All Kinds of Everything

Cake Baker Extreme

2009-11-17T17:11:00.002Z

Thanks to a broken down train I spent a vaguely enjoyable 20 minutes sitting in a carriage just outside West Croydon station today. For entertainment I had several copies of The Metro. Normally I wouldn't even sully my backside by using this drivel as bog paper but, needs must!

I found this in there (the Metro - not the lav), and I kinda liked it:

China: A husband has left his wife after she forced him to eat cake for every meal. Cheng Yu said he was happy with the sugary treats at first but now just mentioning the word cake made him feel ill. "Egg cake (whuh??), fruit cake, chocolate cake. I felt like a bakery dustbin" he said. The 31 year old from Beijing has threatened to divorce Tian Mae, 27, if she doesn't stop baking.

I reckon she should've married a cyclist.

Fireworks Display

2009-11-05T09:16:00.003Z

Haven't been by for a while. Here's a little poem by K - brought home from school yesterday.

The Fireworks Display

Zooming rockets sometimes imposebel to see
because they zoom around all night

Roaring fireworks magnificently shooting up in the air

Sizzling sparcelers make me want to laugh because they
are like fairys dancing in the sky

Spinning catherine wheels sparkling in the sky like a ferris wheel

Good work kiddo ;)

The Summer, A Poem by Danny Dork

2009-10-06T15:45:00.002+01:00

So I'm sitting in the park doing some work, escaping the noise and dust of the builders. It's a beautiful day, I'm the only one in the park, I must have the largest office in London, cool.

I look at the bench I'm sitting on and it has been signed by Danny Dork. I look at the paving around the bench and in the same handwriting is a poem. It reads:

The summer is getting shorter each day
We are not gonna change until it's away
Forget the routine and live life your way
Just like it's the last hot summer day

Not bad Mr Dork, could have tried a bit harder with the rhyming thing, but not bad.

Volcano Island, a poem by KJ Shaw, age 6.5

2009-09-15T19:19:00.002+01:00

Volcano Island

Furious fire bursting with lava
Dark wild water scaring me away
Dark scary clouds touching my head
Scary flashing lightning

The Power of Poo

2009-08-19T16:18:00.005+01:00

Damn! Seems those darn critters are good for something after all. K, I bow to your superior intellect.

Remnants of Romance

2009-07-23T20:02:00.005+01:00

Hippy the Hippo and Hugger the Bear had a date round our place earlier today. It didn't work out too well as Hippy has gone home and Hugger went to bed, softly crying. I'm not sure why love didn't blossom, for sure it can't have been the dinner.

The flowers were hand picked from the garden. What was on the hand written menu?

Pasta, Lazana, Spageti, Salard, Rise + Chicken, Lobster, Lamb-chap, meringue ice-creem, Yogaut Drink

I spied the waiter's pad. They ordered Two meedem porshens of lobster and meringue ice creem.

I'm lost. I have no idea why they are not still together, have you?

Roll the tanks, call up an airstrike

2009-07-16T16:02:00.007+01:00

I was in the garden picking veg for our tea. On the fence I saw the airforce waiting for their orders to swoop. On the broad beans I saw a fleet of red and black tanks, rolling over the green hills, laying waste to the blackfly hordes.

In my bowl, I see the prize. I'm hungry, not for long.

Midweek Mile Munching

2009-07-14T16:17:00.002+01:00

Tuesday morning 09.30. Four men meet outside Purley Tesco. Their interest is not mid week food shopping or club card points, it’s mile munching.

They wheel their steeds across Purley and the first shower starts. Macs on, chocks away. Peeing down in Purley, wet in Whyteleafe, worse in Woldingham, cats and dogs in Crowhurst. The men laughed. The rain was warm and the roads were quiet.

Lingfield, Dormansland, Marsh Green and Edenbridge all fall by the way side. The miles are munched, the rain stops, the macs are packed. The sun comes out.

This countryside is like a jigsaw, they all know bits of it and it fits together quite beautifully.

The lure of refreshment in Westerham is strong. So a hill must be conquered. A big one. The men fix each other with steely gaze through plastic lens and ride on. The choice is made. Toys Hill looms and the four grind on, each at their own pace. The mighty Toys has more false flats than a bankrupt property developer, it’s grim. Past the phone box and it kicks up again from grim to brutal in about ten yards. And like all great hills, it’s over. Conquered.

Swoops and sweeps, drags and digs, Westerhams’s Tudor Tea Room is calling. The men walk through the door and step back in time. Sandwiches, coffee and tea. The world is put to rights with consummate ease.

Onwards and upwards, the bunch breaks and goes separate ways, Coulsdon, Caterham, Selsdon, Carshalton.

50 miles in the bank, the highest quality miles in every sense.

Rock and Rule

2009-07-03T08:36:00.005+01:00

I'd been due to go to London today to celebrate a friend's birthday. Marco turns 30 and he's heading to St James' Park to kick things off this afternoon.

Yesterday I found out that the mum who usually picks up K from school (when Mrs Snoop is not around) is herself busy and could do with a little help. Not much, just needs someone to pick up her daughter. What's a boy to do?

I dropped marco a note explaining I had a kindness I wanted to repay which meant I could no longer attend and to say sorry about that.

Here's marco's lovely reply:

"It is important to repay kindness, as without mums we'd be lost. There was this old saying (19th century perhaps) that goes: the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world."

I reckon marco's party will be a real blast, and I can't wait for a walking home from school ice cream come four o'clock.

Three Strikes and You're Out!

2009-06-12T12:01:00.001+01:00

Ouch! That was a lot of walking for one day. A total of 18.5 miles or so left me with very sore feet.

If you fancy a look at the stats, plus the GPS map, plus a 1.5 minute vid then you know where to look.

Thanks for all the messages of support I received, it was a fun journey.

There are Heroes Everywhere

2009-06-09T18:07:00.005+01:00

Last Saturday Carole, K and I took a train into the fourth dimension. Well actually we went to the Smithfield Nocturne. It's a great evening of full on cycle racing, with beer, great company and good food to boot.

Team Addiscombe had two racers in the support race. Sylvain Garde and Toks Adesanya. The race takes place on a very tight 1.1km circuit around Smithfield Meat Market. Right from the off there was trouble as a Rapha rider took the very first corner way too wide and smashed heavily into the barriers. A Dulwich Paragon rider couldn't avoid the crash but he eventually got up and rode on to much applause. All the other riders avoided the incident though Toks very nearly fell victim to it, some sharp bike handling saved his skin.

The race soon settled with Sylv among the front runners. The pace was relentless with an average speed in excess of 40 km/h. After 40 minutes there were five laps called to decide the winners. Sylv was still close to the front, Toks further back in the main bunch. In the final couple of laps, Sylv held on in 6th place before coming round the outside in the final turn. He belted for the line and was just caught, finishing in fine style with a fourth place. A great result. After the race we caught up with Sylv and he said "It was a great race and I thoroughly enjoyed it, the course was brilliant just what I like, and the crowds awesome!"

So, there's two heroes for you, Sylv and Toks. I met more cycling hero buddies, including Huw, Chloe, David, Sean & Ajay.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any more heroic, I turned to find myself face to face with Johnny Green. Johnny roadied for The Clash and wrote a fantastic book about his experiences with them. Several years later he wrote a great book about following the Tour de France. What's a boy to do? I approached him and we enjoyed (well I did and I think he did) a few lovely minutes mixing up The Clash and cycling. Friendly guy, seemed surprised to be recognised and happy to talk. Great fun, one of those special moments.

There are Heroes Everywhere.

Mr Snoop Walks to Work

2009-06-09T09:53:00.003+01:00

48 hour tube strike starts tonight, talk about doing dumb things to your customers. I have to be in London on Thursday. My bike has a flat tyre and a busted spoke. I could fix it. I'm not going to, yet. Instead of cycling into St Pauls I'm going to walk. It's only around 15 miles. I'll plan a route that follows as much river and parkland as practical, it should be fun.

I called into Radio London and told them about my planned adventure. Paul Ross asked me if I would skip at least part of the way. I will do just that. The plan will evolve on my Stop Doing Dumb Things to Customers site so why not check in and see how I get on? Any route suggestions, must sees, must not sees that you would like to recommend please go ahead.

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

2009-06-06T22:54:00.005+01:00

The rain came down. The four horsemen looked at each other, eyes cold as steel. The Internet Millionaire raised his right hand and they were off. The Whippersnapper broke from the front and led the way. He had to be told where to turn left.

In twos they stalked the Surrey lanes. Neddy drove past in his little car and proffered the one fingered salute. The Engineer said something about a highway code. The others just shrugged, and the rain came down.

The Cowardly Lion felt both brave and afraid, so he took it easy, biding his time. The lanes narrowed, and the dung of a thousand nags filled the nostrils. The Whippersnapper whipped and snapped his steed through the plethora of manure, flick flack. They talked of permission slips, sausages, fortunes won and lost, and the rain came down.

Neddy rode through again, still buzzing like an angry wasp, this time The Engineer just motioned as if to say, what ya gonna do? We did nothing, more than Neddy deserved.

Little Switzerland opened her canton like arms and the horsemen rode bravely on, some more than most. Swooping, darting, and the rain came down.

At the foot of the mountains, The Cowardly Lion stole past and pushed to the bottom of the zig zags. He waited, the four regrouped. The Cowardly Lion pushed on and soon his fellow horsemen were whispers on the breeze. He eased and The Whippersnapper pulled alongside. They sized each other up, without giving anything away. Whippersnapper pushed on and suddenly, from nowhere, like a true entrepreneur, The Internet Millionaire rode past. A diet of LBP-20 was too pure for most, but he could cope. The Engineer followed, he wore a mask of indifference, and somehow he knew he would be first to the tea shop.

Treacle tart, coffee and drizzle. Talk of world domination.

Homeward bound, the lanes were devoured like long strings of tarmac spaghetti. Italian. They hit Regalinos and ordered lattes ‘n’ macchiatos. They rode on and shortly after they split. The Cowardly Lion attacked a short, steep hill which burned then he coasted home, no brakes, even some swooping. He crossed the wild plains of Little Woodcote Estate. He caught a flat, ten yards from home, and the rain came down.

