a rallying cry

Minx first met Susan Greenwood when she called out of the blue because she'd won a the Netjetters travel writing competition for The Guardian. The prize was funding for a proposed trip across the States by bike, which she'd blog as she went along. The only problem was, as she usually rode her bike in cast-off blokes jeans (oh and yes, had never actually ridden further than her London commute...) she didn't know what to wear. Giggling over euphemisms for preventing 'bottom' soreness is a quick way to bond and she's been a true and lovely Minx Girl ever since.

Abandoning her bike for a while, Susan is running the New York marathon next month, and could do with some support. I've spent ages trying to paraphrase this, but instead I'm just going to post her email to me...

"On November 2nd I will be running the New York Marathon because well, what is life without a challenge and because a few months ago my dad died from an atrociously under-funded and overlooked disease called Motor Neurone Disease (yes, Stephen Hawking.) There are no words for how much I miss him but there is an institute being built in Sheffield which from next year will be dedicated to the study of the condition and hopefully a treatment. It is to this end I am sacrificing my knees.I know we all have causes close to our hearts and I know some of you have had your fair share of heartbreaks. I’m not expecting you to donate anything except that I am. I will call in any favour, buy any beers and pay in to the favour bank for years to come if it means you will sponsor me whatever you can afford. Quite simply, I’m begging! This link is to my dad’s obituary because it helps me to know that as many people as possible know that once upon a time an amazing man called John Greenwood existed, the next is to an article I wrote in The Times about the disease and institute and the final link is to the John Greenwood Trust donations page hosted by the Charities Aid Foundation. Like I said, I know there may be other causes which are dearer to you but this means the world to me and I really could use your support (this also comes in the form of emails, texts and post-event Grolsch.) My dad was the bravest person I have ever met and I just want to make him proud one more time."

So yes, as Susan says- we all have our own causes. But she is a friend, and that makes hers a little bit ours too. And if everyone that reads this nips over to donate even the cost of today's skinny latte then Susan's cause will be several thousand quid better off.

Minx

Too nice to drive

I had a few places to be today and had anticipated a day of in and out of the car, but it was just so sunny I couldn't face it. A bit of timetable inspecting and I determined I could just as conveniently train it and bike it, get everything done and enjoy around 30 miles of sunshiney riding. What could have been a stressful day ended up being lots of fun!

Vikki

Le Tour

Sunshine, chips, ice-cream and pro-cyclists. Enough of a lure that a few of us pedalled out to the coast today to watch as Tour of Britain whipped through Southport. Lots of fun. About 65 miles of riding for me, I wonder if the pros are fuelled by chips and lollies?

Vikki

curb your enthusiasm

can't. stop. riding...!

currently reacquainting myself with the joys of the road bike (resplendent with new flowery bar tape and hoods, thanks jo). i like the big ring, i like 12% hill reps, i like squeezing ninety minute sprints in between the showers, i like the fact that i only have about thirty seconds of flat-out in me before my endurance tuned legs give up and die in a stinging heap of noodle wobbles, i like going fast for a change and i like that there is something to work on again.

rain? yes. pissing down. nothing quite like head down in the drops sprinting downhill through a river to elicit giggles.

bikes are ace.

j.

Nocturne Photos

Chris Hoy on the Rollapaluza, setting the target time of 19 seconds for 500m.

Ali M fastest female on the rollapaluza with 24.6 seconds, disappointed not to be awarded her prize by Chris Hoy himself at the end of the night!

The pros on the circuit round the Quays, almost too fast to photograph.

Vikki

Nocturne

Pedalled into Salford this evening with friends for the Salford Nocturne races. Got to give a good cheer to a few of our returning Olympians, despite best psycho-stalker efforts didn't get close enough to Chris Hoy to handle the gold!  Some great racing, Rollapaluza hi-jinks, beer and music. A top night out. Some photos to follow when I get chance.

Vikki 

Soggy Scottish Summer Fun.

After the very special experience of carrying a clay bike round the Sleepless in the Saddle course for 24 hours, this short bit of sub-aqua northshore at Dalbeattie was a doddle. Sadly the child-free week of biking in the Borders that followed the Joy of SITS, gradually morphed from holiday to endurance event itself as the steady rain continued day and night.

Hairyscary and I threw in the soggy towel on camping and retreated to a hostel at Keilder hoping to be soaked in hot water from pipes rather than cold water from heaven, alas, 'twas not to be. A 'very mild' dose of Legionella in the shower system (yummy!) meant ending another day with what my granny termed 'a hoor's bath' of a stand up wash at the sink.

We still managed to enjoy the riding and thanked our foresight of planning to do all the nice weatherproof trailcentres rather than brave the boggy wilds of 'natural' trails. The holiday was wrapped up nicely with a sunny but still muddy '10 More in Moray', No Fuss Events 10 hour enduro, where this Moray Minx Girl delighted herself by coming first in the ladies' solo category. Sadly my partner in biking, the other Moray Minx Girl, Roberta, was injured and sat this one out but did an awesomely fantastic job of keeping my spirits up as I ground out the miles.

Jojo xxx

discovering the inner lizard

Another year, another worlds...



Say to people that you're racing the singlespeed world champs and they'll assume you're an athlete. Jaffa skinsuits, french waitresses, 'vintage' lycra, large white pants and a gimpsuited batman probably don't figure in their picture of the deciding of who is the toppermostest singlespeeder of them all.

"Is it like the olympics?"



No.

Because there is laughter and smiling. Meeting with once-a-year friends and longed-for faces that have and haven't changed and toasts to the absent ones too. Proper racing on a proper course that provokes severe fits of the giggles in the heat of the midday NoCal sun and probably vastly exceeds legal endorphin limits. There are cow bells and heckling and secret smiles for the missing but remembered refrain to the Outcast's "you're all winners" banner. Prizes for the slowest and oldest and longest travelled racers and bikes of every breed in the box and then some. There is a course marker playing bagpipes and enthusiastic noisemakers at every step and intersection waiting to jeer and cajole and scrape up the pieces all with equal helpings of cheer. Bottle hand ups and tongue-out concentration and conversations at the tops of hills. Legs and arms and faces caked in sweat-stuck dust, kilts and bruises, bloody knees and beer. Lazing in the cooler shade and good socks for every racer and the chance to ride your one-speed bike in a fastish way without really needing to care about how fast you really go.

A day for trail love, not race love. The sun shone and we loved it. Ta Napa.


j.

welcome to denver...

...52 degrees and pouring with rain. the brits have landed.

bike fettling, big breakfast eating, news catch-up'ing, and general home reconnecting thanks to some lovely care packages, a brace of two mcvities digestive twin packs and a ziplock bag of yorkshire tea. the temptation to head south out of san francisco by bike and not east by train was substantial but plans were made so amtrak won out and it's great to be here with familiar faces again. looking forward to getting the kit off the bike and riding some trails; buffalo creek tomorrow (apparently an imba epic ride, and thankfully, also fast-draining...), then on to moab, fruita, elko and beyond. rah.

oh yes - and hello to tim and his exploding nettle beer :o)

jx.

san francisco

tuesday morning and fog so thick that it could have been the severn bridge and not the golden gate that i was riding over. clocked 1020 miles at the apex, deep waters and pelicans swirling below; it was supposed to be a 900 mile trip but diversions for cake add up to a few more, as usual.

oregon was just lovely, but california is weird, a strange mix of hippy-unfriendly that makes me wonder whether or not it's worth the effort. for every nice person i meet, there's another wacko just around the corner waiting to harangue me about the "english" and "their" war (be that the current situation or WW2 it seems we, or even i, am to blame for both and all). this morning's relief to slip into the city streets and become no-one again; bike tourists stuck out more and more the further south we came.

the gdr comedown has been neatly tempered by the trip down the coast. there is a happy rolling community all heading south; new friendships, in that pleasantly transient way of brief nights around a picnic table over supper and beers, endless superficial chat, no need to reveal or share too much, but a few days ago i realised that i needed to escape the slower pace we'd fallen into and exhaust myself again. it seems that some habits die hard and sleep becoming elusive means that i simply have to work harder to tire myself out before my head hits the pillow. unless i want to spend the night feeling my legs trying to pedal their way on down the road alone. i'd hoped that this would be something i could escape once 'it' was over but maybe not. maybe it was like that before 'it' all began. i can't remember.

so, a few hours in the city, wandering around on foot, accomplishing mundane chores and waiting, really, for a train to denver where i'll see the first familiar face for eight weeks. this blog (and emails, and trip planning, and checking back in with the world for really far longer than is polite) kindly bought to you by the apple store, san francisco...

j.

