"Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are" - Bertolt Brecht
or as Bob Dylan would tell it, "The times they are-a changin'".
But hey, less of that, I'm a Sports Scientist not an English Literaturist.
This year has been pretty good. It's tough to quantify goodness, but ~500hrs on bikes so far this year is as relevant a statistic as I can find. After last Winter's work on knee injury alleviation, plus managing not to break any bones this time round, things were off to a fine start. A couple of team camps with the CI development team were good in terms of both education and craic. For example, I learnt that it's possible to 'cook' spaghetti to the point it turns to solid, chip like structures. More learning came on our Majorca training camp in February, with topics such as 'how to put bike boxes on an escalator' and 'driving lessons with Frank'. Savage banter was had altogether and good preparation for the coming season.
The 'coming season' was rounded off about a month ago with at least 1 win in Enduro, XC, CX and Road disciplines. Highlights included Matt Adair lending me his TT bike for a couple of weeks and me getting totally anal about preparing for the national TT champs.. Lowlights included getting a puncture 10miles in on race day.
Some other nice bits of the year were when I finally got stopped for a wee in the Road Race champs, KOM slaughtering in Rostrevor, and getting a new flask at the national XC champs. Having the bike in the boot of the car when sister Alice (sibling, not nun) got us stranded on the Motorway due to the classic case of invisible fuel light syndrome was also a bit of a bonus. Cycling back with 5L diesel in one hand and Google Maps up on my phone in the other hand is firmly ticked off the bucket list.
Less enjoyable bits of the year mostly consisted of uncooperative body parts amongst other things, but I'll not bore you with details. I must admit getting beaten on the line from small breakaways in 6 road races wasn't exactly my plan, but I'll get the hang of it yet.
Off season abruptly began with a boat trip too early in the morning to remember. I could've probably bought the dang boat with the money I'm about to lose in the next couple of years, but for whatever reason, further education seemed a better idea at the time. I'm starting to regret that decision after the recent weather.
Dad was driving me over to Loughborough, where I'll spending most of the next 3 or 4 years of my existence. A truckin' we did go, and after a final night's civilisation in a nearby B&B, Dad and I pulled up the Passat CC to Loughborough University. Some keen 'fresher helpers' swarmed round to assist us in unpacking. Keenness lessened as they opened the boot to see three bikes peeking out. Heh.
4 weeks in I've got a few road routes sorted, met a few nice folk in the cycling club, and managed the timely snapping of the rear dérailleur cable on both my CX and Road bike on group rides; making quality first impressions I'm sure. We have lecturers and things too, believe it or not. I've heard this is the biggest campus on the UK; I'm not sure, but I am sure it's a 10-25min walk depending on where you're going! Walking and cyclists is always a recipe for disaster but I think I'm starting to get better at it now. Another steadfast ingredient in my personal disaster cake is ball games, it's going to take me a bit longer to master them (mastering being occasionally making contact with said ball in attempts to kick, throw or catch). With our Teaching & Coaching practical module almost solely based on these, I can only hope they have alternative criteria for us people just good at turning our feet in circles. Or I find a twin. Come to think of it, I could probably kick a ball better whilst on my bike.
Little did I know my mind's earlier maritime meandering would be so relevant, with investing in the steamboat being a daily activity over here. Boats 'n hoes, boats n' hoes. Pilgrimages between the magical tree of disposable income and the off-licence are the reason for mosts' existence. When not otherwise occupied, they're playing music at full volume, or having heated debates over Fifa, no matter what time of day; or rather night/morning. Alas, I'm just 18 going on 80, I can't complain, they're all sound fellas in my block and are just getting their kicks as I do mine on me bicycle. Captain kill the craic here just has other ideas of ideals. Enjoying sleep and stuff like the weirdo I am.
Anyway, I'm just back from pumping the 'ron here and everybody in the block seems to have gone out on the town, so I'll hopefully get a few hours sleep now before they get back! YOLO
And I've just got a wee surprise email from my awesome Da to say he's ordered me a kettle for the room. I'm away under the covers with a smile on me face and green tea in me brain.
Monty x
(I intended to write a report of the weekend past; back at home getting a CX race done, but got a bit carried away in the introduction. Whoops. In Pt II I'll hopefully get some more race reporty reporting in)
or as Bob Dylan would tell it, "The times they are-a changin'".
