Two very late nights in a row, too much to eat and drink, too little sleep. These were my main regrets when my wife bashed me on the arm at 4:30am on Sunday morning to say that the alarm was going off. Why is this happening to me? Confusion soon gave way to the usual rushing around, trying to force coffee down whilst getting dressed, find car keys, wallet, phone and house keys. Two things were different this morning though – firstly I had no bike kit or bike to worry about as I wasn’t going to be cycling and secondly this was no road race, but the second of the London Dynamo pilot Richmond Park Time Trials. And I had volunteered to marshal, along with about 30 others.

Was I ever glad not to be riding! I was so tired just standing there directing riders around the corner (I didn’t think directions would be necessary, but at least three riders breathlessly whispered “Which way” as they approached the roundabout). Beautiful thing, the way the early morning light catches the stream of snot dripping from a rider’s nose!


The TT seemed to go really well and there were a lot of positive comments. I found time whilst marshalling to take some snaps – they really don’t do justice to the event and in particular the stunning location. Richmond Park is a beautiful place and was made so much better by the lack of traffic noise – for the first 45 minutes the only sound was the thrum of rear disc wheels. I really hope the park authorities take note of the success of the two events and allow more TTs next year - especially because I want to ride in one!

Another hospital visit tomorrow to check that my wrist has healed. If so I will be straight on the bike for a few easy laps of Richmond Park – anything to avoid another turbo session! Here’s hoping…

Keep on moving

Well it has been a while. Not much activity on the bike front other than putting in 5 turbo sessions per week, 1hr or so each session. I am having to really mix up sessions just to keep the interest up - some of them simply turn into a 240W average for 1hr churn away type activity (on lazy days make that 210W!). Others are more targetted, with shorter more intense intervals. I don't think I'm loosing too much fitness, but I have a couple of concerns - I am putting on a little weight ("so what?" my wife says), I may pass out when I get back on the road if I have to ride for more than one hour, and my playlist on the iPod Nano is in dire need of updating. At some point I'll get round to calculating just how much time I've spent in the garden going nowhere!

Other areas of life have been busier. I started a new contract at LloydsTSB in London Bridge - a very interesting project, and a great part of London to work in - Borough Market is about 2 minutes away, which means endless opportunities for great food. Good food, interesting work, a decent commute - not bad at all! It will be better still when I can actually get back on the bike for the commute.

We're also moving imminently. Hopefully we'll exchange in the next couple of days, at which point we have to firm up a rental. We've seen a fair few and I'm balancing the desire for a nice neighbourhood, decent quality interiors (we're going to be renting), enough rooms for the kids with a spare room for guests, and room for bike storage (this is obviously of paramount importance). The trouble is that I'm sure my wife is looking at same areas which I'm considering for bike storage and thinking - "hmmm, ironing board, laundry baskets and drying racks".

I attended the London Dynamo summer social last week as well. Sore heads all round! It was nice to see a lot of familiar faces and some new ones - I haven't been on the road in two months and forgot what a generally amiable bunch we all were! Half the club seem to have been to Ventoux to see the penultimate stage of the Tour - lucky sods! And talking of the Tour, my last day of relaxation prior to the new contract at Lloyds coincided with the Champs-Elysees speed-fest - well done Cavendish, what a way to sign off! The real star was Wiggins though (as far as I'm concerned anyway). He's a cool dude and a great rider who has improved on the road massively in the past year. Contador and Andy Schleck both looked as stong as ever too. Oh, and Armstrong didn't do too badly either! A good first week overall for Le Tour, a slightly dull second week, and then heroics in the third week. Great vewing overall.

Maybe 3 weeks until I try a road ride (depending on xrays to show that the titanium screw is doing the business on the scaphoid). I can hardly wait...