Pesky mechanicals

DSC00177
Originally uploaded by Nosila107

A lovely ride out (via Bicycle Doctor in Manchester) to Dunham Massey (best tea rooms ever) in the sunshine with friends. Luckily the pesky mechanicals weren't ours but we were on hand to help out a fellow rider.

Vikki

Global warming - ha!?

I don't know whether to blame Mother Nature or The Rain Gods, but either way can someone out there tell them it's August. In the Northern Hemisphere this is meant to be summer. I should have ridden today in a vest top not a waterproof. Sunscreen should have been in my bag not armwarmers. My post ride treat should have been enjoyed on a sun terrace not dripping and huddled in a cafe.

Vikki

Much needed........

First ride in ages as I've had a lot of family stuff going on. I don't think I realised just how badly I needed a ride until Trio came to meet me this morning. A nice 40 mile mostly road ride, I say mostly road as we had a few gravel sections and a wooden bridge for extra fun. We also found cracking pub for a lunch stop for a huge feed and a pint. A really good day!

Vikki

stumptown

So. Portland. Shall I start by saying that I really, really like it here and if there is anyone in the vicinity willing to swap a green card for baked goods and/or mechanicing then speak up now because I want to stay. Forever. This place is what Brighton should be like but never will be, because the British lack the generosity of spirit that leads to small miracles like cars actually giving way to pedestrians on crosswalks and saying good morning to strangers like it really is.

Small neighbourhoods with unique atmospheres linked by quiet, beautiful residential streets. Bikes everywhere, of all sorts, mostly ridden confidently by people of all ages and demographics who exude their right to share the roads and hence have little trouble from other users. Segregated cycle paths where the pedestrians habitually keep on their portion and leave the cyclists to travel at a practical speed on their own (generous) side. A public transport network that's cheap, reliable and covers pretty much everywhere you might want to go. Great coffee, bakeries and shops of all sorts, all over the place and mostly open until sociable hours, beautiful architecture, I could go on...

Oh yes and Sunday morning was whiled away in the company of a brace of Speedvagens and one Vanilla (with chipped paint), leaning up against the window of the coffee shop whilst some Gentle Lovers riders massed for their weekend ride (they of the much-loved should-be-wrong-but-is-so-right pink/red/white kit). I nearly pinched myself...

If there was mountain biking from the door, this would be utopia. As it is, I'm pining for my road bike, even if all I'd do with it would be cruise back and forth over the many bridges between coffee bars. I've spent the week roaming around on foot, happily covering many many miles in an attempt to offset the extreme amount of eating that's gone on (I consider it something of a mission to sample every available coffee cake, now that I've realised that coffee cake here doesn't actually have coffee in it - there's only so much sickly coffee & walnut a girl can take - but is in fact the US version of the moist, crumbly traybaked 'proper' cake I had so been missing). There is somethng very pleasant about simply ambling around with no real itinerary, visiting all the different divisions and then all the transitory bits in between that no guidebooks tell you about but will tell you more about a city than any glossy tourist guide. Waiting for a bus last night, I watched the traffic streaming off Hawthorne bridge - the rush hour was made up (literally) of as many bikes as cars and this can only be A Good Thing.

I do actually want to be riding again now, too. I haven't sat on the bike since I got here and am heading out on Thursday to ride down the coast to San Francisco, so tomorrow will be a gentle reacquaintance of backside with saddle to see how they get along, as well as a quick mechanical once-over, and the squeezing of as much air into the tyres as possible, as the route down the coast is mostly tarmac. Yes, by the time I get to Denver I am going to have forgotten how to ride off-road completely, but easy riding with big views and the occasional day lounging on the beach suits me fine right now. I just hope it stays dry...

j.

karamel sutra in new mexico

Haven't made it to the city yet but finally found a PC here that doesn't treat Blogger like a bad word... I've been holed up in a motel in Deming for the past couple of days, doing a David Blaine and eating lots of Ben & Jerrys whilst watching good coverage of the Tour (and you can't imagine the joy at switching it on to see the peloton climbing the familiar "Pear-Sword"...). Naps have been frequent and I'm about to push the bike all the way to the Greyhound station, because for the first time in my life I am absolutely content not to ride it.

The one thing I really, really want to say here before I start wiffling on is that I have been absolutely blown away by the support from everyone who posted here and on the GDR blog and tried to get messages to me (messages which have required much tissue usage now I've finally got to read them, and would have caused further dehydration had I actually seen them whilst still ploughing along the trail). Thank you so, so much. I knew that frequent contact with home would make finishing that much tougher when it got difficult, so kept it limited to a few phone calls and carried thoughts of you all with me to push me along.

It really didn't feel like I was riding alone a lot of the time; I would be spinning along through these incredible places and thinking of you often and feel you all with me, despite the fact that at times I would ride all day and literally not see another living thing without feathers or leaves. Some of the places on route are so huge and remote that they defy existence; and some so quiet that even talking to myself (as usual) seemed uncomfortable and so I just rode on and on in silence for hours, trying not to be scared by the solitude that I thought I would welcome.

And then there was the joy of rolling into a town to see familiar bikes leaned up against gas station walls, happy faces grinning from behind a Subway, friends made on route who I'm longing to catch up with again in one way or another. I am so pleased that Carl had a storming ride, and that the Flying Kiwi made his sub-20; and that Geoff's keeping his options open, which hopefully will encourage David to do the same... Everyone rode so well, and so hard, all with their own battles to fight and in a way even though I didn't get my own "nice round number" in the end, I kind of feel like I share in yours, if that makes sense...

Physical damage is limited to slightly numb little fingers, some rather unpleasant saddle sores and peeling skin from constant exposure to sun and wind. Amazingly, that's all. There have been no long-lasting effects from the giardia (and I was absolutely scrupulous about purifying water taken from unreliable sources, even dodgy-looking taps, so who knows where it came from...). In Abiqui I weighed in at a smidge under nine stone; horrifyingly light for me and it took a few days for the food to start getting back to where it was useful but once the calories started getting through I really felt so much better. I only wish that I'd realised something was seriously wrong sooner, rather than struggling with it for five days and then having to battle the mental blow of losing the possibility of records, too. Having headed out here aiming to finish I was incredibly surprised to find myself not only able to ride but also enjoying the big mileage days that put me in that position; readjusting to 'just' making the time cut required another mental shift (and not a little self-flagellation) but I got there in the end.

I will write more about the ride itself later (there's a rapidly filling notebook in amongst the bits and pieces of my backpack) but the final day was somewhere around 190 miles, the last ten of which were the toughest I have ever ridden in my life. Knowing that Mary's family were still waiting at the border crossing for me (when she'd finished with Stephen several hours earlier) was the only thing that stopped me curling up by the side of the road to sleep, and I am deeply grateful to them for their kindness. The rising sun burst out through the clouds as I passed the 'mile 1' sign, in a way that could not even have been scripted, and there was an ambush of emotions that sent me through relief, sadness, exhaustion, loneliness, exultation and relief in the space of ten seconds. But it really only hit me yesterday, whilst watching the mixture of emotions flowing across the face of Cadel Evans as he received his yellow jersey, that I've done it. I've finished the Great Divide Race, the toughest mountain bike race in the world.

