A long cycle ride

I was up early this morning as the last few weeks I have been late getting to the training sessions. Went to set off in plenty of time but, horror of horrors, the car wouldn't start! We managed to jump start it from (my) Peter's van and I got away in reasonable time and arrived in time.

There were only three of us this week. Mike, the support rider, Peter who is a stronger rider than he looks and myself. We set off from Otley town centre and got our muscles warmed up before we set off on the lanes. The weather forecast had said it was going to be windy and rainy today but it was cold and overcast.

We soon climbed the first hill and I didn't feel too bad. Mike was disappearing into the distance as I set off up the next bigger hill but Peter usually isn't far behind him. This time though he was having problems with his gears and I passed him. Just when you think the hill is coming to an end you turn right and climb a worse one. I reached the top sounding like Darth Vader but Peter was nowhere in sight. Mike headed back down to see if he could help but Peter was on his way up.

This set the scene for the rest of the ride. Everytime we were heading uphill either they would both disappear from my sight and wait at the top or Peter had problems with his gears. We got to our usual cafe and stopped for coffee and a toasted tea-cake.









We set off back again and the weather was holding our for us. Almost immediately there is a steep hill to climb. Then when we reached the main road it took us ages to cross the road. More ups and downs and we rode through the lovely village of Follifoot. Then we get back onto a main road again. This bit isn't a hard hill but it is a long, steady climb.

Along the way we saw about eight red kite birds. Just as we started climbing yet another hill there was one in the field alongside us. It can't have been more than 20-25 feet away from us, beautiful!

The last real hill was a bit of swine. One cyclist passed me going up it and I asked him if he had a tow rope. I passed a couple of walkers and asked them for a push! I eventually got to the top without getting off. I think it took it out of me as the rest of the ride I struggled a bit even on the flat. When we were on the outskirts of Otley I mentioned that I was tired and Peter or Mike got in front of me so that I could slipstream them.

We arrived back at the car park having done 42 miles. I might ache a little tomorrow!

A bit of canoeing and running

Last night I went canoeing for the first time in a few weeks. Almost wish I hadn't bothered.

Don't get me wrong I have nothing against kids and actively encourage them to go do activities rather than sitting at home in front of their electronic games. However last night there was a whole load of young lads especially from the scouts. Both of our instructors are connected with the scouts so they have opened up our club sessions to them.

The problem is our pool where we practice is very small and we are only allowed 155 boats on at a time. This means that if these lads get in the pool they often are messing about, talking or sinking their canoes. I know this can be fun but it means that those of us who aren't in the water are just wasting our time. Isobel was with me last night and when I realised she was just talking and messing around I asked her to get out so that someone else could have a turn. Anyway rant over.




Managed to get some paddling in. Also did a bit of high brace practice and helped someone do some T rescues. Then we actually did something a bit different. We did some side scullying to a partner in the middle of the pool and back again. Then our side had to get out of the pool and stand on the side. The people on the other side had to paddle to the middle and capsize, then we had to jump in and rescue them. After that the tables were turned and I was really dreading it as I have only just got over my phobia of capsizing. I was pleased with myself as I decided I was going to do it and did!

Just before I got out I tried someone's nose clip and I think that might just work for me. Saves me holding my nose.

This morning I got up early and drove down to the Greenway with Evie. It was cold. We managed to do 30 minutes of R2/W1. I struggled a bit on the outward journey and I passed a youngish guy towards the turning point of my run. When I stopped at the third bridge to do some stretches I noticed this guy had stopped some way down the track and appeared to be having a pee. He was stopped for quite some time and even when he set off again he appeared to be 're-adjusting' himself as he walked along. I don't know why but I got the distinct impression that as I passed him he was going to flash at me. Thankfully he didn't.

Nothing Too Interesting

There was still ice on the ground as I took the dogs out for a walk yesterday. I say walk but it was more like a drag. Bear is a strong and enthusiastic German Shepherd/Border Collie cross but he thinks he is a husky pulling a sled. So many times i pulled him back but it was like fighting a constant battle. I really am going to have to take him to training classes. We did our usual circuit of two moors but it was really foggy and started pouring with rain as soon as I stepped out of the door.

I returned a little later than I had hoped so grabbed my swimming gear and headed for Spenborough Pool. I clocked the fast lane (which I usually go in) had three people in already but the next to fast one had about seven in there so opted for the former. Managed to do 50 lengths in 43 minutes, some cool down stretches and I was done.

