…that was my weekend, that was. I’ve been riding a bit since SITS, but Saturday morning was my first proper ‘try to go fast to go faster’ training ride since the race and my god it was tough. I took the cyclocross bike out (now I’ve put it back together again) since I need to get as ready as possible for the 3 Peaks in a few weeks. The Manx End to End is before that but that’s secondary to the 3 Peaks in fairness. A training/look at the views/show off the shiny bike-type of event in fact.

Anyhow, I headed north up the usual set of climbs, felt slow, got to Holcombe Hill and shouldered the bike up the steep path to the tower. Took a wrong turn and went up the REALLY steep bit and almost got stuck, finally got going again and ran to the tower after some hardcore ‘hauling on the heather’ and then rode home. The first hard ride after a short break is always hard but things always get back to normal quickly…hopefully this time will be no exception. I’m positive though that taking things easier after a hard 24 hour race is the right thing to do 😉

Then in the afternoon I ran in the Darwen gala fell race.  3.7 miles, 900-odd feet of climbing and really warm conditions. There were about 3 times as many people in this race compared to the last time I did it in 2006, I came 52nd this time instead of 31st but I managed to take almost 4 minutes off my 2006 time. I’m still rubbish at descending. Simon appears to be back on top form again and once again kicked my ass. 

Bloody 52nd. pah.

Today I dragged my dad and Michael all the way to Allonby, north of Maryport (almost Scotland) to look at a touring caravan that someone we know is selling. It needs a bit of a scrub and clean, some new soft furnishings, a portrait of Sid James, some minor tidying up jobs and will probably need some fettling with a hammer and a grease gun to get it roadworthy before the trip to Manchester, but we’re having it. It’s going to be ace and sooooo much better than that bloody tent for 24 hour races and generally just allowing us to bugger off for the weekend whenever we feel like it. It’s first big outing might be Dusk til Dawn and it should come in very handy at the Strathpuffer because it’s got a good heater. We are all excited.