Really hoping to do this next year

Good luck…it’s a great experience! I had a sports massage every month in last 7 months or so to iron out any niggles, which was well worth it, and if you book a block, you often get a discount. Practice eating whilst training, and something palatable. My ham sandwiches on the bike were the envy of other competitions forcing down a gel; if you eat something every half hour after the swim you will be ok. I put some interesting races into the build up as good motivation in their own right. Hilly half marathon on exmoor and the Old Man of Coniston Tri we’re brutal courses that made a groomed ironman course, even a ‘hilly’ one feel much more do-able. Training plan is key…there are lots out there. Worth accepting that you will probably lose about 10% of sessions due to illness/ work etc and that is ok!

We saw Wit tank in their pre Edinburgh warm and it was very good
http://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wittank-old-school-secrets

We’re not going to the champs but we’re riding there last weekend and it’s awesome. The guy running the cafe at the top of the gondola is really nice, and does good cake. Try Woody’s at the bottom of the lift for a beer. Best bike wash of any bike park I’ve been to aswell. It’s only open weekends during August so it’s holding condition really well.

Lycra:dhb
Shorts: altura
Jacket:check tk maxx, mine currently has gore bike wear goretex less than half price. I don’t normally bother with a jacket as I ride hot, but a friend doesn’t get out of her endurance one between October and March. it’s already got two hard years in it and is ageing well.

Played netball against Tracy Moseley in the Malvern Summer League

Ned Boulting and Chris Boardman filming one of their TDF segments on Wrynose as we were ‘racing’ up it. In the segment it is my friend being overtaken by Ned on an electric bike (chuckle).

P20 it’s expensive but it works…swimming holiday in Turkey for 7 days and not so much as a tan line. One application actually does last all day ( I did a lunchtime top up but only because I was swimming)

I’m on day 17. Things are beginning to tighten up, but I need to eat less to get rid of the subcutaneous fat on top.

About the time Henry VIII nobbled Cardinal Wolsey so he could pinch his house (Hampton Court)?

H.G. Wells, ‘Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race’.

Are you selling your house or renting it out? Either way, could you let the new owners/occupiers know about Anne, that you liked to look after her. They might help out in the same way, and you could give them your mobile number so they can get in contact with you if there are any problems? I think you’re wonderful, btw.

I would go to college and get GCSE maths, English and science. It would be a nice way to meet new people as well. Milk the caters service for advice (I think the careers service for young people…Connexions?…has been shut down). There are lots of ways forwards such as BTEC and apprenticeships that are not the traditional ‘academic’ route, and certainly new research points to the ‘graduate’ premium being a bit more wishful thinking, so uni not necessary for success. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do, that decision doesn’t need to happen now but having some GCSEs will keep more options open.

Will be taking plenty of pictures. Hoping for some summer bob action in Lillehammer as well as some fjord kayaking in Flam. Good to have something to look forward to!

I sympathise.I don’t use music myself, mostly because I swim early am so am not awake enough to feel bored. I have a friend who swears by it however, and uses one of these http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2013/07/waterproof_mp3.html?pic=4#gallery
tucking all the wires into a swimming cap

Make sure it’s a REC course, you should be outside doing scenarios for at least a day. GIven that the people I ride with are quite accident prone, I carry by own kit in a waterproof bag…it has
Selection of plasters (including round ones for nipples)
Roller bandage
Triangular bandage
10x10cm menolin dressing
Micro pore tape
1xnon-latex glove (for sucking chest wound)
Zip ties
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen bell
Savlon iodine spray

Having seen Gravity? No thanks!

Helpfully timed for the night before the start of the Big Pedal, a Sustrans campaign running from 3rd-14th March to encourage children to pedal/scoot to school.

Some beautiful bikes there improving the view in the office this morning. I should have said that Santa Cruz is a no no, because Mr lapierrelady got there first, and unlike the couple with the matching Orange Fives at Penmachno a couple of weeks ago, I’m not into his ‘n’ hers. I think the answer might be some extensive test riding over the next two months. Off to Norway in August and would appreciate a bigger steed by then.

Moss? Anyone would think it had been a wet winter!

Just been looking at that…it does look sweet. That over an Ibis?

There’s a way to ride up at BPW, it’s not just uplift

On another note, I had a selle italila with the cut out once. Lasted 1 ride…never again!

+1 for the charge ladle; I have one on road and mtb as I figure my arse benefits from not swapping between positions. If only saddles could be try before you buy! Agree with bunnyhop about borrow and try…otherwise trial and error gets expensive.

Not sure how you would link it up, but there is a bridle way through Wykeham Forest and Raincliffe woods down to Scarborough

Rode Coed Y Brenin today-tawr du open, first loop of Minotaur (3km) and skills loop. Frankly amazing any trails are open given the number of trees down. Off to Penmachno tmrw…haven’t ridden there for a good 5 years so really excited!

I use Charge ladle on my road and mtb. Every saddle takes a while to bed in (saddle to arse, or arse to saddle, I’m never quite sure)! I would definitely nose up to put weight back to sitting bones.

Putting the light on does bleach the laser out. As do street lights when you’re under them. Is a bike disco for one though

Different kicks for different chicks I guess. I loathe waterproof trousers in any situation, as it always feels like they are retricting movement around the knee. I go tights (altura night vision or similar) plus waterproof shorts (men’s altura attack waterproof shorts..apparently women don’t go out in the rain).Usually no jacket, just another merino longsleeve, unless it’s absolutely hoofing it down, when an old splash top does for keeping the worst off.

Hawksheaad or Borrowdale are great, activities right put of the door.

Forgot I entered…so it was a big surprise to get the welcome pack today. Properly cheered me up after a wet day at work.

We used Dogtag for the megavalanche last year. Had to be the highest level for downhill and always ring to double check you’re covered. There was a £300 excess for injuries, so Mrlapierrelady had to pay for his own stitches, but the comfort of knowing the helicopter is paid for is the main thing.

Many private schools, and I imagine increasingly more as time goes on, are not really academically selective.

To ‘borke’ the law is surely ill-advised, in any context.

We picked up our exposure lights at a discount after an event they/the bike shop ran at Dalby…try out night lights on a guided ride and buy if you like…no obligation. Might be a way to try out night riding without committing?

Wear something you are happy to bin afterwards as it will smell unsavoury! Also, a long sleeved top that doesn’t ruck up will give some protection in the Vietcong tunnels for pointy elbows. Also don’t overdress…you will overheat on the run.

Quecha is quite good too

We looked at flying to the states this summer, but the flights (to Salt Lake City) were really expensive. So, we’re driving to Norway instead for a road trip (Ferry from Harwich to Denmark, then 3hrs drive, then ferry from Denmark to Norway). I’m already stupidly exciting about riding bikes in the midnight sun and seeing the fjords. Other destinations on the imminent adventure list? Iceland, New Zealand and Patagonia.

Mindboggling. That’s what it was.

In fan, no, would you recommend? I try and teach all the angles and let the pupils make up their own minds, but with emotive subjects it’s difficult to be objective.