After watching Jose Ivan Gutierrez storm to the win in today's Eneco Tour time trial, I was super-hypermotivated to do well in this evening's final Severn 9.38 miler. It wasn't raining (amazing but true) and there was only a fairly gentle north wind blowing.
Robin was on deadline for WhatMTB this week so wasn't going out. But his 21'32 last week was easily his best ride of the year. I used the 40km out there as a noice warmup. I got there and was pleasantly surprised to sign on as number 46. Another five came after me, making for a decent field for the last evening 10 of the season. There were even seven new riders!
I had a fairly good start on the downhill bit, and got to the corner at 5.8km knowing exactly where it was. It always helps. Ditto the next corner, which I overshot last time. There was no mud on the roads on the return leg this time, so I could keep the speed up through the lanes.
We were starting at 30 second intervals, but I didn't start catching people until about 4km to go, then I caught about four at once! Up the hill and I could see the guy who had started a minute ahead of me coming back, so I made a big effort to pass him in the last few hundred metres. He asked me afterwards how I managed to do that with a position that involves resting my forearms on the tops. Years of practice, mate.
End result: 21'30 for third place, with the fastest being 21'11. I was even more pleasantly surprised with that, and am rather looking forward to throwing my leg over the Planet-X TT machine. It's supposed to be coming this Friday. I hope it's not coming in the same truck as the database.
Splits
5.8km: 7'42
6.8km: 9'05
12.2km: 16'50
13.3km: 18'45
15.1km: 21'30
The take home lesson is that training actually works. 400km over the long weekend, kicked off by a solid 170km up through the very cool Cotswold Water Park. I'm sure I saw the database there, but maybe it was because I was still feeling the effects of the previous Thursday night's cider and beer extravaganza in Bristol. I managed to sweat it all out during the ride, but was absolutely shattered for the rest of the day. Ditto Sunday, when I went down towards Warminster and across Salisbury Plain for another 115km. Lots of sleep was in order.
Monday was better: Robin and I did a lap of the Mendips, taking in Burrington Combe and Cheddar Gorge. New best times up both of them, which bodes well for the hill climbs there in October. The British hill climb championships are up Cheddar Gorge and the course should suit me, as I like flatter climbs. The week before is the Burrington climb. I reckon I can get top five there based on current form. That's not a given, as I tend to start going backwards in October.
Finally, I hope that our Aunt Margaret is out of hospital soon. That sounded like a nasty fall you had.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Waiting for the Database
A play in one act by Samuel Beckett, with some slight modifications to the back end by Jeff Jones.
Act I
An office. In Bath.
Friday morning.
Jeff, sitting at his desk, drinking coffee, eating a Daim bar and checking his email. He gives up, exhausted.
Enter Jez. Sweaty.
Jeff: Nothing has been done.
Jez: I'm beginning to come round to that opinion.
Jeff: May one inquire where Mr Loftsbury spent the night?
Jez: In a ditch.
Jeff: A ditch? Where?
Jez: (without gesture) Over there.
Jeff: Did you see the database?
Jez: No, not there.
Jeff: When I think of it ... all these years ... where would it be?
Jez: On a beach in Cornwall?
Jeff: It's too much for one man. On the other hand what's the good of losing heart now, that's what I say. We should have thought of it a million years ago.
Jez: Sometimes I feel it coming all the same. Then I go all queer ... How shall I say? Relieved and at the same time ... appalled. AP-PALLED. Nothing to be done.
Jeff: Nothing.
Jez: How's your knee?
Jeff: Swelling visibly.
Jez: Ah yes, the tram tracks in Bristol. Do you remember the story?
Jeff: No. I had too much to drink.
Jez: It's your own fault. You shouldn't have had all that cider.
Jeff: I should have had more. And I shouldn't have been riding that small-wheeled bike.
He rises painfully, goes limping to extreme left, halts, gazes into the computer with his hand screening his eyes, turns, goes to extreme right, gazes out the window. Jez watches him, then goes and picks up Tony's week-old coffee cup, peers into it, drops it hastily.
Jez: Let's go.
Jeff: We can't.
Jez: Why not?
Jeff: We're waiting for the database.
Jez: (despairingly). Ah! (Pause.) You're sure it was here?
Jeff: What?
Jez: That we were to wait.
Jeff: Yes. They said it was here on this server. Do you see any others?
Jez: What is it?
Jeff: I don't know. A patch? A new article editor?
Jez: Where are the products?
Jeff: No idea. It must be dead.
Jez: What are you insinuating? That they haven't done it?
Jeff: It should be here.
Jez: They didn't say for sure it would be here.
Jeff: And if it doesn't come?
Jez: We'll come back tomorrow.
Jeff: And then the day after tomorrow.
Jez: Possibly.
Jeff: And so on.
Jez: What did we do yesterday?
Jeff: What did we do yesterday?
Jez: Yes.
Jeff: Nothing is certain when you're about.
Jez: You're sure it was this evening?
Jeff: They said Friday. (Pause.) I think.
Jez: You think.
Jeff: I must have made a note of it.
Jez: (very insidious). But what Friday? And is it Friday? Is it not rather Saturday? (Pause.) Or Monday? (Pause.) Or next Tuesday?
Jeff: (looking wildly about him, as though the date was inscribed on his email). It's not possible!
Jez: Or Thursday?
Jeff: What'll we do?
Jez: If it came yesterday and we weren't here you may be sure it won't come again today.
Jeff: But you say we were here yesterday.
Jez: I may be mistaken. We did drink a hell of a lot.
Jeff falls asleep. Jez looks around, then exclaims. It's here ... It's Here! ... IT'S HERE!
Jeff wakes with a start.
Jeff: (restored to the horror of his situation). I was asleep! (Despairingly.) Why will you never let me sleep?
Jez: I think I saw it under the desk. It bit me.
Jeff: Don't tease me.
Jez: What do we do now?
Jez: Wait.
Jeff: Yes, but while waiting.
Jez: What about hanging ourselves?
Jeff: From this slingbox? (They go towards the box on Jeff's desk.) I wouldn't trust it.
Jez: We can always try.
Jeff: Go ahead.
Jez: Why me? I don't understand.
