Gainsborough 10K

Sunday saw the Gainsborough 10k run. Nicely placed to force me to run a decent distance ahead of the following Sunday which is the Silverstone Half Marathon- I was supposed to have run this last year but was not up to the challenge for obvious reasons!!
It rained. That is all. It was wet and to be honest pretty miserable :(
I was running with a mate- Neil. Well, when I say running with, I mean we set off together: Neil's way faster than me and he's training for the London Marathon at the moment, so whilst I'm way happier on my bike, he's slogging around Lincoln getting the miles in ready for later this year.
With the weather being as it was I couldn't really take my iPod as it would have got waterlogged... yes it was that bad!! And so I ran music-less... listening to the heavy breathing of Darth Vader nearby who sounded like he was going to collapse at any moment! At 3k a couple ran passed discussing the time lapsed so far- this annoyed me as I try to avoid looking at my watch as 'ignorance is bliss' on a 10k.. no I knew how far and how long it had taken... from that I reckoned it was going to take me 1hr 4min-ish. Bugger- another crap time AND it's bloody raining. Bugger :( I plodded on mumbling to myself never again and I'm not doing next week etc etc.
The course would have been lovely if it had been sunny or even just dry. The poor marshals did their best to cheer us on as did the sheep!
I got down to the final 500m and my shoelace decided to undo itself. There was no way I was stopping now so I ran on, quite probably in a very odd fashion in an attempt to dodge the dangling laces.
I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES when I saw the timer... 57mins! No way... really...well happy with that!
So my time was 57m40s which I think is a personal best. I collected my medal and a goody bag with THE best gift inside- a hat... in this weather it was an inspired idea and just what we all needed. So we headed back to the car and home.
Am I doing Silverstone next week... well, it would be rude not to!...but only if it's not pi**ing down!!

Just found this picture on the 'official' photographer's site. Normally I wouldn't 'borrow' someone else's images as it's his living but I'm making an exception for 4 reasons:

1. It shows how crap the weather was
2. He's getting a credit as you can see
3. His work isn't very good- this picture is way underexposed and grainy (even after I've adjusted it in Photoshop!)
4. I look about 90!

Alberto Contador

Fascinating reading! Drug cheats should be banned. BUT circumstances need careful consideration and this case is not black and white. The guy passed a lie detector test ffs!

The report makes interesting reading. The 29-year-old Spaniard has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title and the 2011 Giro d'Italia . Contador will be free to race again from 6th August 2012.

Contador’s retroactive two-year suspension came barely 72 hours after Armstrong learned the U.S. government has dropped a criminal investigation into long-running allegations he used illegal drugs.

There is, of course, a difference between thinking and knowing - what is now established in Contador’s case is only suspected, and strongly refuted, in Armstrong’s.

Glad I'm not Andy Schleck being given the 'default' win for TdF'10 -possibly a more bitter taste in the mouth than a contaminated steak!

It seems Mr Contador has been made an example of.

Start Spreading the News...

Great new initiative launched by the Times: 

An 8-point manifesto calls for cities to be made fit for cyclists:

1. Trucks entering a city centre should be required by law to fit sensors, audible truck-turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.
2. The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and Trixi mirrors that allow lorry drivers to see cyclists on their near-side.
3. A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle in Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to underpin effective cycle safety.
4. Two per cent of the Highways Agency budget should be earmarked for next generation cycle routes, providing £100 million a year towards world-class cycling infrastructure. Each year cities should be graded on the quality of cycling provision.
5. The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle safety should become a core part of the driving test.
6. 20mph should become the default speed limit in residential areas where there are no cycle lanes.
7. Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme in London.
8. Every city, even those without an elected mayor, should appoint a cycling commissioner to push home reforms.

Tweet your support and let's get this trending on Twitter- end your tweets with #cyclesafe

Shrinks, Gran Fondos and 2012

I'd drafted some notes back in October 2011. See below in italics...


I'm now back in counselling. Leanne thinks my PTSD is based in anxiety and not depression. DURRRRRR, no shit Sherlock! It really doesn't take alot to work that one out! Ok, ok so what you gonna do about it? She doesn't think CBT is for me but EMDR is the way forward. I've read a little and it all seems a bit... well..... ok, I will try and stay open minded... no more reading. Let's just do it. I've had 2 sessions with Leanne and we're going to start the EMDR tomorrow (Monday)- spent these last 2 sessions talking crap and crying... bloody sick of it!


Well, it's now nearly February and I've had my counselling. Been signed off as 'normal' (lol!!!!!) or back to a state she thinks I can cope with. Between you and me, I think the real reason I was signed off is because she went on maternity leave and it tied in very nicely for her. Me. A cynic? Never!