But hey, less of that, I'm a Sports Scientist not an English Literaturist.
This year has been pretty good. It's tough to quantify goodness, but ~500hrs on bikes so far this year is as relevant a statistic as I can find. After last Winter's work on knee injury alleviation, plus managing not to break any bones this time round, things were off to a fine start. A couple of team camps with the CI development team were good in terms of both education and craic. For example, I learnt that it's possible to 'cook' spaghetti to the point it turns to solid, chip like structures. More learning came on our Majorca training camp in February, with topics such as 'how to put bike boxes on an escalator' and 'driving lessons with Frank'. Savage banter was had altogether and good preparation for the coming season.
The 'coming season' was rounded off about a month ago with at least 1 win in Enduro, XC, CX and Road disciplines. Highlights included Matt Adair lending me his TT bike for a couple of weeks and me getting totally anal about preparing for the national TT champs.. Lowlights included getting a puncture 10miles in on race day.
Some other nice bits of the year were when I finally got stopped for a wee in the Road Race champs, KOM slaughtering in Rostrevor, and getting a new flask at the national XC champs. Having the bike in the boot of the car when sister Alice (sibling, not nun) got us stranded on the Motorway due to the classic case of invisible fuel light syndrome was also a bit of a bonus. Cycling back with 5L diesel in one hand and Google Maps up on my phone in the other hand is firmly ticked off the bucket list.
Less enjoyable bits of the year mostly consisted of uncooperative body parts amongst other things, but I'll not bore you with details. I must admit getting beaten on the line from small breakaways in 6 road races wasn't exactly my plan, but I'll get the hang of it yet.
Off season abruptly began with a boat trip too early in the morning to remember. I could've probably bought the dang boat with the money I'm about to lose in the next couple of years, but for whatever reason, further education seemed a better idea at the time. I'm starting to regret that decision after the recent weather.
Dad was driving me over to Loughborough, where I'll spending most of the next 3 or 4 years of my existence. A truckin' we did go, and after a final night's civilisation in a nearby B&B, Dad and I pulled up the Passat CC to Loughborough University. Some keen 'fresher helpers' swarmed round to assist us in unpacking. Keenness lessened as they opened the boot to see three bikes peeking out. Heh.
4 weeks in I've got a few road routes sorted, met a few nice folk in the cycling club, and managed the timely snapping of the rear dérailleur cable on both my CX and Road bike on group rides; making quality first impressions I'm sure. We have lecturers and things too, believe it or not. I've heard this is the biggest campus on the UK; I'm not sure, but I am sure it's a 10-25min walk depending on where you're going! Walking and cyclists is always a recipe for disaster but I think I'm starting to get better at it now. Another steadfast ingredient in my personal disaster cake is ball games, it's going to take me a bit longer to master them (mastering being occasionally making contact with said ball in attempts to kick, throw or catch). With our Teaching & Coaching practical module almost solely based on these, I can only hope they have alternative criteria for us people just good at turning our feet in circles. Or I find a twin. Come to think of it, I could probably kick a ball better whilst on my bike.
Little did I know my mind's earlier maritime meandering would be so relevant, with investing in the steamboat being a daily activity over here. Boats 'n hoes, boats n' hoes. Pilgrimages between the magical tree of disposable income and the off-licence are the reason for mosts' existence. When not otherwise occupied, they're playing music at full volume, or having heated debates over Fifa, no matter what time of day; or rather night/morning. Alas, I'm just 18 going on 80, I can't complain, they're all sound fellas in my block and are just getting their kicks as I do mine on me bicycle. Captain kill the craic here just has other ideas of ideals. Enjoying sleep and stuff like the weirdo I am.
Anyway, I'm just back from pumping the 'ron here and everybody in the block seems to have gone out on the town, so I'll hopefully get a few hours sleep now before they get back! YOLO
And I've just got a wee surprise email from my awesome Da to say he's ordered me a kettle for the room. I'm away under the covers with a smile on me face and green tea in me brain.
Monty x
(I intended to write a report of the weekend past; back at home getting a CX race done, but got a bit carried away in the introduction. Whoops. In Pt II I'll hopefully get some more race reporty reporting in)
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