Date Distance Course type Weather conditions Bike ridden Time
03/7/08 10 miles Salt Ayre Track 14C 9mph wind Focus Cayo 27'12s
28/5/08 17 miles Circuit of Coniston Wet / no wind / 12C Focus Cayo 51'20s
Salt Ayre Cycle Track 03 July 2008:
1st time trial on 10 miles. 27'12s. 12.5 laps of the recently renovated Salt
Ayre cycle racing track in Lancaster. I stopped counting laps after 2 of
them. Doh! Not ideal. Fun event with many youngsters from the Go-Ride club
as well as older time trial types.
Next TT: first Thursday of August. I wil be joined by my 7 year-old daughter. She wants to have a go at the 2.5 laps distance. 
Circuit of Coniston 28 May 2008:
First time trial ever!
I rode the Circuit of Coniston after being convinced by my mate Allan to have a go. Coniston is a bout an hour away from home so I took a day off work and we tried to make most of the day. Picnic and a nice walk around Tarn House. Gorgeous. The girls enjoyed their day. (Beware of Tarn Hows midge. Nasty little things.)
Back on topic: This was unfamiliar territory to me. Not much scope to go off track even with my infamous orienteering skills: You keep on going left :-)
I survived the experience and I found it hard. Hard to judge how much effort to put in. Hard to judge what's coming next. Hard to judge whether to let yourself go on downhills if unfamilar with the course and in wet conditions.
I
don't think I got the time trial bug yet but I am glad I tried one and
I would not mind riding one again in the near future. As for improving
on the above time, that will have to wait for one year. The circuit of
Coniston time trials only run twice a year in May.
The Veg beds are doing OK. Some success and some glaring failures.
Great: Mizuna, Spicy Leave mix, Mustard Spinach, Mibuna.
Special: The first broad beans eaten raw out the pod, Broad bean and Pea shoots, young raw turnip leaves.
Promising: Peas, carrots, parsley
Disappointing: Kohl Rabi (No germination whatsoever), Basil bush, Haricots coco, Chard (because they got infected with a fungus).
If you could do anything you want tomorrow, what would it be?
Submitted by Becca-Pink.I would get on my bike and ride around the Lake District stopping at leisure to fill up on warm beverages, cakes, beans on toast and take plenty of pictures. Sadly I don't take enough pictures when I am out on my bike.
What does blogging do for you?
Submitted by Madeleine Rose.nada, rien, nowt, nothing.
What is your personal motto?
Don't worry, be happy.
Over on Dave Moulton's Bike Blog, have a look at a honest account on why some cyclists shave their legs.
I have to admit that I have started shaving my legs and have been doing so for about three months. I am not sure why I started. It is certainly not to look like a pro, makes easy post race massages (I don't race), be faster and more aerodynamic or to make it easy to clean up wounds in case of a road rash. I haven't got any logical explanation. Do I shave my legs because it is part of the tradition? No idea. I tried it and it felt right. Best of all, my wife likes it. Phew!
I remember my good old friend Nicolas was starting to take part in Criterium races around the South of France. I think he lasted for about two races before succumbing to the razor blades for the perfectly legitimate reason of easier cleaning of wounds and higher risks of falling during a road race than if you are plodding along in the countryside. I have to say I thought it was quite a brave move for a 17-year old high school student.
So what are the stages I have had to go through to end up with shaved legs some 17 years later?
Thinking about it I have gone though Toeclips, good waterproof, Clipless pedals, first lycra shorts, cycling jersey, proper cycling mitts, cycling specific glasses, cycling cap, bibtights, arm/legwarmers, bibshorts, join club, shaved legs trial on the ankles, shaved legs.
This covers a somewhat superficial side of cycling and does not account for the fact that I enjoy cycling more than ever. That's what matters. Shaved legs or unshaved legs.
Show us the very last picture you took. No cheating!
Entry form has been printed out
Entry fee put aside
January 09: club runs*
February 09: club runs
March 09: club runs + Lune RCC Reliability Ride (75miles)
April 09: club runs + The Cambrian (200k) + Elenith (300k)
May 09: Club Runs + Fred Whitton Challenge (112 Miles) + Dales Grimpeur (200k)
18-21 June 09: Ardechoise Meridionale-Allier 600k
26-31 July 09: LEL2009
* Club runs vary between 60 and 85 miles in distance