Jeff: Use your intelligence, can't you?
Jez uses his intelligence.
Jez: (finally). I remain in the dark.
Jeff: If it hangs, it'll hang anything.
Jez: I'm getting no response from the backend.
A pause for lunch, involving a fish-finger sandwich and more coffee.
Jeff: What exactly did we ask them for?
Jez: Oh ... Nothing very definite.
Jeff: A kind of CMS.
Jez: And what did they reply?
Jez: That they couldn't promise anything.
Jeff: That they'd have to think it over.
Jez: Consult their programmers.
Jeff: Their partners.
Jez: Their investors.
Jeff: Their bank account.
Jez: Before taking a decision.
Jeff: It's the normal thing ... And where do we come in?
Jez: Come in?
Jeff: We've no rights any more?
Jez: (distinctly). We got rid of them at launch.
Jeff: What do we do now?
Jez: I don't know.
Jeff: Let's go.
Jez: We can't.
Jeff: Why not?
Jez: We're waiting for the database.
Jeff: (despairingly). Ah!
Enter Storm.
Storm: Alright?
Jeff: You have news of the database?
Storm: Yes sir.
Jez: Well, what is it?
Storm: (in a rush). The database told me to tell you it won't come this evening but surely tomorrow.
Silence.
Jeff: I'm unhappy.
Jez: Is that all?
Storm: Yes.
Exit Storm.
Jez: We've nothing more to do here.
Jeff: Nor anywhere else.
Jez: Ah, don't go on like that. Tomorrow everything will be better.
Jeff: How do you make that out?
Jez: Did you not hear what Storm said?
Jeff: No.
Jez: She said that the database was sure to come tomorrow.
Jeff: Then all we have to do is to wait here.
Jez: Are you mad? We must take cover.
They approach the slingbox.
Jeff: (looking at the slingbox). Pity we haven't got a bit of rope. Remind me to bring some tomorrow.
Jez: Yes. Come on.
Jeff: How long have we been doing this for?
Jez: I don't know. Fifty years maybe.
Jeff: Wait! I sometimes wonder if we wouldn't have been better off with Sea Monkey and Drupal.
Jez: We can still do it, if you think it would be better.
Jeff: It's not worthwhile now.
Silence.
Jez: No, it's not worthwhile now.
Silence.
Jeff: Well, shall we go?
Jez: Yes, let's go.
They do not move.
Act I
An office. In Bath.
Friday morning.
Jeff, sitting at his desk, drinking coffee, eating a Daim bar and checking his email. He gives up, exhausted.
Enter Jez. Sweaty.
Jeff: Nothing has been done.
Jez: I'm beginning to come round to that opinion.
Jeff: May one inquire where Mr Loftsbury spent the night?
Jez: In a ditch.
Jeff: A ditch? Where?
Jez: (without gesture) Over there.
Jeff: Did you see the database?
Jez: No, not there.
Jeff: When I think of it ... all these years ... where would it be?
Jez: On a beach in Cornwall?
Jeff: It's too much for one man. On the other hand what's the good of losing heart now, that's what I say. We should have thought of it a million years ago.
Jez: Sometimes I feel it coming all the same. Then I go all queer ... How shall I say? Relieved and at the same time ... appalled. AP-PALLED. Nothing to be done.
Jeff: Nothing.
Jez: How's your knee?
Jeff: Swelling visibly.
Jez: Ah yes, the tram tracks in Bristol. Do you remember the story?
Jeff: No. I had too much to drink.
Jez: It's your own fault. You shouldn't have had all that cider.
Jeff: I should have had more. And I shouldn't have been riding that small-wheeled bike.
He rises painfully, goes limping to extreme left, halts, gazes into the computer with his hand screening his eyes, turns, goes to extreme right, gazes out the window. Jez watches him, then goes and picks up Tony's week-old coffee cup, peers into it, drops it hastily.
Jez: Let's go.
Jeff: We can't.
Jez: Why not?
Jeff: We're waiting for the database.
Jez: (despairingly). Ah! (Pause.) You're sure it was here?
Jeff: What?
Jez: That we were to wait.
Jeff: Yes. They said it was here on this server. Do you see any others?
Jez: What is it?
Jeff: I don't know. A patch? A new article editor?
Jez: Where are the products?
Jeff: No idea. It must be dead.
Jez: What are you insinuating? That they haven't done it?
Jeff: It should be here.
Jez: They didn't say for sure it would be here.
Jeff: And if it doesn't come?
Jez: We'll come back tomorrow.
Jeff: And then the day after tomorrow.
Jez: Possibly.
Jeff: And so on.
Jez: What did we do yesterday?
Jeff: What did we do yesterday?
Jez: Yes.
Jeff: Nothing is certain when you're about.
Jez: You're sure it was this evening?
Jeff: They said Friday. (Pause.) I think.
Jez: You think.
Jeff: I must have made a note of it.
Jez: (very insidious). But what Friday? And is it Friday? Is it not rather Saturday? (Pause.) Or Monday? (Pause.) Or next Tuesday?
Jeff: (looking wildly about him, as though the date was inscribed on his email). It's not possible!
Jez: Or Thursday?
Jeff: What'll we do?
Jez: If it came yesterday and we weren't here you may be sure it won't come again today.
Jeff: But you say we were here yesterday.
Jez: I may be mistaken. We did drink a hell of a lot.
Jeff falls asleep. Jez looks around, then exclaims. It's here ... It's Here! ... IT'S HERE!
Jeff wakes with a start.
Jeff: (restored to the horror of his situation). I was asleep! (Despairingly.) Why will you never let me sleep?
Jez: I think I saw it under the desk. It bit me.
Jeff: Don't tease me.
Jez: What do we do now?
Jez: Wait.
Jeff: Yes, but while waiting.
Jez: What about hanging ourselves?
Jeff: From this slingbox? (They go towards the box on Jeff's desk.) I wouldn't trust it.
Jez: We can always try.
Jeff: Go ahead.
Jez: Why me? I don't understand.
Jeff: Use your intelligence, can't you?
Jez uses his intelligence.
Jez: (finally). I remain in the dark.
Jeff: If it hangs, it'll hang anything.