And I feel so incredibly proud.

j.

A phone call

I just spoke to Jenn for around half an hour. She sounds great - not even hugely tired, although she said the last 10 miles were the most challenging she's ever pedaled. She talked about days that were so hard she never wants to experience them again, and things so beautiful they made all the pain worthwhile. She misses everyone and had no idea that so may people were watching and cheering her home. It was unbelievably lovely to hear her voice. She's going to find a city in which to be anonymous for a few days and spend time reading everyone's messages and trying to get all this down on paper before the moment is lost, but immediate plans are to find food that isn't peanut M&Ms and a clean t-shirt. It was hard to say goodbye and SSWC can't come soon enough!

Minx

And she's done!

Just recieved this call from Jenn:

"Hello it's Jenn, it's 6.40am our time, or thereabouts and I'm done.... I'm finished... all the way down."

As we suspected she might do Jenn must have ridden though the night from Silver City. The biggest most congratulatory hug ever... I can't write any more words right now, anything I type just doesn't seem to match the achievement but I couldn't be happier....

Jenn's time was 22 days, 18 hours and 40 minutes and in the last 24 hours she rode 190 miles.

Jenn - I put a call though to Lorraine who was riding with the usual suspects (appropriately they were on a cake break), and I could hear the cheering down the phone. And then some muffled stuff about emotions....

Minx

Home Stretch

Jenn managed a call from Silver City at tea time on Saturday (she's probably the only rider to be happy to see rain clouds, preferring them to the heat), as she was leaving for the last stretch. She's tired and looking forward to finishing - and with a mere jaunt of 125 miles to go it won't be long now...

And we're with you every inch of the way. Listen hard and you'll hear voices whispering 'pedal, pedal, pedal!'

Minx

Pie Town!

Jenn left Pie Town at 10.00am Friday morning having eaten, sent postcards and headed out without calling. Happily she went back to call because, "If I don't phone in from here, then people back home aren't going to hear from me for three days, so I had to come back, which is frustrating. I'm really tired. Big day yesterday, lots of miles, and made it into Pie Town late last night." No call for three days? I guess that means she's pushing right through to the finish now. The race blog reports that she's really tired but ready for the final 300 miles. Isn't it mad how 300 miles sounds so short now?

If the combined will of everyone following has anything to do with it you'll fly it Jenn. And then when you're done I totally reserve the right to cry. Big hugs, and don't imagine for a second that bribery by postcard will get you out of that harmonica serenade in Napa.

Minx

Call details and some enlightenment

You can hear Jenn at 11.02 minutes/seconds into the latest podcast - she sounds good and on top of things again- it's lovely to hear.

And thanks to bikerbob who's left a comment on our previous post, not only does he set the record straight about Pie Town, he sheds some light on that police incident, which is reassuring. I think.

Minx

Jenn reaches Grants

No she's not home again..... Jenn has now pedaled 200 mile since Abiquiui (sorry - wasn't she meant to be sick?) to arrive in Grants. This from the official blog tonight:

Jenn called at 3:30 p.m. Thursday from Grants. "Last night didn't go as planned," she said. "I got about 30 miles from the stretch outside Cuba when I was pulled over by a police officer and told to get off the road and get to sleep because it's not safe to be riding out here on your own." She said she pulled over and went to sleep because she was "really knackered." (Note: I'm a bit curious about this police officer incident. It's not safe to ride on the road but it is safe to lay down off the side of the road, unconscious? I'd love to hear more detail on what this strange police officer said when Jenn reaches the finish.) Anyhow, Jenn said she got some good sleep and woke up and plowed into a really big wind for most of the day - not fun on a single speed - and was spending a little while in Grants because she was not looking forward to Pie Town. "I've been hanging around Grants at a McDonalds and eating ice cream and more ice cream and food and stocking up," she said. She said she was heading out for Pie Town but didn't expect to reach Silver City until the day after tomorrow.

Pie Town, contrary to its optimistic name seems to be not good. I think it was Simon who called it the saddest town he'd ever seen. So head down, turn your face from the pie (it always seems to be closed anyway) and pedal though Jenn. You're doing great and we're all very proud. I may have to start setting fines for use of the 'proud' word, but we are. So there.

Minx

Back on track!

We were hoping the radio silence was a good thing then Pauline discovered Jenn had checked out of her motel and now look what we found on the official blog!

"Jenn called from Cuba at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. She said she had a good day with "really English weather" - billowing clouds and nice cool, breezy air with no thunderstorms. "Really glad to be pedaling again," she said. She was planning to press on toward Grants tonight, but didn't know how far she was going to get because she was "really tired." She wanted to be in Pie Town at lunchtime, "but that might be pushing it a bit given how late it is now."

Jenn sounds much better than she did during her previous call-in from Abiquiu. The antibiotics must be working to kill the infection off, but any amount of time with a stomach-purging bug would zap anyone of most of their energy and strength, let alone someone who has just ridden 1,800 miles of the Great Divide Race. Jenn mentioned she was eating everything in sight in Cuba and hoping to keep the food "where it should be." She's really excited to be back on the trail, and seems to be eyeing a strong push for the border. The distance from Cuba to Pie Town is more than 200 miles, so the fact that she's aiming for lunchtime Thursday shows she's still as determined as ever to pedal fast. A day ago she couldn't even stand up without feeling woozy, and today she pedaled 80 miles! So here's hoping she kicks the bacteria where it should be and gets her hard-earned legs back. Go Jenn, go!"

You can hear Jenn's mum at 21.38 minutes/seconds into todays podcast and Jenn herself at 23.55. She sounds fantastic and there is much giggling at the mention of all the food in Cuba - everyone go listen now!

More power to your legs Jenn - we're with you every turn of the pedals. Godspeed.

Minx

And a thank you...

to Jill of the GDR - I've been trying to find a way to get updates about Jenn to the official race blog but couldn't - so I'm glad she managed to find us and get news up on their site. Jenn had no idea that so many people were rooting for her and the support that's coming is is doing her as much good as those damn horse pills.

And big thanks to everyone that has left messages - they get read out to Jenn until warp factor sniffle is reached... frankly I'm just regarding it as payback for all that weeping I've done at 24 hour races. And you'd better have the hug and little note that goes with it Jenn - remember, you know how to do this. And sorry I didn't loan a guardian angel that was bacteria literate...

Minx

Meanwhile...some pictures

Nothing on the podcast from Jenn today - but we have the latest from her mum as of last night. David Blaine - who rode with Jenn for a while in Colorado but ended up hospitalised in Steamboat Springs and had to stop riding, has uploaded his GDR pics to his Flickr site. And yes... there are some of Jenn. Go browse...

Minx

Jenn still wobbly but hopeful

Jenn wasn't able to leave Abiquiui this morning as planned - due to continued major wobbling of the legs. Her mum left us this message:

"Hi! It's Pauline, Jenn's Mum again. Just been talking to Jenn (Tuesday evening). She's still in Abiquiu but has been to the medical centre. The doctors think she has a bacterial infection and she's now on antibiotics - 'the size of horse pills' she said! All being well she's hoping to get back on the bike early tomorrow. I read lots of the messages to her (until we were both sniffing into the tissues that is!) and they certainly chered her up. She couldn't believe how much support there is for her and how many people are cheering her on!"

I just spoke to Pauline again and apparently it's something called Giardia (? Dr Jon- help!) but Jenn is happy now that she knows what she's fighting and determined to finish.

And we're with you every turn of the pedal Jenn - good grief woman do you REALISE how much productivity has slumped since you started this race?

Hugs and love.

Minx

Carl Crosses the Line

Carl Hutchings finished the GDR today - anyone else going to miss listening to him on the podcast?

More messages for Jenn

This was posted on the official blog - Pauline, if Jenn calls please can you pass these amazing good wishes on?

"Carl heard Jenn was feeling ill in Abiquiu wanted to send a message out her: "Whatever you do, do not pull the plug, Jenn, just take an extra day," Carl said. "You're well ahead of everything you need to be ahead of."

