This one is all about learning and development. Ok, it's not really, it's about cycling but I'm trying to please everyone in an oblique way.
Today was an Axbridge cycling group day. I had planned to practice a commuting run to Bristol and back yesterday, but the weather was so bad that I'd have needed a canoe, so I compromised and stayed indoors in the dry. Which meant I had no excuses for not riding today.
I had the usual mental clothing faff about which coat to wear, and my good lady humoured me by asking some good questions but letting me decide anyway. I opted for the full heavy-duty waterproof, and I was glad I did, as the heavens opened as wide as a basking shark's mouth, and deposited half the Bristol channel on Winscombe Hill. Have I mentioned the wind? Obviously a great subject for schoolboy humour, so let's just say it would have been enough to keep Ellen McArthur happy. Or crying, or whatever she does in a gale.
Down in Axbridge we assembled, a two plus two combination. SS and me for the fast route and M and AG for the shorter, slower group. I was feeling rough today so was able to use my powers of persuasion to talk Steve out of a jaunt up and over the Mendips to Chew Valley lake, ("no, I'm not doing that") and M chipped in to help by saying that the intended cafe took over an hour to serve him when he last went there.
So we did what we always do when we don't have any other plans-we went to Sweets cafe. SS and I went via the Webbington, Loxton, Rooksbridge and Mark, while A and M cut through Wedmore. We passed them about 2 miles short of the cafe, and ordered the tea in time for their arrival. The wind seemed to have been in our faces the whole trip so far, and we'd had a few squally showers, so I was pleased that the sun was coming out, and we'd have the wind at our backs for the trip home.
Sweets seemed to be packed out with cyclists today, including an unlikely, and by the sound of it, newly-met, pairing of a chap from Clevedon and a lass from the Antipodes. There seemed to be some attempt to form a bond, but I think the he wasn't really getting anywhere. Mainly because he couldn't stop talking about himself.
SS and I headed out via Godney, Panborough, then cut back south of Mudgeley Hill. It was there that I learned my first lesson of the day. If you don't cycle for 2 weeks, get a bout of food poisoning and have a swine flu jab, you will find it harder to go up the hills as fast as you are used to. SS left me for dead, but kindly waited at the top, and we sped down through Wedmore, Clewer and Cheddar with the wind at our backs. It was there we parted. I think he could have gone on all day, but I was dead, thankful that I didn't have to go up Shipham Hill with him.
I also learned today that new brake blocks stop a bike much faster and more safely than worn ones, and new tyres grip wet roads better than ones with 1500 miles under their rims. Got home and the final lesson of the day, I really hate washing my bike. But then I knew that already.
Ironically of the four of us today, none of us live in Axbridge. Is this a first? It's a bit like football teams who all used to come from the town they played in. Who know in years to come, perhaps we will have Europeans and others in the ACG. Just remembered, we do, we have our very own Dutchman already in the group for sure (sorry A, couldn't resist). When will we get our first south American?
Here are Charlie's stats:
http://connect.garmin.com/player/19395990
Average speed quite good considering I felt rubbish practically the whole way round. I think I'll have to be a bit more scientific about this resting business. So some light spinning for the next couple of weeks before base training in December, intervals January, speed work February and the first sportive in March. Sounds far to organised, what's on TV this afternoon?
Sunday 22 November 2009
Monday 16 November 2009
"Just to play Devil's advocate....."
Be warned this one's not about cycling.
An update from the world of my new job, and what an amazing two weeks it has been. I have conducted five competency-based meetings, delivered three half-day Appraisal skills training courses, attended a very intensive one-day Development centre, and a one day wash-up meeting of all observers, written three participant reports from same, and been involved in a whole host of other stuff. And done the firm's induction.
It's just what I needed, a fresh challenge and a chance to use my L & D skills in a different environment.
My feet have not touched the ground and I have loved it. It is a really great time to join, with lots of change happening from the strategic level-all the way down, and this has and will place huge demands on the L & D function that I'm a part of.
Lots to do, lots to plan, lots to measure, so plenty of opportunity to test myself. The learning curve is huge, the industry is so different, as is the culture and of course getting to know lots of new people is always interesting.
To cap it all, today I used the Devil's advocate line, but fortunately, I got away with it.....
