Well life is cracking on at quite a pace at the moment, it feels like I’m rapidly freefalling towards two of the biggest events of the year.
First the UK and European 24hr champs which I am becoming increasingly more excited, yet also less confident about every day. But they’ll happen and I’ll be there and give it my best shot, hopefully I get a number 8 board this year after last years effort and I also hope I can improve on it. Whatever happens it will be another awesome event. Last year’s was the best mtb race I’ve ever been to. The atmosphere was exciting and you could really feel like you were part of somthing special, just being there. This time round there’ll be more people and more excitement for sure. I can’t wait.
Secondly and pretty much taking center stage in my life at the moment is thoughts and preparations for June’s big exciting and daunting trip – the Tour Divide. For those that don’t know the Tour Divide, have a scratch around Google and You Tube – its a big ‘un and there’s plenty written about it. I have my flights booked, my lovely carbon 29er is here thanks to On-One, my Satellite tracker is here. I’ve got nearly everything I need and I’m going for a 5 day trip this easter to test my gear, get used to bivvying out and covering lots of miles off-road. The plan (such as there is one): I am going to ride from here (Derby) up the Pennine Bridalway and over to Ilkley and bivvy on Ilkley Moor. Then if I can make it I will head back into Manchester and catch up with my friend Sas, who is emigrating soon, for lunch before heading back to Ilkley to my mate Mark’s. Sunday we’ll head to Catterick for the Nut Cracker XC race and then I’ll ride back to Derby with a bivvy stop on the way. That’s the plan anyway but you can bet your life it won’t happen like that. It should make an interesting tale though if I ever get to tell it.
Speaking of which the last couple of weekends there’s been plenty happening but I haven’t found the time to get enough sleep, let alone write about it, so here’s a bit of a torrent of recent happenings and maybe you can fill in the gaps yourself.
Built Whippet
Raced in Wales
Wrist fixed – all good
Mid week TTs started – 5sec off a PB on first night
Raleigh Pro showed up to show us how its done.
Carbon 29er frame and forks arrived.
Builth Wells Marathon, wasn’t expecting so much of a race – don’t know why?
Started too fast
Took out Luke by accident
(Sorry!)
Went the wrong way
Went slow for a bit
Went fast for a bit
Went slow for a bit more
Went dizzy in the heat
Sat down for a bit
Finished in just under 4hrs
Midweek TT – 55sec slower – Oh dear!
Visited the Planet X / On One Showroom. Very Nice.
Built the Carbon 29er (Pics as soon as my Paps mail me) Thanks to Guy for the bits.
Went for a ride ont’Moor
Skills accreditation session at Manchester Velodrome
Raced at Dalby
Ace course!
I dug part of that course many moons ago but never raced there.
Went for a practice
29er was ace down Worry Gill
Lost track of time
Made the start with seconds to spare
Had to start at the back, tight lines, hard to pass.
Chainring fell off
10 min later got going again (cheers Eoin!)
Rejoined as Elites were coming through.
Looked fast for a bit
Got distracted
Got bored
Did 3 laps and called it a day
Enjoyed the sun
Hung out with friends
Enjoyed the drive home
TT tonight
Set a PB
Course record fell
Those two events are not connected!
Wasn’t feeling strong.
I can go faster!
Time to sleep again.
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