Kent Peterson, a 2005 Great Divide Race finisher and current holder of the singlespeed record, also wrote in with a message to Jenn. "Tell her I'm pulling for her," he said. "Remind her that if she finishes at all, she'll be the first woman single-speeder to do it but I know that I'd love to see a new overall single speed record set. I'd bet Trish wouldn't mind seeing a new women's record set either. But records aside, tell her to be as safe as she needs to be but only quit the race when she knows she's out. The clock is nothing. This is the ride of a lifetime."

If any of Jenn's friends and family read this, can you relay these messages? Let her know we're all pulling for her."

You've made a huge impact Jenn and there are more people than you could ever imagine rooting for you. 

Jenn is still sick

Jenn has had to return to Abiquiui - feeling better she tried to go on, but not being able to keep anything down didn't feel it was safe to continue so re-traced her steps. We know how much she didn't want to go backwards on the route and it sounds like she's pretty down right now. She's not sure if it's a stomach bug or the heat - whatever, it has to be bad to stop her riding.

Rest up well Jenn- feeling rubbish makes you miserable, but you still have plenty of time to finish this race and the hardest part is done. You'll know if you need to stop- and if you do, it's been the most incredible ride - but you know that too.

Big ol' get well hugs from all, and a special squeezy one from Zuzu. Now get outta there before she plays you a 'soothing' tune on the harmonica...

Minx

GDR Day Sixteen

Jenn's call is on the podcast at 25.29 minutes/seconds, she sounds despondent about the time lost to poorliness....

"Hi It's Jenn, I'm phoning from Abiquiui, it's about 2 o'clock I think on Sunday afternoon. I think I'm going to head out now because it's just started to rain and it's just got cool. Friday night - got very sick so managed about 50 miles yesterday - just dragging myself along. Rested up a bit, feel better today so going to push on a bit but don't think I'm going to be getting a sub 20. Never mind. OK, take care, bye."

Don't discount it Jenn, everyone is riding the last section relatively more speedily - and don't forget the cake effect of being near the end.... Ride like the wind! Er yes... or something...

Minx

Sunday Evening

Jenn called in at 2.00pm on Sunday - she's not with Simon as we hoped, but in Abiquiui - she got sick on Friday night and could hardly drag herself along on Saturday, managing only around 50 miles. She's feeling better now and is heading out towards Cuba. It means she's lost some time, but is still seven and half hours ahead of the women's record and 12 hours ahead of the singlespeed record. This is great of course - but Jenn, most of all we wish you better. And yay! You're in New Mexico! Everyone seems to have got sick at some point during this race so I guess it was unrealistic to hope you'd escape. I know you'll come back strong - pedal safe.

Minx

Abiquiui?

Simon's blog shows him in Abiquiui on Saturday evening - no mention of Jenn though and no call in yet either. If she's not with Simon I'm guessing she's only a few hours behind so will be in New Mexico by now. This weekend will be the toughest in terms of climbing - so more power to your legs everyone!

Meanwhile John Nobile called from Antelope Wells at 1.26pm on Saturday, meaning that he finished in 15 days, one hour and 26 minutes - beating the 2007 record by 52 minutes. John rode almost continually for the final 48 hours...

Minx

GDR: Independence Day Celebrations

By lunch time Friday Jenn was joining in 4th July celebrations at a barbecue with Simon Kennett in Platoro. They were about to head out in the early afternoon, but with 146 miles to Abiquiui, we're not expecting to hear that she's into New Mexico sometime Saturday evening. Then it's all down hill isn't it......? Ahem.

Here's what she had to say:

"Hi this is Jenn. I'm calling from Platoro - the noise you can hear in the background is the 4th July barbecue, of which we have just taken full advantage. I'm sorry I have no idea what time it was - it was about one o'clock (Friday) when we got here - so I don't know- we're heading off down the road. It's not too bad a day, not too hot, so far no thunderstorms. This is all good. Ok, bye."

All the usual words seem inadequate right now - Jenn just be happy you're leaving us speechless in the incredible execution of this - and since you can always judge how well something is going by how teary-eyed we're all getting you can assume this is off the scale. Big hug party girl - speak soon.

Minx

GDR Day Fifteen

No real updates yesterday made it a long day to be hitting the 'refresh' button on iTunes... so getting up at 6.00am to discover nothing new posted on the website did induce a slight feeling of sickness. But Simon Kennet is showing as having arrived in Del Norte and as he was behind Jenn and has ridden part of the trail with her before I reckoned he must have seen her- and would mention it. So..... fast forward to Simon and yes! He uses the word 'we' at the beginning of his call so that's some relief, then finally mentions he caught up with Jenn. That's OK then, as long as I know she's with Simon it doesn't matter there's not a call. (Funny putting your faith in someone you haven't met, but he does have his own blog that his family is updating, so it is possible to virtually meet him.....) But then... and it's not reported on the updates yet, but the last call is Jenn!!!! It's at 27.33 minutes /seconds. And it's been hard.

"Hi this is Jenn. I'm phoning from Del Norte- got here about tea time today. Since yesterday - well yesterday was pretty rough after I phoned from Poncho Springs I got half way up Marshall Pass and just had to stop. Just rode into a big wall of complete exhaustion- couldn't pedal any more, so lay down and had a sleep and then dragged myself over the hill. Coasted all the way down to Sargents, got a cabin for the night, ate a lot, slept a lot and felt better today. I had good riding today, got caught in a thunderstorm out on one of the open plain bits so spent an hour under a sign board trying to shelter from it, hoping it would pass fairly soon, which it did. Pedaled off again and then at the top of the climb after that, turned round to see Simon following me up the hill, which was lovely. Having not seen anyone for five days that was really good to catch up with him, and then bumped into a local rider Steve who invited us back to stay at his place this evening, which we have done. It's been lovely, just beautiful hospitality, really lovely people so we are settling in for a night and then off tomorrow morning to tackle Indiana Pass. That's it, OK, bye."

It sounds like meeting up with someone again has lifted Jenn's spirits - she's nearly at the New Mexico border and even though there's still a lot of pedaling, the end is in sight. Get to it Jenn- you have all our love, best wishes and strength with you.

Minx

GDR Day Thirteen

A catch up day on phone calls today - Tuesday from Hartsel and Wednesday from Salida. They're both on the same podcast at 14.46 and 17.41 minutes/seconds respectively. This from Hartsel:

"Hi this is Jenn, it's 9.30pm I am in Hartsel. First thing, I'm sorry about the earlier phone in from Silverthorne. I'm finding it so hard transitioning between all these beautiful open places and then coming in to these.. just messes of construction and traffic and noise and people. It's so difficult. (Phone cuts off.) Hello, Jenn again, I'm not sure why that got cut off. Anyway today has been a good day in terms of riding- happy legs, 120 miles easy- not a problem- lovely. Head not quite with it, so ended up hanging around Breckenridge for a couple of hours having a coffee, and actually it worked quite well because I waited for the afternoon storm and then followed it up the hill and it was cool and lovely. And then stopped off at the Como Depot at the other side which is run by really lovely people, and had a really nice quick supper- and yeah pedaled over here. Riding between Como and Hartsel was just stunning, beautiful and I've just raced a huge black storm cloud over so it was really good. So I'm going to head off towards Salida, ride for an hour or so, then find a hedge to crash in."

Then from Salida- turns out she really WAS feeling apprehensive about the stretch over to Del Norte. Has anyone else noticed how everyone else worries about the rain and mud, but the UK riders hate the heat?