An update from the world of my new job, and what an amazing two weeks it has been. I have conducted five competency-based meetings, delivered three half-day Appraisal skills training courses, attended a very intensive one-day Development centre, and a one day wash-up meeting of all observers, written three participant reports from same, and been involved in a whole host of other stuff. And done the firm's induction.
It's just what I needed, a fresh challenge and a chance to use my L & D skills in a different environment.
My feet have not touched the ground and I have loved it. It is a really great time to join, with lots of change happening from the strategic level-all the way down, and this has and will place huge demands on the L & D function that I'm a part of.
Lots to do, lots to plan, lots to measure, so plenty of opportunity to test myself. The learning curve is huge, the industry is so different, as is the culture and of course getting to know lots of new people is always interesting.
To cap it all, today I used the Devil's advocate line, but fortunately, I got away with it.....
Saturday 7 November 2009
I really must get new tyres
I went out with the Axbridge Cycling Group today, a good turnout considering the very damp and coldish conditions, five of us in total.
For some reason that no-one really can explain we ended up heading up Cheddar gorge, just as the first deluge set in. Unfortunately, it was at this point that KG discovered only a few of his gears worked-the high ones too. One by one we struggled up to the top, and battled through more rain, lots of cack on the roads, and headed for the delightful Rocky Mountain cafe above Crosscombe.
KG had struggled and was on the point of going home so I gave him one of my energy gels, a gooey syrup packed full of calories; closely followed by a half pack of jelly babies to take the taste away.
It's a sign of the encroaching winter that this was the first time we sat in to eat our cakes, bacon sandwiches and inside the cafe, chatting away about wheels, Christmas and rides to come. I hate the Winter, especially the lack of light. I normally get a boost from doing lots of exercise, but I'm feeling a bit jaded at the moment, I think I have cycled more than ever before and I could do with a bit of time off the bike.
Still, I drew on the banter and the camaraderie, which was especially good today I thought. Still it was pretty chilly back outside the cafe, so I pedalled like crazy to warm up, down into Wells. Successfully avoiding the Saturday shoppers in cars, we wended our way back via Burcott, Fenney Castle and Mudgley Hill, to loud complaints from KG.
By the time we reached the edge of Wedmore JT and I had hit the front, and I had to work very hard to stay on her wheel as she bombed over the flat lands of Clewer and into Cheddar. Where the Cheddar half marathon was taking place, and I'm not sure all of the runners will have had a pleasant day, but fair play to them for having a go.
Back into Axbridge I hit the fullest power I could muster and dreamed I was Cav, before cycling home, washing the bike and me, and taking the former to the Cheddar bikestore for a service. I took me to Sainsbury's where who should I bump into but JT and family in the crisps aisle-looking for healthy options no doubt.
I didn't take Charlie today, he needs a rest too, but my total mileage was 43.79 miles, average 14.6 mph, max 38.4. Quite slow because the hills were just too slippy to go down fast. Which is where I started because by the time I see my bike again, it should have two of the grippiest tyres in the world on it, so Winter, here we come!
For some reason that no-one really can explain we ended up heading up Cheddar gorge, just as the first deluge set in. Unfortunately, it was at this point that KG discovered only a few of his gears worked-the high ones too. One by one we struggled up to the top, and battled through more rain, lots of cack on the roads, and headed for the delightful Rocky Mountain cafe above Crosscombe.
KG had struggled and was on the point of going home so I gave him one of my energy gels, a gooey syrup packed full of calories; closely followed by a half pack of jelly babies to take the taste away.
It's a sign of the encroaching winter that this was the first time we sat in to eat our cakes, bacon sandwiches and inside the cafe, chatting away about wheels, Christmas and rides to come. I hate the Winter, especially the lack of light. I normally get a boost from doing lots of exercise, but I'm feeling a bit jaded at the moment, I think I have cycled more than ever before and I could do with a bit of time off the bike.
Still, I drew on the banter and the camaraderie, which was especially good today I thought. Still it was pretty chilly back outside the cafe, so I pedalled like crazy to warm up, down into Wells. Successfully avoiding the Saturday shoppers in cars, we wended our way back via Burcott, Fenney Castle and Mudgley Hill, to loud complaints from KG.
By the time we reached the edge of Wedmore JT and I had hit the front, and I had to work very hard to stay on her wheel as she bombed over the flat lands of Clewer and into Cheddar. Where the Cheddar half marathon was taking place, and I'm not sure all of the runners will have had a pleasant day, but fair play to them for having a go.
