana boat. And so it came to pass, the whirring noise of quickening tyres as the Fit One increased his pace, but alas, at the critical moment, a crash of gears meant momentum was lost and the climb belonged to the Bigman, at least for today.
A great day, great company, and great to meet The Cav Man, a new member of the growing band of Epic Caper characters!
The strange case of the Brussels sprout .....
I was out on my long run today - Loch Ness marathon is getting ever closer so I felt the need to get out there and run.
I had an early start. Up and about by 6.45am on a weekend is unusual if not unheard of but when you are away for the weekend probably inexcusable. We arrived in Brussels yesterday. A fantastic city and more than we had expected. Dinner last night was fabulous having uneathered a mystical, dark and romantic restaurant in the centre of town.
I'm not sure if it was the house wine that woke me early - advertised as a sauvignon but turned up disguised as a chardonnay. Anyway it was half six and I was awake. The mission for the next 10 minutes of pasting on anti chafe cream, remembering water and ipod etc etc was not to wake moonwalker. Mission failed on that front sadly but she pretended to sleep anyway!
Fully loaded with a bunch of good songs I set off. We're staying in the Sheraton. Nice if a wee bit tired hotel very centrally located in town. I set off passing the street cleaners, the remant party goers and the odd tourist (probably American and jet lagged) wandering the streets. I set off down to the canel area constantly checking the approximate position of the hotel. It's next top a very tall building that you can see from time to time as you wander the city so I always felt confident that I'd find my way back.
I reached the canel and turned the wrong way - within 800m I was stuffed by industrial fencing blocking my route. I turned and headed back the opposite way. The run along the canel was fasinating as I watched the early morning barges going about there daily business. They all seemed to have cars on the back. Not cheap cars but Audi's and BMW's - there must be money in owning a barge. The old city is surrounded by a ring road so I figures as long as I stayed inside it I wouldn't ever be more than a few miles from the hotel.
I turned when the canel met the ring road and headed back towards town. It was then I my mind drifted to brussel sprouts. Why are they called brussel sprouts. I have no idea and spent a few miles wondering how the name had been created. I still don't know but am sure the internet will dig up the answer.
My dreams of brussel sprouts were interupted by gangsters. I'm not sure what was going on but 3 gansta type people (dressed in black suits, black shirts and loads of gold) were haranging 2 guys. Maybe one of them had borrowed money to buy said sprouts and was due top pay it back, or maybe too much time smoking/snorting sprouts I don't know but I was glad I was running. I Picked up the tempo, caught a glance of the hotel and headed back at full speed.
1 hour elapsed and I'd made it back to the hotel. Good news. So I started off again on the same route. Brussels is flat. Very flat and I suppose to that end I could have used my second last long run to include a few more hills. Now you would have thought that I would be able to follow the same route and arrive back at the hotel easily. I'd managed it once. Sadly not to be.
Lost in Brussels. I was running around, in the wrong direction before I looked behind me to glimpse the high rise building next to our hotel. I turned and with a soring in my step headed back once more. Now the dilema. I had about 5km left to make up the distance.
Up to the 30th floor and onto the running machine (a gansta free zone) and polished off my 27/28km run. Chuffed. We've subsequently walked a further 15km so I reckon I've done a marathon today.
We're going to Bruge tomorrow and then I'm off to Namur for a conference. I was speaking to my father about Namur when he surpised me by saying he'd been there before. I hadn't know that. When was that I enquired. 1945 he replied. He'd landed on gold beach in Normandy and made his way up through northern France into Belgium.
I wonder what memories our conversation dragged up......
I had an early start. Up and about by 6.45am on a weekend is unusual if not unheard of but when you are away for the weekend probably inexcusable. We arrived in Brussels yesterday. A fantastic city and more than we had expected. Dinner last night was fabulous having uneathered a mystical, dark and romantic restaurant in the centre of town.