"Hey this is Jenn, I'm in Salida, I'm about to leave, it's ten past twelve (Wednesday). I am feeling really apprehensive about the stretch over to Del Norte mostly because it's so hot. But I've been into the bike store, had the bike sorted out (inaudible)... changed so I can actually pedal it properly. They were all really lovely. I've had some good food, wandered around again. Salida is another of those places that I really don't want to leave. Yeah, I don't know, we'l see how it goes. I'll get over to the next town, stock up on some food then head out and see how far I get towards Del Norte tonight. Hopefully crack off 100 miles but that might be a little optimistic given how warm it is. I don't know, we'll see. Yeah, I'm just missing everybody. That's all I would like to say really. Take care."

She then phoned about an hour later after an encounter with a work crew that wouldn't let her through on 120.

"It's Jenn again, I'm just phoning from Poncho Springs just up the road from Salida. There's a work crew lane of fresh tarmac on 120 so back tracked and went up I50. I guess outside of working hours you can probably get through but they would not let me through, they wouldn't even let me through on the verge, so there we go. Bye."

Hang in there Jenn - we miss you too but we're lucky we get to hear your voice and it's a bit like an extended between-laps commentary on a 24 hour race with happy laps and the not so great crappy laps. Just know that there's lots of us secretly sneaking in and filling your thermos mug with hot tea in the small hours because we know you can do this. Big, big hugs - now get back out there - and take a bit of this love with you. It has magic pedaling powers.

Minx

PS Check the leader board everyone...

GDR Day Twelve: Part Two

Jenn called in from Salida at 12.10pm and is now heading for Del Norte - hoping to eat into 100 of the 154 miles it takes to get there. It sounds like the heat is intense - although because we haven't heard the call ourselves we're not sure whether she's really apprehensive or just sounding British.... Unsurprisingly she'd just eaten and been to the bike shop. Yay- two favourite activities!!

As soon as the podcast is up we'll publish the timings.

Soundtrack for today... með suð í eyrum, sigur rós.

Minx

GDR Day Twelve

By 9.30pm Tuesday Jenn had reached Hartsel after an a good days riding of 120 miles. The good news is that she's reporting 'happy legs' and managed to miss a storm by hanging around in Breckenridge for a while. (I don't know... any excuse). That call isn't on the podcast yet but her Tuesday morning phone in from Silverthorne is at 14.14 minutes/ seconds...

"Hello it's Jenn, I am just about to leave Silverthorne. It's about 11.00am or just gone 11.00am - I'm not sure what the time is as usual. Yeah, yesterday was really tough, the section down to the Colorado River and up again was just horrific and I got caught in a huge wind storm coming up from the Colorado which was, you know hard to push the bike up the hill, let alone ride it slowly. It was hard work. I stopped at Kremmling last night and wasn't expecting to see anybody, but found Geoff, which was lovely because we got to chat. It was really nice to see somebody because I have a feeling I'm not going to be seeing many people from now because I think there are people behind and people in front but I think I'm in the gap in the middle, so I shall see how far I get today - try to get over the _ Pass before it gets too hot. OK, cheers, Bye."

Jenn- you are doing this with such grace and style. Here's to more happy pedaling.

Minx.

GDR Day Eleven

Jenn's in Silverthorne!!! (Does a little dance, sings a little song.) She had a tough day Monday, getting caught in a huge windstorm - but she did manage to have dinner with Geoff Roes, who ended his race yesterday. We'll post the call in when the podcast is up (if you have time DO listen to everyone, it's impressive, humbling and not a little emotional), but she commented that she doesn't think she'll have too much chance to see other riders from now on because there's a group behind her and a group in front and she's in the middle. WELL JUST RIDE FASTER WOMAN... and then you'll catch them up. See how easy it is when you're sitting home in front of a computer? Seriously, Jenn isn't that far behind Ranier and Carl and if her knee holds out and she can keep pace, to quote the update site, the women's record and the singlespeed record are in danger.

Jenn, you'll be happy to hear that Lorraine and I are currently having a virtual sob fest via email. Oh we're gonna make you pay for this.....

Minx

GDR Day Ten / Eleven

Jenn made it to Steamboat Springs by early Monday morning - calling in from there at 8.20am. This means that she's over half way now in terms of distance. Yay!!! Funnily enough she was waiting for food.... she still sounds strong, if a little tired (no really?) and says she's having trouble with one of her knees. Here she is...

" Hi there, it's Jenn, it's... oh lets have a look.... it's twenty past eight (Monday). I am in Steamboat Springs. I got into Steamboat Lake late last night- there is a recurring theme here, so I'm waiting for a big breakfast at Renona's (sp?) and I've just seen the pastries counter so I'm going to have a very full bag when I leave. Yesterday was gorgeous - got back to trees again. Trees are great! You don't know how good trees are until you don't see any for two days. Really lovely riding. I've got a bit of a troublesome left knee though so unfortunately I'm going to have to take it a little bit easy today. So anyway, bye."

Not sure how worried to be about 'troublesome'. Jenn sounds cool about it, but then she would. Other riders were getting to the next check in, Silverthorne late afternoon, so if Jenn's having a gentler ride I'm expecting to hear that she arrived later in the evening but that won't be until tomorrow's broadcast.

Healing vibes to that knee....

Minx

GDR Day Nine and a half

Jenn put in 160 miles on Saturday to arrive in Rawlins around 11pm. She sounds tired, but there was a reason behind all that pedaling...

"Hi its Jenn, I'm in Rawlins. Got in late last night about 11.00pm. Ended up doing the whole of the Basin in one go, which started from South Pass so it ended up being 160 mile day so I'm feeling a bit rough today. In retrospect probably a bit of a stupid thing to do but that place was so unbelievably horrible, so desolate and everything about it I just hated and wanted to be out of there. So it's done and out of the way. I'm going to have an easy day today, just 100 miles., get lots of food because I didn't really eat much yesterday, feeling a bit shaky. Just done a gas station raid... a convenience store raid and I'm going to find a diner and head out. OK, bye."

The call is at 17.49 minutes/seconds into the podcast and despite the tiredness and hunger Jenn sounds in good shape. Sitting here drinking tea and marveling at the fact that 100 mile day could ever be considered easy.... and desperate for the next update of course.

I'm not often lost for words Jenn, but it's hard to articulate just how awesome we think you are right now. Eat, drink, sleep. Ride your bike.

Minx

GDR Day Nine

Nothing on the call in from Jenn as of this morning. Simon Kennet, who she was riding with on Friday left a message saying he was staying in Atlantic City for a while because he had a tummy bug but that Jenn had headed out at 9.00am Saturday with David Blaine to try and make Rawlings. This would be one hell of a push across the basin and very dependent on the conditions but David's SPOT tracker shows him at Rawlings this morning. Of course we have no way of knowing if Jenn is with him. I'm hoping they will do a Sunday morning podcast that we can pick up this evening because the progress site has posted a message saying they won't be updating for 24 hours so to listen to the broadcasts...

Right, before anyone wakes up and demands pancakes, I'm off for a ride.

Minx

GDR Day Seven

24 hours without word had us biting our nails, but a waking up to nice long message from Jenn on the podcast (32.23 minutes/ seconds) was hugely reassuring. She was calling in from Boulder, and was about to head on out with Simon and David and I have to say I'm happy she's got company riding around her. From the separate calls it sounds like it's not actually a cosy chat-fest out there  on the trail and that they drift apart once they get riding, and it's probably mis-placed but I feel reassured that she's not the only person for miles.  Although it sounds like two people is about all she can handle right now. This is what she had to say:

"Hi It's Jenn, I'm at Boulder - just about to leave. I forgot to phone in from Pinedale but we left Pinedale at one minute past four exactly. Stocked up on food and water and we're going to head out and see how far we can get towards Atlantic City. I've been riding with Simon most of the day as usual and David has just rolled by so we're going to head off together. This morning was gorgeous. Union Pass was just absolutely stunning - beautiful over the top, really lovely. I saw the (inaudible) wonderful sunrise. It was a gorgeous place - I couldn't get out of Pinedale soon enough. Now in a bar in Boulder which is really busy and noisy. I want to get out to nowhere really, rather than places with lots of people and noise and stuff. OK, cheers. Bye."