Epic Ride.

With thanks to Grahame, Marco and Bryn

Excuse for Ice Cream

2009-06-05T09:44:00.003+01:00

I finally got a resolution to the Battery Farm issue, they posted me a new phone. So, I had to return the old one. To be fair they did offer to collect but I didn't fancy a day in waiting...

I rode to the post office. Then, goods duly dispatched, I pushed on. Pootled out to Nonsuch Park and hoofed round that a couple of times. Both circuits took me near to the caff. It had some kind of people magnet thing going on and so second time around I found myself helplessly in the queue for an ice cream. The ice cream server would only let me choose one flavour, despite the fact I got two scoops, weird. Anyhoo, I went for mint with chocolate bits in. It was lovely.

I whizzed home, stopping off to collect K who had been playing at a friends house after school. She was pleased to see me but no too pleased that I'd had one of her favourite flavours of ice cream without her.

1 ice cream, 14.2 miles, average speed 12.2 mph. My computer says I hit 32.6 mph max but I think it's fibbing, I was in shade/under trees a while, jolly old satellite must've confused me with a pigeon or something.

Security Breach

2009-05-13T08:12:00.002+01:00

Ring ring it's 7am, move yourself to go again...

I'd been awake since 6, watching and waiting for the alarm. It didn't disappoint.

I could feel my spidey sense tingling, why?

Breakfast passed without incident, then it was time to ready K for school. After tooth brushing fun I flung open the curtains.

Sirens blared, security lights whirled and flashed. Holy rodents Batman, the guinea pig hutch front door was open wider than Gordon Brown's mouth after reading Hazel Blear's monthly expenses!

Quickly I adopted stealth mode and made for the bedroom door, signalling to Mrs Snoop to contain the situation whilst I checked the perimeter. As I ran downstairs, three at a time (Bond would've been proud), I thought of the possibilities...

1 - a fox has been in. This is gonna be messy
2 - weather related door openage. If this were the case I expected to find the two girls cowering safely in the back, they're none too brave y'know.

I was outside, up the garden steps in a single bound, I could see the sleeping compartment was empty, o crap. At the hutch. Phew! I can see two live ones - all clear.

I turned to the house. In true security stylee Mrs Snoop had redrawn the curtains.

Silence in the garden. All clear, all accounted for.

Note to self: Hutch needs a new door catch.

Let's Go Racing

2009-05-08T11:00:00.001+01:00

Step One, buy a racing bike. Check
Step Two, get a racing licence. Just off the phone from British Cycling. Check

More news when I get it...

Walk and Talk

2009-05-05T21:30:00.002+01:00

Our darling daughter spent le weekend with her auntie & cousins. Mrs Snoop and I took advantage of this. Train to London Victoria. Walk past Buck House and across The Green Park. Strolling along Berkeley Square, ducking in and out of Mayfair's enchanted alley ways. A stop for rosé champagne and edamame at Mews, lots of talking, lots of ideas, plans.

Department hopping in Selfridges. Café stops, snack stops, glass of Marlborough Sauvignon blanc stops.

Dinner at Hush. Service, and food to die for. Another glass or two, Taittinger this time. Lots of talking, lots of ideas, plans. Good job I brought along a note book.

A late evening stroll and a brief stop at The Goring, almost too old fashioned.

Sunday brought a lovely walk through the Surrey hills and a tip top lunch at the Stephan Langton, followed by a lost hour strolling, walking, talking, planning.

Wonderful in the extreme.

April's Word Cloud

2009-04-30T19:54:00.002+01:00

Oh Gawd. A mate of mine just sent me Wordle knowing I couldn't resist. He was right. Here's the word cloud from this blog for this month. Pilates and Pirates are the same size. He he.

Dimbo Goes to Town

2009-04-29T06:10:00.002+01:00

I arrived home v late from a meeting Monday night. Checked the weather forecast and chose not to prepare my cycling gear. Next morning I took the train into London.

Financial cost: £12.60
Number of train seats sat in: 0
Pain in lower back: unnecessarily unpleasant
Zombified misery factor: Off the scale y'all

O glorious bicycle, why did I forsake thee.

Snoop

Wikkidah!

2009-04-24T15:47:00.004+01:00

He he, K and I made a vidrap about fallin' off bikes. Click over there on the right if you can bear to. I'm gonna save it and just maybe, show it at her wedding in goodness knows how many years time.

Avast There Landlubbers!

2009-04-14T20:38:00.004+01:00

I still can't quite believe it...Bank Holiday Monday saw us (yours truly and First Mate Curly) line up to compete (he he) in the Bolney Pram Race. We'd plumped for a pirate theme for some strange reason. We couldn't decide on a team name, despite a wonderful short list:

The Dalton Ladyboys
Pirates in Mens Pants
The Only Gay Pirates in the Village

It was a great fun event even though I bailed out after the first stint, sore back, yarrr. The ship sailed bravely on without me thanks to Able Seawoman Carole coming to the rescue. Lots of beer was drunk and we (they..) didn't come last. Can't wait for the next one.

Anarchy in the UK (well...kind of)

2009-04-14T20:01:00.003+01:00

Last Saturday I turned up for my first club run since England last won the football word cup. I was on time, woohoo. There were a handful of folk at the station at 9, can't normally be like that, surely not. I mean, we got a note reminding us of start times barely a month ago. Personally I'm more in favour of complete anarchy than a half arsed attempt to set some direction and then not follow yer own instructions. So, after a lovely natter with a few mates I started to feel the cold and damp and headed off, on me tod, at 9.17.

Now when I say anarchy, I mean hard core anarchy. Y'see 9.17 is one minute after the 19 mph group is due to leave and 2 minutes before the 18s set off. There was no way I was gonna manage 18 and a bit mph average. D'you see what I did there. I broke the rules, well no one seemed to mind.

I then declared myself Chief Overlord of the C training group. I was elected unopposed and the feeling of power was awesome. I whizzed along to Reigate, getting caught by those renegades calling themselves the Training Group just as we entered town. We shared a few pleasantries, and tho I knew I could have the lot of 'em, I let 'em go. I was still feeling anarchic y'see.

On into the wilds of Surrey. I had a fantastic ride, digging in for some hard work at times and just enjoying myself, the scenery and the drizzle were nice too. I hit the caff with a 17.3mph average (do we have a departure time for 17.3 group??) and snarfed a bacon sarnie. Jon Avery and I then exchanged stories about food poisoning (him) and eating fish 9 days after it's eat by date (me - more anarchy - I just can't help meself). Time was ticking on and four of us decided to head fer the hills.

We had a cool ride back through the lanes, at one point Adrian went so fast his computer exploded off his bike in pure admiration. I was feeling good so went for it at the golf course rise. I reckon I went up there better than a drug fuelled pro cycling monkey, must've been that 7.something% beer I had last night. Avery caught me at the top, grrr. We had a quick regroup @ the church, a mere 30 sec separating us all. Off again, up and over Gatton Point and then the Merstham drag. I couldn't help myself and shot off the front again. I burned my remaining matches (see I do read the race reports) and hoofed up the drag pretty sharpish. I hit what I reckoned to be the finish and backed off. That damn Cornish Pirate came past me again and I was fresh out of Swan Vestas.

Down into Coulsdon then a blast up the steep hill to Wallyville. I managed the home leg in 16.3 average which I was pretty happy with considering the terrain. Heart rate maxed at 179, not bad for an auld get like me.

Great fun, I'm never leaving on time again :)

Tip top titfer

2009-04-10T22:04:00.003+01:00

La famille de Snoopington took the train & bus to South Ken and went to the Victoria & Albert museum today. Visited the World Fair section, beautiful wineglasses, dainty kids shoes. The ironwork section, examined some fascinating puzzle padlocks and enjoyed some biscuit tin frippery, went to the fashion dept, really poor punk outfit, mine were better. Then we hooked up with a couple of mates and went to a tip top titfer exhibition. Had to pay a fiver a head (wa wa waaaaa) for that but well worth it. Beautiful millinery, fun, exciting, colourful.

Quick whizz on da tube to Piccadilly, where we hunted down Yoshino. It's on Piccadilly Lane. Blimmin wonderful. Amongst other things we had: tuna, Salmon, mackerel nigiri (the mackerel was just spot on). Avocado rolls, eel and cucumber rolls and prawn tempura rolls, all at the top of their game. Mahi Mahi tempura (woohoo), sweet potato tempura, mmmm. Edamame, miso soup. Tuna carpaccio (oh boy), spinach with sesame dressing (droool). Kirin Ichiban beer x 2. One of the best sushi feasts I've ever had, under £20 per head for central London. Does it ev'ry time. If you like japanese food, there was loads on the menu we didn't get to - go, try, enjoy.

When was the last time you had a jam tart?

2009-04-09T15:37:00.003+01:00

I've just had one :)

Why?

To celebrate two fantastic days of cycle commuting including a good soaking on the way in on Wednesday, plus on the way home a fantastic blast towards the Elephant & Castle on traffic free roads. Thanks to some kind person who stacked their lorry earlier in the afternoon the ole bill had cordoned off the area letting only us two wheeled terrors through. Hoorah!

Had a rocking Pilates class last night too.

All in all a good week so far for fitness. So, the jam tart is the yin to the fitness yang. It was strawberry. Nice but not as nice as I wish it had been. Jam tart making is a dying art it seems.

Happy Easter y'all!

Snoop

You Gotta Love it!

2009-04-03T08:39:00.004+01:00

After a very well structured stretching session @ camp Pilates last Wednesday, I've been raring to stretch my legs on the bike. I picked up a sore back in the East Surrey Hardriders a few weeks ago, caused in part by some pretty shoddy bike set up work at Dauphins Cycles. They are helping me to put things right, but I wish I didn't ache so much. Anyway, double nurofen for breakfast and I'm off to play with the traffic. Took the road bike and travelled very light.

Bare knees for the first time in 09 and I could feel the chill air. I took it fairly easy but couldn't resist a few wind up and go moments, particularly when coming down the outside to get first off from the lights (always on green of course). I had a hairy moment coming into Brixton when a kind lady overtook me and immediately turned left, cut me out completely. Had a few tight squeezes in width restrictions too. Hit a pot hole somewhere en route and heard my rear light disintegrate and scatter across the A23. No time to stop, it would've been smushed anyway.

