A quiet day......thank goodness

Despite having to go into London for a meeting - my monthly review with Richard Monk, Cycle Officer for Colchester, the day has been pretty quiet and thank goodness, not so frantic as days of late!
Again my cycling has been thwarted by the rain and the turbo trainer will see more action later today. Note to self: Dig out Pete Read's Black Book for turbo workouts, I think it's going to be a wet winter and I may just have to refer to it more and more......?
Apparently you can download it for free - see here. You never know you may just need it too.....?

It's been a long day....

.....and it's not quite over. I started work this morning at 7am. I've been going through and assessing the applications for the Swindon role.

Boy, would I not want to do this on a regular basis - I'm totally spent and I'm really looking forward to making the last few phone calls to advise the successful candidates, that they are invited to spend a day in Swindon with me next Friday!

I had hoped to get out on the bike this afternoon - but that just ain't gonna happen! Maybe it will be another turbo session - to be honest, a large glass of white whilst reading the new edition of Cycle appeals more...!

Oh well, the weekend stretches before us all and fingers crossed it will be a dry one.

Have a good one whatever you are doing?

Beginner cyclists' and how NOT to treat them....!

Out riding my bike today. I was in wind down mode after a busy morning in front of the PC, when 2 cyclists' came wanging passed me. Not one to miss out on an opportunity of a tow - I jumped on the back.
It became apparent that the guy at the front was a regular cyclist and his buddy was in fact a beginner - brand new bike, saddle way too low and a grimace on his face suggesting he wasn't enjoying the experience! I followed for a while until they turned right - uphill for about 2 miles.
This poor chap, still hanging on for grim life shouted to his mate........
" Oh no, not Nagshill, I'll never make it up there, my legs are killing me already." This statement was totally dismissed and up they went.

This is, how NOT to treat a new cyclist - apart from anything else, winter riding is all about base miles and keeping the heart-rate low in readyness for the summer rides.
So Mr. Regular Cyclist, do your friend a favour - instead of trying to show how great and fast you are up those Chiltern hills, spend 5 minutes helping him sort out his position on his bike. No wonder his legs hurt and you never know he may just find that cycling is a pleasurable experience.

It IS winter... isn't it......?

Declaring the winter season is upon us is, a little hit and miss - the met office states that it starts in December and ends in February. But for me, it's when the trees at the end of my road are stripped bear of their leaves - well, apart from the odd tenacious leaf hanging on in there. These trees are like huge broccoli florets in the spring and summer and it's shame to see them stripped of all their leaves.
Winter also sees the roads covered in mud and flints that have been washed down from the verges - I'm so pleased with the tyres on my fixie, hundreds of miles covered and not 1 p******e! (so far?).
Riding out today, wrapped up in all my warm clothing - I passed another cyclist who was still in shorts, no gloves, but he did have a long sleeve jersey on....? I don't know whether he had been caught out - saw the sun was shining and thought he'd be OK, or that he was hanging onto the hope of summer and autumn. Brrr, he must have been cold - hopefully the next time I see him, he'll be appropriately attired, either that or his winter riding will be miserable......?

Off to Bimingham (again!)

I seem to be spending a lot of my time in Birmingham of late and it's playing havoc with my cycling.....! Though I had a very productive day with Karen Carter - my opposite number from 'oop' north. We have thrashed out a plan of action of how we market the Cycle Champion packages after the funding runs out in 2012. With work commencing almost immediately on that, the 'to do' list is immense - but exciting work nonetheless.
By the time I had got home it was dark and there was only one option - to dust off the turbo trainer again! So, whilst watching some trashy TV, I cycled for an hour or so - it's amazing how time flies when you're watching the Australian soaps.....!

The hard option...!

... And so the rain continues to fall. With back to back meetings in Reading this morning and not wanting to turn up looking like a damp flannel - I decided to leave the bike at the office and take the hard option and walk, with a rather large umbrella, into the centre of Reading. Jumping the bus was not an option as the traffic was at a standstill.