Back into Axbridge I hit the fullest power I could muster and dreamed I was Cav, before cycling home, washing the bike and me, and taking the former to the Cheddar bikestore for a service. I took me to Sainsbury's where who should I bump into but JT and family in the crisps aisle-looking for healthy options no doubt.
I didn't take Charlie today, he needs a rest too, but my total mileage was 43.79 miles, average 14.6 mph, max 38.4. Quite slow because the hills were just too slippy to go down fast. Which is where I started because by the time I see my bike again, it should have two of the grippiest tyres in the world on it, so Winter, here we come!
Sunday 1 November 2009
Sometimes it's just about getting round
Today SK and I rode, (or should that be tamed?), the Exmoor Beast.
We stayed in a nice B & B down in Minehead so were able to ride the 0.7 mile to the start line at Butlins. It was still dark, but it was also blowing a huge gale and raining cats and dogs, never mind beasts.
The organisers had a man up on the top of Exmoor, some 1500 feet above us, who reported that the weather up there was even worse, and quite frankly, not safe. So the start was delayed for an hour and they decided to cancel the 100 mile ride and get all 1200 of us to ride the 100 km route. 500 souls had entered and decided not to start, and as we headed out at around 8.15AM it was pretty clear why.
The rain was horizontal and the wind was probably 30-40 mph average, with gusts of 50+. Not nice. Then add in the gradients (steep) the leaves and other detritus that had fallen from the trees overnight, the cattle grids and 1200 riders on the road and it all made for a high old time. To cap it all I had not got round to replacing my worn tires, so as well as being literally blown about in the wind, I was also skidding about a bit. On one occasion I was pushed two feet into the road as I cycled past the opening to a field, the cross-wind that came out of it being the culprit.
Going down Countisbury Hill, with a 25% gradient, into Lynmouth (or is it Lynton?) there was a nice steep hill with drops into the Bristol channel, but I'm pleased to say that thanks to hypnosis I am no longer scared of heights. Just wind, water and leaf mulch.
We eventually got to the first feedstation at Simonsbath, after about 3 or so hours, it's only 30 odd miles, but now we had the wind at our backs so flew back to Minehead in 2 hrs 40.
If we had done the 100 miler in those conditions it would have taken about 8 or so hours, and there would have been hypothermics all over Exmoor. I'm glad they cut it down, I'm glad I did it, but ultimately it was a day to get round, get home, get in the bath.
Charlie's stats are in this link (note the ridiculously low average speeds):
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/17717091
We stayed in a nice B & B down in Minehead so were able to ride the 0.7 mile to the start line at Butlins. It was still dark, but it was also blowing a huge gale and raining cats and dogs, never mind beasts.
The organisers had a man up on the top of Exmoor, some 1500 feet above us, who reported that the weather up there was even worse, and quite frankly, not safe. So the start was delayed for an hour and they decided to cancel the 100 mile ride and get all 1200 of us to ride the 100 km route. 500 souls had entered and decided not to start, and as we headed out at around 8.15AM it was pretty clear why.
The rain was horizontal and the wind was probably 30-40 mph average, with gusts of 50+. Not nice. Then add in the gradients (steep) the leaves and other detritus that had fallen from the trees overnight, the cattle grids and 1200 riders on the road and it all made for a high old time. To cap it all I had not got round to replacing my worn tires, so as well as being literally blown about in the wind, I was also skidding about a bit. On one occasion I was pushed two feet into the road as I cycled past the opening to a field, the cross-wind that came out of it being the culprit.
Going down Countisbury Hill, with a 25% gradient, into Lynmouth (or is it Lynton?) there was a nice steep hill with drops into the Bristol channel, but I'm pleased to say that thanks to hypnosis I am no longer scared of heights. Just wind, water and leaf mulch.
We eventually got to the first feedstation at Simonsbath, after about 3 or so hours, it's only 30 odd miles, but now we had the wind at our backs so flew back to Minehead in 2 hrs 40.
If we had done the 100 miler in those conditions it would have taken about 8 or so hours, and there would have been hypothermics all over Exmoor. I'm glad they cut it down, I'm glad I did it, but ultimately it was a day to get round, get home, get in the bath.
Charlie's stats are in this link (note the ridiculously low average speeds):
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/17717091
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