I'm not sure if it was the house wine that woke me early - advertised as a sauvignon but turned up disguised as a chardonnay. Anyway it was half six and I was awake. The mission for the next 10 minutes of pasting on anti chafe cream, remembering water and ipod etc etc was not to wake moonwalker. Mission failed on that front sadly but she pretended to sleep anyway!
Fully loaded with a bunch of good songs I set off. We're staying in the Sheraton. Nice if a wee bit tired hotel very centrally located in town. I set off passing the street cleaners, the remant party goers and the odd tourist (probably American and jet lagged) wandering the streets. I set off down to the canel area constantly checking the approximate position of the hotel. It's next top a very tall building that you can see from time to time as you wander the city so I always felt confident that I'd find my way back.
I reached the canel and turned the wrong way - within 800m I was stuffed by industrial fencing blocking my route. I turned and headed back the opposite way. The run along the canel was fasinating as I watched the early morning barges going about there daily business. They all seemed to have cars on the back. Not cheap cars but Audi's and BMW's - there must be money in owning a barge. The old city is surrounded by a ring road so I figures as long as I stayed inside it I wouldn't ever be more than a few miles from the hotel.
I turned when the canel met the ring road and headed back towards town. It was then I my mind drifted to brussel sprouts. Why are they called brussel sprouts. I have no idea and spent a few miles wondering how the name had been created. I still don't know but am sure the internet will dig up the answer.
My dreams of brussel sprouts were interupted by gangsters. I'm not sure what was going on but 3 gansta type people (dressed in black suits, black shirts and loads of gold) were haranging 2 guys. Maybe one of them had borrowed money to buy said sprouts and was due top pay it back, or maybe too much time smoking/snorting sprouts I don't know but I was glad I was running. I Picked up the tempo, caught a glance of the hotel and headed back at full speed.
1 hour elapsed and I'd made it back to the hotel. Good news. So I started off again on the same route. Brussels is flat. Very flat and I suppose to that end I could have used my second last long run to include a few more hills. Now you would have thought that I would be able to follow the same route and arrive back at the hotel easily. I'd managed it once. Sadly not to be.
Lost in Brussels. I was running around, in the wrong direction before I looked behind me to glimpse the high rise building next to our hotel. I turned and with a soring in my step headed back once more. Now the dilema. I had about 5km left to make up the distance.
Up to the 30th floor and onto the running machine (a gansta free zone) and polished off my 27/28km run. Chuffed. We've subsequently walked a further 15km so I reckon I've done a marathon today.
We're going to Bruge tomorrow and then I'm off to Namur for a conference. I was speaking to my father about Namur when he surpised me by saying he'd been there before. I hadn't know that. When was that I enquired. 1945 he replied. He'd landed on gold beach in Normandy and made his way up through northern France into Belgium.
I wonder what memories our conversation dragged up......
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Scotland make it to South Africa 2010
It was the driest evening we have had since the weekend and a perfect opportunity to squeeze in a 25 mile Mountain bike outing before the most important game of the Scotland world cup campaign ............... and perhaps the last!
Bigman and The Ironman headed up over Col du Cleish on the tractors. As they climbed the hill, the council were out repairing a pot hole, so large it had caused damage to someones car and spread oil across the road.
After cresting the top, 6 stray sheep were being herded from the north side however were being less than co-operative in going back to the field. Clearly, Shaun and his football mates from Aberdeen had lost their way to Hampden!
On that point, keep an eye out for another group from the far north who are coming down for an outing to Auchterarder.
The muscle group used for mountain biking feels different from road biking as greater energy is required to hawl the bikes back over Mont VeKnockhill. The plan is to do three mountain bikes trips over each week in the run up to the Cape Epic and still do a distance on a Saturday on road bikes.
As the dark evenings draw in, it is time to bring out the lights. Just as well the winter longs have been in use throughout the 'summer'.No need to search far!