After 6 miles of walking, I realised that wearing cycling shoes was not a good idea , I certainly felt I'd had a workout....!

The meetings went well - Mark was introduced to the Transport Department in the Civic offices and we then had a site meeting at the BMX track at Waterloo Meadows.

Since the launch, the track has seen lots of action and we were discussing the maintenance requirements for the next 12 months or so. All positive news and hope to get Mark riding the track very soon....?

Like a bullet....!

Today has been one of those days - woke up early to find the rain hammering down, so decided to cycle into Reading when it had eased off (around 10:30) Only to get into the office and to find the 3pm meeting had been cancelled and that there were serious IT issues. So without the ability to email, I reverted to the old fashion method of calling people - well it makes a change.....!
The sun appeared mid- afternoon and this was my sign to exit stage left and cycle home.
The journey home was very pleasant and was without incidents until I got to Marlow.....
Riding through the busy high street, my front tyre ran over a small stone - I had put 120 psi of pressure in them the night before. The stone pinged off like a bullet and hit the door of a brand new Mercedes......!

The noise was awful and startled a few pedestrians. I then had this dilemma - do I stop and wait around for the owner or do I cycle on? This mental debate went on for a while and I took the decision to ride on - it's happened to me when I've been driving and there's little you can do. Though admittedly the offending car is usually going faster and in the opposite direction. Did I do the right thing?

Hmmm? What would you have done......?

Working from home....

..... and very welcomed it was too. With the ever bulging email inbox and a 'to do' list the length of my arm, the cancelled meeting in Birmingham was a god send....!
I have spent the day beavering away on both and even had time to pop into Amersham on the bike to get some keys cut - for the container in Reading and RBC's cycle cage at the Civic Centre.
I really productive day all in all, which culminated in the fixie having a total wash down, followed by a polish with some of the finest autoglym products - she looks as sparkly as a new pin now.....!

My sanity was questioned....!

The first dry(ish) day for a while and nothing was going to stop me from riding into Reading today - the BBC weather forecast said 27 mph winds, with the possibility of the odd shower.
Hmm, my usual 10 mile commute from Maidenhead usually takes around 35 to 40 minutes, but with a mega headwind and dodging the odd fallen tree, I was standing in the changing rooms at Palmer Park Stadium some 50 minutes later......! (But with the anticipation of a wind assisted ride back to the car later that afternoon.)
I introduced the new officer to the Everybody Active session and it was good to see, that like me, the participants weren't put off by the weather.
We also took the opportunity to pop into Cyclezone to check out a work bike and some commuter gear - a welcome break from the very much desk based induction.....!
Mark takes delivery of his bike tomorrow and will be out and about in Reading very soon!

A day in Leicester.....

Despite Chiltern Railways attempts to delay me getting to Leicester for a meeting, I did manage to spend the day with Elizabeth Barner - Cycle Officer. The total journey took 4 and half hours - yes, I could've got to Paris in that time.....!
Elizabeth had arranged a steering group meeting - a very full agenda, with some very exciting projects being scoped out for next year. Around the table were some very pro-active partners - Cycle Magic, Bikes 4 All and of course Leicester City Council, who are currently working on their LTP3 - which will have some very impressive set targets for making cycling accessible, in particular, commuting and bikeability. Thus working towards their goal of having a vibrant and healthy city, of which the bike plays a huge role.

Exciting times for Leicester and great to be a part of it.

A wet weekend......

Oh dear! Winter shouldn't be like this - very wet and very windy. For me, the ideal winter weather is bright and cold. So imagine my dismay when the alarm went off at 6am this morning and on looking out, to see the rain falling - again. My riding all weekend was hampered by the rain and it certainly looked like it was going to be today and yes, I took the soft option and drove into Reading.
I spent the day with the new officer - Mark Tancock. A gentle introduction to CTC, Reading Borough Council and to my projects. He'll be up to speed in no time at all, that I'm sure.
Tomorrow I'll be leaving him to his own devices as I have a meeting in Leicester -his task, if he chooses to accept it, is getting to know CTC's and Sport Reading's websites. But I leave him in the capable hands of the Sport Reading team - thanks guys!