Jez: I'm getting no response from the backend.
A pause for lunch, involving a fish-finger sandwich and more coffee.
Jeff: What exactly did we ask them for?
Jez: Oh ... Nothing very definite.
Jeff: A kind of CMS.
Jez: And what did they reply?
Jez: That they couldn't promise anything.
Jeff: That they'd have to think it over.
Jez: Consult their programmers.
Jeff: Their partners.
Jez: Their investors.
Jeff: Their bank account.
Jez: Before taking a decision.
Jeff: It's the normal thing ... And where do we come in?
Jez: Come in?
Jeff: We've no rights any more?
Jez: (distinctly). We got rid of them at launch.
Jeff: What do we do now?
Jez: I don't know.
Jeff: Let's go.
Jez: We can't.
Jeff: Why not?
Jez: We're waiting for the database.
Jeff: (despairingly). Ah!
Enter Storm.
Storm: Alright?
Jeff: You have news of the database?
Storm: Yes sir.
Jez: Well, what is it?
Storm: (in a rush). The database told me to tell you it won't come this evening but surely tomorrow.
Silence.
Jeff: I'm unhappy.
Jez: Is that all?
Storm: Yes.
Exit Storm.
Jez: We've nothing more to do here.
Jeff: Nor anywhere else.
Jez: Ah, don't go on like that. Tomorrow everything will be better.
Jeff: How do you make that out?
Jez: Did you not hear what Storm said?
Jeff: No.
Jez: She said that the database was sure to come tomorrow.
Jeff: Then all we have to do is to wait here.
Jez: Are you mad? We must take cover.
They approach the slingbox.
Jeff: (looking at the slingbox). Pity we haven't got a bit of rope. Remind me to bring some tomorrow.
Jez: Yes. Come on.
Jeff: How long have we been doing this for?
Jez: I don't know. Fifty years maybe.
Jeff: Wait! I sometimes wonder if we wouldn't have been better off with Sea Monkey and Drupal.
Jez: We can still do it, if you think it would be better.
Jeff: It's not worthwhile now.
Silence.
Jez: No, it's not worthwhile now.
Silence.
Jeff: Well, shall we go?
Jez: Yes, let's go.
They do not move.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Joined up thinking
That's the buzzword du jour. And the funny thing is, if you look up 'du jour' on Google, the second entry (Merriam Webster) gives a definition as "popular, fashionable, or prominent at a particular time <the buzzword du jour>"
That's almost uncanny, and it demonstrates the power of joined up thinking.
My thinking of late has been joined up by time trials. Tonight was the last Chippenham evening 10 for me, 'cos I want to do the Bristol one next week. Conditions were poor because of the stiff north wind, which meant you got a cross/headwind for the first 5km, a head/crosswind for the second 6km, and a tailwind for the last 5km.
I thought I was on a good ride when I caught my minute man after 5 minutes, then my four minute man after 10 minutes, and even passed my six minute man after 20 minutes. But I only ended up with 23'56 - my slowest on that course to date. I lost a few seconds by unclipping my foot around a corner, but that's all the virtual time I could reclaim today.
Ben was the quickest as usual in 22'18, then Mitch Piddock in 23'54. Ben did a 22'03 last week (in the wet), his best time. We're going to do a three man TTT in the middle of October, which should be fun.
Splits
5km: 7'20 (better than I thought)
10km: 15'15 (this bit was demoralising)
13km: 19'30 (picking up some time)
16.2km: 23'56 (not picking up enough time)
Actually it wasn't that bad. I just looked at the course map and the finish is about 1.5km north of the start, so when you have a north wind blowing you are slightly disadvantaged. I'll have to do it on a day when there's a big southerly, especially as the final bit is quite sheltered.
I suppose the good thing is that it has temporarily stopped raining. The weekend was poor, and I did one of my most miserable rides ever over the Mendips. I'd planned on doing 5 hours but when I got to the top of Burrington Combe, it was blowing a gale and the rain was horizontal. Couldn't see a bloody thing so I went the quickest way home that I could.
That's almost uncanny, and it demonstrates the power of joined up thinking.
My thinking of late has been joined up by time trials. Tonight was the last Chippenham evening 10 for me, 'cos I want to do the Bristol one next week. Conditions were poor because of the stiff north wind, which meant you got a cross/headwind for the first 5km, a head/crosswind for the second 6km, and a tailwind for the last 5km.
I thought I was on a good ride when I caught my minute man after 5 minutes, then my four minute man after 10 minutes, and even passed my six minute man after 20 minutes. But I only ended up with 23'56 - my slowest on that course to date. I lost a few seconds by unclipping my foot around a corner, but that's all the virtual time I could reclaim today.
Ben was the quickest as usual in 22'18, then Mitch Piddock in 23'54. Ben did a 22'03 last week (in the wet), his best time. We're going to do a three man TTT in the middle of October, which should be fun.
Splits
5km: 7'20 (better than I thought)
10km: 15'15 (this bit was demoralising)
13km: 19'30 (picking up some time)
16.2km: 23'56 (not picking up enough time)
Actually it wasn't that bad. I just looked at the course map and the finish is about 1.5km north of the start, so when you have a north wind blowing you are slightly disadvantaged. I'll have to do it on a day when there's a big southerly, especially as the final bit is quite sheltered.
I suppose the good thing is that it has temporarily stopped raining. The weekend was poor, and I did one of my most miserable rides ever over the Mendips. I'd planned on doing 5 hours but when I got to the top of Burrington Combe, it was blowing a gale and the rain was horizontal. Couldn't see a bloody thing so I went the quickest way home that I could.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Wednesday evening 9.38
Which will be preceded by the weather report.
Rain, then thundery showers, followed by rain. Maximum: 18°C. We had our 10 days of summer, I think.
Robin and I got soaked as we walked from the office to the carpark, and we had umbrellas! We drove out to the Severn '10' course, which in true English fashion only measures 9.38 miles, or 15.1km in real money. It started in almost the same place as last Sunday's TT so it was a downhill start. After 6km it turned left onto a back road, then left again onto an even narrower road. The last 3km was all uphill.