Jenn is on target to beat her own personal deadline so far - but listening to the TD reports (anyone else get teary eyed when they hear Dominic's messages home?) there's some testing terrain to come. Hey ho, Jenn will probably just phone in a report on how pretty the snow crystals were as she hike-a-biked over them for two hours...

Jenn, this is for you. Lorraine has developed a wicked carrot cake and after a lovely ride yesterday we ate an extra piece each for you. See how much we care? Completely selfless, that's us. I'd use the proud word, but we can't be doing with me crying again can we? Happy pedaling.

Minx

Jenn from Flag Ranch

You can find Jenn's latest call at 11.30 minutes/seconds into the latest broadcast. She sounds far too chirpy for one who's ridden so far- but then she had just eaten. This is what she had to say.

" Hello it's Jenn. I am calling from Flag Ranch, I think it's about 10.00am. I've just had a HUGE breakfast and feel much better for it.... rode in from Squirrel Creek this morning, it took us about four hours..... (can't?) get over unbelievable mosquitoes - properly hideous, kind of reminded me of Hitchcock's 'The Birds'. Just as soon as you stopped they would just descend and it was just awful - scary. So we're doing everything indoors in the shopping complex before we go outside to the bikes.... all mucky and horrible. So plenty of tarmac which should be nice - a bit of a rest. Yeah, that's about it really. Just keep pedaling. Alright, bye."

I'm guessing the 'we' is Simon Kennet who called in from Flag Ranch at around the same time. Looking at where Jenn's riding next I hope so, and that she has some company for a while.

Jenn if you read this, Lorraine and I are riding bikes and eating cake today. In your honour obviously. Pedal, pedal pedal.

Minx

GDR Day Six: Part Two

So Jenn made it to Flag Ranch by 10.30am today, no podcast to listen to yet but the call summary reports her sounding full of energy and describing the mosquitoes as 'improperly hideous'. Am now desperate to listen to the whole unedited message of course, not only to giggle at it myself - but at the thought of what everyone is making of this crazy English girl with the 'petite' voice and interesting turn of phrase. Some of us are just properly scared for the mozzies...

She heads up Togwotee Pass next and then there's lots of snow on the road to Brooks Lake to get through. Positive vibes everyone please.

Minx

GDR Day Six

No podcast last night, so there are two calls on the one dated 26 June. Firstly an update from Tuesday evening and Jenn's call from Lima. This is at 11 minutes in, and despite the official blog reporting that she found it tough going on a singlespeed Jenn sounded pretty sparky. She said she'd 'had a good feed, which was lovely' and managed to stretch her sore legs. Oh yes, and that her 'arse had taken a bit of battering'. Somehow that hasn't been transcribed elsewhere.....

By Wednesday mid afternoon Jenn had made storming time to reach the the next call in at Island Park. You can find the call at 19.40 minutes/seconds on the broadcast. She sounds in amazing spirits (and is it just my calculations or is she catching some of the TD riders now?) and after riding by Red Rock Lake was wondering why she's leaving such lovely places (but clearly planning to come back already). She was going to press on to the border and signed of with 'more pedaling'. Blimey, it's just like hearing her voice from over your shoulder when you're out riding with her.

Everyone else is reporting difficult conditions to Flagg Ranch so I'm expecting to hear Jenn tonight commenting on the odd puddle and mucky patch. They're promising to try to broadcast again at lunchtime EST so I should be able to pick that up at tea time here, so hopefully we'll get another post today.

Oh yes- and by my sums, at this point Jenn is on schedule for the women's record.

Minx

GDR Day Five : Part Two

Nothing from Jenn on this mornings podcast, but it's being reported that she called in from Lima at 10.40pm last night, which puts her nicely ahead of the six day cut-off point. She said that it had been a long difficult day on a singlespeed - no big climbs and therefore no really big descents to rest on either. It seemed to be just lots of steady downhill and rough trail conditions.

Just to clarify, the racers' days run from noon to noon because that's the time the race started, so technically they will be into a seventh day by day six- but until noon on that day it's still day six for them. Once you've factored in the time difference as well you'll be really confused too...

The cut-off times for anyone that doesn't know are as follows:

Lima (Montana) 6 days
Steamboat Springs (Colorado) 12 days
Abiquiu (new Mexico) 18 days
Antelope Wells (New Mexico) 24 days

If the broadcast goes out at the usual time the next update will be around 7pm tonight.

Minx

GDR Day Five

Just listened to the latest podcast with Jenn calling in from Wise River at 5.36am on 24 June - presumably before heading out for the day. It's really short because the call was cut off but if you want to hear her saying "Hi it's Jenn, I'm in Wise River....." then jump to 12.45 minutes/seconds into the second 24 June podcast - use the quick link on the right.

Now lovely though it is that everyone thinks your 'petite' voice is cute - Jenn, if you read this - for god's sake woman, speak up! I had to turn The Simpsons down to catch what you were saying. It's doing my nerves no good at all.

More in the morning after they broadcast the calls from tonight.

Minx

GDR Day Four

Just listened to two calls from Jenn. The first from Helena (the podcast dated 23 June, morning edition) when she said she'd had a 'good ride today' (that would have been Sunday) and had managed to get a shower, which was pure bliss. By Monday at 3.00pm she'd reached Butte but the going must have been tougher because she described Elk Head Pass as 'unbelievably horrible'. All said in that Jenn voice that leaves you with the feeling it was fun anyway.

I've been listening to all the calls (it's sooooo addictive) and hearing the few riders ahead of Jenn describing things as being difficult in very fatigued voices, and starting to worry. Then up she pops making it all sound as though she's on a trip with a group of Girl Scouts. Carl Hutchings (another rider) described her as 'that insanely strong English girl...'

I'm going to be a puddle of emotion by the time this is done, read it and laugh Jenn - my life is one long sniffle at the moment. Now have a big hug and go and ride your bike some more.

Minx
x

STOP PRESS..... Jenn called in from Wise River last night complaining that her English bug spray doesn't work. The podcast isn't up (11.00am) so no more detail yet. She's still making good time despite what everyone is calling difficult conditions this year.

Podcast from Jenn

Jenn called in from Whitefish and sounds really really happy. Listen to the podcast here: http://mtbcast.com/wordpress/

If you want to skip straight to Jenn she's at 13.50 minutes/seconds into the recordings.

Minx

A Good Weekend

Back from Mountain Mayhem - with a dry sun burned face that comes as a bit of a surprise after the filthy weather that prevailed for most of the weekend. It all kicked off Friday evening with a toast to Jenn as she rolled across the start of GDR and an ocean away. It was appropriate somehow that we were all together in the familiar setting of the field at Mayhem, but funny how everyone seemed to have something in their eye just after raising a glass... And there was much to make us think us of Jenn - the teeming rain that I heard on the tent in the middle of the night that would make her smile and pedal that tiny bit harder. Whenever anyone showed signs of weakness in the face of mud that turned to concrete and huge chunks of course that had to be walked we consoled ourselves that at least it wasn't at altitude and there wasn't snow and bears. Good stuff happened too - My Knees Hurt, the singlespeedy team Mr Minx subbed into, won the vets category, Lorraine rode an amazingly consistent race to come sixth in solo women, and I managed to catch up with sometime Minx blogger Fi to give her big hugs after she came in third.

Early copies of The Ride, had been rushed to its creators who were also racing. Simply put, it's a collection of words and pictures about riding bikes but it is also a thing of great beauty and there was much sighing and ohhh-ing and ahhh-ing as we peered over each other's shoulders between laps and tea-making duties to get a look. Seriously - it's so lovely you never want to reach the end. Get yours NOW because it is a limited print run.

But page turning. racing and ice cream eating over, our thoughts turned again to Jenn. We tried to hook up to the blog via a bad mobile connection but to no avail, so it was into the door, to the computer.... and ohmigod...a story about a guy and a bear... but scroll, scroll, scroll, down, down, down - and there it is! A picture of Jenn, who they say is scorching and ahead of the pace for the single speed and women's records. Try to contain self because it's day three and this race is so hard people have already dropped out. But quietly saying, "That's our girl."