So - quite a scary ride. Having showered, I'm sitting here in the office finishing my coffee wondering, should I have taken the train? You're kidding right? There's no two ways about it, when it ain't raining, cycling's the only way to commute.

Wii Shall Overcome

2009-03-26T21:06:00.002Z

Together we can do anything. Keira and I are getting seriously good at Mario Kart on the Wii. Team efforts, solo races, you name it we're winnin' it. Look out world.

Tree Hugging is Good For You!

2009-03-23T10:41:00.003Z

It's true folks:

• Asthma rates for children fall 25% for every extra 350 trees per sq km.

• Money for a new Heathrow runway could provide 22m street trees.

• 1,000 new parks could help avoid 74,000 tonnes of carbon a year.

• For every 5% of tree cover added, water run-off is reduced 2%.

• A treeless street is 5.5C (10F) warmer than a tree-lined one in hot summers.

• Property in treeless streets is worth 18% less than buildings in roads that have trees.

So what are you waiting for, get planting and if you've already planted, get hugging :)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/mar/23/green-building-urban-development

Demons

2009-03-22T21:16:00.002Z

I left home at 7am this morning to take part in the Southern Counties Sporting 25 full of optimism after an enjoyable ride in the 10 miler the day before. Took the time trial bike and decided to try out my Corima 4 spoke front wheel for the first time. The course is a double loop on the A24 and A29 with a little tail to finish. Rode about 6 miles for a warm up then got ready for the off.

Scooted along the first stretch of lane in pretty good order then turned onto the A24 and into a stiff headwind. It took an age to battle down the road. As I rode, my mind drifted very uncomfortably. I kept trying to clear my head but all manner of dark thoughts came creeping in. I turned onto the A29 and figured with the wind at my back I’d start to go better. No such luck. Come on, you can do it, just focus. Nope. I don’t wanna (that’s not actually what I thought, I’ll keep that to myself). Dominic and his boys gave me a shout along the road (I didn’t realise it was them until later) and I struggled, really struggled on for a few more miles. AT about the 9 mile mark I had completely unravelled mentally and I just pulled over. I felt awful letting myself down like this but I knew I just couldn’t carry on. I tootled back to the HQ, got some counselling over a cup of tea and then buggered off quick sharp before my team mates got back. I wasn’t in the mood for talking, making excuses, anything.

What a shocking contrast this race was compared to the day before. Hugely disappointing, and worrying.

Goodbye Keith

2009-03-22T20:49:00.003Z

The Addiscombe Cycling Club lost one of its oldest members when Keith Wawman died earlier this week. There were loads of team ACC out racing this weekend all of us keen to pay our respects in some way.

My long road back to some kind of form continued at the Southern Counties Sporting 10 miler down at Oakwoodhill. It was a sunny day and so I warmed up by riding round the course to have a look-see. Beautiful countryside, draggy course. Took me 40 minutes to spin round, I reckoned I could manage 33 minutes against the clock.

The course is an upside down figure of eight starting with a nice 3 mile loop followed by a drag up the A29 then more country lanes. I’d fashioned a black armband from some ribbon tied round my arm several times then tied off and tucked under itself. At the start of the race it looked reasonably tidy. After 2 miles, the ends had worked themselves loose and were flapping about, doubtless causing huge amounts of drag. I kept faffing with the armband and as I did so I imagined Keith laughing about it. So, I left it tied on and whipping around in the wind.

The small loop ends with a sharp downhill which I wasn’t keen on, then up the other side (that’s better) and on to the A29 and a headwind. I passed the 5 miles to go mark at 16 minutes. Hmm. Better revise my target a bit, I can manage 32 minutes surely.

Once off the main drag I pushed on along the lanes, enjoying myself more than my limited fitness should have let me. Twisting and turning I could’ve sworn I was getting a wee push at times. I finished in 31.14. I used a Garmin for the first time this season. My heart rate averaged 165bpm and I topped out at 180. So, still nowhere near fit enough but I worked hard today. An enjoyable ride and a nice way to say see ya to Keith.

Peer Group Pressure

2009-03-18T08:42:00.003Z

I'm not happy, not happy at all. After yesterday's fashion tomfoolery I had a moment of weakness this morning. Train again, still nursing myself towards the racing weekend. Paul Smith suit on (Ted Baker yesterday if you're interested) and there I am in front of the shoe cupboard. I reach for the trainers. Scruffy though they may be, these trainers were chosen for me by a specialist who filmed me running and walking before making their recommendation. These trainers are a good fit, supportive. And scruffy.

I bottled it and at the last second, veered towards a pair of black and grey Fly shoes. Fashionable, more suitable, visually at least. I slipped them on and off I went. 2.5 miles later I'm sitting at my desk regretting my weakness, feeling very sore again. Fashion is fine, but when you're not quite 100% fitted comfort wins every time. I'm sticking to my guns in future.

Fashion Faux Pas?

2009-03-17T11:44:00.004Z

Well now. I'm not averse to fashionista foul ups. How can I be, I cycle to work in lycra for goodness sake! But...

I'm on the train today in a desperate attempt to nurse my overstretched legs back to health in time for the weekends racing. I'm attempting a hilly 10 on Saturday and a 25 on Sunday. Mother's Day lunch looms large afterwards....sorry I digress.

So - today I get to wear a suit, whoopee! This is a rare treat for me. When I travel by train into work I walk about 5 miles to/from stations. To make this walk more pleasurable, I opt for, let's call it appropriate footwear. Appropriate for walking that is, not for suiting. Yup, you guessed it, I wear trainers with my suit.

Someone at work tells me that doing this will ensure a seat all to myself on the train. They asked me where the accompanying can of Special Brew is? Weird. Are suits and trainers such bad bedfellows that only the hardcore drunk and homeless can afford to be seen wearing them? I have to say that although I'm OK stalking the corridors of power with my cycling gear on, I do feel a bit odd sneaking about in my sneakers.

So what do you think? Is it OK to mix sporting goods and formal wear....ever? Should this combo simply be banned, or should I be proud of my new connections to the wider community and to hell with it all?

Snoop

East Surrey Hardriders - Blew My Mind

2009-03-12T21:51:00.004Z

Mixed feelings for me about this race. I don't like this course, even less so in the very windy conditions. I did a 1.35.13 last year and being an unfit so and so I was aiming for anywhere between 1.35 and 1.40. Arrived in time for a half decent warm up on the turbo and no port in my system from the night before. Rob RE and I rolled off to the start and had a quick natter with Dominic before getting ready for the off. At the start I was feeling much better than the Redhill 18 and (almost) looking forward to it.

the start of the course is flat n easy (guess where the pic was taken). Few grotty bits heading back towards Reigate and then over the heath. The wind really hit me here, hey ho, me no like. Got onto the A25 and mentally, pretty much fell apart. The wind really rattled my cage and it was all I could do to relax enough to keep going. Flats or ups, great. Downs, no thanks. I was crawling down any decline, braking. For goodness sake!!!

My confidence was all over the place, I well and truly had the wind up me. I thought of bailing more than once but no. I really enjoyed the A24 climb and I was actually reeling people in on the hills but the minute the road fell, so did my speed. I did this event with no gadgets I'm glad to say as the downhill speeds would have you all in stitches. I wibbled and wobbled my way round, thoroughly enjoyed the short squirt along the A264 and huffed and puffed up the rusper hill. I was hoping the lanes might provide me some shelter and allow me to push harder for the last few miles.

Nope, I was having none of it. I wussed my way home, hard on the ups, even harder on the flats and ridiculously cautious on the downs. So - a horrible (tortuous even) ride, bizarrely finishing just inside my target range (1.39.24). Trouble is, if I could shake these demons I know I'd have been a lot, lot faster today. 29.9 miles of hell.

Somebody get me a Doctor.

Hot or Cold? I know which I prefer...

2009-03-12T21:42:00.003Z

Carbon monoxide detector went off on Feb 9th. Whoah - CO is powerful stuff, it nearly got me. Wooop woop woop downstairs I went and my head went kablooie! I called the gas board and I couldn't get my sentences out, blurred, dazed and confused. Gas man came, disconnected us. Very quick - good in an emergency. Following day service engineer came and ye olde boiler got condemned. Shame but hey - I'd rather be cold and alive than warm and dead.

More later...

Redhill Sporting 18 Mile TT

2009-02-23T15:46:00.003Z

The Redhill Sporting 18. Straight to Hell - with in head song assistance from The Clash..

The plan, survive. The target, sub 1.05. The stretch, under the hour. Experimenting with no heart rate monitor/garmin/speedo - how's that gonna work?

I'm the last carrot in Sainsbury's, 2nd last man off. Pete Rocket Man Tadros is a minute behind me and the geezer in front of me did not start. I'm not looking forward to this - my head is in the wrong place, mentally like, it's still physically attached to my shoulders.

If you can play on the fiddle
How's about a British jig and reel?
Speaking King's English in quotations
As railhead towns feel the steel mills rust
water froze, In the generation
Clear as winter ice
This is your paradise

Spin off from the start down a short hill before getting slammed in the chest by the 1 in 8 fun of Coast Hill. I wonder if I can hold Tadros off until the top. 3/4 of the way up and I'm in a right old state, good job I don't have the heart rate monitor on as it would've burst. I made the summit and whooooosh, yer man goes past me like I'm rolling back down the hill. Hey ho, that'll be the last I see of anyone (cept the helpers) until the finish.This course has precious little going for it. It rolls, mostly upwards, and some of the road surface is v poor. So is my fitness level. I never felt good out there, never got on top of things, never managed to carry the downhill pace up the next hill.

There ain't no need for ya
There ain't no need for ya
Go straight to Hell
boys
Go straight to Hell boys

Two photographers and no tongues out from me, just the bitter twisted face of pain. As I'm hauling my ass round the course I'm thinking, "there ain't no way I'm gonna hit target, no way". I need some of that hypnotherapy.