And so it is like this, the only scottish team going to South Africa in 2010 is made up of theBigman and The Ironman. The football nation can only watch their perfrmance through this blog. There will be no tv coverage of the Cape Epic, nor will there will be no tv coverage of a Scottish football team in Cape Town. But, the boys wil be there and you can all read about it here!
Bigman and The Ironman headed up over Col du Cleish on the tractors. As they climbed the hill, the council were out repairing a pot hole, so large it had caused damage to someones car and spread oil across the road.
After cresting the top, 6 stray sheep were being herded from the north side however were being less than co-operative in going back to the field. Clearly, Shaun and his football mates from Aberdeen had lost their way to Hampden!
On that point, keep an eye out for another group from the far north who are coming down for an outing to Auchterarder.
The muscle group used for mountain biking feels different from road biking as greater energy is required to hawl the bikes back over Mont VeKnockhill. The plan is to do three mountain bikes trips over each week in the run up to the Cape Epic and still do a distance on a Saturday on road bikes.
As the dark evenings draw in, it is time to bring out the lights. Just as well the winter longs have been in use throughout the 'summer'.No need to search far!
And so it is like this, the only scottish team going to South Africa in 2010 is made up of theBigman and The Ironman. The football nation can only watch their perfrmance through this blog. There will be no tv coverage of the Cape Epic, nor will there will be no tv coverage of a Scottish football team in Cape Town. But, the boys wil be there and you can all read about it here!
The day the cowboys rode out of town....
The sun shone....... Can it be Fife? Well it shone until lunchtime and then the clouds rolled over! Bigman called early to check on whether a flyer might be possible. It's always possible for me but the bigman was working at home and thus able to finish at a reasonable time so we able to meet at 5.30pm.
So after meeting the bigman at our usual meeting place we set off up Cleish - the mtb's (mountain bikes!) are heavy beasts compared to the light racing road bikes we're used to. Our hearts beat a little harder as we ploughed up Cleish hill. Obviously the bigman's hill training on Cleish over the past few days has caused the surface to break up and the chain gangs were repairing the damage he has created on the tractor. We joked with the road gang that if two bikes were stuck in the tar we might have attempted to speed through the setting tar surface on the way home!!
Next thing it was if we had slipped on our chaps and were riding the plains of New Zealand. One of the main obstacles on Cleish is sheep - the grass is truly greener on the other side and three of the beasts had escaped. We stepped up on our steeds and rode into position as instructed by the local shephardess and drove the sheep into the field. We ye ha'd and shot off down the hill. Life is good.
The bigman suggested an alternate route over Knockhill to go home in order to avoid the soft tar. It was a good plan. As we climbed towards Knockhill the rain started. The bigman is truly a rainmaker. He suggested that whilst out biking on Sunday he had been caught by a light shower and it had been refreshing....personally I've had enough refreshment from the skies recently!!!!
Training with the bigman is a joy. He puts up with my constant blether and chat about nothing. A good man to work out with.
So the time is counting down and the epic caper gets closer and closer. We're going to train 3 times a week on the mtb's and once a week on road bikes. Well that's the plan!
Run tomorrow....
So after meeting the bigman at our usual meeting place we set off up Cleish - the mtb's (mountain bikes!) are heavy beasts compared to the light racing road bikes we're used to. Our hearts beat a little harder as we ploughed up Cleish hill. Obviously the bigman's hill training on Cleish over the past few days has caused the surface to break up and the chain gangs were repairing the damage he has created on the tractor. We joked with the road gang that if two bikes were stuck in the tar we might have attempted to speed through the setting tar surface on the way home!!
Next thing it was if we had slipped on our chaps and were riding the plains of New Zealand. One of the main obstacles on Cleish is sheep - the grass is truly greener on the other side and three of the beasts had escaped. We stepped up on our steeds and rode into position as instructed by the local shephardess and drove the sheep into the field. We ye ha'd and shot off down the hill. Life is good.
