Ten Footer!

Keira planted a few seeds back in the Spring.

Now - it's taken a while what with all that lousy, cloudy weather but.......today the tallest of her three sunflowers chalked up ten foot. That's three hundred and four point eight centimetres for all you whippersnappers out there.

Good work!!

The Hill Climb Bec(kons)

Oh dear.

I've just posted my entry to the 53rd Bec CC Hill Climb. This is a hell of a ride up a 700 yard hill, with a mainly 1 in 6 gradient, kicking up nicely to 1 in 4 just before the finish, ouch!

Last year was my first attempt, I came second last, finishing in 3 minutes 24 seconds. I wasn't happy, there was a prize of £10 for last place.

The photo is me giving what little I had last year. I'll let you know how I go this time around - hoping for a slightly quicker ascent....

The Commutopia Experiment

For the first time since I was knee high to a Raleigh Pavemaster, I recently commuted to work two days running.

Door to door the train takes me around 1hr 35 mins each way, the bike takes around 54 mins in and 1hr 5 mins on the way back. Saving a bit of time, and a bit of money, keeping the legs spinning.

It’s jolly good fun and blimey, you need eyes in the front, side, back, top and bottom of yer noggin on these London commutes. Certainly keeps you focused.

I'm really surprised just how many cyclists whizz through red lights on the commute into town. And I got undertaken a few times in a most unsafe fashion by fellow cyclists. Based on my non scientific non extensive research I reckon mini cab drivers are about the worst closely followed by cyclists. Based on what I’m seeing I can see why we get such a bad rap from other road users. I saw the ole bill pull a rider over today for jumping a red, he he.

It's quite a logistical challenge getting towels, clothes and all the gubbins in/out and I can only manage this stuff when I have a few days in town on the trot as I'm not willing to lug my laptop around on me back.

Still, so far I likes it and will try to do this as often as I can.

Snoop

Gotta Getaway

Wow! The family Snoop has just left Southern California, in more or less the same shape as we found it. What did we see...?

Well we barely saw the Olympics . What little coverage there was centred on how the USA were winning the medal race. They are the only country I've ever been to who count total medal haul before golds.....strange? I did see (local Carshalton girl) Romero win gold, yee harr!!

On the business news, China was always referred to as Communist China. Sitting over there, taking our jobs type stylee.

LA on sea (Santa Monica) very nice, had a very enjoyable time riding a laid back bike with Keira on a tag along up and down the beach (even went under the boardwalk). Keira was ultra competitive and pedalled like fury to ensure we weren't overtaken. Motovational promises of medals and other glories were constantly being shouted to me from my energetic co rider.

Hollywood dirty and unpleasant, just as expected then.

Joshua Tree National Park great fun - hotter then the inside of a pizza oven, didn't smell as nice tho. We did a 1 mile hike (ha ha ) quite enough in 120+ temp thank you. Keira was elevated to the status of Junior Ranger, badge, sticker, the whole shebang.

San Diego - great city. Zoo is fabulous, Seaworld is great fun tho slathered with pure USA cheez which makes you want to barf if you do anything but ignore it. We didn't get to see Balboa Park so.....we have a reason to return.

Disneyland was the big finalé. Park cynicysm at front desk, enter and enjoy. Two days spent having a real blast on some monster rides.

I haven't been Stateside for a few years. How the hell did America get so fat...? I know I'm not exactly Mr Matchstick Trim but jeez, I was shocked at how many people are so grossly (in every sense) overweight. It quite gave me the heebie jeebies don't you know.

Fantastic trip, glad to be back to the cold weather. Got bike fittings booked in for next couple of weekends to cheer me up. Hope you enjoyed Summer as much as we did.

Snoop