We were amazed when we got there and the roads were actually dry, and signed on as number 19 and 20. It goes without saying that 10 minutes before we started, it started pissing down and didn't stop. That combined with the mud in the lanes made for an interesting ride.
We warmed up as best we could, but it's bloody hard to do that when it's raining. Robin set off a minute before me and flew away on his Dalkiia TT bike. I didn't see him again until the finish. I got going and couldn't really get into a rhythm for the first bit. It wasn't until I got into the second half that my heart rate went up to 181 and stayed there.
There were no marshals and I didn't know the course, so I almost missed the first turn and I overshot the second turn, which cost me about 15 seconds. Once I got onto the right road it was OK, although I took all of the bends very carefully because of the mud and not knowing how sharp they were. I caught my four minute woman after 12 minutes, and then at the start of the hill I caught my two and three minute men. I was also passed by the guy who started a minute behind me. Unfortunately, he punctured with 2km to go, which cost him the best time I think.
I finished with 22'12, which wasn't bad considering. Robin did a 22'01 - his best time, but was annoyed that he didn't break 22'00. The quickest was 21'14 and we finished fourth and fifth out of about 25. The course record is a fairly ridiculous 19'38.
Splits:
6.8km: 9'20 (inc. overshoot)
12.2km: 17'17
15.1km: 22'12
The ride home in the glorious dark and rain was most enjoyable. Luckily the bike path goes to within 1km of my place.
I'll probably go back and do the last Chippenham 10 next week (hopefully with TT machine!) then do the final Severn 9.38 in two weeks.
Rain, then thundery showers, followed by rain. Maximum: 18°C. We had our 10 days of summer, I think.
Robin and I got soaked as we walked from the office to the carpark, and we had umbrellas! We drove out to the Severn '10' course, which in true English fashion only measures 9.38 miles, or 15.1km in real money. It started in almost the same place as last Sunday's TT so it was a downhill start. After 6km it turned left onto a back road, then left again onto an even narrower road. The last 3km was all uphill.
We were amazed when we got there and the roads were actually dry, and signed on as number 19 and 20. It goes without saying that 10 minutes before we started, it started pissing down and didn't stop. That combined with the mud in the lanes made for an interesting ride.
We warmed up as best we could, but it's bloody hard to do that when it's raining. Robin set off a minute before me and flew away on his Dalkiia TT bike. I didn't see him again until the finish. I got going and couldn't really get into a rhythm for the first bit. It wasn't until I got into the second half that my heart rate went up to 181 and stayed there.
There were no marshals and I didn't know the course, so I almost missed the first turn and I overshot the second turn, which cost me about 15 seconds. Once I got onto the right road it was OK, although I took all of the bends very carefully because of the mud and not knowing how sharp they were. I caught my four minute woman after 12 minutes, and then at the start of the hill I caught my two and three minute men. I was also passed by the guy who started a minute behind me. Unfortunately, he punctured with 2km to go, which cost him the best time I think.
I finished with 22'12, which wasn't bad considering. Robin did a 22'01 - his best time, but was annoyed that he didn't break 22'00. The quickest was 21'14 and we finished fourth and fifth out of about 25. The course record is a fairly ridiculous 19'38.
Splits:
6.8km: 9'20 (inc. overshoot)
12.2km: 17'17
15.1km: 22'12
The ride home in the glorious dark and rain was most enjoyable. Luckily the bike path goes to within 1km of my place.
I'll probably go back and do the last Chippenham 10 next week (hopefully with TT machine!) then do the final Severn 9.38 in two weeks.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The joys of time trialling
The lowdown on the Severn RC 25 mile TT:
Officially I finished 31st/69 in a not particularly stellar time of 1:02:03 for 40.2km. But when I subtracted the three minutes it took for me to remove the spoke I broke after 8km (I stopped my clock at this point), it was a more respectable 59'00 which would have put me about 14th. I love virtual results.
The quickest was a junior, Douglas Dewey, who did 56'12, while our own Ben Anstie did a 56'23 for second place on the deceptively difficult course.
Although I would have liked to have done a proper time, I was quite happy with things in general. My bike position was finally spot on, and I even passed my two minute man at halfway, after I had wasted the three minutes trying to break off the spoke (the wheel was well out of true after my crash, so I'm not surprised it broke). Admittedly, my two minute man was about 95... But he had tri-bars!
From last week, I knew I was going to be quick at the start but then I was pleasantly surprised to get around the second 9km loop at 39km/h. This part contained all the vaguely technical bits and I thought my wheel might collapse so I took it very slowly around each corner. The last 14km home was all into a headwind and slightly uphill, as can be seen by the following splits:
12.1km: 15'30
21.2km: 29'30
26.4km: 36'30
40.2km: 59'00 ish.
My colleague Robin Coomber also had a shockah. He hadn't ridden it before and went off course at the turn to the first loop. I think he did the first loop OK but the second time got confused by the marshall who told him to do it again instead of going straight. He did that and then had to turn around again because he was right the first time! He ended with 1:01:58 for 29th, but definitely would have been under the hour had things gone OK.
The rest of the weekend was less painful and more enjoyable. Lucy and Pete came up for a visit and large amounts of beer and food were consumed. Restaurants: Rajpoot (good Indian), Aqua (looks posh but has well priced Italian food) and Same-Same (coffee as good as Fopp and noice sandwiches, open on Sundays and will do nicely as an alternative to the somewhat inconsistent Adventure Cafe).
On Saturday we walked up Bathwick Hill and admired all the neo-classical architecture with genuine Doric and Corinthian columns ... and the large amounts of cash that would be necessary to afford one of these piles. Then back down via Widcombe, saw the Simpsons movie (good stuff), down the river for a bit and up through Victoria Park to look at more neo-classical architecture and piles on the Lansdown side of Bath. Bloody hell it would cost a lot to buy Bath.
Sunday: a canal towpath walk, which was very very pleasant.
My legs zijn absolutely knackered.
A boat, spied from Cleveland Bridge
© Jeff Jones
Pete does his fat raver impression for Lucy. Note Doric columns.
© Jeff Jones
Corinthian columns in Sydney Park. Yes!