The bigman suggested an alternate route over Knockhill to go home in order to avoid the soft tar. It was a good plan. As we climbed towards Knockhill the rain started. The bigman is truly a rainmaker. He suggested that whilst out biking on Sunday he had been caught by a light shower and it had been refreshing....personally I've had enough refreshment from the skies recently!!!!
Training with the bigman is a joy. He puts up with my constant blether and chat about nothing. A good man to work out with.
So the time is counting down and the epic caper gets closer and closer. We're going to train 3 times a week on the mtb's and once a week on road bikes. Well that's the plan!
Run tomorrow....
Monday 7 September 2009
Weekend Catch Up.....
What a weekend - quite amazing.
Thought I'd catch up with the activity of the weekend. The boys had been over and we had taken part in the annual competition for the golf mug - more hotly competed for than the Ryder Cup.....needless to say I didn't win.
One of the golfers over from Ireland was the Gasman, an anaesthetist by profession, joined us on the bike ride. The Fit One kindly provided the felt from his growing stock of bikes and also a pair of shoes. He's a good man that Fit One. So we set off top the Bigman's to be met by the wee yin and duracell. The bike ride was wet. Very wet. Oh and cold. Shorts were very inappropriate!
We climbed Knockhill sharing the stories of the week. The Fit One and Gasman leading the climb with the rest of us blethering through the rain. It felt like a November morning, again! The rain briefly abated at Yetts O Muckart, not for long but long enough to reach the fab Loch Leven's Larder. As the bigman said the carb loading went down a storm with the fruit scones (and square sausage) going down a storm!
The ride home was great and we all were glad to get back and into the shower to warm up. The Gasman enjoyed the ride - it was a good 75km round trip which was a bit longer than his normal bike run but he coped easily and we all enjoyed his company. The Gasman is one of life's gentlemen. A great friend and he is welcome to join the Crusaders any time.
Sunday was a run day. I planned to do 18 miles but had to stop after 12 because of chaffing. It was really painful. I've made some really stupid mistakes going running recently like forgetting water but to forget to vaseline my bits was a stupid in the extreme and I learnt a painful lesson! The shower after was an experience I'll not forget!
So the week ahead is lining up - run/bike tomorrow, bike Wednesday and then run again Thursday. Lots of work to do this week so going to have to make the time in the midst of it all.
Feeling good. 4 weeks to Loch Ness marathon......
Thought I'd catch up with the activity of the weekend. The boys had been over and we had taken part in the annual competition for the golf mug - more hotly competed for than the Ryder Cup.....needless to say I didn't win.
One of the golfers over from Ireland was the Gasman, an anaesthetist by profession, joined us on the bike ride. The Fit One kindly provided the felt from his growing stock of bikes and also a pair of shoes. He's a good man that Fit One. So we set off top the Bigman's to be met by the wee yin and duracell. The bike ride was wet. Very wet. Oh and cold. Shorts were very inappropriate!
We climbed Knockhill sharing the stories of the week. The Fit One and Gasman leading the climb with the rest of us blethering through the rain. It felt like a November morning, again! The rain briefly abated at Yetts O Muckart, not for long but long enough to reach the fab Loch Leven's Larder. As the bigman said the carb loading went down a storm with the fruit scones (and square sausage) going down a storm!
The ride home was great and we all were glad to get back and into the shower to warm up. The Gasman enjoyed the ride - it was a good 75km round trip which was a bit longer than his normal bike run but he coped easily and we all enjoyed his company. The Gasman is one of life's gentlemen. A great friend and he is welcome to join the Crusaders any time.
Sunday was a run day. I planned to do 18 miles but had to stop after 12 because of chaffing. It was really painful. I've made some really stupid mistakes going running recently like forgetting water but to forget to vaseline my bits was a stupid in the extreme and I learnt a painful lesson! The shower after was an experience I'll not forget!
So the week ahead is lining up - run/bike tomorrow, bike Wednesday and then run again Thursday. Lots of work to do this week so going to have to make the time in the midst of it all.
