Christmas came and went and I'd only managed half a dozen rides in two months. A trip up North was arranged with work and, as usual I threw myself into the normal 'ride every day' routine.
I came back shredded, literally. I needed to get a grip.
I generally take the single-speed but have been increasingly suffering from a bit of lower back ache after three hours or so. The carbon is light and fast, but brutal. I must be getting old. I tried to find a nice steel replacement - mainly because I couldn't find (or afford) a nice Titanium replacement - but failed. Then along came a bit of a bargain from another member of the Tribe who has succumbed to 27.5 / 29 wheels.
Enter the 'new' ARC :-) well, the second ARC actually. I have borrowed a couple of bits from the other one to get me going, but it rides really well, a bit more forgiving and very nimble. We are going to get on great together.
There are no major plans for this year on the bike apart from the Tribe in June and an Autumn sportive with Molly on the New Forest. However, when I thought we would have a quiet year and be able to get things finished at home, youngest daughter, Jemma, decides to arrange the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of charity and decides that i am the ideal man to to be the guide !
So we have to start walking. We don't walk these days, not like we used to anyway. I can cycle 100 miles more easily than I can walk 10 !. We proved that at Christmas, when our first training walk of ten miles, with the rest of the team, left Molly and I slightly sore for three days. We have plenty of time though.
Away again for a week during February, and I know I will have the opportunity to get some exercise in. Right at the last minute, one appointment is cancelled and I know I shall be stuck near the Lake District with a spare day (Oh no!). Plans are hastily re-hashed; one B+B cancelled and another one booked and we're off.
On Monday I have a bonkers-early start, drive 300 miles, do a day's work, play 13 holes of golf and stay at a mate's place in Chorley for a lovely meal and a bit too much to drink.
I then have an important presentation in Lancaster, but am finished early enough to contemplate a sneaky walk (I am in training after all and I have all the gear in the car, just in case). I drive to Wastwater, change in the car park and head up Scafell Pike carrying my training rucsac full of spares, stores, cooker, maps, first aid kit, waterproof, camera, snacks and kitchen sink. I knew I had about 2:30 left before dusk and so set myself a target of turning round after 1:20. I might be mad, but I hope I am never stupid enough / unlucky enough to need the Mountain Rescue.
I set off from the car park at a brisk, old person, sort-of speed. Take the odd photo en route (excuse to stop innit) and soak up the beautiful late-afternoon sun. I pass a few people coming down and reach the Lingmell Gill (stream) crossing after about 20 minutes. Not doing too bad I'm thinking, although I am sweating like a pig. Up to the top of the steep(er) bit and left-fork across Brown Tongue and still going well, although it is harder going across the rocks. Back onto the easier zig zags and check the watch - still OK. Turn right and start the final rocky climb and I bump into a couple who tell me that the summit is 20 minutes away. Mmmm, judging by the speed they are going, I guess this is an overestimate and think there's a chance I will make it within my limit. I didn't, but decided to go for it anyway and took my summit photo at 17:22, a couple of minutes late but I'll make it up on the way down.
Wow, what a view ! South West towards the coast.
Scoffing my snack as i set off back down, I am buzzing. I pass the same couple again after about fifteen minutes ("made it then?" "of course"), stop briefly to wash in the stream and am back, packed up and away on schedule. 2:26 up and down - BOOM!
I book into Coniston, eat in the Bull and sleep rather well. This is now Wednesday, my 'spare' day. So a late breakfast is followed by a day mountain biking in Grizedale Forest. I decided to tackle the long unrelenting climb from Coniston water up past Lawson Park Farm and, after a lot of sweating, I am up at the top and turning south towards Parkamore. I have a route in mind and follow the main fire break towards the bridleway.
You can't write the script to life sometimes. I round a bend in the trail to bump into someone taking five and it turns out to be the amazing Rich Martin from Cyclewise out on a recce for a British Cycling Assessment.
After manly hugs and greetings, we realize that we are going the same way for a while, so off we go, chatting and catching up. I get to ride his shiny SB5c 1x11 for a couple miles and am in love by the time we swap back. I get my photo taken with the new wheels ...
... before Rich disappears towards High Nibthwaite and on to Walna Scar and I cross Parkamoor and thrash down the brilliant, rocky descent to Sattethwaite. The grinning selfie is on Facebook before I get to the cafe at Grizedale for a break.
After coffee and cake, I ride the first two-thirds of the North face trail and then cut back across to Coniston for the drive back to Manchester and reality. What a day.
A long day at work and two excellent meetings is followed by a last ride of the week and back to the old favourite - Follow the Dog. Good ride up to the Chase, twice round, back. Sorted.
Tired after the week away, but good tired - everything aches just a little but I am full of energy. This is how it should feel every week.
Walking training continues ...