Damp key board not pictured.


Minx

Eureka

...is just a small, one-strip town, where if you sit long enough at the cafe today you'll see loaded bikes rolling in from all directions. Said goodbye to Canada, a peaceful, epic place that i'll return to soon; hello to the US, with its vast Montana skies and super-large, super-friendly everything. Feeling much less daunted now that I'm here with other Great Dividers to share thoughts and worries with; amusingly we're all aiming for the golden 20 day time so if things go to plan for everybody it might as well end up being one very long stage race. Much talk of how the Tour Divide is panning out, and hopes that they were at least organised whn trudging through the snow pack and have trod us a nice neat path to follow.. No bears yet but I'm keeping tight hold on my bear spray, bell and singing voice; the 380 miles I've ridden to get here have been the remotest of my life and I confess to being very, very scared and lonely at times, and equally exhilerated by the size of this place. A little more nail biting to come this evening and then, tomorrow, a final coffee and we're off.

Yikes.

:o)

j.

here she is...

...in banff, last night before hitting the wilds. not so worried about bears now, i saw a wolf yesterday, which brought home how big this place is. snowy peaks all around and not a lot in between them and the sky. met lots of nice people, mostly in bike shops (The Bike Store Clagray and Mountain Magic Bannf particularly) to remind me that my people are bike people. if i leave for the border tomorrow (which i am - seeing off the Tour Divide group this morning has made the wheels itch, though i'm still going to take my time over it as this is truly (almost) the most stunning place i've ever been) then the wind that was in my face all the long way from calgary will be behind me. not going to make the hills any easier but the fantastic send-off you've all given me will help things along.

thinking of you all.

j.

There She Goes

Jenn jumped on a plane to Calgary, Canada today to start the Great Divide Race Minx said her goodbyes on Friday in person and via mobile phone (with sniffle interference) to the airport Costa coffee today. Jo sent these words back after waving her off.

"One bike bag and one Camelbak for 2,500 miles and about three weeks of riding, less kit than most people take for a weekend of trail centre action. Everything parred down to a minimum, the jeans and shoes she's traveling in are going to a charity shop as soon as she starts pedaling, she won't be needing them on the trail.

Lots of tears and nervous laughter over pre-flight coffees, she's frightened, excited and determined, and she certainly takes everyones good wishes and love with her.

Godspeed Jenn. Godspeed."

Sunshiney

The last 10 or so days I've been struck down with the mother of all colds and feeling very sorry for myself as I've been poorly enough to not be able to ride. Today though has just been too sunshiney, so with more snot streaming down my face than was polite and slightly wheezy lungs I put in a few miles on the bike in the hills. I feel much better for a pedal and have the start of my t-shirt tan, hmmmmm, maybe I do need a sleeveless jersey!

Vikki

cure for nerves

doing a lot of saying goodbye to people at the moment, and feeling more involved in the world around me as a result. riding tonight with biff and tim, had a crap couple of days feeling panic-stricken to the point of paralysis (moving house does that to me). eventually got the work done and then the rain started... never occurred to me not to ride and sure enough two and a half hours later i’m rolling back in the door soaked to the skin but warm and happy. legs buzzing with vicious nettle stings, muscles feeling free and easy, head full of trails and the hazy silhouettes of my friends coming down the hill behind me through the mist of a south downs fug.



bikes are good. so are the people who do not let you down.

but “see you in california” is an odd way to say goodbye.

j.

Minxyness North of the Border.

Hi, A happy cheery post for my first on the blog.

Just winding down from my first race with Roberta as "The M1NX G1RLS" at the 10 Under the Ben enduro in Fort William. What a day! Could you imagine ever complaining that it was too hot and dry in Scotland?? In spite of the oven-like heat whilst riding, it was a superb weekend on ace trails with a great atmosphere. Loads of support amongst competitors, newbies and experienced alike. The midges descending at twilight put a bit of a dampener on the post race festivities, but the band were troopers and played on, albeit with the drumer with a towel over his head! Best memory of the weekend was from during the 7pm downpour where I decided to rinse my sweaty, salty, dusty hair under the run off from the gazebo. Two of the guys with us were inspired by my action and took the opportunity to have a proper wash, shampoo and all.

It was an extra bonus to get Minx Jerseys on the podium with a third in the Senior Female Pairs.

Jo

Recovery ride

I know in theory a gentle recovery ride the day after a big effort is meant to help, so out I went yesterday with Trio. Our current weather system means the wind round here is so ferocious that we had to pedal down our biggest descent. Nett result nothing gentle about the recovery ride! I'm tired today and I have sore legs. Do I brave the wind and ride to recover from the recovery ride or do I crawl back under the duvet?

Vikki

Duathlon

Competed today in my first Duathlon, 5km run, 22km bike, 5km run. Windy day made the biking tough in places, and the running was, well, just tough to be honest. My only objective was to finish, which I did, even managing a smile as I crossed the finish line. 3 of my friends had entered the same event and we all came back to my place after for bacon butties and chocolate cake, which seemed to provide enough energy that Trio managed a quick spin on the unicycle! A really good event, a fun day all round, I'll be doing it again next year when hopefully a bit more training will mean the running won't be quite as slow!

Vikki

training

the taper started this week. with what will be, by the end of sunday, a seven day, ten ride, three hundred and twenty five mile week. wrote that in words not figures to see if it makes it sound less stupid - it doesn't. but the sun has been shining, and i'll miss my road bike whilst i am away, and well, yes, anyhow...

i am a coach's worst nightmare, anyone wish to take me on? ;o)

j.

Cargo

Sometimes I take the car and don't make even a short journey by bike because I think I've got too much stuff to shift or when I am commuting by bike I sometimes have a moan to myself that my bag is heavy or digging in my back. Well, I just got back from 11 days in China and never again will I question how much stuff it's possible to transport by pedal power!



Vikki

dear diary

ssuk - came and went.
the week - long and hard.
today - sunburnt and dusty.
tomorrow - more and cake.

j.

SSUK

Just back from SSUK. Lots of fun. Tough course, way too many roots for my limited skills, but I was still smiling at the end. Met some great people, had a lot of laughs and looking forward to next year already!

Vikki

Final Preparation

Trip to Tesco, final preparation for SSUK.

Vikki

that is all.

Bored. With. Rain.

afan quiets

Relaxed and happy weekend with a select band of warriors.

Saturday - 99km in the sunshine, baggies and ballons for the birthday honorary girl (any race kit in evidence penalised with additional decoration, white socks exempt), full Skyline, tea and Cake#1, down to Penhydd and the Wall (but no birthday pie), back up the railway trail towing injured member ("what do you mean it's all uphill"), beer supper banter (and blatant flirting) at the rammed and rowdy cafe, a slice of Cake#2 and a deep and cosy sleep warmed by recovering legs.


pic Nigella Foskett

Sunday - Whites Level, misty and atmospheric and more like the M25 but then again it's pretty nice to bimble up the climbs having a good old chat every now and again rather than breathing out of your arse and seeing only stars at the top before rocking the downhills and showing the boys how it's done. Bwwwaaaaaarpppp.

Top weekend, funny tan lines, plenty of cake and giggling. Highly recommended.

Duathlon training, now with added aliens!

I'm racing a duathlon on May 24th, it's 5km run, 22km bike, 5km run. My plan for today was to do run, bike, run to cover those distances, not necessarily at race pace, but just to make sure I can get round on the day. Due to husband having to work, my much needed trip to the hairdresser and a 3000 word essay that doesn't seem to be writing itself my plans went completely off track. By 5pm I realised I was never going to do my mock duathlon and I managed instead a strange triathlon of a 7km run followed by 0km on the couch to watch Doctor Who battle some aliens and then 15km on the bike. Possibly not the most comprehensive training plan ever, but it was fun!

