Friday, April 18, 2003

I rode the Wyre Forest hilly TT this morning and rode better, much better than I imagined I would. Did pretty well really, won �6 for the first B cat veteran, and finished 23rd overall, out of 53. Winner did 1.08.30, I did 1.18.56. Better than last year when I think I did 1.26 ? 1.28 ? I can't remember of find last years time. I didn't try too hard, kept it steady waiting for the big hill, and got to the bottom, and couldn't get my smallest gear, so had to climb it in 39x18, which is what I went up in 1988, but struggled and my minute man came past twiddling a tiny little gear, I wish I had a tiny gear as I caught him up just after Newnham Bridge but he pulled away up the hill. So not a bad result. Home, took the bottom bracket out of my mountain bike & greased it. Then out for a spin round Cofton, Finstall, a joy with the fresh Easterly wind on my back ! on the way back it was into the wind ! Sat and eat a banana on the road at Bentley, in the warm sun ! Just 1 week ago I went out in the eavening and froze ! Stopped and 'phoned Hazel from the road up to Barnt Green sitting on the railway bridge by the M42. I must say I'm very impressed by Jar56 ! Went a walk to the waste ground with David, then bought some beer. And am now drinking it.

Thursday, April 17, 2003

Now here I am in the office, on a Thursday. Well its a sort of Friday as tomorrows a bank holiday and I'm riding the Wyre Forest Hill TT. Yippee.
At the weekend I rode the Soluhull LVRC on Saturday and did badly. Had a go on the 1st lap then found myself at the back which is where I stayed the most of the race. Appaling really. Felt so pissed off at my lack of motivation. Went and drank beer & wine on the evening, and a bag of crisps and broke yet another tooth.
- NO - Broke the tooth the preceeding week when I was driving to work late at Leamington whilst eating banana chips.
Sunday did a 30 mile plod and felt really strong. Well thats great.
Monday and Tuesday in Dartford. More wine.
Wednesday in Leamington. Left at 17.00, traffic seemed OK, up the A46 then made a mistake of coming off as I thought I couldn't get onto the A5 from the M69. 1st mistake. Had to wait in a queue and got back on M69, onto the A5. In a queue so decided to go up the A447. 2nd mistake. Then should have gone through Market Bosworth to join the A444, 3rd mistake. Crossed over the A42 and went down a side road which according to the map would take me onto the A50, 4th and biggest mistake. This road took me past East Midlands airport, much puzzling looking at map, how did that happen ? Then I was hoping it would be an easy hop onto the A50. Oh no, stuck in a slow jam for 1 mile to the A50 turn. 'phoned Hazel, then phoned again to get her to tell the hotel I'll be late. Then off on the A50, loads of traffic and slow going round the islands by Uttoxeter, then clear run in to Manchester. Got parked in a multi storey right by security so that felt good. Last time I stopped in Manchester I had my car broken into. Then had a wander up Tib Street to the Bar Centro for some Hoegaarden ! Yippee ! But later after 3 pints & wine I zonked out !
Drive back was OK, went to Parkers for some tyres & inner tubes.