© Jeff Jones
Neo-classical architecture and a canal
© Jeff Jones
More from Sydney Park
© Jeff Jones
Looking over Bath from Widcombe Hill. It's better first thing in the morning.
© Jeff Jones
This band reminded me of the one out of Star Wars
© Jeff Jones
Officially I finished 31st/69 in a not particularly stellar time of 1:02:03 for 40.2km. But when I subtracted the three minutes it took for me to remove the spoke I broke after 8km (I stopped my clock at this point), it was a more respectable 59'00 which would have put me about 14th. I love virtual results.
The quickest was a junior, Douglas Dewey, who did 56'12, while our own Ben Anstie did a 56'23 for second place on the deceptively difficult course.
Although I would have liked to have done a proper time, I was quite happy with things in general. My bike position was finally spot on, and I even passed my two minute man at halfway, after I had wasted the three minutes trying to break off the spoke (the wheel was well out of true after my crash, so I'm not surprised it broke). Admittedly, my two minute man was about 95... But he had tri-bars!
From last week, I knew I was going to be quick at the start but then I was pleasantly surprised to get around the second 9km loop at 39km/h. This part contained all the vaguely technical bits and I thought my wheel might collapse so I took it very slowly around each corner. The last 14km home was all into a headwind and slightly uphill, as can be seen by the following splits:
12.1km: 15'30
21.2km: 29'30
26.4km: 36'30
40.2km: 59'00 ish.
My colleague Robin Coomber also had a shockah. He hadn't ridden it before and went off course at the turn to the first loop. I think he did the first loop OK but the second time got confused by the marshall who told him to do it again instead of going straight. He did that and then had to turn around again because he was right the first time! He ended with 1:01:58 for 29th, but definitely would have been under the hour had things gone OK.
The rest of the weekend was less painful and more enjoyable. Lucy and Pete came up for a visit and large amounts of beer and food were consumed. Restaurants: Rajpoot (good Indian), Aqua (looks posh but has well priced Italian food) and Same-Same (coffee as good as Fopp and noice sandwiches, open on Sundays and will do nicely as an alternative to the somewhat inconsistent Adventure Cafe).
On Saturday we walked up Bathwick Hill and admired all the neo-classical architecture with genuine Doric and Corinthian columns ... and the large amounts of cash that would be necessary to afford one of these piles. Then back down via Widcombe, saw the Simpsons movie (good stuff), down the river for a bit and up through Victoria Park to look at more neo-classical architecture and piles on the Lansdown side of Bath. Bloody hell it would cost a lot to buy Bath.
Sunday: a canal towpath walk, which was very very pleasant.
My legs zijn absolutely knackered.
A boat, spied from Cleveland Bridge© Jeff Jones
Pete does his fat raver impression for Lucy. Note Doric columns.© Jeff Jones
Corinthian columns in Sydney Park. Yes!© Jeff Jones
Neo-classical architecture and a canal© Jeff Jones
More from Sydney Park© Jeff Jones
Looking over Bath from Widcombe Hill. It's better first thing in the morning.© Jeff Jones
This band reminded me of the one out of Star Wars© Jeff Jones
Thursday, August 09, 2007
The Return of the Ridley
Yes folks, this is even better than a Thomas Hardy novel. I finally got my beloved Ridley back after its altercation with the tarmac in the ill-fated Tour of Wessex. It turned out that the wiggle in the headset was caused by a bit of damage to the bottom bearing seat in the head tube, and a plastic o-ring that was there before but doesn't have to be there now.
Unfortunately I did have to replace the saddle, and I'm still getting used to the new one. It's not easy to tweak the position when your seat tube is part of the frame, but it's doable.
I rode it in Wednesday's 10 mile TT and was slightly disappointed with my result. 23'54, which is my slowest to date. Still third, but placings aren't so important in these TTs. The saddle was too low and way too far back, and I was probably a bit tired from the ridiculous number of miles I did at the weekend.
I backed up on Thursday and went up to Castle Combe for a 51km handicap race. The bike felt better but not perfect - more tweaking is necessary. The race was odd: nothing like a Heffron Park Tuesday nighter, even though us (E/1/2) had to catch the cat. 3 and cat. 4 bunches. Despite treating it as a scratch race from the gun, we picked everyone up with about four laps to go and it was a huge bunch sprint.
I'd already been in a decent breakaway with Ben and another guy (we got caught just as we caught the two bunches ahead). Ben had a go at the start of the last lap and I attacked straight away when he was caught with about 1.5km left. I knew it was doomed to failure, but I couldn't be bothered with a bunch sprint today. They got me about 500m out but that was OK. My legs felt pretty reasonable and it wasn't that hard a race, despite an average of 44.4km/h.
The good thing was that one of our Chippenham guys, Simon Snowden, got up and won the sprint. And he's a third cat! He beat the British masters national champion and all.
It was almost dark when we finished. Luckily I had lights for the 20km home, but it's still quite eerie (and also peaceful) riding along roads without street lights. I kept seeing pubs that looked very inviting...
Unfortunately I did have to replace the saddle, and I'm still getting used to the new one. It's not easy to tweak the position when your seat tube is part of the frame, but it's doable.
I rode it in Wednesday's 10 mile TT and was slightly disappointed with my result. 23'54, which is my slowest to date. Still third, but placings aren't so important in these TTs. The saddle was too low and way too far back, and I was probably a bit tired from the ridiculous number of miles I did at the weekend.
I backed up on Thursday and went up to Castle Combe for a 51km handicap race. The bike felt better but not perfect - more tweaking is necessary. The race was odd: nothing like a Heffron Park Tuesday nighter, even though us (E/1/2) had to catch the cat. 3 and cat. 4 bunches. Despite treating it as a scratch race from the gun, we picked everyone up with about four laps to go and it was a huge bunch sprint.
I'd already been in a decent breakaway with Ben and another guy (we got caught just as we caught the two bunches ahead). Ben had a go at the start of the last lap and I attacked straight away when he was caught with about 1.5km left. I knew it was doomed to failure, but I couldn't be bothered with a bunch sprint today. They got me about 500m out but that was OK. My legs felt pretty reasonable and it wasn't that hard a race, despite an average of 44.4km/h.