Oh Papa-san
Please take me home
Oh Papa-san
Everybody they wanna go home

After what seemed an eternity, I pass a sign telling me I had five miles to go. Ahhh, something to focus on. This gave me a small boost and I'm sure I managed to push on from here. Four miles to go. Oooh, another one.

You wanna play mind-crazed banjo
On the druggy-drag ragtime U.S.A.?

The rest is pretty much a blur as I emptied the tank of the little gas that remained. I crossed the finish line and then began the longest roll back to race HQ I've ever had. I got back and felt awful. I didn't quite manage a puke but it was close.

Can you cough it up loud and strong

I'm pleased with my time of 57.27. It's at the top of what I could expect after a winter training regime of (mainly) cake and darts. Paul Hone asked if I was hungover, I must've looked rough. With hindsight, that small glass of port I had before retiring might not've been the smartest idea. Well done to all the ACC riders today and thanks to Rob RE for the shout. Well done to Redhill CC, a real killer ride, well marshalled.

Oh Papa-San
Please take me home

King For a Day? Plank for a Minute!

2009-02-01T10:44:00.002Z

So, turns out I've been sneaking in a bit of pilates homework...

Yesterday early evening I found a quiet half hour in between bicycle fiddling, child party drop off/pick up, window cill varnishing duties.

Out came the mat and I spent the first few minutes feeling weirdly embarrassed (don't get that in class, only when flying solo). I was soon into the flow, pelvis tilting, mat thrusting and ab tightening with the best of 'em.

Lots of sit ups, feeling ribs slide, breaking at the breastbone (I think that's what Adam says). Good session of hamstring and inner wotsit stretches. Hard work feel the burn.

Then, the big finale. With trepidation I lie down on the mat. Fists balled I push up into the plank. A couple of weeks ago I managed 50 seconds of this, it hurts. Can I break the magic minute mark?

First 20 seconds goes by OK (ish) then it's a watch the clock but not too hard blur concentrate hold steady don't wobble ohmygod is that really only 40 seconds blimey how can this possibly hurt so much I'll never make it 50 seconds show no fear hold it hold it hold it aaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggghh!

61 seconds. Plank for a minute, king for a day!

Snoop

Where Did It All Go Wrong?

2009-01-31T19:53:00.005Z

Busy getting Keira ready for her friend's party this evening. Quick check on the footie scores and Tranmere are winning one nil away from home, woohoo! Ten minutes later we pile into the car and switch on the radio in time to hear:

"Crewe Alexandra Two - Tranmere Rovers One"

We couldn't believe it! Well, I couldn't. Keira said, "Oh, we didn't win. What was the name of the winners?" I said, "A team called Crewe". "The Tinkle Crew?" asked Keira. I wish it had been.

The radio then went off and we listened to an Alabama 3 cd instead.

Snoop

Super Mega Aero Tuck

2009-01-31T16:48:00.003Z

Well now. The first Time Trial of the season loometh large. Occured to me this morning that I really should try out the new bike before racing it. Hadn't even turned a pedal on it afore this morning.

Swooshed down to Coulsdon South Station to join my club mates. Very first impression, the bike is smoooooooth, way smoother than the rider.

Plan was just to do a few miles to get the feel of the thing and check it all works. Went out with the 18mph group and sorry folks, just couldn't resist putting the pedal down after the first roundabout. Bad form I know, sorry.

So I'm zooming along the A23 thinking, I like this bike. And I can't help but feel I'm getting more and more aero. Super Mega Aero in fact. Then it hit me, the handlebars weren't quite tight enough and they were slowly, steadily, dropping.

Ah well it was fun while it lasted and I guess mission accomplished. Back home to tighten some nuts eh finbarr?

Snoop

Riding Like a Giant

2009-01-27T20:26:00.001Z

Well it's been a looooong cake fuelled break but after seeing the temperature hold above freezing on Sunday and forecast for the same today, I steeled myself for the return of commutopia. Basically it's the jolly ole Kingston Wheelers Sporting TT on Feb 8th and if I want to finish it the same day I start I need to get me ar5e in gear.

Off I shot on my mtb complete with skinny tyres pannier rack. I was carrying a laptop, shoes, books, shirt, towel, loads of stuff. Laden down like a pack mule, good training. First couple of miles are down hill so it's a cold ish start and the damp conditions me no like either. Anyhoo, once I got to Mitcham I'm gettin into it and starting to work pretty hard.

The longer the ride goes on the harder I go. It's a zen like day and almost all the lights are green so I'm getting to work and getting a work out too. The nearer I get to Central London the more I go mashing along. Wow!! I've missed this (though I did like all that cake) and I'm belting round the Elephant and Castle, whizzing up towards Southwark Bridge. Pedal pedal pedal, almost feels like I'm getting bigger as I go at it hammer and tongs. Knees, feet, all a blur, bigger bigger.

Crawling all over the bike I go past St Pauls and then before I know it I swoop off the road and into the underground car park. Slap! My feet go down on the floor as I stop to get my ID out for the security dude. 'ang on a minute.....feet flat on the floor. Whassat all about? I jump off the bike. My seatpost has slowly disappeared into the bike as I've gone tear arseing along. Not much blimmin wonder I felt so giant like - the bike was shrinking

Great ride, and a nice whizz home too.

Snoop

Addiscombe Cycling Club Review of the Year - 2008

2009-01-25T11:35:00.003Z

The following was first published for those attending the annual club dinner and has been reproduced here for all club members.....and anyone else passing for that matter (but if you're not a club member you'd have to be a bit of a nerd to read all the way to the bottom..)

REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2008

At this year's dinner and prize presentation we once again celebrate some fantastic club and individual achievements. We've had successes large and small across all cycling disciplines, recruitment continues and membership currently stands at over 300

Club-runs

2008 was another roaring successful year on the road clubrun, as the weather was kinder during the winter of 2007/2008 we had 100+out most Saturdays, throughout the year we had 80-110 out. Two notable rides were to Brighton & were aimed at the whole clubrun rather than a specific group-83 & 85 out. Normal groups include 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 & training group, with the first Saturday of month being a just for fun ride. We even had an off-road clubrun to the cafe, which we hope to resurrect in spring as a once a month event.

We had rides to Isle of Wight & Monty's 8th Tour of Mallorca plus numerous specific group rides into Surrey, Kent & Sussex, and Paul Tunnell led a small invasion of France. All the above stats are taken as the norm in ACC; in any other club they would be sensational. The road clubrun has now had 9 years of year on year success after the previous 5 yrs of decline, which translates into on average 1 member joining ACC per week, every week, for 9 yrs!!!!!!!!!

Sunday rides about once a month have returned; a mixture of beginners' rides and training rides. A Saturday off-road clubrun to Charlwood has been pioneered by Aodan Higgins and has been very successful. Rides to Leith Hill are now also becoming regular.

Road-racing

In his last year as a Junior Stuart Chamberlayne picked up enough points to retain his 2nd Cat status and had two trips to race in Belgium with the South of England Team, on one of the occasions showing his Addisombe colours off in Europe. Racing in this Country his highlights were an 8th and 5th in SL Handicaps during May and an 8th in July.

Keith Lea used the Hillingdon Winter Series to progress from 4th to 3rd Cat including two 2nd places. Continuing his racing in the Surrey League and SERRL races his best results were a 7th at Benenden in May, and then a 3rd and a 5th at Crystal Palace later in the year.

Daniel Gower also moved to 3rd cat with one 2nd place in the Hillingdon Winter series and then competed in a number of Surrey League and SERRL races as well as at Crystal Palace.

Paul Hone raced early season including a 9th in March in the Surrey League before switching to Duathlons where he was 4th in the World Age Group Championships in Rimini.

Marek Siwicki was back as an Addiscombe regular, his best result a 5th in a SERRL race in May.

Toks Adesanya was also back racing in Addiscornbe colours and regained his 2nd Cat licence with some excellent performances late in the season including a win at Goodwood, a 3rd and a 2nd at the newly opened Hog Hill [Redbridge) circuit, and a 2nd in a Surrey League race in September giving him the points he needed.

The find of the year amongst the men was Andrew Ellis who raced well to a solo win in a July SL Handicap, and then two 6ths in SL races in September.

Crystal Palace was again a good stomping ground for Addiscombe with lots of riders competing (some novices) in the 3/4 cat. Highlights were Hal Bransby with eight top 10 placings including a 2nd and two 3rds, and gaining his 2nd Cat licence.Mike Wallace finished 3rd in his first road race!, Steve Broomfield had five top 10 placings including two seconds and one 3rd . Sylvain Garde had a 10th and a 7th in the E/1/2 races during the season.

Our club championships switched to the roads around the Home circuit and was duly won by Adam Cotterell who as a second claimer relinquishes the title once more to Stuart Chamberleyne. Antloony was a strong 'B' race winner.

For the women Tamar was back competing in a number of Crystal palace races but the star of the show was Michelle LeBrun. She started her racing in the Hillingdon Winter series and continued throughout the year gaining excellent results and progressing to 2nd Cat. Michelle's best results during the season were a win in May at Chertsey and a 2nd in July at the same circuit, a 4th at Thruxton, and 10th in the London Criterium Challenge at Hog Hill in September. The undisputed performance of the year was 4th in the BC South East Region Women's Road Race Championship.

Time-trialling

Addiscombe riders competed for the club in 97 open and association events throughout the year, ranging from the 700 yard Bec hillclimb to the ECCA 12 hour and all distances in between.
No club records were broken this year, closest was "new boy" George Brent who got within 1/2 a mile of the 12 hour record at his first attempt. George also made a clean sweep of the club TT trophies. Tamar did likewise for the ladies trophies, Paul Tunnell won the vets BAR trophy, and Stuart Chamberlayne won the Junior 10 trophy. Five riders (George Brent, Sylvain Garde, Robert Royle-Evatt, Paul Tunnell, andAndrew Green) competed in the National Championship 12-hour, and all of them finished. George came 10th overall, and with Sylv and Rob finished as 3rd team.

At the end of April, Tamar Collis successfully organised our open 25 mile time trial on the 625/53 course at Horsham. As well as the numerous people required to marshal this course, we also managed to field ten of our own riders in a full field of 120. The event was won by Paul Mill.