In the evening I went circuit-training at Grange. There were four of us there this week: June who is in her 70's and as fit as a fiddle. She shows the rest of us up that's for sure. Liz who I have just persuaded to do the Race For Life as a focus for her training and who is now panicking about it. Jeanette, who hasn't been since before Christmas due to other commitments but mainly the fact that she is in a netball team.....and myself!

The class has never been a big one for several resons. Firstly it's in a school that's not in the best of areas. Secondly parking is appalling as there is a lot of football going on there at the same time. All the adults turn up in cars, all the children are dropped off by parents who then sit in their cars waiting for their little darlings. Thirdly it is not advertised, Bradford Council should make more of this facility for things other than football. Fourthly, we are based in a sports hall which is overlooked by a balcony. People can only 'overlook' if they purposely intend to do so and a lot of the lads waiting to play football have a look over. Chris, our instructor, is always nicley asking them to back off as we aren't keen on being stared at.

We often have a laugh for one reason or another during class but when Jeanette is there we seem to spark off each other and end up in fits of laughter which makes things go quicker and less painfully. She's the same age as me and we have quite different personalities but always see humour in unlikely things. It was a good session and I felt I worked well.

More aquatics

I had intended to go for a bike ride today but the snow was back again this morning and with the roads being white I don't feel safe on the bike.

After a busy morning of domestic chores Peter and I headed off to Richard Dunn's Sports Centre. Peter still isn't very mobile although he can now walk quite a bit. Swimming seems to be helping him a bit and he managed 30 lengths today.

Meanwhile I went to Aquafit and worked as hard as I could. Some of the older ladies make me laugh (I know I shouldn't). They get the foam 'weights' but don't use them in the water, they use them in the air. Chris does say to try and keep them under the water but they find it difficult so don't bother! At least they are doing some exercise.

After Aquafit I moved across to the lanes and did 30 lengths in 20 minutes.

A busy weekend.

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Saturday morning I had an appointment with the training group starting in Otley. Didn't dash round as I thought I had everything sorted ready to go. When I was getting ready tI couldn't find my long-sleeved t-shirt so made do with a short-sleeved one. Then as I was about to leave I couldn't find my gloves. Thankfully i remembered they were in the dryer, phew. However I was late setting off and got a phone call on the way there asking if I was coming.

Arrived at the car park in Otley to find no spaces either for myself or any of the rest of the group. Not only that but one of the support riders, Richard, hadn't been told it was Otley this week so had gone to Guiseley. So we all drove to the outskirts of Otley and set off from there.

Richard brought Haley with him this week. She is the only other female rider this time so we will be sharing rooms. The morning was glorious but cold. We eventually set off about 10am and took the lanes out towards Knaresborough. Hell, the first hill we went up my legs felt like they were made of wet paper. I struggled up and was puffing and panting like Darth Vader. Then I discovered I hadn't brought my drink with me. Lucky for me Richard shared his drink with me.

We took an off road course at one point, an old railway line that has been adapted for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists. Not long after that Peter got a puncture.
While they were fixing that I was chatting to Mark who I discovered had got through prostrate cancer and was still beating me up those goddamn hills.

We eventually got to the cafe in Knaresborough and had a cuppa and a bite to eat. When we were about to set off back, Mike discovered that he had lost his sports glasses. They were nowhere to be found. I also got to know Haley a bit. She seems like a really nice lass, a scouser.

Then he tried to fix Mark's bike seat and foud that it was actually broken. Some gaffer tape and ingenuity later Mike decided to ride that bike and Mark rode Mike's bike. Mark had to get back for work so Mike, Mark and Mark's mate (I think he's called Phil?) took off together and left Richard, Peter, Haley and myself to ride back together.

Again I was struggling with the hills and Richard stayed with me and Peter headed off at the front with Haley.

As Peter didn't know the route back he went straight on at the place we have normally turned off at and headed straight for the roundabout at Pannal. I was secretly relieved to not have to do more hills. So we headed home on the normal Otley to Harrogate road.

We arrived back at the cars not long after Mike and co. Really disappointed with myself today as I have really been flying the last couple of weeks.



Sunday. Coach Ramble - Ilkley to Bolton Abbey. Not long after I got up I realised there was already a covering of snow and it was still coming down in huge flakes. This could be interesting.