The good thing was that one of our Chippenham guys, Simon Snowden, got up and won the sprint. And he's a third cat! He beat the British masters national champion and all.
It was almost dark when we finished. Luckily I had lights for the 20km home, but it's still quite eerie (and also peaceful) riding along roads without street lights. I kept seeing pubs that looked very inviting...
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Sun-day
25° today. Woo hoo!
Saturday: 180km towards the non-flooded Severn, one lap of next Sunday's 25 mile TT course in about 1'05 (it's not easy, but I should be able to go under the hour next week), then up into the Cotswolds and back along the reverse route of the Chippenham ride. I felt slightly wrecked coming home into the headwind. Can't think why.
Sunday: 135km south then west to Wells, Somerset Levels (one of my fave bits of riding country), then back via Cheddar Gorge and Chew Valley Lake. A noice day with lots of sun.
I'm getting one of these to test. Noice.
I got stuck back into me door wedge, too. It has now passed the 20,000 word mark, counting 'and', 'the' and 'it'. That's nearly six chapters in the old money, and the current one is actually making me laugh.
Alas, Fopp went bust so I've had to seek out alternative cafes. I liked Fopp because it was big, if a bit grubby at times, and the coffee was decent. The Adventure Cafe is OK, but the second cappuccino I had today was a bit scarring. The froth was just a veneer, and the rest of the coffee didn't make up for it. Oh well. There are Others.
Saturday: 180km towards the non-flooded Severn, one lap of next Sunday's 25 mile TT course in about 1'05 (it's not easy, but I should be able to go under the hour next week), then up into the Cotswolds and back along the reverse route of the Chippenham ride. I felt slightly wrecked coming home into the headwind. Can't think why.
Sunday: 135km south then west to Wells, Somerset Levels (one of my fave bits of riding country), then back via Cheddar Gorge and Chew Valley Lake. A noice day with lots of sun.
I'm getting one of these to test. Noice.
I got stuck back into me door wedge, too. It has now passed the 20,000 word mark, counting 'and', 'the' and 'it'. That's nearly six chapters in the old money, and the current one is actually making me laugh.
Alas, Fopp went bust so I've had to seek out alternative cafes. I liked Fopp because it was big, if a bit grubby at times, and the coffee was decent. The Adventure Cafe is OK, but the second cappuccino I had today was a bit scarring. The froth was just a veneer, and the rest of the coffee didn't make up for it. Oh well. There are Others.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Elements of Life
Government health warning: blog title bears no resemblance to content. Reading further is proof that you already have dementia.
It's finally stopped raining and it now feels like autumn, except that it's still theoretically summer. If I have any more theoretical summers like this one I will crack.
Anyway, it was a beautiful evening this evening, and by a happy coincidence it was also Wednesday. Why was that happy? Because it was an opportunity for me to ride another 10 mile TT up Chippenham waye. It was 300m longer and a slightly bumpier course than last time, so I was satisfied with a time of 23'50 on the mighty Flandria. Ben Anstie did the quickest time of 22'37 (I don't think he's been beaten in club runs this year), then Andy Cook was second in 23'45, followed by moi. I should be getting a TT bike to test soon, so it'll be interesting to see how much difference that makes.
It's back to the standard course next week, so I'll see if I can beat my previous time of 23'20. Then I'm doing a 25 miler on Sunday near the Severn River. Hopefully it won't be flooded!
I finished Harry Potter #7. It was better than #6 but I still reckon number #4 was the best. I won't give away any salient pieces of the plot, or even soylent ones, but I will say it was a total bloodbath. Annoyingly, at the start I figured out the crux of what would happen at the end. Oh well, it was still a good read. Back to An Equal Music and The First Book of Lankhmar.
It's finally stopped raining and it now feels like autumn, except that it's still theoretically summer. If I have any more theoretical summers like this one I will crack.
Anyway, it was a beautiful evening this evening, and by a happy coincidence it was also Wednesday. Why was that happy? Because it was an opportunity for me to ride another 10 mile TT up Chippenham waye. It was 300m longer and a slightly bumpier course than last time, so I was satisfied with a time of 23'50 on the mighty Flandria. Ben Anstie did the quickest time of 22'37 (I don't think he's been beaten in club runs this year), then Andy Cook was second in 23'45, followed by moi. I should be getting a TT bike to test soon, so it'll be interesting to see how much difference that makes.
It's back to the standard course next week, so I'll see if I can beat my previous time of 23'20. Then I'm doing a 25 miler on Sunday near the Severn River. Hopefully it won't be flooded!
I finished Harry Potter #7. It was better than #6 but I still reckon number #4 was the best. I won't give away any salient pieces of the plot, or even soylent ones, but I will say it was a total bloodbath. Annoyingly, at the start I figured out the crux of what would happen at the end. Oh well, it was still a good read. Back to An Equal Music and The First Book of Lankhmar.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
Rest day
Hyde Park Corner in Londres© Jeff Jones
The Tour is now. And now is a rest day. QED. It's been a good race so far, innit?
I was in Londres for the start, and it was jolly good. A whole lotta people, noice weather and a good atmos. The Tanman and I stayed with Lucy 'n Pete for the duration and had a good curry and a Greek nosh-up on Le Thames.
The BikeRadar launch party was impressive, even if the site was a bit underdone. That was expected as we had a whole two and a half days to test it before the Tour. Not ideal, but we got there. The bits that were working were good, and over the course of last week we fixed a lot more bits. Folks were impressed and that was nice for us. Especially as they were folks with cash. I'm glad I wasn't the one picking up the tab at the Dorchester.
Onto matters of lesser import. I turned 36 last week to little fanfare. The phones were ringing hot as I fielded a call from Kitchens Direct. They obviously hadn't been briefed that it was my birthday or that I was not in a position to buy a kitchen. At least Lucy called, so it wasn't all bad. And I did get a number of congratulatory emails.
On a more positive note, I got up Kingsdown in 6'50, easily my best time since I've been here. I worked out I averaged about 380W, so I'm getting there. I'm still on the creaky Flandria too, because there are headset bearing issues with the Ridley after the crash :-( I'm hoping to reclaim that tomorrow.
