Lovely ride round Oakwell hall last night in the snow – no one about – Managed a good 90 minutes doing repeats of blue before the paranoia of werewolves got to me – I mean where are you going to find a silver bullet in oakwell at 6.30 on a friday night….

Yep Nuuns work for me – tried lots of others – then listened to you lot – dont get cramp now if i take Nuuns……..

Cons
– less commuting to work by bike – lower mileage
– No fred whitton or dirty reiver – for the right reasons
– no bike packing trip

Pros
– done more running off road
– used MTB more
– weather in April and May was fabulous even in West Yorks.
– WFH 2/3 days per week

Stats
4439 miles

2021
– holiday maybe
– the fred whitton seems a safe bet in May – Dirty Reiver in april ???

Great pictures – did 120k on Saturday no pictures, because it was cold – wet and then cold again – then wet again. All day………….

I have and Fsi carbon hardtail with a ocho. had it for about 18 months – always liked the bonkers design. not had any problems and it is my go to bike. Did the mary townley route (again) this year on it – use the lock out more than any previous bike (not sure why) – just seems pretty good to me.

The move to 29er wheels has reduced my momentary cocks ups. Been lucky no broken bones that I am aware of – normally minor comedy moments a few times a year – then there is commuting when its icy – this is my downfall…..

When I saw the trailer – I thought Hollywood was stealing our (UK) history again – but it is based on the novel as mentioned previously – but look up Frederick “Johnnie” Walker if you want to know about sinking uboats – tragic elements though – statue in Liverpool. Not been yet, but will go on the next taxi run taking the daughter back at University.

Best gig ever – Manchester -Copper blue tour – cant remember the venue

Interesting book – “We march against England” – by Osprey – argues had Germany delayed Sealion (and not invaded Russia) the UK would have been in trouble. One other point that’s not been raised is the UK dominance in small ships – destroyers and smaller – would still have caused the German invasion force huge difficulties even in the the 1942 invasion scenario.

Tanks you say – revisionism you say – read Valeri Zamulin – Demolishing the Myth – there was no big tank battle at Prokhorovka – lots of fighting though. Lesson 1 – don’t invade Russia.

Go to the Drs – get signed off – put the onus on your company to deal with your long term absence / dismissal – where there is evidence of depression over 12months it is consider to be a disability under the disability discrimination act. When they dismiss you put an ET claim in for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination – it sounds like our employer is crap.

6000.4 miles completed – ticked off the final 35 today to reach my target – no namby pamby indoor miles – lots of commuting in very wet conditions in the last 4 months in grandest West Yorkshire – though today I swear I saw dust – was on the canal towpath mind – but you have to take the positives after the last 4 months of rain

Hmmm – just as an alternative – Drop the school governor – defer the MBA for a year or two – ask your employer for some time to finish it – mine did when I was struggling with handling mass redundancies, twins at home and moving house, finished it and I am glad I did.

Being honest is good – most people make at least one career mistake or make some decision to go into a new sector or role that just doesn’t work for them – What about looking at a temporary role to at least get you out of the current situation

Yep Oakwell hall is good with the new 1 mile blue – and then you can do the bridle ways around oakwell – then you you head up to drighlington and across to tong and fulneck – all brdileway and good fun

Tommy by Richard Holmes – made him cry writing it – and did the same to me – lots of personal accounts included from the brotherton library in leeds
Lyn Macdonald – 1915 death of Innocence – made me cry again….

One to avoid – Mud blood and poppycock – that was crap and badly written and poorly support by decent historical research

4442 miles – down on previous years – running kids to and from their part time jobs meant no really big rides apart from the tour de yorkshire. Hoping to do a bit more in 2019 with a couple of bike packing tours planned in for the early part of the year. Lots of commuting and climbing over the Cote de Pudsey

Had mine probably 7 or more years and still going strong. The metal studs do make them more grippy and the tread is better for cutting through or holding you up on snow,even in Leeds. They are heavy though – although you keep going when others don’t – albeit slowly

One year when I did the Olympic distance at ripon the water was so warm wetsuits were banned – I swam most of it breaststroke and beat a lot of people swimming front crawl badly without a wetsuit. You’ll never be as quick though, and a wetsuit does make crawl a lot easier – and as pointed out it does save your legs for the bike and run.

