Spooky training

At the moment my training is based around cycling to work. The short days have put paid to any long rides and our weekends have been taken up decorating, after our shower mixer valve decided to burst and flood the bedroom and living room below. What joy!

I use my road bike on most days. It's the one I will be riding LEJOG on. I love my road bike. It's light and fast and comfortable on shortish journeys. I wasn't sure whether it would be suitable for my challenge as it's a full on racer and I thought it might be a little unsuited for such a long distance. However, having spoken to Nick Craig (top Olympic cyclist, 7 x British cycle cross champion and all round good bloke who lives round the corner) who reckons it will be a good bike to do the challenge on as it is strong and light and more than up to the job. He recommended softening it up a bit for the challenge, with a comfier saddle, change of gear ratios and raise the handlebars a little too. Nick is also a multiple British cycle marathon champion and 4 times winner of the Isle of Man End to End race. So I reckon his advice is as good as it gets!

Nick Craig - a really nice chap....and knows his onions about bicycling 

Anyway, back to my riding to work. I do like to mix my riding up a bit and on a Friday, I like to use my mountain bike. It allows me to have a bit of fun whist riding to work and I get to do some hill work for my fitness too.
I set off with a quick blast down the Sett Valley trail, which is a cycle path and bridleway that used to be the old Hayfield to New Mills railway line (not one of Beechings finest decisions but great for cycling off the main road). From there I cut off at Thornsett and head up Watford road, which is another name for the g*t of a hill that it is. It just goes straight up the side of the hill at about 1 in 4 gradient. You think you are doing well when you come to the end, then you realise you are only half way up and have Apple Tree road to deal with too. That's just as bad. So, just when my poor legs and lungs are waving the white flag, I get to the top, by New Mills golf club.
I then cut across and on to the rocky bridleway that leads down to Brookbottom. It's a tricky little section that requires some concentration as there are rocks and boulders everywhere and no easy route through.
At Brookbottom you turn sharp left onto a steep bridleway that runs through Strines wood. It's a wonderful track leading through the trees, fast and sweeping with lots of jumps and berms (raised banks on the corners). If it's been raining I'm usually covered in mud by the time I get to the bottom, so it's a good job there's a shower at work.

Strines Wood - lovely lovely

Strines woods in the dark - Spoooooooky

Every time I went to press the shutter he moved. Never work with animals, children or ringwraiths 

The only problem is Strines wood may be fantastic as a descent, but you have to ride up it on the way back and being November its pitch black. I have some great little LED lights that illuminate the immediate area in front of the bike, but that's it. As you climb up the steep hill in the dark, you can here all manner of noises and rustlings in the leaves around you, owls hooting and crows well.. crowing in the trees. These are ancient woods with lots of history and it can be quite spooky. It reminds me of the Lord of the Rings, where the hobbits encounter the ring wraiths in the dark woods on the road to Buckleberry. At any moment I expect a black cloaked spectre with red eyes to jump out from behind a tree....or is that just the medication?
I was half way up there the other night and got my chain stuck between gears and had to get off to try and free it in the pitch black. I had the torches but its difficult to hold one and use both hands so it took ages.

Of cause I wasn't scared at all.......no way........MUMMY!

Fundraising total to date £2600.00

Screenshot of my just giving page total as of today. Amazing!

I would like to say a BIG BIG thank you to all that have donated so far. I have still got a long way to go so please, please if you can spare a couple of quid I would be most grateful. If you would like to donate please click on the link JustGiving

Memories of my sisters part2

Back in the early 70's life in the Knott household was a bit of a crowded affair. Mum, Dad and four kids in our three bed semi. Janet and Erika shared the second bedroom whilst my brother Harvey and I had bunk beds in the small third room. We never felt cramped or hemmed in though. In fact it was fun to be honest. I always wanted the top bunk as I loved to climb everything when I was younger. That included trees and walls, the garage, anything that looked like it could be climbed. Funny really as I am a bit nervous of heights now. Janet loved to climb things too. We had a very large crabapple tree in the back garden that we were always climbing. If truth be known Janet was actually better at climbing than me. She was always at or near the top, with the branches swaying violently under her weight. She was completely fearless. I think Erika was more of a girly girl and didn't like to get her hands dirty. She would be stood at the bottom with her arms folded like a little bossy madam telling us to get down or she would tell Mum. Happy days.