Our Open 10 in September was organised by Jon Hemming and was won by Keith Coffey. the only man to go under 22 minutes on a very wet day. Five ACC riders took part in the event, three of whom (M.McLaughlin, S.Davies, & P.Tunnell) won the fastest team prize, and Tamar won the ladies prize.

Final standings in the BBAR competition were G.Brent 38th [24.033mph], Paul Tunnell 74th [22.700mph]. R.Royle-Evatt 88th (22.399mph) and A.Green 144th (19.973mph). In the women's BBAR Tamar Collis finished 30th (22.452mph).

In the Southern Counties Cycling Union "Rawson shield" competition, the Addiscombe riders took a convincing win again, way ahead of any other clubs.

Cyclo-sportives

ACC jerseys were seen far and wide across the UK and Europe, as people took to the roads in the still growing cyclo-sportive scene. As many as 20 ACC riders can turn out at local events and even the Etape and Marmotte saw double figures of ACC entrants.

Track

A fairly quiet year on the track, with only a handful of riders taking part in the Monday and Wednesday track league and open events at Herne Hill. Unfortunately our club championships fell victim to this summer's weather

Off-road

ACC mountain bikers had some great results in races during the year. The Gorrick Spring Series kicking off in January; Simon Day (Masters on singlespeed, 20th, 24th, 27th), Aodan Higgins (Super Masters on mtb with racks & lights, 20th), Neil Me Lennan (Masters, 41st), Chris Kestell (Beginners, 6th), Sylvain Garde (Super Masters. 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 3rd overall) and recent recruit Serge Hunt (Open. 1st, 2nd, 10th, 12th). Gorrick Enduro in May, Sylvain 2nd in 6h44, 1"40 behind endurance vet Anthony White who passed him on the final lap!
Southern XC Series: Sue Ritchie (Open, 3rd), Serge who kept winning in Open, then 6th and 7th in Sports.
NPS: Serge 1st and 2nd (Open), then 5th place (Sports), Sylvain 9th (Masters).
National Champs: Serge 5th (Sports).

Beastway Series: Grahame Baker there most weeks as part of the organising team. Sylvain 1st (Masters), Marco making his comeback. Promotion night in July - over 12 helpers, with Andrew Green racing (4th, Experts (!!)), Paul Tunnell (25th,Vets).

Go-Ride

On achieving his Level 2 qualification, Huw Williams' status as a BC coach qualifies the club for national Go Ride status and the paperwork is currently being processed by British Cycling. Huw is currently undertaking the arduous task of coaching a few ACC members while pursuing a level 3 qualification as well as delivering Go Ride sessions to local schools and helping the regional Olympic youth talent team coach to spot our future generations of track/road stars.

Social

Away from their bikes, the members of the ACC darts team showed their talents in other directions, and were throwing arrows around various south London venues in the darts league. The clubroorn is currently open weekly on Wednesday evenings for Pilates classes organised for club members and talks on a variety of subjects this year have been as diverse as lactate balance point testing to bike maintenance. Other ideas of how to make full use of the clubroom are always welcome. We also switched the venue of our annual dinner to Selsdon Park Hotel to much praise from those in attendance.

2008 Awards List

OPEN EVENTS

JB Smith Memorial Road Race Trophy Ben Wilson - Private Member
E V Mills memorial shield (Open 25 TT) Paul Mill Team Edwardes/Elite Cycling 53.37
C F Davey memorial shield Bec CC - Keith Coffey, Shaun Kennedy, Dominic Hill 2hrs 44mins 24secs
Arthur Rayner trophy (Open 10 TT) Keith Coffey - Bec CC 21.57

SOCIAL AWARDS

Cambridge Tankard Jon Hemming and Tim Coales
Attendance Cup Steve Broomfield
Gerwyn Evans Darts Tankard John Smith
Ken Smith's Memorial Darts Tankard Paul Tunnell 60 (high check-out)

OFF-ROAD

Cyclo Cross League Aodan Higgins
Cycle Cross Trophy Sylvain Garde
MTB Trophy - Sylvain Garde

ROAD/CRIT

Pip Heathfield Trophy Michelle Le Brun
Criterium Trophy Hal Bransby
Road Race Novice Antony Leeson
Junior Road Race Trophy Stuart Chamberlayne
Road Race Trophy most improved 4th cat Keith Lea
Road Race Trophy most improved (2nd/3rd cat) Toks Adesanya
Road Race Trophy - best road racer of the year Michelle Le Brun

TIME-TRIALS/CLUB EVENTS

27/5/08 1st handicap Rob Taylor 18.03 2nd handicap Peter Motteram 19.29 3rd handicap Derek Cobb 19.53
10/6/08 1st handicap Andy Ellis 17.44 2nd handicap Rob Crozier 18.29 3rd handicap Ian Pringle 19.02
24/6/08 1st handicap Kate Hewett/Jeff Hewett 16.56 2nd handicap Michelle Le Brun/Keith Lea 16.57 3rd handicap Carole Heritage/Mike Ingram 17.55
22/7/08 1st handicap Jane Charlton 18.41 2nd handicap Ian Pringle 19.22 3rd handicap Ian Munnery 19.28
15-09-08 1st handicap S. Garde 18.11 2nd handicap H. Bransby 18.26 3rd handicap J. Camden 18.29 Stan Harvey Shield Fastest on handicap Sylvain Garde 18.11
George Fuller Trophy Club (Association) events 10,25,50,100 miles George Brent 25.916 mph

INTERCLUB EVENT - Inter Club 10 Miles Trophy Norwood Paragon

OPEN TT EVENTS
Novices 25 Medal Ivor Hewitt 1.10.32
Junior 10 Trophy Stuart Chamberlayne 22.37
Ladies 10 mile Dale Park Cup Tamar Collis 24.29
Ladies 25 Miles Cup Tamar Collis 1.05.51
Ted Davey Cup 10, 25 miles aggregate TamarCollis 1.30.20
Ladies 50 Miles Cup Tamar Collis 2.12.17
Ladies 100 Miles Cup Tamar Collis 4.34.00
Ladies BAR Championship Tamar Collis 22.452 mph
Veterans BAR Trophy Paul Tunnell +1.23.53
10 Miles Trophy George Brent 20.51
Addiscombe Cup (fastest 25 George Brent 56.23
President's Cup (fastest 50) George Brent 1.54.20
Century Trophy (fastest 100 George Brent 4.09.43
Vice President's Cup (fastest 12hr) George Brent 262 00 miles
E V Mills Racing Fund Trophy 2nd Fastest average speed 50 miles,100 miles & 12 hours Paul Tunnell 22.700 mph
Club Championship Trophy Fastest average speed 50 miles,100 miles & 12 hours George Brent 24.033 mph

SPECIAL AWARD

The Memorial Trophy - Huw Williams

Kilt Alert!

2009-01-21T16:18:00.003Z

The Addiscombe Cycling Club celebrated its 80th annual dinner and prize presentation last Saturday. We had loads of winners to cheer, and great news, David Weir MBE had kindly agreed to be our after dinner guest.

The dinner was a sell out and a packed room was extremely keen to quiz David on his career.

David’s question and answer session after dinner covered everything from his favourite wheel manufacturer, through his training regime, to how he feels disabled athletes are treated within sport and by the general public. He then kindly agreed to assist Joyce Smith, the club President, with the prize giving.

David did a fantastic job for us. He answered every question put to him with enthusiasm. He’s a great ambassador for his sport and clearly someone with a real passion to succeed. We were delighted that he agreed to help with the prize presentation; that meant a lot to all our winners.

The post dinner drinks went on long into the night, great company, a great event and loads of laughs too.

My mate Sylv took some great photos on the night and you can have a look at them here

Cheers! Snoop

Bend & Stretch

2009-01-09T20:23:00.003Z

Hmmmm

Aside from a few cycle commutes early December I seem to have temporarily fallen out of love with my bike? The recent cold weather plus the siren call of cake haven't helped much either. Still, I've got my Addiscombe Cycling Club (ACC) darts matches to help keep me fit (darts is a sport isn't it?).

More importantly, I've been secretly going to weekly Pilates classes since November. This is a class I helped to organise for ACC. We meet every week and Adam, our wonderful teacher, puts us all in a world of worthy pain. It's great fun, helps with building core strength, helps with balance and makes me think much more about posture and poise than I've ever done before (I'm the one on the left in the photo - yeah right!). This is Adam's website http://pilates-balance.com/ why not take a look and perhaps go along to a class or two yourself? I think you'll like it.

Snoop

New Year Cheez - Who Needs It?

2009-01-03T09:24:00.007Z

Spent a wonderful December 31st celebrating Keira's birthday. Yummy heart shaped cake made by Holly (Keira's cousin) and, of course, pass the parcel.

Late afternoon saw us blasting off for Southsea where cake number 2, also heart shaped but this time made by the lovely Donna, was eagerly consumed.

10pm and several beers later it's off to Age's place to celebrate......his birthday. DJ sets in the kitchen, dear friends, hugs, kisses and more beer. Midnight came and went. Around 2am (I think) Mark and Age played and sang for the masses. Tuneful, melodic, great fun. Stupidly Mark then handed me his geetar and we went down down down as the flames went higher. I doubt if Portsmouth Prison Blues or Rock the Casbah has ever been sung faster, louder, raucouser?? More country cheez, 80s guff and to be honest, I forget where we finished. I vaguely remember getting to bed around 5.30.....sorry if yer ears are still buzzing, blinder!

What do a great customer experience, finance and happy accidents have in common?

2008-12-22T20:42:00.004Z

I hope you won't be surprised to learn......it's cycling (well duhhh).

As you know, I commute by bike into London when I can. Well today, I had to resort to the train (booo).

When I got to the station the newspaper guy spotted me coming and already had my paper ready. I haven't seen him for weeks. That proactive service gave us a few seconds to talk. We talked about working over Christmas, he suggested I cycle in on the days he is closed (well he can't sell me a paper when he's not open). We wished each other a Happy Christmas. I also bought two other things (unplanned). Good work newspaper guy.

