News Flash

For some reason I'm hitting the flashbacks again. No idea why... triggered by really random stuff: Again in a spin class last week, I had a real vivid one and this week I've had a couple... you know... blink and it's there... blink again and it's gone. For some reason the dude at the barbers decided to wash my hair (!) no, it's not cos I don't BUT had a REAL bad flashback to ICU when one of the nurses washed my hair in some special tray contraption (I remember I insisted on the water being cold- probably because I was running a raging temp!). Also, at the moment, I'm not sleeping well AND I'm currently getting those night sweats again... gross. Bloody well sick of all this. I have no idea what's caused it to start again either. Helen reckons it's to do with it being nearly 2 years since I was in. Not convinced cos I haven't given it any real thought (unlike last year! FFS Crow, get a grip!)
On a more positive note, it's getting ever close to the Torch Relay and I'm actually looking forward to it. Not looking forward to after (as I've got to take Scarlett and Anya to end-of-year balls/parties/whatevers!). Anyway, I run at 4.44pm on Tuesday 26 June. Map below of where I'm running marked in red. My uniform's turned up too. It's a bit chavvy but never mind eh! "Your time to shine" apparently. Well I'll bloody well shine in all that white and that's for sure! Just hope someone turns up to give me a little wave! Full report to follow :)

map of the centre of Immingham showing part of the torch's route. There are 9 of us running here.

The nice man from UPS brought me this package

Can't say I'll get much wear out of the uniform... I don't play that much cricket!

The Dragon Ride 10 June

Wales. A place I know well, or at least North Wales... as a boy I spent most summers there in Llandudno, Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, that sort of area. Rain and blustery weather for most of the time, amazing when the sun came out. Ahh the joys of caravanning and a very selective memory!

Anyway, after a 4 hr drive I arrive in the Port Talbot/ Swansea area and after being ROBBED of £6 on the Severn Bridge I finally arrive at my hotel. Cracking little place 12 miles from Margham Park (race start/finish) and pretty cheap too. The Mercure Swansea Hotel was full of cyclists all cramming with carbs! Me, a cheeky little swim and then stuff my face. Quite easy to drop off after as I was cream crackered from the drive.

Start time for me was 0830 and after an average breakfast, I arrive at the car park. For the last 7 days I've been watching the weather. Forecasts have been totally crap of recent months. Not accurate at all. It had got to the point where 3 apps on my phone were all saying different things. The day before the race Mid Wales floods and yet South Wales is as sunny as! Bizarre! The weather for sunday, however was still not decided... by God or the weatherman... noone seemed to know which doesn't help when you need to dress and pack accordingly. Some rain in the air and low clouds... rain apparently in the afternoon but fair temperatures: Shorts, long sleeve top and rain jacket then! By the time we all started (and the start, marshals and general event organisation was a dream!) the rain had cleared and 10 miles in I was almost poached in my rain jacket. It was getting that warm!



And now for some detail. The website says:
One of the oldest established British sportives, the Dragon Ride is held over the hills and valleys of South Wales and the Brecon Beacons taking in the highest mountains in southern Britain. 


3 distances: Gran Fondo 206km/3350m, Medio Fondo 125km/1875m, Corto 37km/430m


I got my place by ballot. I'd entered for Gran Fondo Distance BUT after the Lincoln ride, I'd decided to do Medio instead. With 4 hours driving afterwards, I needed to be able to function PLUS I want to enjoy the day not make my legs explode... not yet anyway! And besides, the Medio is still bloody lumpy! Here's the profile...

Compared to the Lincoln sportive, I felt good and on form and the ride was excellent. Great marshalling at all times, roads were pretty good and the ride was just fantastic. Worst of the climbing was 17% but on average it was steady between 7-10% with some cracking descents and roads I felt I could enjoy at good speeds. I've been quite apprehensive since the lads crashed last year but confidence is growing but not to the point of the need of a spinal board...I hope!!

At the crossover point between Medio and Gran, I knew I'd made the right decision: 2 magpies shot over me as I turned to the Medio. Brilliant!! (Yes, I'm one of those people that has to salute single magpies. Drives Andy up the wall! hahahaha)

I really enjoyed the climbs on this one. There were points on both Rhigos and Bwich when I thought I'd had it but you just keep pedalling. Dunno how sometimes but it is so worth it at the top! Final descent off Bwich was superb. Probably because I was heading home again. Some good speed up and time to recover from the climb and then blast through the final miles back to Margham Park.

I'm no Wiggins when it comes to speed, I'm a plodder, but I enjoy the ride, I clear my head and it's fun. And if it's not fun, there's no point in doing it. Do I need my family with me on these jaunts? Ideally, yes but I'm not going to bore them stupid waiting for me...it's fine if it's somewhere like Switzerland as there's things to do. It would be brilliant if any of them would ride with me, but that's not going to happen. If they could experience what I experience then..... well, each to their own eh!?

Another route, another set of hills and home time. 6hrs in the saddle and, actually, I feel really good... until I remember how long the drive is. Bugger ;-) Oh well, here's to the next event. On the calendar next is TORCH RELAY! followed swiftly by the London 10k with my daughter, Scarlett. Fabulous. Bring it on.