My bike is ready but am I?

Today is Friday, on Sunday I am riding the @3 peaks Cyclocross race, look for me in the @yorkcycleworks kit.  It is widely regarded as one of the most demanding one-day cycle events in the world.  I've spent hours this week checking and rechecking my bike.  I am proud to have managed to put a 32 tooth cassette on the back with my 105 rear mech.  (Thanks Sheldonbrown.com) by reversing the B tension screw.  I have even cleaned the bike and made it shiny!

I, on the otherhand, am not really ready for the demands, I feel bit poorly really and have rested (in terms of training) all week, last week I did very little as well.  I am afraid that work tiredness has caught me out at the worst time.  Ah well, little can be done.

Good luck to all competitors on Sunday, I look forward to the photos.

Kielder 100 Bailed

Well I went, it rained, I still rode. Rode until my bike simply stopped working, my poor, poor Yeti is well busted.  I managed to go through 2 sets of new brake pads, the front mech will not drop down chain rings without a good kick and the rear mech gear selection is a random process.  By 50 miles having ridden straight off the course several times at the bottom of hills I decided that retirement was the safest option.  Added to this was a lack of vision as my glasses were so covered in muck and I had no part of me or my clothes that could clean them, taking them off simply allowed grit into contact lens eyes.

On the plus side my legs felt great, I had the riding in me to complete (I think), next year with more brake pads and gore gear cables.

Oh found out that only 177 finishers out of 800 odd entries, makes me feel a little better.

Early bird ride

Got up at 5:00 to go riding today. Should have stayed in bed, broke bike, only had granny ring to play with and then went over bars on cut gate into what can only be described as a lake. Well on bright side I got 3 hours riding on at steady pace and had that great feeling each time I met anybody on the trails that thought that were out early that I was out before them.

Kielder 100 Entered

Off to @yorkcycleworks ASAP to get Yeti fixed because as the title suggests I have just entered the Kielder 100 MTB marathon next weekend.  I blame Fraz is all I can say.  I have no target for the event though obviously top 30% of finishers is where I want to be.

My nail is still there

Will I lose this nail?   Still black after ultra.

Being ill is rubbish

Rode @yorkcycleworks chain gang last night, usually struggle and get dropped at some point later on when pace is really cranked up but left early last night, heart rate near max as soon as it was my turn on front which is not a good sign. Try again another day..........

Riding in Normandy

Just returned from week in not so sunny France. Managed to restart some semblance of training. Decided to rest running muscles until I've seen a physio, took road bike and managed 5 good rides of 1.5 - 3 hrs.  Normandy is quite hilly, a bit like the wolds so I reckon some useful climbing training was had.  It was great in a geeky way to ride my French bike in its home country and it was silent as well once I'd played with seat post and collar and water bottle holders to eliminate final creaks and squeeks.

My concerns over wheat intolerance have returned, I are bread in france each day and now feel terrible with poorly tummy. Is it linked? I don't know but I do know I felt better without wheat which is where I am returning.