I saw this letter in The Independent a while back:

"For Sale. Economic cycle. Stabilisers fitted. Quick release wheels. Derailleur gearing." Sent in by Rod Danton of Wingham, Kent. Hilarious!!

On a recent ride into work, my bike picked up a piece of glass and pssssss, bye bye front tyre. Changed the tube and carried on. Result was I arrived at work about 20 minutes later then planned. As I walked into the office in my finest lycra wear, who should I bump into?? None other than triple Beijing Olympic gold medal winner and hero of mine, Chris Hoy!! I came over all starstruck as we talked all too briefly. If I hadn't caught that flat, I'd have missed him. Best puncture I ever had.

Cheers - Snoop

Sensory Overload

2008-12-13T13:55:00.003Z

The Snoop family took another visit to the Tate Modern last Thursday night, this time to see the Mark Rothko and Cildo Meireles exhibitions.

Tate Modern is such an exciting place to visit, right from the moment you set foot into the vastness of the Turbine Hall you just know something exciting awaits. Last night was no exception.

Mark Rothko once stated "If a thing is worth doing once, it is worth doing over and over again - exploring it, probing it, demanding by its repetition that the public look at it." I think we all know how that feels. For me, it's about translating the monotony of each and every pedal stroke into a fluid, collaborative series of motions building to a flat out crescendo at the finish of the time trial. What does it mean to you?

The nature of Rothko's comment feels almost like his undoing? So many have since imitated his bold, powerful style that on first look, I couldn't help but think "what's all the fuss about?" These vast blocks of colour felt quite remote, although some of the combinations of orange and red vibrated and stood out from the crowd. I confess I had to work hard to overcome my prejudice before enjoying the scale of his later work. Rothko exhibition is on until February 1 2009.

I had no prior knowledge of Cildo Meireles. What an immersive experience. Meireles work is highly interactive and we are encouraged to literally enter into the pieces. About his work, Cildo says "My work aspires to a condition of density, great simplicity, directness, openness of language and interaction." We had loads of fun exploring and playing with this exhibition. Rolling balls across the floor, balancing stuff, crunching glass beneath our feet, rustling through a forest of plastic rulers whilst endless clocks ticked away. We marvelled at a huge sculpture of radios, hissing and playing hypnotically. We lost ourselves in a red living room and we wished it was ours.

For us, Cildo was the star of the show. His exhibition is only on until January 11, so if you have some time over Christmas, why not pay a visit? Great fun.

Cheers - Snoop

New Art Riot

2008-12-13T13:52:00.001Z

Mrs Snoop and I visited the Saatchi Gallery recently to see "New Art From China". A fascinating exhibition of…..new artists from China (maybe you were expecting something else?). A completely mixed bag of styles and emotions. We thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition which is housed in the new Saatchi Gallery at Duke of York Square just off Kings Road. http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/new_art_from-china.htm Admission is free, though I don't know how much longer the exhibition runs for.

If you find yourself in London this is definitely worth a look, and the mojitos in Caffe Fratelli over the road aren't bad either.

Cheers - Snoop

velopaint rocks!

2008-10-18T11:41:00.005+01:00

This is a photo I took of the T Mobile team in the Tour of Britain London stage in 2006. I think this is one of my better attempts to capture the excitement of cycle racing. I received an email from an Addiscombe Cycling Club mate exiled in Chicago earlier this week. Turns out he used this photo to inspire a painting!!

If you want to see the result, then go to http://velopaint.blogspot.com/2008/10/magenta.html and check it out for yourself.

Cool

Good, and not good enough

2008-10-14T21:08:00.003+01:00

Here are the cycling goals I set myself at the end of last year for the 2008 season.

“Come on then......let's 'ave it.

1 - PB in a 10 mile TT

2 - PB in a 25 mile TT

3 - PB in a 50 mile TT

4 - PB in a 100 mile TT

5 - Complete SCCU BAR

6 - PB in a 12hr TT

7 - Equal my PB of helping/marshalling at least four events (again)

8 - PB on the Bec CC Hill Climb (Again! Have I learnt nothing this year?)

9 - Keep the Yellow, Black & White flying over The Rawson Shield (team effort y'all)”

So – how did I fare?

1 – new 10 mile PB by 2 minutes (was 27min 37, now 25.43)

2 – new 25 mile PB by 6 minutes (was 1hr 11.10 now 1.04.50)

3 – new 50 mile PB by 4 minutes (was 2.26.37 now 2.22.38)

4 – new 100 mile PB by 20 minutes (was 5.30.43 now 5.10.43)

5 – completed the SCCU BAR knocking 24 minutes 54 seconds off my 2007 time

6 – Seriously, did I say I was going to do a 12 hr TT???!!! Nope - after my mid season unwellness there was no way this was gonna happen so I bottled it and went to Disneyland instead. Smart move.

7 – Job done, in some style if I might say

8 – after a rough night in hospital with a sick daughter, I did not make it to the start line. She’s much better and at least I avoided suffering up that damn hill.

9 – Oh yes, team ACC nailed it!

I've had a weird year. Great winter training and early season form, knocked for six after I stupidly knackered my shoulder in May whilst doing the gardening (it’s still not right). PBd in every race I finished bar just one, and I won the handicap in the Southern Counties 10. The one and only event I didn't PB in also happened to be the one I enjoyed the most largely due to the fact that I rode it intelligently (yes honest) and finished all the way up there in mid table mediocrity, a place I could only dream about in 2007. I should feel much more satisfied with these results yet my fading form has left me frustrated.

Thanks to Super Toks (again) for getting me to write down my goals and huge thanks to Richard Viney. Without his help, advice and a worrying willingness to inflict pain on me I'd never have made such consistent improvements. I’m sure I can go much faster in 2009. Need to get back to some training and a few sharper targets.

Ten Footer!

2008-09-26T09:28:00.002+01:00

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)

2008-09-24T17:03:00.003+01:00

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

2008-09-12T09:00:00.002+01:00

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

2008-09-05T20:29:00.007+01:00

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

Mad Balls and Englishmen

2008-08-05T20:15:00.002+01:00

So the time trialling takes a back seat for a while. What else has been going on?

Mid July we let 20 odd good friends invade our garden and camp out for the weekend. I could regale you with tales of late nights by the fire pit, telling stories, jokes, hurling insults, singing songs and laughing like only great friends can. But I won’t.

Instead, I’ll tell you about our trip to the park. We all moseyed on over late Saturday afternoon, a great mini trek across some green belt farmland situated at the end of our road. On arrival at the park we grabbed an ice cream. Then, what to do?

Someone suggested a kick about, great. A fantastic concept was put forward. Swap the football for a space hopper. Goals can only be scored from a header or volley. And so, Mad Ball was born. For the next thirty minutes all present enjoyed the most outstanding piece of sport witnessed in this country for many a long year. The game progressed, the rules evaporated. Pick it up, bounce it Harlem Globetrotter style, score a goal, or die trying/laughing. It was great fun, our team displayed silky skills, enjoyed loads of possession, and showed true grit. We lost 3-1.

As we made our way home, tired limbs, sore necks (you try heading a space hopper), we reflected on the opportunity we created.

Sincere thanks to the Poingdestres, Stotts, Birds, Windsors and Christies for a great game well played.

Now – where is Jacques Rogge’s email address, I reckon this is a shoe in for London 2012.

Coward of the County

2008-07-28T09:44:00.003+01:00

I'm exhausted, that was my best, and hardest TT ever. The Southern Counties Cycling Union’s centenary 100 mile time trial. I rode this event last year in five hours, thirty minutes and forty three seconds. It took me several days to recover.

This year, A crocked shoulder (hadn’t ridden the bikes since a 50 mile TT one month ago) and a bad cold meant I'd set a target finish time of 5 hours 15 minutes. Mrs Snoop and others had advised me against racing. I wasn't going to miss the start of the 100th SCCU 100, no sirree.

Music tends to worm its way into my head on the longer TTs - some kind of weird way of concentrating on something... Today's offering was "The Coward of the County" Couldn't shift the bloody thing all race.

Started riding on my TT bike. Forgot to pin number to arse - timekeeper not happy. Luckily I had the shoulder number on so they let me ride (failure to start due to complete rider stupidity could have been very embarrassing).

“Evryone considered him the coward of the county.
He’d only stood one single time to prove the county wrong.
His teammates named him Snoopy, he raced in black and yeller,
But something always told me they were reading Snoopy wrong.”

Sections of the course are familiar as the local 25, 50 and 100 follow some of the same roads. As I set off I quickly remembered how hellish the 100 course is though. The first ten miles is lumpy, and me no like. No rhythm, gear changes all the time. I pushed through this section and settled into a good pace. I managed to hang onto a 20mph average for the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth ten miles. I knew I couldn't keep it up but it was good (for me) to clock 60 miles at that speed.

I got held up at the lights on the A24/A272 junction. Must've lost a few minutes there easily (it was 37 seconds when I checked later).

Mrs Snoop met me at Bolney on 67 miles and I swapped bikes. I didn't think my shoulder would hold out for the remainder so I wanted more position options. I don't think I'd do that again mind. I started getting some really (and I mean really) painful muscle twinges as my body tried to adjust. Thought they would force me to stop but I ironed them out after a few miles.

Sure enough I began to fade as the roads got worse, more undulating, my speed slowly ebbed away. It was piggin hot by now too and like others I was feeling it. At the 75 mile mark I reckoned I could just squeeze my target time and so I ground on as best I could. The last ten miles are a complete kick in the teeth. A rotten undulating country lane nightmare. Country - don't talk to me about it.......

“Promise me, son, not to do the things I’ve done.
Walk away from trouble if you can.
It won’t mean you’re weak if you turn the other cheek.
I hope you’re old enough to understand:
Son, you don’t have to fight to be a man.”

I ain't quittin’ pa... My feet were on fire, needles of pain blasting out of every nerve. In the intense heat my head was spinning and I just grit my teeth and tried to push as hard as I could. Two miles to go and I hit the final stretch of dual carriageway. Knowing the end was in sight I dug deep and floored it. I had just enough left to sprint for the (county) line.

So pleased to be off the damn bike, seeing some of my teammates quickly lifted my spirits and we had a few laughs about how bloody hard things were today.