Isobel and I set off and not far from arriving at the pick up at Jacobs Well I tried to turn right but the car went straight forward. Luckily there was no problems with this and I was eventually able to correct this and arrived just in time. However the bus was running late so we had a little wait.

Peter Dawson arrived and parked behind me and we noticed that he'd had a bit of a bender on the way there. He's hit a low wall and caused quite a bit of damage to the front of his car.

It continued snowing heavily all the way up to Ilkley, via Addingham and Silsden. Everything looked so pretty. However we got on some tracks that were downwards sloping and very slippery so a few of us decided to slide down on our backsides rather than slip and fall on them.

We arrived at Bolton Abbey and Arnold was going to add a loop on to the walk but we were later than expected so we didn't have time to do that so he said we could do what we wanted as long as we met the coach in the car park at 3pm. Some of us walked the paths climbing high above the river. Going up was slippery at times but coming down was a nightmare. At one point some strangers lent me two walking poles so that I could get down the hill. One of their party was at the bottom so I passed him the poles so that he could get up the same hill. I had to do another descent on my bottom as it was too slippery to attempt standing.





We then walked across the ford and past the Cavendish Pavilion back up the hill and met the coach. Altogether we had done about 8 miles but it felt like more to be honest.

We went to the Craven Heifer for a carvery afterwards. We were home for about 6.30pm.

Amsterdam

Not strictly training but it might be counted as 'cross-training'.

Isobel and I went on a mini-cruise with P&O Ferries. Peter was supposed to come too but he has a slipped disc and can barely walk. We set off Wednesday afternoon and stopped off at Pizza Hut to get something to eat. We boarded the ferry and took our gear up to our room. The had game of bingo, nearly watched the act that was on and decided to retire for the night.

Early Thursday morning I heard them delivering coffees to the rooms nearby and waited for mine. Strange, it didn't arrive. When I looked out there was no-one to be seen. So I got dressed went down to reception and he said they would get it up to me. It arrived a few minutes later. I'd ordered one but two cups arrived, oh well I managed to down them both. A bit of breakfast in the continental cafe and then we were disembarking for the buses to take us to Amsterdam. Nearly two hours and we arrived at Central Station but which way from here? Looked at a map and decided the nine streets that were supposed to be a shopping area were to the left.

We walked a way before we hit shops but there were some interesting things and we bought cheese in a speciality cheese shop and some other goodies in a 'Blokker' shop. When we got to the end of the street we turned off in search of more then walked back in the general direction of the station or so we thought! We walked for ages and turned various ways by which time I was dying for the toilet so we nipped in to a cafe called Razamataz. Isobel had a vast cup of Hot Chocolate and I got the weeniest cup of coffee but we got to use the loo thankfully.

We enquired which was the general direction of the station. The waitress asked if we were walking or on public transport. When I said we were walking she looked a little alarmed. She pointed out the general direction but said it was about half an hours walk and maybe we should try the bus. In hindsight that would have probably been wise but we didn't. We walked back roughly the way we had come but missed something somehwere and seemed to be walking an awful long way before we eventually spotted the station.

Heaving a sigh of reliefwe set off again looking for the livier parts of Amserdam. This time we found the shops. We walked up a long street of varying shops, stopping here and there for a look round. We took a side road off and got something to eat and then carried on back along the same street. We managed to get to a big open square where Poseidon was posing on a small platform waiting for photo opportunities with people. One of my biggest regrets is that my camera isn't working so I couldn't take any photos to remind us of the visit.

We then returned along another street but I couldn't resist a mooch round C&A and we came out with various bargains from there. Then back along the street we had originally come up. We watched the river boats for a while and marvelled at the myriad colours and shapes of the bikes parked outside the station, thousands of them!

By now our feet were killing us and we were lugging fairly heavy bags. A quick loo visit at the station and we got a slightly earlier bus back to the boat. Both of us nodded off.

That evening was pretty nuch a repeat of the previous one and we retired to bed about 11.00pm. I woke at 3.30am and could not get back to sleep. I tossed and turned and so did the boat. I looked at my watch 5.30am! I had just fallen back to sleep when there was knock at the door and coffee arrived.

Anyway after a very long disembarkation, due to immigration checking passports thoroughly, we set off home.

I was tired today and put off the run I was going to do with Liz and passed on canoeing too. Cycling tomorrow so I need to get some sleep tonight.

Another run

Freezing fog today. Nearly slipped on the path on the way out.