Anyway, I have still no real understanding of the EMDR process but it seems to have made a difference. At the moment, no flashbacks and feeling okay. There is still alot of resentment to the hospital. Until the legal wranglings have completed, there always will be. Am I still short tempered? Yes is the honest answer but I can control myself more. Deep breath, safe place and all that. It works for me. The thing that still works best is my bike and running, so let's leave all this BORING drearyness behind and think to the year ahead. Let's think of events, races, fun and the happiness and achievement it brings.

Gran Fondo

is an Italian term for a a single day cycling event. You'll also hear these types of events called cyclosportifs or sportive. Whatever you call it, these events are multiple distance rides on open (sometime closed) roads along with timing (split into age groups and M/F), snacks and a cracking atmosphere for every cyclist.

Gran fondo fever has taken the cycling world by storm and there events for every level of cyclist. Honest!  Its popularity is gathering a pace in the UK, especially with it being Olympic year and our strong team. Here are some of the popular European rides-

La Pinarello Gran Fondo 
This is one I really want to ride. PLUS, if anyone would like to buy me a Pinarello Dogma or Rokh bike, I'd be most grateful!!!
We met Andrea Pinarello at last year's Gran Fondo New York and sadly he passed away in August last year :( Best wishes to his family.

Gran Fondo Nove Colli

Gran Fondo Internazionale Girodana

Gran Fondo Maratona dles Domomites

Plus all the info on this site for many other Italian Gran Fondos!

Gran Fondo Eddie Merckx

Tour of Flanders Sportif

Paris-Roubaix Challenge

We’ve all heard about how difficult the pave sections are in Paris-Roubaix, but I want to experience it for myself one day. It’s only a 135kms route instead of the real 260kms, but to be honest, I’m not sure I really need to do the full route to get an appreciation for the cobbles!

La Marmotte

174km long and 5180 metres of climbing. A beast! The route goes up the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and finishes at the top of Alpe d’Huez. Enough said.

L’Etape du Tour

The website says: L'Etape du Tour, established in 1993 to allow amateur cyclists to test their legs on the route of one of the mountain stages in the Tour de France, has become the reference race for cyclosportive riders from all over the world.

Gran Fondo New York

This is its second year and I'm gutted I can't go. It's a brilliantly organised day. Great course and great party afterwards. I'll definitely be back to do this one again.

Le Gruyére Cycling Tour

Another great day out. If you get the chance to do this one, go for it! Dates not released yet. Hope it goes ahead.

Another good source for information is the UCI Golden Bike website. They have a list of UCI rides which are all worth checking out.

2012 events

So, what am I doing this year I hear you ask! Well, so far here's the (booked) itinerary:

March 4    Gainsborough 10k

March 11  Silverstone Half Marathon

March 25  Wiggle Cheshire Cat

May 12     Lincoln Grand Prix Sportive

July 8       London 10k

hoping to add Lincoln Triathlon, Woodhall Triathlon and hopefully the Wiggle Dragon Ride (which is ballot entry), will add in a section of the Tour of Britain and a couple more I imagine. I'd really like to get one in abroad but will have to wait and see. Got to get through these ones first!

Oh and by the way, keep an eye out over the next few weeks as there will be an exciting announcement.... hopefully!

When Crow met Cav

There is a page on Facebook called Holiday Inn Stay You. An odd name BUT an advert/link was spotted by my wife within minutes of it going live-


Calling all cycling fans. We're giving you the chance to ride with World Champion and cycling legend Mark Cavendish. Click to register. Places are limited. The first 150 to register will be e-mailed full details.

So, she entered me and I got a place! I actually got a place! The date for the ride was today, 31 October, which is also the date GoWithCrow stops collecting money. It's been a loooong old slog, but finally got there. As I type, the running total, including Gift Aid is £1442.50... so close to the £1500 but never mind! Anyway, it just seemed right that this should happen today if you know what I mean.

So armed with my Willy Wonka Golden ticket, off I set at 0430 for an 0800 registration and 0830 start. Got there in plenty of time despite the rubbish traffic as I approached London (how people commute every day I have no idea!!)

And as surreal as the morning was, it was well organised... just the right amount of people without it being crowded. The venue was Redbridge Cycling Centre near Ilford and Chigwell- great little set up with a 2km circuit- we were to do 20k with Mr Cavendish. So after a few autographs and pictures we were all lined up at the start for a photocall. For some reason, I ended up on the front row (must be my boyish good looks!)- pics done and off we went. 