Chiltern Cycleway

Good news! You may all remember sometime ago, we were waiting on a funding bid from Leader. Well, we were successful and the Chiltern Cycleway gets the thumbs up. A 170 miles of fantastic countryside all waymarked, that covers, Bucks, Beds, Berks and Oxfordshire.
The steering group met today - Chiltern AONB, CTC, Chiltern Society and Bucks CC and we've decided that the launch will be next June and we are now in the process of planning how that will look.
I can't wait to ride the route in it's entirety - anyone care to join me....?
May I say a big thank you to the early volunteers that helped with the initial route planning and hope to see you all out there soon?

Have a good weekend and happy cycling!

Clearing my desk

My desk isn't quite as bad as that in the photo - but you get the general idea.
With Mark's imminent arrival, I was in the office really early to clear my desk and sort out any outstanding bits of paperwork. I'm very excited about the project being handed over and can't wait to hear Mark's ideas for Reading.
It has been a busy few months doing the 2 jobs and it's great to see the light at the end of the tunnel. To be able to concentrate totally on my new job, will be just fantastic.
I'll still be based in Reading for a least 2 days - so no doubt, will catch up with you all at some point, but it has been a total pleasure getting to know you all......

Want to work for CTC.....?

I spent the day sorting out the recruitment process for the vacant post in Swindon.
This meant arranging for adverts in both a local paper - Swindon Advertiser and with the Third Sector magazine. I was totally amazed with the total cost - £6,000 for both! Hasn't anyone told these guys a recession is on? Though using my best negotiating skills - some would call it blagging, I got 1 week for free in the local paper....!
So, if any of you out there would like to apply for this exciting post - please see here for all the details, I'd love to hear from you....?

Positive vibes....

I have had a great day in Birmingham.....
The CLES meeting went very well - we scoped out the programme for the next 2 years on how we were all going to work towards the evaluation of the Cycle Champions projects. This report will help us hopefully secure further funding, thus keeping 15 or so people employed beyond 2012.
We also had time to discuss other issues - team building event for next year, working parties for health, disability and social inclusion. Also the good news is, that we've just hired a communication officer for the whole project and we get to meet her in a few weeks time - apparently she is local to Reading. Anna will have a worked cut out, but is welcomed with open arms.......!

The Chiltern line behaved impeccably- the journey was seamless and the countyside through the Chilterns and beyond still looked stunning even on a flat grey day.....

Pea souper......!

CTC have just appointed an organisation to evaluate the success of the Cycle Champions project - CLES. With a full day planned tomorrow in Birmingham to discuss various issues, I thought it would be prudent to read their proposal beforehand!
The document was 168 pages long and I felt the immediate need to get out on my bike.....! Well, it was almost lunch time and I needed a screen break!
A blast down to Chequers was the order of the day - 15 miles, which meant I would be back within the hour. A lovely ride - albeit very cold and very misty. Boy was I glad I'd rigged up my new Hope light - with 240 lumen's, there was no excuse not to see me...?
Most of the leaves from the trees were on the ground and there was a fine drizzle - you know the sort that attaches itself to the fine hair on your face. With that and the obligatory dew drop on the end of my nose, I was a very attractive sight! (Reminder to self: purchase winter gloves WITH a nose wipe!)
Nevertheless the ride cleared my head and now to tackle that gargantuan document.......!