Feeling good. 4 weeks to Loch Ness marathon......
Sunday 6 September 2009
Bigman ploughs more miles on the tractor
After yesterday's drowning in the scotch smur, Bigman was taking no chances with the weather when he ventured out on the Trek Tractor this afternoon. And so it turned out to be a good decision, with a shower opting to drop a few gallons on him as he climbed Cleish for the third time.Waterproof shorts may sound a silly idea, however they are brilliant on a wet day on the bike. They have less constriction on movement than full waterproofs and do not make you sweat as much, but the biggest benefit is that they keep your backside dry. There is little worse than a pair of padded shorts soaked with rainwater. No wonder babies scream when they have wet their nappy. Everyone would ..... and probably did!
His focus today was to get some more mountain bike climbing miles under his belt.
25 miles and 4 repetitions over the mighty Col du Cleish followed up by some sprinting around at the Sunday night fives footie has provided an excellent weekend of training as he sails into another working week and one less until the Epic Caper in South Africa.
His focus today was to get some more mountain bike climbing miles under his belt.
25 miles and 4 repetitions over the mighty Col du Cleish followed up by some sprinting around at the Sunday night fives footie has provided an excellent weekend of training as he sails into another working week and one less until the Epic Caper in South Africa.
Saturday 5 September 2009
The Fit One sinks a square sausage
Today, the Saturday training run had its own peleton including an international field. The Ironman, The Fit One, Bigman, The Duracell, and The Wee Yin (formerly known as Mrs Bigman, and a guest appearnace from overseas by The Gasman.
As the peleton headed out to climb Mont VeKnockhill there was a lot of smur around, and it was pretty dreich. The weather may have been damp however the spirits were not dampened with lots of chat amongst the group as they interchanged cycling partners. Even the passing motorists were plaeased to see a bunch of cyclists out riding with one going so far to give an elongagted blast of his horn with digit dexterity a feature of his celebratory waving. No idea who he was, nor the reason for his excitement however it is good to see so many happy people on the road!
A strong westerly blasted the peleton along to Loch Leven's Larder where The Fit One devoured a roll masking a square sausage, to build carbs for the tough cycle back over the North Face of Col du Cleish.( This was supported by a Scotch Pie at half time at the Scotland game in the afternoon)
The Gasman, The Fit One and The Ironman were all a bit adventurous sporting summer shorts for such a foul day. Having ascended the North Face of Col du Cleish, the peleton took up their positions for the race section back to Dunfermline. The Fit One found himself at the front, known as a strategic gaffe so early in the race. The pace was pedestrian when the Duracell broke for the front on the Dawes creating a wind vacuum in his wake.The Ironman was next to take the lead ramping up the pace. The Fit One found himself boxed in as the finishing line moved into view.
The Ironman engineroom called for more steam however it was not to be today and the sprint snuffed out. Bigman cranked up the pace and from a boxed in postion it was always going to be difficult for The Fit One to build the pace to chase down Bigman. The Gasman and The Wee Yin looked on with amusement at the antics of the aged!
Despite the early damp weather, the banter was great as everyone looked forward to vitory this afternoon. A great day out.
PS George Burley did not phone the Duracell
As the peleton headed out to climb Mont VeKnockhill there was a lot of smur around, and it was pretty dreich. The weather may have been damp however the spirits were not dampened with lots of chat amongst the group as they interchanged cycling partners. Even the passing motorists were plaeased to see a bunch of cyclists out riding with one going so far to give an elongagted blast of his horn with digit dexterity a feature of his celebratory waving. No idea who he was, nor the reason for his excitement however it is good to see so many happy people on the road!