The first couple of laps were a bit hairy as alot of people weren't used to riding in a group but eventually, we all spread out and the downhills were great for a bit o speed. In fact the course was excellent! I even overtook Cav!....well sort of :)

Lucky old Cav being photographed with me!

What happened was I got lapped by Mr Cavendish (it turns out on my 9th lap- his final) half way round the circuit. I then caught him up and rode alongside. First thing that blurted out of my mouth was "any idea how many laps we've done?" (all of a sudden I thought what a stupid thing to ask- is that the best you've got Crow, you nob!) and to my relief he says "no idea pal, I'm just waiting for someone to tell me to stop!" I then decided to cut my losses before making a total d**k of myself, so shot off and crossed the finish before him! We were then all offered breakfast whilst Cav did interviews and more pics. 

"Can you sign this to Phil and Helen please."

"Sure no problem."

"Oh and could you put Go With Crow underneath?"

"yer what?! Go with... wha...crow?  c..r..o..w?"

"erm [grins] yeah, it's this charity thing I've been doing for Intensive Care..."

"There you go pal."

"Thanks Mark- nice to meet you!"

And that, as they say, was it. Like I said, a very surreal way to finish 6 months of fundraising.

I'll be posting more as things are still going on and as long as someone is reading this drivel, I'll keep posting it. There's more up and coming events to chat about- decisions to be made about which foreign event to do in 2012, more thoughts on my counselling (3rd session tomorrow!) and the process I'm undertaking PLUS, of course, what ICU decide to do with the money!

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish

Not much to say. Steve was one of the world's greatest tech visionaries. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and this guy was imitated! From the Mac operating system (Windows OS was always 5 paces behind Apple- a poor man's OS yet marketed as ground breaking. We saw right through you Mr Gates!)
to Pixar to the OSX followed by the iMac, iPod, iPhone and of course the iPad. Genius and a hard act to follow. RIP Mr Jobs from a photographer that has been kitted out by your company since 1995

Random stuff

James Cracknell and Jerone Walters record attempt was a cracker this weekend. Starting on Saturday at 3am, Cracknell and Walters were trying for the Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) world record on a tandem. The record to be broken has stood since 1966 at 50hrs 14mins and 25 secs. Over the entire weekend, it looked like they were on track to smash this BUT with only 68 miles to John O'Groats, their safety team stopped them and called it off. At the moment, Cracknells blog is vague to say the least but suggests that his heart simply wasn't in it.

"[The team] detected a 'laissez faire' attitude to the record that hadn't been there over the previous two days," he said. "It was my reaction to being stopped within 60 miles of John o'Groats and a new record that was telling. Previously I may have protested or tried to argue my case but in recovering from my accident last year I've learnt to trust and rely on people around me a lot more."

The press release from the main sponsor, Project7Racing says "Richard Gorman, crew chief for the attempt run by Project 7 Racing, took the decision to call a halt to the ride at 1.15am when it became clear that sheer mental fatigue was beginning to seriously compromise the safety on the road of both riders.

“It’s the most heart breaking and difficult moment you can possibly imagine,” commented Gorman, “After 773 miles of riding not a single member of the team or crew want it to come but I had make a call on the safety of the riders and we will just have to come back again even more prepared in the future.” 
...Drama then ensued when the pair broke a crank near the Forth Bridge; having switched to spare tandem Rocket 1 while Rocket 2 was repaired, the duo lost over 20 minutes when Rocket 1 punctured in the middle of the Forth Bridge.

With just 68 miles left to the end of the record run all the calculations indicated that the pair would be within minutes of beating the existing record of 50 hours, 14 mins, 25 seconds set in 1966 by Pete Swinden & John Withers, making the decision to abandon even harder to bear.
“No-one said breaking records is easy. I’m just so terribly proud of James and Jerone and the whole crew for their ability to get so far.”

And on another note -and an important one at that...potholes. Bloody potholes. My village is one big sodding pothole. No? Well try it on a bike, then you'll see! Anyway, a new iPhone app has come to light to help report the state of our nations roads. So, all you iPhone users, download it here and get snapping! If I find any humongous ones (what do I mean if....when!)- I'll post them here.
Also, another site all about potholes- how exciting...

Finally, just adding this picture- one of the best pics I've seen for a while and an image to make us Brits feel proud. 

Well done Cav on bringing the rainbow jersey home- looking forward to the Olympics- no pressure mate!! Though I still think Bradley Wiggins for SPOTY for one of the most amazing lead outs in the Worlds. Great team, great race!