I was keen to know how I did so went into HQ and there - on the board.... 5.10.43. So - I PB'd by 20 minutes dead and I beat my target time.

For the last time, I let Kenny Rogers back in….

“I promised you, dad, not to do the things you done.
I walk away from trouble when I can.
Now please don’t think I’m weak, I didn’t turn the other cheek,
And papa, I sure hope you understand:
Sometimes you gotta fight when you’re a man.”

As I left HQ I saw many folk hobbling away. It had been a mega effort to finish in the gruelling conditions today, there were no cowards in this county.

Easing Back into a World of Pain...

2008-07-09T19:52:00.005+01:00

...but this time most of it was self inflicted. Crikey, work, life, fun and everything else have kept me waaaay too busy to write. Camping, fire side sing songs, too much to drink and some belated hard core veg planting have all been achieved. More later......maybe.

So - after a nightmare on the ESCA 50, how would I fare on the Southern Counties 50 at the end of June? Well I'd been to see the Doc after my shoulder pains refused to sort themselves out. A thoroughly unpleasant cocktail of valium and diclofenac didn't agree with me. So I stopped the former and used the latter when it became necessary.

Shortly after the ESCA 50 I attempted some interval training which went disastrously wrong, I was getting over a cold and just.....crap. In the build up to the SCCU race all I did was a few short twiddles on the bike to make sure everything still worked (me and it) and a 45 min easy session the day before. I've been feeling too tight to train, worried that too much exertion might mean I had to miss the race.

Race day comes and off I go in breezy conditions. I felt much better than on the previous race, got my drinking regime into better shape and with a good knowledge of the course I knew when to push and when to save a bit. I began to feel some pain in my knee after about 30 miles. This was due to some adjustments I'd made to the saddle which had cured some other discomforts, one door shuts, another opens.

The final four miles I had the wind behind me so gave it everything (well everything I had left anyway) and blasted over the line with my heart rate well into the red, and a time of 2.22.38. That's a PB by 3 min and 14 sec. Happy with that, oh yes indee.....ppppsssssssssssssss. My tyre blew about 15 metres after I crossed the line, boy that could have been a real bummer.

A plus for the day - I managed to stick my tongue out for the camera, well you've just gotta do it.

Two days after the race and I've made the shoulder a bunch worse straining to take the pedals off my daughter's bike :( Back to the Doc again this Friday. Got the SCCU 100 at the end of July, worried how I'm going to fare with so little training these past few weeks....we'll see.

Snoop

Learning from a Painful Personal Best

2008-06-20T15:13:00.001+01:00

Up at 3am to go racing last Sunday. Had a stinker of a cold the previous week just to top off my gardening related self inflicted crippling. So - having not touched the bike for a fortnight I wasn't expecting great things, good job eh? My motivation for doing this was to put a mark down for the SCCU 50 @ the end of the month. I haven't ridden my bike that distance for a long time - would I make it round? Secretly I was hoping for a PB but not by much - want to hit form @ end of the month and who knows....

Things didn't get off too well, the timekeeper was late. When I'm late I get a late start penalty, I reckon we should all get 10 mins off our time to make up for this administrative shabbyness.....

I roll off in my customary casual stylee. The road surface was not up to much, lots of bumps and more than a few 'oles. As I began to push on I'm afraid I started to expel the remains of my cold - this unpleasantness continued the whole way round, eeewwwww. At the half way mark I wasn't feeling too bad, I hit that point @ 1 hour 11 mins, well ahead of where I was expecting. I should've bailed out here. The second lap just sapped me of everything. The final 13 miles was the most draining experience. I hit that mark at 1.45.37. I crawled back and even had to use the small ring for a short distance. The final kick up to the finish was just cruel (I survived this by thinking what must it be like to pull your finger nails out - more painful than this, surely).

I came home in 1.25.52, a PB by 45 seconds. Mission accomplished in a most forgettable style. Much better efforts from t'other fellow agreeables and ye Tri Sport news crew. Dave Palmer's shouts en route helped to keep me going (he could see how f***ed I was - we spoke after). Jim Burdett, 2.3.40 (PB), Dominic 2.8.39, Dave P 2.9.44, RRE 2.10.15

It's now Friday and I don't think I've managed a full nights sleep this week. Shoulder and back, chest in a lot of discomfort. Eases a bit through the day but not good at night. I've had to pull out of the Horsham 10 tomorrow. Going to take it as easy as I can in the desperate hope of being fit for the SCCU 50.

I'm learning that as I push myself, then my body pushes back.....hard. Hindsight's a wonderful thing but I'm sorry that I raced last weekend.

Publish & Be Damned!

2008-06-17T08:04:00.000+01:00

Last week I wrote about a piece of "agony aunt" advice I offered up to The Independent newspaper. They only went and published it in yesterday's copy! Sent me a nice box of chocolates for my trouble too, who'd have thought it eh? Here's the link to the article.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/healthy-living/virginia-ironsides-dilemmas-847711.html

So, if you have any personal problems you've been wanting some common sense solutions too, why not drop me a line. Then again.......maybe not.

Snoop

How to be in Two Places at Once

2008-06-09T21:34:00.000+01:00

I read this in the paper today:

"My mother died five years ago, and I have her ashes in a plastic bag in the attic. The time has come to scatter them, but my sister wants to scatter them in New York where she had a house - and I want to scatter them in Hyde Park, where my mother loved to walk. It seems awful to divide her in half. Can you suggest anything?"

In response, I've just emailed in the following "advice":

"On the one hand you think it would be awful to scatter your late Mum’s ashes in two places with which she had a strong connection, yet it’s OK to leave her tied up in a plastic bag in the attic for five years? Whilst alive most folk would love to be in two places at once. Now she’s passed away, you and your sister can make that a reality for your Mum. When my Gran died we saw to it that she went to as many places that she had loved as we could manage. These range from the River Dee to my vegetable patch and many more places in between. A permanent residence in New York and Hyde Park sounds rather grand – go for it!"

Whaddya think - can I cut it as an agony aunt?

Snoop

Super Toks Puts the Hammer Down

2008-06-09T21:09:00.001+01:00

Hey is this guy cool or what? Fellow Agreeable and all round bloody nice bloke, Toks Adesanya waved the Addiscombe flag big time at the Smithfield Nocturne last Saturday. A storming effort from all the ACCers leanin' over the barriers shouting out his name. Toks didn't do too bad either. No time for tongues out - a great ride!

http://theademerckx2008racingfiles.blogspot.com/2008/06/smithfield-nocturne-support-race-234.html

What a great evening out. Loads of familiar faces out enjoying a warm early Summer evening. Tip top racing, tip top company, tip top food and a few bevvies thrown in for good measure.

I'd recommend this to anyone regardless of whether or not cycling is your bag. It was great fun - can't wait for Nocturne 2009.

Punk, Piano and Papayas

2008-06-07T12:12:00.001+01:00

It's been a beautiful sunny morning with a light breeze. Perfect cycling weather. Looking back at my lawn laying exploits last Saturday and still feeling the pain I'm gazing out of the window feeling frustrated. I've been taking paracetamol and ibuprofen like smarties all week and I continue to hobble around. My fault, lesson learned.

So, instead of enjoying a hard 45 miles on the bike with the Addiscombe Cycling Club I've done the weekly shop. Woohoo that's exciting....you might think? Well I took my Ipod and wandered up and down the aisles in a blissful state, listening to an excellent random music mix including The Clash, Franz Ferdinand, Massive Attack, Groove Armada and the pianist Daniel Varsano. The fruit and veg has not looked so colourful and interesting in here for a long while. With a little twist I made a mundane activity so much more engaging. Going to make a delicious prawn & leek risotto for lunch.

Muscle-wise I hope things realign and knit back very soon otherwise the ESCA 50 mile time trial next weekend may be my first Did Not Start of the season. This is an important race in the build up to the SCCU 50 at the end of June, which will contribute to my season goal of completing the SCCU Best All Rounder competition and improving last year's average speed by at least 15%.

Hoping to make it up to the Smithfield Nocturne this evening, more ibuprofen anyone?

Take it easy - I intend to.

Snoop

Don't Forget What's Important

2008-05-31T21:28:00.000+01:00

False Start

4am – that time already…? Scoff a quick breakfast and out the door. Today’s race is my first ten miler this season. I’ve not felt well for the past ten days but I’ve been improving leaps and bounds this year, and I have high hopes for this morning. My PB over 10 miles is 27.37 and I’ve set a target of 24.30 for today. I’ve been visualising this one for days.

I arrive at race HQ and there is patchy fog splattered over the course. Sign on, get my number and prepare with a thorough warm up. My guts are gurgling, partly nerves and partly the tail end of my illness.

Let’s go racing…

The air is still and damp, the sun hasn’t burned the fog away yet. I’m off at 6.19 and after a steady climb up to the railway turn I start to apply the power. I feel like I’m working hard but at the halfway point I know I’m not quite hitting the mark. I work hard over the return leg, really hard. At times I’m hitting 35mph on the flat but whenever I check the clock I can see that I’m slipping further away from my goal.

I cross the line in 25.43. I set a good new PB. I win the handicap race. I’m really pissed off, really. Back at race HQ I chuck my shoes on the floor and stomp around in a right huff. Post race shoulda woulda coulda’s are exchanged, there have been some great performances today*. I go home, still grumpy (stupid arse).

My darling Carole is pleased for me – her words “you can never be disappointed with as PB”. Good point.

Hard Gardening – Good Training

Legs still aching from the race I dig over a patch of the garden, about 15 square metres, in readiness to receive some turf. My close friend Curly comes round to help, accompanied by his beautiful and charming wife and young son, Lou and Freddie. We chug round to the garden centre in Curly’s beat up old Land Rover to pick up the grass carpet. Several buckets of sweat later, the deed is done. Satisfying – but somehow not sufficient. We cap the digging off by knocking up a raised bed into which we’ll plant some salad veg, yum.

Excellent Finish

After the digging, we enjoyed a cold beer. I reflected on the day. OK, so I missed my target for the race, but it was a very ambitious goal and I’ve not been well. I managed to knock 2 minutes off my PB and I won the handicap – that’s a first. I shared a race with some great colleagues who put in some sterling performances. Spent the afternoon with family and good friends indulging in some hard labour. I set the bar too high this morning but I think I recovered well. It’s been a really good day.