I note that the Los Angeles Catholic Church, inc. has had to pay out nearly a billion Aussie dollars to its sex abuse victims. They're pretty well buggered now. I wonder how parts of the Church will cope with bankruptcy? I expect the Lord will provide.
Weather? It's been 18 with occasional showers for as long as I can remember. It's unbelievably poor, given that summer's half over! I don't want to hear any complaints about how cold it is in Sydney.
I appear to be getting cynical in my old age so I'd better stop.
Tools of the trade© Jeff Jones
Bike riders© Jeff Jones
The HMS Belfast avec le Tower Bridge© Jeff Jones
Lucy 'n Pete 'n beer© Jeff Jones
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
I knew it
The NHS was behind all the attempted terrorist bombings in the UK. No wonder they ran out of plastic swords. I have to dress my own wounds now. Another week, and I can remove the bandage.
I seem to be riding OK again, although the weather is utter rubbish. It's as cold here as it is in Sydney, but we're in the middle of summer while it's bloody winter in Oz. And it's raining here too. Not proper rain, just drizzle. I'm going to take mine back and get a new one.
Speaking of getting a new one, BikeRadar.com is almost live and that means I have eaten more Schwartz burgers this week. Future also bought Cyclingnews today, and that means the company owns six cycling titles. Crikey.
I had more that I was going to add to this blog but my brain is now empty and I'm tired.
I seem to be riding OK again, although the weather is utter rubbish. It's as cold here as it is in Sydney, but we're in the middle of summer while it's bloody winter in Oz. And it's raining here too. Not proper rain, just drizzle. I'm going to take mine back and get a new one.
Speaking of getting a new one, BikeRadar.com is almost live and that means I have eaten more Schwartz burgers this week. Future also bought Cyclingnews today, and that means the company owns six cycling titles. Crikey.
I had more that I was going to add to this blog but my brain is now empty and I'm tired.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Bilge on Sunday
Today is a weekend kinda Sunday, which means it's seven days before next weekend's Sunday. On that day - all things going according to Plan - I'll be riding the Franja Maraton in Slovenia. Last year, I said I'd do it and I'm not backing down. It's 155km with a couple of longish climbs, and looks like a bit of fun. The aim for me is to stay on the bike in the first 20km section out of town, which is neutralised.
The good thing is that I can climb hills again, although my knee is far from 100 percent. I got up the steep hill at Pucklechurch on Friday, then did a slightly longer one en route to the Bristol Bike Fest on Saturday. I was down to ride that as part of a team, but contented myself with watching other members of WhatMTB thrash around the course at Ashton Court. Well, by watching I mean I sat in the shade with a beer and relaxed while said riders would come back from their laps looking very hot and bothered. Then I went home. The end.
Jez and his grass-floored campervan
© Jeff Jones
Our crew at the Bristol Bike Fest
© Jeff Jones
Sunday was better. I got out with Will and we did a lap of Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes, coming back via Stowey and Timsbury and I finished up with 100km. I got up the Stowey hill in 4'20, which is about 330W, or about 20% off what I can do when I'm fit and going flat out. Still, at the start of the week I was passed by a guy wearing jeans on an MTB on a small rise on the bike path...so there's been quite an improvement. I reckon I should have everything back in around two weeks. That means the last two months has been a complete write off in terms of building on whatever form I had in early April. Bit annoying, but not as bad as last year.
I'm reading The Flying Scotsman at the moment. It's by Graeme Obree and is a good insight into his life and career. He was a brilliant innovator and a world class rider (hour record breaker, world champion, but he didn't quite fit the mold of a professional cyclist. He has bipolar disorder and he has really struggled to deal with it all through his life. He tried to commit suicide two or three times, poor bugger. But he's still alive and has gone back to racing, as that often helped him smooth out the bumps.
There's a movie out based on the book, which should be worth a look.
Speaking of books, I'm back in Fopp and trying to write another bit of mine. Our writers group is getting together next Thursday to workshop each other's stuff. I've submitted a chapter, but I've seen precious little from the Others.
And now to matters of import, viz:
What's the deal with Paris Hilton only spending three days in jail? For some reason, this annoys me. What's the point of having 45 days when you only serve three? If the US jails are overcrowded, then they could always let out a mass murderer for a bit while she does her time. No-one would notice. Or just send her to the chair. Breaking a driving probation is a pretty serious crime in at least 47 states. As a citizen of Great Britain and Australia, I demand justice.
Spiderman #3: Hmm...it dragged in a few places. I thought MJ should have completely disowned Spidey and run off with Venom. And the Sandman was too fragile. But a good enough slice of entertainment for a Susan Sontag sort of afternoon.
OK, enough dribble. Back on your heads.
The good thing is that I can climb hills again, although my knee is far from 100 percent. I got up the steep hill at Pucklechurch on Friday, then did a slightly longer one en route to the Bristol Bike Fest on Saturday. I was down to ride that as part of a team, but contented myself with watching other members of WhatMTB thrash around the course at Ashton Court. Well, by watching I mean I sat in the shade with a beer and relaxed while said riders would come back from their laps looking very hot and bothered. Then I went home. The end.
Jez and his grass-floored campervan© Jeff Jones
Our crew at the Bristol Bike Fest© Jeff Jones
Sunday was better. I got out with Will and we did a lap of Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes, coming back via Stowey and Timsbury and I finished up with 100km. I got up the Stowey hill in 4'20, which is about 330W, or about 20% off what I can do when I'm fit and going flat out. Still, at the start of the week I was passed by a guy wearing jeans on an MTB on a small rise on the bike path...so there's been quite an improvement. I reckon I should have everything back in around two weeks. That means the last two months has been a complete write off in terms of building on whatever form I had in early April. Bit annoying, but not as bad as last year.
I'm reading The Flying Scotsman at the moment. It's by Graeme Obree and is a good insight into his life and career. He was a brilliant innovator and a world class rider (hour record breaker, world champion, but he didn't quite fit the mold of a professional cyclist. He has bipolar disorder and he has really struggled to deal with it all through his life. He tried to commit suicide two or three times, poor bugger. But he's still alive and has gone back to racing, as that often helped him smooth out the bumps.
There's a movie out based on the book, which should be worth a look.