2nd breakfast  ( after park run)

Coffee

Toast

The clash.….

Bikes and triathlons.

I also did the outlaw half and full ironman for my 50th (although I was 49) – its a real shock when they put you in the “Senior Veterans” category..When did that happen…….?

The rule with Bikes now is one in one out – contemplating a new bike 2nd gravel – carbon or Ti ?

I agree with Mrs TJ – reducing someone’s pay by 80% is a fundamental breach – unless she has agreed to the change. She should report to work tomorrow as normal. Worst they can do is send her home. she should put in grievance and then put a call in to ACAS on her way home. There are no fees for a tribunal, she can resign and claim constructive dismissal and any loss of earning before the date of his resignation will be an unlawful deduction from earnings.

20- 30 million Russian casualties give or take a million. They flattened Stalingrad before the ground campaign started and killed more in that than the UK lost in air raids in the whole war. War is not good.

Croatia – Split  – with the family on Tuesday for a week.

Did a history degree at a Russell group university many year ago – work in a well paid job in HR. Had to go back and do a personnel a management diploma – then later did an MBA sponsored by my employer. Is an under rated degree in terms of transfer able skills – she should do what she enjoys – as an employer of graduate though I still think it counts where you study. This still has a bearing at interviews.

Just bought

the last battle 1918

and anthony beavors – battle for the bridges

Might also re-read Albuera. the brits fighting the French – makes a change from the Germans.

The first two might be the precursors to another bike trip across the north sea

I like ground effects – but you have to pay import duty into the UK – and retro styling because I am old

Tour de Yorkshire sportive – pleased Chris boardman described it as a tough day out – because it was (for me anyway). Great day though and fabulous weather and back in time to watch the pros on telly.

Ran out of books to read on holiday so I read my daughters book on climate change written in 2008 – it really does make you think of the legacy we are leaving behind for future generations.

Did it in the car with family in 2008 – camping – loads of good campsites – glorious scenery – mountains and sea – but not flat. Well worth the effort especially if you can find some quite back roads – the main coast road was ok in parts for cycling – but a lot of fast unpleasant dual carriageway for most of it. Went as far as Santiago – great place.

Nannies for breakfast at Sheildaig – super….

Good lord – I thought I was doing well until I saw some of these numbers. Mine were

5005 miles – this is everything – no indoor stuff though -otherwise I’d start counting swimming

439 hours

Lots of ups and down – because of West Yorkshire

118th out of 300 at the Robin hood off road duathlon ?

I did win 3 gold medals at Adwick swimming club when I was 12 though..

West Yorkshire has snow 2-3inches – been out and done 14 miles – was good fun

Leeds ITU Olympic again – closed road was great
Edinburgh 70.3
And robin hood dualthlon off road – really enjoyed it this year (4 weeks ago) – good fun in the mud

Me too. 18 miles roundtrip across Leeds – he only way to travel through Leeds – traffic is pants.

Was speaking to an actuary about retirement generally. Stats for men show that if you retire at 65 you get ill and die quicker. if you carry on working and make it through 65-70 you live longer! Seeing more and more people working beyond 65 – some because they have to and some because they want to keep going. My ideal would be part time at 60 and keep going in a different and less stressful job (haven’t worked that bit out yet)

Did the leeds tri in June – roundhay park lake was very pleasant – nice and clear – you could see the floor of the lake ( very much like Ripon race course lake mentioned previously) Harewood house on the other hand I believe is a bit of a black mudfest….

Got made redundant in 2003 – could see it coming and got my act together so a I walked straight into a better paid job – paid a chunk off the mortgage – this had a big effect in the long term and means should I be made redundant again – I wont feel pressure to get a job at the same level – and could probably take some time out

Sunday – 10,000 maniacs