* Those great race times:

George = 21.50, Mark McL = 22.57 (PB), Andrew G = 24.17 (PB), Ivor = 24.34 (PB), Snoop = 25.43 (PB), Chris L = 25.44, Carole = 27.44, Marky Mark = 29.11 (PB), Rob R-E = 30.56 (including a 2m55s late start penalty)

How did I get a 6 Minute Handicap for a 10 Mile Race?

2008-05-29T10:21:00.000+01:00

One of my cycling colleagues asked me this morning....

Good question. Please let me explain.

Handicaps are based on previous performances. My track record over 10 miles (nay any distance) is simply not good. 29.26, 28.27, 29.29, 28.52, 28.20, 27.37. Y'see.

Short history lesson. I started this TT lark in 2004, I did a 10 in 29.26.

In 2006 I did 5 TTs. Two of those 10 times shown above plus three 25s at 1.17.46, 1.14.06 and 1.14.41.

In 2007 I decided to up my game. I did this to push myself a bit, to make a contribution to the Rawson Shield and to prove to anyone in the club that this sport is accessible. I wanted to see more people breaking into TTing and I thought I should lead by example. So, with no training I did ten TTs including a DNF, four 10s, two 25s, a 50, a 100 and the Bec hill climb. So what? I helped to bring home the Rawson Shield - along with a host of others of course. I achieved things I previously thought unachievable. I encouraged/cajoled folk to have a go. From a personal perspective I got a place in the SCCU Best All Rounder. To earn this you need to complete qualifying events at 25, 50 and 100. Yes - it was last place but I did it, only 20 other riders in the whole of the SCCU managed this.

Richv encouraged me to do the 100 and I've not forgiven him since.

So - this winter just gone with Richv's help and patience in the coaching dept. I began some training. I started the season with a PB of 1.11.10 over 25 miles. So far I've got that down to 1.04.50.

Now, after four stuttering years, I am no longer the guy who turns up to make everyone else look fast . Health permitting I know I'm going to make huge improvements this year. I also know that my passion for including more and more people into this aspect of cycling is brighter than ever before. If I can squeeze the odd handicap prize along the way, well that's what they're there for innit?

Let's go racing.

Snoop

Secret Weapons

2008-05-28T21:30:00.000+01:00

Well now....

My bike now has a nice shiny new rear mech which matches the number of gears I have (ain't technology great?). Thanks to the good folk at Geoffrey Butlers Cycles for fixing me up. http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/ Also - I'm borrowing a nice time triallers saddle which, unlike my old saddle, isn't made out of broken glass and rusty nails.

I had a good workout this morning doing five intervals of five minutes each with three minute rests in between. Final interval was at an average speed of 27.1mph on a 53x16 with the turbo snoozer set to 5/6. Evil!!

I'm looking forward to this Saturday's race. My first 10 miler of the season. Last year I PB'd at 27.37. The winter training means I'm hoping for much better things. With a handicap of 6 minutes.....who knows, I might even sneak a prize? That would be great but if the weather is good it's a big PB I'm aiming for. Target is 24minutes 30, stretch is sub 24.

Bring it on.

Snoop

Back on the Hamster Wheel

2008-05-21T08:39:00.000+01:00

With no race this weekend, it's back to the torture chamber for me.

Got up as dawn was breaking and then proceeded to break myself. This is my first non racing weekend for a while so I need to be putting in some serious interval sessions to keep pushing myself. Plan for today was a 2x20minutes averaging 25mph with a 10 minute rest in the middle.

Warmed up for 10 minutes then off I go. Started easy, as if I was racing, but soon had the tempo up. I'm working on 53 x 16 (teeth on the cogs) and the turbo is set to 5 out of 6. I've not done a 2x20 for a while and I'd forgotten how much they hurt. When I race I concentrate on breathing - keeping it controlled. I'm not able to marry that control with the speed I need on the turbo so I end up dissolving into a pool of sweat, heart pumping at 96% of max, legs a blur.

So how did I get on? Not too good I'm afraid. I managed the first session and got the average speed to 24.9mph. Second session was awful and I bailed after ten minutes with an average of 25mph. My rate of perceived effort rose to around 9.5 for the first interval. The second started at 9 and quickly got worse.

I'll find some time to train again this weekend so I'm sure I'll be back in the swing of things before long. I guess the moral to this story is - make sure I've got a race every weekend!

Cheers - Snoop

Excelsior - Ever Upwards

2008-05-18T19:00:00.000+01:00

I raced the Worthing Excelsior 25 mile time trial this morning. According to some dictionaries, excelsior means ever upwards. With a 15mph NE wind and a miserly 10.5 degC I was not expecting to PB today. I was keen to race intelligently and see if I could continue my climb up the results table. Time wise I'd be happy with under 1.07.00.

I've got my race prep off pat now - or so I thought. Finished my warm up and as I was getting ready to go realised I needed a pee . Taking a leak with a skinsuit on takes some planning so by the time I was back on my bike I was cutting it fine...school boy error. Got to the start with 20 seconds to spare . Afterwards one of my fellow racers Dave Palmer was kind enough to say "how professional"!!

So - I roll off the start, blimey it's brass monkeys glad I put my arm warmers on. I was number 49 today so as usual I got passed by the super fast guy just behind me just after the railway turn. He didn't go whizzing off mind so I focussed on him and pushed myself along. I had a gear change nightmare day today, I really must abandon this 10 speed cassette 9 speed mech nonsense. I kept jumping out of gear and hitting the shifter = change a gear was not a mathematical certainty.

Keep going and I spot someone else. Crikey, it's MY MINUTE MAN!!! I worked hard, and caught him just before the left turn to Tollgate hill. That's a first for me on a 25 - I was dead chuffed I tell yer!! Struggled a bit up the hill in the end used the small ring cos my gears were buggering me about. Rounded the top of the hill and blow me down I can feel my minute man breathin down me neck, bloomin cheek! I stepped on the gas and as I changed to the big ring I dropped my chain . That just made me mad so I stomped all over the pedals and blew the guy away down Tollgate never to be seen again.

I caned it down the long straight to the railway turn cutting roundabouts as fine as I could, spinning my 11 toothed cog and loving this speed. I was feeling good though my saddle was starting to cause me major pain in the arse. Up and over Farthing interchange and push hard up to the service station. I allowed myself a glance at the time - oooooh. Not on for a PB - but pretty damn good nonetheless. Got to the turn and just killed myself for the last 2 miles, passing two more fellow competitors, yeah!!!!! I had to sit up briefly on the last climb - my backside was so painful I needed some relief .

Finished in 1.06.14. Not a PB but definitely my best race this year so far. I wonder how many other riders came within 1 min 20 odd sec of their PB in the race today? I'm learning loads and getting better at dealing with the pain. Got a break next weekend then my first 10 of the year @ the SCCU course. I am soooo looking forward to that - I know pretty much every inch of tarmac on that baby. Surely my crappy 10 PB of 27.37 has got to fall ?

The only negative points from today were - no photographer, how the hell am I supposed to win the tongues out competition with service like that!! Also - I need a new saddle - badly.

Cheers - Snoop

Parliamentary Citizenship Awards

2008-05-17T11:03:00.000+01:00

I was stalking the corridors of power this week. Well, what I really mean is I was lucky enough to enjoy a few drinks in great company somewhere deep in the Houses of Parliament. How on earth did that happen?

I am one of the judges for this year's Rugby in the community awards. Glasshouse Partnership http://www.glasshousepartnership.com/blog/parliamentary-citizenship-awards/ organised this and I was delighted when they asked me to be involved.

As a panel, we had three decisions to make. We needed to decide the winners of the Impact award, the Innovation award, and we had to draw up a shortlist of clubs for the club of the year. I'm not a big fan of rugby but I was really keen to find out how a well known local brand, such as a rugby club, seeks to integrate with the local community.

We reviewed materials that clubs submitted through Business in the Community’s Clubs that Count tracker and shortlisted Bath, Saracens and Newcastle for Club of the year.

Bristol Rugby won the Innovation Award (for an innovative new programme started in the past 12 months) for its Inferno Programme, which tackles social inclusion by teaching rugby (and life) skills to young offenders at HMP Ashfield. Bath Rugby and Sale Sharks were also highly commended for their Language Through Sport and School of Hard Knocks programmes respectively.

Newcastle Falcons won the Impact Award (for an established programme able to demonstrate the positive impact it’s making on its community) for its Touch Rugby programme, which gets 950 adults active each year (40% of which are female, 35% of which haven’t done any form of physical activity in past year). Bath Rugby was also highly commended for its Wilts / Sportsmatch Girls Rugby Programme.

The awards were presented at the Houses of Parliament last Tuesday. It was a real pleasure to celebrate the success of the inspiring people that run these excellent programmes.

http://www.rugbyinthecommunity.com/saracens-and-bath-share-community-club-of-the-year-title/

Hard work - and a great result

2008-05-17T08:53:00.000+01:00

Y'all - I'll keep this (mercifully) brief.

I've been in training over Winter. Nothing too mad, just a couple of hard sessions a week on the static trainer plus a ride at the weekend. Honestly, it's been boring. I keep a training diary and I check in with my coach once a week. Without him I'm almost certain the programme would have been shelved.

The time trialling season is now a few weeks old - so how goes it?

Well - last year I finished off doing a 25 mile time trial in 1.11.10 which was an improvement on my previous best by 2min 54 sec. I was happy with that. This year I had a short term goal to get under 1 hour 10 by end of May.

So far this year:

April 20th - 25 mile TT in 1.10.15
April 27th - 25 mile TT in 1.08.32
May 11th - 25 mile TT in 1.04.50

I am flying, and suffering too. The pain I'm having to manage is new for me and I pushed myself very hard last weekend. At work on the Monday I gave everyone a good laugh as I hobbled around like a 150 year old.

Hope you are all well, and remember, I'm doing the hurting so you don't need to (somebody get me a doctor.....)

Cheers - Snoop