A large crabapple tree - not ours (cos it hasn't got kids climbing all over it)

I don't remember having any holidays until the day Dad bought a camper van. Not just any camper van but a pale blue VW camper van with panoramic screen. I was big buddies with Beric, a lad from next door but one. His Uncle was the owner of the (famous amongst enthusiasts now) Danbury camper conversions in Cheltenham. They had a second hand camper van for sale and we became the lucky owners. We were all so excited when Dad bought it. It must have been a stretch for my parents but it got more than its fair share of use over the years. I absolutely loved that campervan. It could sleep 6 with a bit of ingenuity. Mum and Dad slept in the main bed, Janet and I in the two bunks,where the roof extended up. Erika in the back section and Harvey over the front seats (Dad made a very clever bunk bed that slotted across the front seats) We used to go everywhere in that van. Cornwall, the Lakes, Scotland all over the country. It has left me with a lifelong love for VW campers. I would have one tomorrow if The Boss would let me (sorry dear).

left to right - Harvey, Erika and me with the V Dub. Isn't she a beauty. I still remember the reg..PPU 189K I wonder where she is now? - Janet took this picture on a box brownie camera

Recently Chris Evans has been playing the Black Beauty TV series theme tune on radio two in the morning. I think he plays it every day for some reason or other. Anyway it brought back memories of Janet as she adored horses and Black Beauty was her favourite. One memory in particular!  Dad used to take Harvey and I to Oulton Park race circuit to see the Transatlantic trophy series. This was a series of motorcycle races between GB and the USA. It had the very best riders from both sides of the Atlantic and we used to love going. I saw heroes of mine Barry Sheene, Kenny Roberts, Randy Mamola and later the likes of Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey (ok non-bikers are probably yawning - sorry)

'King' Kenny Roberts at Oulton Park

So where was I ? Oh yes Oulton Park. The circuit used to put on some entertainment for the whole family to enjoy and one of the very first years we went they had advertised that the real Black Beauty would be on show. Well that's what they said - it was probably just a black horse with a white spot painted on its forehead. As soon as Janet heard this she was coming along, which in turn meant Erika was coming too. I don't think Dad was expecting to take all of us but we all set off very early on the Saturday morning (Mum stayed at home for some well earned peace and quiet). It was an expensive do getting into the circuit back then (as it is now) and Dad was a bit shocked at the child admission prices displayed on the board as we drove down the long road to the entrance. I am probably going to get in trouble off Dad for this next bit but lets just say that VW campers have a large storage space under each of the rear bench seats. Enough to fit a child or maybe two in. So moving swiftly on....

Black Beauty and cast - Gosh this picture brings back some memories
I remember the cast like it was yesterday.

Well sure enough Black Beauty was there with one or two of the actors from the series. Apparently so was Fred Dibnah with a traction engine that he'd driven there all the way from Bolton. I bet the traffic behind loved him?

 So whilst Dad, Harvey and I watched the bikes, Janet and Erika went to see the horse. The racing that year was absolutely classic. Great Britain got hammered by the new stars from the USA. A whole new style of racing was born that year with Kenny Roberts showing us all rear wheel steering and Randy Mamola spending most of the time seemingly stunt riding his way round the track....sorry again, I'll get back to the story. We didn't see Janet all day (those were far more innocent days back then). We occasionally saw Erika who came back to the van every hour or so to tell us that Janet was still with Black Beauty. To be honest I think Erika was a bit bored with Black Beauty. She was an angelic little girl but had an impish streak and was quite happy watching the bikes.  It turned out Janet had made friends with all the actors that were there and had been allowed to pet him (Black Beauty, not the actor) She was totally made up and had a smile on her face from ear to ear.
Remembering back to that day and Janet's smile, I realise that there was a time when life with my sisters was really good. Things were to turn very different, but my memory of those early days are very happy ones and will stay with me forever.