Speaking of books, I'm back in Fopp and trying to write another bit of mine. Our writers group is getting together next Thursday to workshop each other's stuff. I've submitted a chapter, but I've seen precious little from the Others.
And now to matters of import, viz:
What's the deal with Paris Hilton only spending three days in jail? For some reason, this annoys me. What's the point of having 45 days when you only serve three? If the US jails are overcrowded, then they could always let out a mass murderer for a bit while she does her time. No-one would notice. Or just send her to the chair. Breaking a driving probation is a pretty serious crime in at least 47 states. As a citizen of Great Britain and Australia, I demand justice.
Spiderman #3: Hmm...it dragged in a few places. I thought MJ should have completely disowned Spidey and run off with Venom. And the Sandman was too fragile. But a good enough slice of entertainment for a Susan Sontag sort of afternoon.
OK, enough dribble. Back on your heads.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Forging ahead
The tables have turned and I am well on the road to recovery. That is pointing towards Bristol and back, as I pootle up and down the bike path for 40km each morning. Riding time has dropped from a very sluggish 1:33 to 1:24 today. Another four minutes quicker, and I'll be back to my rest day pace...
Still, the riding and icing of bruises (thanks for the tip Laura) have kicked things on a bit, and I can actually walk up stairs without much pain now. It will be at least another week before I can take the dressing off my knee, because that was such a big hole. Today, the nurse told to come back for a fourth visit and she gave me another plastic sword.
I'm going to rank this as my third worst crash after a) breaking my wrist last year (4 weeks in a cast + 2 months to get the strength back) and b) putting a big hole in my hip 10 years ago (3 weeks with metal stitches + a general anaesthetic). I've never been this bruised before but I'll get over it.
Aim for June/July/August/etc: stay on the bike. Like Roy and HG said about the weightlifter: "Just lift the bar"
It's all go at work now, with less than a couple of weeks until launch. The required run rate is going up, but we'll get there.
Still, the riding and icing of bruises (thanks for the tip Laura) have kicked things on a bit, and I can actually walk up stairs without much pain now. It will be at least another week before I can take the dressing off my knee, because that was such a big hole. Today, the nurse told to come back for a fourth visit and she gave me another plastic sword.
I'm going to rank this as my third worst crash after a) breaking my wrist last year (4 weeks in a cast + 2 months to get the strength back) and b) putting a big hole in my hip 10 years ago (3 weeks with metal stitches + a general anaesthetic). I've never been this bruised before but I'll get over it.
Aim for June/July/August/etc: stay on the bike. Like Roy and HG said about the weightlifter: "Just lift the bar"
It's all go at work now, with less than a couple of weeks until launch. The required run rate is going up, but we'll get there.
Friday, June 01, 2007
The joys of being injured
The problem with being sick or injured or all three is that you get bored. And when you're bored, you don't feel like doing anything to make life less boring. For example, adding more pages to your doorstop.
It should be clear by now that there is no second person in this narrative; it's just me. So I will switch to the first person.
I found salvation in two DVDs: We Can Be Heroes, which is quite a good piss take of Australian ordinariness, and The Dream, which is Roy and HG's incredibly funny take on the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Yes, both of these saved my life.
I've also watched a lot of BBC4, which this week has been about the evolution of British Children's TV. The Brits do nostalgia very well and it was interesting to see the story of The Magic Roundabout and The Tomorrow People. I didn't know that Magic Roundabout was actually French, but had an English story set to the animation. And that it was full of subtle humour.
On the book front, I've just about finished Junky. It's probably not the best read if you're feeling a bit queasy and fragile, but I got there. It's sordid, raw and addictive. There's an element of watching a plane crash over and over again, but it's worth the read. Remind me not to become a junkie. I've had enough of needles and being prodded for one week.
I went back to the finest surgery in Bath to get my stitches taken out at the leisure of the NHS. They didn't even give me a plastic sword! But I now no longer have any blue threads in my face and knee, just a couple of jagged looking scars. I have to go back next Wednesday for what I hope will be the final checkup.
I asked them whether I could ride now. "If you feel up to it," was the response. That's the equivalent of "Whatever" in NHS-speak.
Walking is still bloody painful. My right calf and my left hamstring work in concert to send spasms up and down my legs. I managed to hobble into work for the past two days but it's going to be a while longer before I can go at my normal speed. My colleague Matt Cole, who dislocated his shoulder five weeks ago, has just got his sling off and is working on getting his strength back. We are a sorry bunch.
I think I'll try to get out for an hour on the velocipede, among other fun things, on the weekend.
It should be clear by now that there is no second person in this narrative; it's just me. So I will switch to the first person.
I found salvation in two DVDs: We Can Be Heroes, which is quite a good piss take of Australian ordinariness, and The Dream, which is Roy and HG's incredibly funny take on the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Yes, both of these saved my life.
I've also watched a lot of BBC4, which this week has been about the evolution of British Children's TV. The Brits do nostalgia very well and it was interesting to see the story of The Magic Roundabout and The Tomorrow People. I didn't know that Magic Roundabout was actually French, but had an English story set to the animation. And that it was full of subtle humour.
On the book front, I've just about finished Junky. It's probably not the best read if you're feeling a bit queasy and fragile, but I got there. It's sordid, raw and addictive. There's an element of watching a plane crash over and over again, but it's worth the read. Remind me not to become a junkie. I've had enough of needles and being prodded for one week.
I went back to the finest surgery in Bath to get my stitches taken out at the leisure of the NHS. They didn't even give me a plastic sword! But I now no longer have any blue threads in my face and knee, just a couple of jagged looking scars. I have to go back next Wednesday for what I hope will be the final checkup.
I asked them whether I could ride now. "If you feel up to it," was the response. That's the equivalent of "Whatever" in NHS-speak.
Walking is still bloody painful. My right calf and my left hamstring work in concert to send spasms up and down my legs. I managed to hobble into work for the past two days but it's going to be a while longer before I can go at my normal speed. My colleague Matt Cole, who dislocated his shoulder five weeks ago, has just got his sling off and is working on getting his strength back. We are a sorry bunch.
I think I'll try to get out for an hour on the velocipede, among other fun things, on the weekend.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