A strong westerly blasted the peleton along to Loch Leven's Larder where The Fit One devoured a roll masking a square sausage, to build carbs for the tough cycle back over the North Face of Col du Cleish.( This was supported by a Scotch Pie at half time at the Scotland game in the afternoon)
The Gasman, The Fit One and The Ironman were all a bit adventurous sporting summer shorts for such a foul day. Having ascended the North Face of Col du Cleish, the peleton took up their positions for the race section back to Dunfermline. The Fit One found himself at the front, known as a strategic gaffe so early in the race. The pace was pedestrian when the Duracell broke for the front on the Dawes creating a wind vacuum in his wake.The Ironman was next to take the lead ramping up the pace. The Fit One found himself boxed in as the finishing line moved into view.
The Ironman engineroom called for more steam however it was not to be today and the sprint snuffed out. Bigman cranked up the pace and from a boxed in postion it was always going to be difficult for The Fit One to build the pace to chase down Bigman. The Gasman and The Wee Yin looked on with amusement at the antics of the aged!
Despite the early damp weather, the banter was great as everyone looked forward to vitory this afternoon. A great day out.
PS George Burley did not phone the Duracell
Friday 4 September 2009
Invest today and get guaranteed dividend returns in 6 months
It has been a long hard four days, however, now it is officially the weekend and to celebrate, Bigman has started his Cape Epic training plan in earnest.
Despite the torrential rain and the gusting winds, he got home and changed into the bike gear without so much as a sit down and mounted the Trek 6500 'tractor' and headed off for a wee 20 mile loop over Col du Cleish and four cimb repetitions.
It was not a joy hauling the tractor up the hill, but it has to be done, and done several times between now and March 20th, the start date of the Cape Epic and the guys Epic Caper. The dividends will be paid in South Africa. Now is the time to make the investment.
Bigman weighed in at a superb 13st 7lbs, great news for this point of the week. Over a nice Pinot Noir he discussed with Mrs Bigman the benefits of a carbon mountain bike over the weighty Trek 6500. It was a short discussion ............. but one to be continued.
Despite the torrential rain and the gusting winds, he got home and changed into the bike gear without so much as a sit down and mounted the Trek 6500 'tractor' and headed off for a wee 20 mile loop over Col du Cleish and four cimb repetitions.
It was not a joy hauling the tractor up the hill, but it has to be done, and done several times between now and March 20th, the start date of the Cape Epic and the guys Epic Caper. The dividends will be paid in South Africa. Now is the time to make the investment.
Bigman weighed in at a superb 13st 7lbs, great news for this point of the week. Over a nice Pinot Noir he discussed with Mrs Bigman the benefits of a carbon mountain bike over the weighty Trek 6500. It was a short discussion ............. but one to be continued.
Duracell in late Scotland call up ...........maybe!
It was the Thursday night footie and Bigman was making a guest appearance to boost the numbers. As it turned out there were eleven players and so Captain Duracell selected the sides with him and the Bigman making up the bulk (literally) of the five man side. After 30 mins, one could be forgiven for thinking Berti Vogts was back in Scotland in charge of a five a side footie team.
The side of five were getting a pasting! And then, there was a penalty and the Duracell realised 'they are handing, the ball, to me' to steal the lyrics from a famous song.With all the guile and poise of a Wolverhampton striker, he sent the keeper the wrong way leaving a wide open goal. In keeping with true Scotland fashion he slammed the ball over the bar!
But this was a moment that changed the game. You could be forgiven to think the boys went on the loose 20 - 0. Mais non! It all game together. The team were inspired by Captain duracell and went on to score 11 without reply, winning by three goals.
Needless to say the other side were devastated.
The Duracell is staying in tonight. Just maybe George will give him a call for the Macedonia game tomorrow.
The side of five were getting a pasting! And then, there was a penalty and the Duracell realised 'they are handing, the ball, to me' to steal the lyrics from a famous song.With all the guile and poise of a Wolverhampton striker, he sent the keeper the wrong way leaving a wide open goal. In keeping with true Scotland fashion he slammed the ball over the bar!
But this was a moment that changed the game. You could be forgiven to think the boys went on the loose 20 - 0. Mais non! It all game together. The team were inspired by Captain duracell and went on to score 11 without reply, winning by three goals.