Vikki

Mud

Slick tyres off, cyclocross tyres on, commute home transformed from A-road caution to muddy trail fun!

Vikki

Wind and wine.

Friends are visiting. A couple of days of too much food and drink and not enough sleep meant there was a danger of them driving home again with their bikes having seen nothing but the inside of their car. The Lancashire weather lived up to it's current form and this morning gave us gave us howling Easterlies mixed in with intermittent drizzle. Despite the elements, fatigue and fat we forced ourselves out to ride just long enough to justify a big roast dinner and the opening of another bottle of wine! A good time was had by all.

Vikki

honc if you're hungry

Yesterday was our annual Cotswolds excursion for HoNC. Since I started doing this event the number of 'cross bikes present has dwindled to a handful and is swamped by mountain bikes of all sorts. Which is odd, really, because why would you take a 6" travel bike on a 100km ride which has an absolute minimum of technical trails, a fair amount of tarmac and not one mountain? Hmm.



We'll stick with the (pictured, dishing out sweeties) niche, I think. There's always a fair amount of satisfaction in picking off mtb'ers one by one on the descents. And the climbs. And the long flat drags into the wind, heckling as we go. Yup, cross bikes rule. And it's got to be a unique event where you see a Daimler pull into the car park with a Whyte Preston on the back...

As for the legs - happy. Climbing well, easy spinning along the tops, descending not too mince-ily and the hollow bell of an empty tummy only made itself present at the top of the very last descent from Cleeve. Rah.

nearly there...

of the north, more later. for now - this evening. rode with an old friend. favourite trails, warm sun. much chat.
lovely.

j.

Competetive moment

I wouldn't describe myself as a naturally competetive person, but on my commute home last night I had a definite moment. Downhill from a set of traffic lights I was having to apply a bit of brake as my fixed gear legs were in danger of whirring into a situation of no return when another bike passed me. I can't quite put my finger on what it was about being passed, a situation that never usually bothers me, but something just caused me to make a ridiculously determined effort to catch up with this other rider on the following uphill. Out of my saddle stomping away I just managed to be a wheezing, near puking wreck of a girl right on his back wheel at the next red light. Fortunately I came to my senses and let it go, the rest of the ride home was without incident.

Vikki

North of The Border.

Me and a few friends just had a long weekend away North of The Border in Scotland, first time I've ridden the trails up there and it was ace. Did a Cycleactive skills day on Friday at Ae Forest, a bit of a refresher on some of the basics plus learning a few new techniques, much grinning when mastering the wheelie! Then over to Peebles for riding at Glentress. This bit of the trip was absolutely tip-top. Superb riding, rooms booked at The Hydro meant haggis as an option for breakfast and post ride jacuzzi and steam room. The best cakes ever and a bike shop full of shiney niceness at The Hub and the snow seemed to keep the midges down. Hibernian cycling heaven.

Vikki

celebration

the clocks have sprung for spring and this is 7.30pm:



so it's definitly time for the last one. i saved it for the end of winter; just like i always save a little bit of christmas for the end of winter, because january and february are long, lean times and somehow all that festivity never seems to do much more than underline the endlessness of the later, longer quarter of the year. a week's perfectly timed holiday awaits; the work is done, the email is off, the batteries are charged and the bike is loaded. may it be a long one.

terror!

so, today has been like christmas, knocks on the door all day - mostly work stuff, but also a big box of GDR equipment from the lovely people at Snow & Rock... and then these arrived:



cue several very excited laps of the kitchen before i dared risk handling sharp implements.

s o e x c i t e d !

thirty thirty zero

so, eleven was the stopping point, not just of the challenge but of the winter. prior to commencement i had embarked on the rest week that marked the end of the big volume miles for this year. it is a well known fact that rest weeks are when you will get sick, if you have overdone it (well it's meant to be if, with me it's usually when...). i overdid it so much that it took the whole rest week and another week of still feeling inexplicably tired and not really doing very much and then i got sick. ha. cease all activity, 'just' sleeping, daytime tv, no energy to be bored or even really worry about the shrinking legs, 'just' two weeks and the healing is done.

the first ride back was glorious, not least because it confirmed that less is more (a lesson i am apt to forget), my legs were still there and i hadn't missed spring, at all - rain sleet hail snow sleet gales, repeat.

unfortunately now every time i stick my nose out the door i am greeted with an endless procession of these big fat bulldozer clouds, rolling in on a north-westerly and full of weather that doesn't rain so much as torrent down out of the sky taking all the colour with it.



still, rivers for trails means no tyre tracks and hence all the super-local-super-cheek is currently fair game and i've ridden every day this week without really thinking about it and with a fat grin on my face. lovely.

Weather beaten

Rode last night with Amy. As tough as we are, we are not tougher than Mother Nature. Hail, sideways rain and blasting winds. Out on the moors, it became near impossible to keep going, common sense prevailed at some point and we got back to the road. We pedalled against the wind downhill. Soaked to the skin, numb hands, shoes full of water. The Black Dog at Belmont was a welcome sight as we finally made it to our patiently waiting other halves. Much needed good food and beer soon had Amy deciding that actually the weather hadn't been that bad, and what a good ride it had been, I think I'll need to get some rose tints fitted to my riding glasses before I can agree with her.

Vikki

A whisper

While lurking on the Singletrack blog I caught a whisper of news that some extra places were available for SSUK 08 I fired off a quick email to the race organisers, and I'm in! So 44 days to transform myself into either a race whippet or a girl who can hold her beer. Training needed either way!

Vikki

Surprise parcels

Ohmigod..... pink Sit 'n' Spin pants and Twizzle skirts just arrived from Canada. Running round trying to get Mr Minx to take a photo so we can put them on the site. One of each in my size already snaffled for (ahem) work wear.

Minx

Jamie knows nothing!

Jamie Oliver TV adverts about hot cross buns meaning winter is over, ha, that's what I say! Get up here and ride the rolling roads of the West Pennines. The first 15 minutes of todays ride was dry the rest of it was wet, cold and some more wet. My toes went numb (I have scrounged some overshoes for my next ride). A tad over 20 miles of this was enough so we headed to the safety of Amy's house where I had to borrow dry clothes and glug hot tea. Thanks to Ali for rustling up lovely plates of warming pasta. Apparently I do this for fun!

Vikki

six seven eight nine and ten

six - harveys run via cheeky trails
seven - the annual excursion to yorkshire for a beasting, which turned out to be rather fun thanks to a Pace 305, good friends and great fish'n'chips
eight - frenetic woodland tech, far beyond my current limits and only broadening the grin
nine - easing stiff driving legs with a spin between hailstorm and sunset
ten - the only let-down - 60 minutes and 27 seconds on the turbo because i was justifiably too scared to ride outside with bits of fence and rooftop whizzing about the village...

j.

Punctures!

A lot of singlespeed crunching and pushing uphill to Peel Tower. The reward of the nice bit of riding from there over the moors was stolen away by a series of punctures, a lack of planning to bring enough spare tubes and an impending menacing weather front. Ride abandoned. I have however discovered I can run alongside my bike at quite a pace over a surprising distance if I think my car ride back to my dinner depends on it.

Vikki

Struggle

Rode this morning and it was a struggle. I didn't seem to have the energy and the legs for the climbs and I didn't seem to have the nerve for the descents. This made for a lot of frustration and more pushing than I would normally do.

Vikki

5/30

just a spin, shifting snot... forgot that proper recovery weeks of doing bugger all* leave me with the fidgets like nothing else. gngnnh.

j.

*yes, i am aware that 10 hours of riding a week is not actually bugger all but it's all relative, isn't it...

Cake, shopping and giggling.

Road ride today with friends, 58 miles. A fab food stop, really good cake. 2 bike shops visited for a little spend (mmmm new road shoes). So much giggling it bordered on hysteria at times. Top day out. I'm a bit tired now though.

Vikki