Ortlieb v Carradice

As Christmas looms I've been thinking about what I would like to go on my list - juvenile I know, but one can live in hope......! I can't decide on what panniers and rear bag to have for the much awaited Moulton Tourer - the traditionalists amongst you will probably say " It's got to be the Carradice on a classic bike such as the TSR."
OK, point taken, but are they totally waterproof like the Ortlieb bags? I suppose the downside to being totally waterproof is that they may not be breathable and you'll find your clothes wet on a hot day....? However, I could pack the contents within a waterproof sac.
Oh dear as ever, a compromise and I would love to hear from those with years of touring experience and have gone through this dilemma before - thus saving me the angst....!

Meeting in London

I seem to be spending a large amount of time on public transport this week, thus neglecting my riding. So with a meeting scheduled in London, I decided to grab the opportunity and take the bike - a few miles to the station and at the other end. For me, cycling in London is a real buzz - you've got to have your wits about you. I love keeping up with or indeed overtaking the cars and jumping away from the lights is like interval training!
It was great to see so many cyclists' out and about, the traffic seemed more aware of them and on the whole behaved very well.
On the return trip, I decided to dive out the train at Rickmansworth and get some miles in - around 15 to be precise. A fearful headwind made progress slow but it made for good thinking time and got back about hour after the train.....!

Wolverhampton is awarded funds for cycling....

I met up with Beccy today- Cycle Champion for Wolverhampton. Basically we spent the morning scoping out projects for 2010. The good news is,

that the Children Services have given a lump of cash to the Council and they are going to build a BMX track and start a recycle/maintenance project. The works starts soon and come the Spring the projects will be up and running.
Beccy has only been in post for a couple of months and has been gradually finding her feet - also in that time, she has become a National Standards Instructor.
In the coming months she will be working with a Women's Centre - where 2 of the staff want to lead rides and instruct. The Cycle Champions programme will part fund their instructors course. The Centre is in an area of deprivation and is a drop in for teenage mums, BME groups and young girls that have dropped out of school. So great stuff planned and so nice to have such an enthusiastic development officer on board.
See you next month Beccy......!

New Officer and starting date

I've just heard that Mark Tancock will start in Reading on the 16th November and today I'm working on his induction to the Reading Cycle Champions project. He will be getting out and about over the next month or so to meet you all - I've told him you're a friendly lot and as he's moving from Sutton to Reading maybe we can organise a ride to show him the sights of Reading?
We've got shocking weather here in Great Missenden, which has put pay to my lunch-time ride today, but I'm considering dusting off the turbo in the garage - always a good fall back option and as I'm spending the next 2 days on public transport, I may well just do that.....?

Keep safe on those roads today and remember to light up!

What should've been a quiet ride....!

Imagine my consternation when out cycling on Saturday and about 2 miles from home......

I hadn't quite imagined the grim reaper knocking on my door in the shape of a lorry with some porta loos on the back, but that is exactly what happened. The driver of 'said' vehicle just couldn't wait for 20 seconds whilst a car was coming in the opposite direction - so he squeezed passed me and the side of the lorry actually touched my arm. With that and the whoosh of hot air, it was a miracle I stayed on? I don't think I've ever been so furious - I glanced down at my heart rate monitor to see my heart had jumped from 120bpm to 150bpm. (OK, I know, old habits die hard and it's a throw back from my time trialling days!) I immediately jumped on the pedals in the hope of catching him up and I was delighted to see him pull into the petrol station - my chance to tell him the errors of his ways!
When I got to the petrol station he was just coming out of the shop - he was built like the proverbial out house and there wasn't an inch of skin that wasn't either tattooed or pierced and I questioned my sanity about approaching him. But I was pleasantly surprised and he listened intently as I explained what had happened, apologised profusely and promised to pay more attention to cyclists riding on the roads in the future. He followed me out and kept his distance until I turned left for home - with that, he hooted his horn, waved and went on his way. I really hope he will take heed of what we discussed.

I was pretty shaken up, but the ride in this morning was perfect - albeit a little cold and as always, incidents like that need to be put to the back of the mind. But as ever...... there but the grace of god go I......!