Needless to say the other side were devastated.
The Duracell is staying in tonight. Just maybe George will give him a call for the Macedonia game tomorrow.
Wednesday 2 September 2009
The Fit One meets his match
A call from The Fit One and Bigman re-organised the diary to ensur an on-time escape from weegie land to get some miles under his belt, especially afetr Monday's washed out plans. After leaving the car the car at Linlithgow to catch the 06.13 train for 7 o'clock start, there was no guilt trip in catching the 16:45 back.
This provided the opportunity to join the Fit One for a spin out to Aberdour and up and over the Aberdour Ascent. It was a tadge deflating to go out to the garage to find the Madone resting on a flat tyre. A new tyre was put on Friday along with a new tube before the Col du Carnock meet. This was disappointing to say the least.
The weather may have been dull and overcast however the banter was in full flow and the miles passed un-noticed.
The Fit One was re-counting tales of his Talking Tandem partner who has a preference to spend most of her time in the big cog. Talking TAndems is a registered charity enabling partially sighted cyclings to experience the thrill of cycling with a partner. The Fit One, Junior II, and Santiago all support this charity through their support for the riders. The Fit One has found his match. He is becoming so used to the tandem weight, he is considering investing in a Dawes complete with Panyards! How times have changed!
A blast around the 20 mile ircuit was completed in just over the hour. 20 more miles towards teh Cape Epic in 28 weeks :-)
This provided the opportunity to join the Fit One for a spin out to Aberdour and up and over the Aberdour Ascent. It was a tadge deflating to go out to the garage to find the Madone resting on a flat tyre. A new tyre was put on Friday along with a new tube before the Col du Carnock meet. This was disappointing to say the least.
The weather may have been dull and overcast however the banter was in full flow and the miles passed un-noticed.
The Fit One was re-counting tales of his Talking Tandem partner who has a preference to spend most of her time in the big cog. Talking TAndems is a registered charity enabling partially sighted cyclings to experience the thrill of cycling with a partner. The Fit One, Junior II, and Santiago all support this charity through their support for the riders. The Fit One has found his match. He is becoming so used to the tandem weight, he is considering investing in a Dawes complete with Panyards! How times have changed!
A blast around the 20 mile ircuit was completed in just over the hour. 20 more miles towards teh Cape Epic in 28 weeks :-)
9 mile burn.....
Running is like nothing much else. As you run the endorphins kick in and the natural high is amazing. You feel released of all tension and your mind is able to drift and think in a way that allows you develop creative ideas and thoughts that really build solutions to the challenges in life. I love it.
However, sometimes running feels like a really bad idea and you drag your feet to the door feeling like doing anything else but run. Today, it was the weather. The afternoon had been brighter than the morning but the clouds were heavy in the west, almost as heavy as my legs!
In any event I decided to risk it and as the Nike logo says 'just do it'.
The run around the west Fife villages under a dangerous sky took me away from the issues of the day and as always left me feeling better about the world.
Another run tomorrow with a bike fixing session to follow. Need to get ready for a ride out on Saturday and my good bike has a puncture while my winter bike has no brakes.....
Oh and Santiago has pre-registered for Ironman UK next year. Great news. A training partner for the long tedious runs!
However, sometimes running feels like a really bad idea and you drag your feet to the door feeling like doing anything else but run. Today, it was the weather. The afternoon had been brighter than the morning but the clouds were heavy in the west, almost as heavy as my legs!
In any event I decided to risk it and as the Nike logo says 'just do it'.
The run around the west Fife villages under a dangerous sky took me away from the issues of the day and as always left me feeling better about the world.
Another run tomorrow with a bike fixing session to follow. Need to get ready for a ride out on Saturday and my good bike has a puncture while my winter bike has no brakes.....
Oh and Santiago has pre-registered for Ironman UK next year. Great news. A training partner for the long tedious runs!
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