Training update and grumpy old man rant!

Well the clocks have gone back, the nights are drawing in and it's been quite difficult to get out on the bike. However, I have been cycling to work and I have had my lights blazing away on the dark unlit roads from work to home. I say this as it's been a bit hairy at times to be honest.

A scary road - if you are a cyclist

I have a bit of a grump to share with you after a close shave with a Mini last night. I won't tell you the details as Rosemary will get all worried (too late now you idiot - doh!) My apologies for this in advance .

Anyway this is not aimed at the majority of motorists who are generally very considerate (you the reader included of cause :)). However there are some car drivers who seem to resent cyclists to an alarming degree. I'm going to call it 'Jeremy Clarkson syndrome' cos he hates cyclists.  I realise that we do hold up the traffic occasionally and I am sorry for that. I really try to stay out of the way, but the abuse and downright dangerous way some car drivers treat us is just scary and way over the top. I had one guy cut me up so close the other week he ran me into the curb and then stuck the V's up at me for good measure.

Don't get me wrong, there are some idiot cyclists who cut through traffic and jump lights, but they are not representative of the majority. And before you say anything, I know we don't pay road tax. I would honestly love too if there was such a scheme. But if we did you can expect a huge cycling lobby demanding better road surfaces and no lethal grids, less pot holes, more bike lanes and a better attitude from the police who I don't think could care less about cyclists (maybe I am wrong about that last bit). Don't even get me started on Buses and HGVs. Frightening is an understatement.

probably my favourite TV presenter - but a grump with cyclists

So drivers (and I am one too) please if you find yourself getting irate with a cyclist because he/she is holding you up, just think what it must be like for the cyclist when you miss them by inches in your ton and a half of steel. Or better still try cycling yourself just once for 1 mile on a busy road and I guarantee you will see things differently. Please, please allow us a bit more room and be patient with us. That cyclist could be your Son/Daughter/Brother/Sister/Mate/Boss (ok bad choice that last one Brian).  And your pie and chips won't be any colder for the extra 10 secs behind a cyclist, I promise! (and that's what microwaves are for anyway).

Another grumpy old man

Once again, please accept my apologies for this shameless rant. Rosemary says I am getting to be a grumpy old man with grey hairs growing out of my nose, ears and other orrifices. I keep telling her I'm not old.

Brass Monkeys

"By 'eck it were cowd 'ere this mornin" as they say round here in deepest Derbyshire. There was a frost on the ground at 6am when I got up to walk the dog. 'Big coat' had to come out. Winter is certainly just round the corner.

I was sorely tempted to jump in the car but decided that wasn't going to do my training any good. So the cycling leggings got a first airing of the season. I was spurred on by the total on my JustGiving Site Thanks so much to everyone who has donated so far. And to Mum and Dad for your amazing donation.
Don't forget my Mega raffle draw. I've set up a page tab above with all the contact and prize details for you.

Buzz Aldrin has contributed - Honest!

Buzz Aldrin - The second man on the moon

Well ok there may be a little bit of artistic license in that title. A friend of mine Tremayne Crossley had been looking forward to a lecture by the esteemed Apollo 11 astronaut this month. He had the tickets and was at T minus 20 and counting. Unfortunately Mr Aldrin had to cancel the appointment at the last minute (good job he didn't do that with Nasa - or Mike Collins might have been the second man on the moon) Anyway he got a full refund on his ticket and has very kindly donated the money to my charity. So there you go. If it wasn't for Buzz Aldrin I wouldn't have that donation. So thanks Tremayne and thanks Buzz - that's one small step closer to my goal (do you like what I did there. Sorry!)

If you too would like to donate please click on Donate Here