Evie and I went to the Greenway again. Did 30 minutes of R2/W1. Didn't find it too bad either. I keep getting tight calves especially on the right side so on the return journey I concentrated on not tensing the calf muscle too much and letting the foot flop a bit more. I can honestly say I enjoyed that.

Bear and I then went out for a walk across the moors, down Station Lane and back up through the farm into East Bierley. Noticed the buds on the trees starting to appear. The snowdrops in the garden are trying to make themselves noticed and I saw a wren.

Going to Amsterdam shortly on a minicruise so no real exercise until Friday when I should be meeting Liz to go for a run. This is for Liz's sake more than mine as I talked her into entering the Race for Life to give her a focus for her training.

Water Again.

Just a short post today.

Went to aquafit this morning as it isn't on at lunchtime tomorrow. There were six of us today. I got the biggest 'weights' and put a lot of effort into the movements and can definitely feel my tummy muscles have had a workout.

I also noticed I could feel the muscles in my legs from yesterday's run.

I'm a runner!

I'm not working this week so planned on getting up early this morning and going for a run. Then I woke up and put the radio on and .... fell asleep again. When I did get up I was still determined to go for a run.

Evie and I went down to the Greenway and I did 23 minutes of run/walk, That is run 1minute/walk 1 minute but in some cases I did run 2 minutes/walk 1 minute. Then I d had a ten minute cool down walk back to the car. I quite enjoyed that although I do get very breathless no matter how slow I am running.

Then after I'd had my breakfast porridge I took Bear for a walk across the moor and back up through the farm to East Bierley.

My poor partner has a slipped disc. It happened on Friday but the hospital didn't put a name to it. The doc came today and said that is definitely what it is. All three of us were supposed to be going to Amsterdam on Wednesday but it is now going to be just Isobel and myself.

Bolton Abbey Again

Mike's turn to lead us out on a ride yesterday. Only five of us out and two of them I hadn't met before. One guy is doing the ride and the other came with him for support.

We set off later than anticipated but I can already tell the difference in my fitness and the borrowed bike. Last time we did this route was two weeks ago and by the time we got to Menston (about two miles, if that) I could already feel my leg muscles aching and going through Burley-in-Wharfedale I was wondering what I was doing there. This time I didn't have that feeling of dread.

We crossed the river at Ilkley and carried on until we started up a shortish sharp hill. I was slow but not so far behind everyone else although that could have something to do with them being slower than the group who were out two weeks ago as well. We saw a mole crossing the little country road!

We arrived at The Cavendish Pavilion and I was feeling pretty good. I had a good cup of coffee and a nice piece of flapjack kindly paid for by one of the other riders, Peter.

On the return journey I could hear a slight grating noise coming from my bike wheel. Peter said my wheel was slightly out of line and cycled forwrd to report to Mike. We all stopped and Mike examined it and found that one of the spokes had pinged. He wound it round the interior of the other spokes and thinking I might have bother with it asked me to ride his bike. Now Mike is only a small chap, built like a jockey I would say, but is a very strong rider. I climbed on his bike and could barely touch the floor. A few hundred yards up the road we had a sharp right onto the bridge to cross the river but I nearly didn't stop so quickly swapped back to my bike.

The last bit of the ride is a long drag up a steady hill probably about two miles. However for a significant amount of it I was right behind Mike although stopping at the roundabout slowed me down considerably.

We got back and I didn't feel like I was about to collapse in a heap.

I took the bike straight up to the bike shop to get the spoke sorted out. Left it there until Tuesday. Incidentally the chap who owns the bike shop is going on the ride to Hamm this year as well.

More water sports.

Nothing too exciting to report. Yesterday I went to aquafit at Richard Dunn Sports Centre. The instructor is the same girl who does my circuit training so I know her very well. She does a similar routine for aquafit as we do for the warm up and cool down at circuits but we use those spongy 'weights' as well.

After we'd done the aquafit session I went off to the other side of the pool where there is a straight bit for length swimming. I should explain that this pool is a very strange shape with curv bits but there is one part that is straight. Sometimes it is roped off to signify that it is for people to swim lengths. About 10 lengths in to my session two Asian guys got in and were messing about swimming under each others legs or floating on their back. Eventually I said, very sweetly, that this part was for length swimming and they looked blankly at me. So I explained some more and they then started attempting to swim lengths. I did 30 lengths and then got out.

Today I went swimming at Spenborough. Got there a bit late so did 60 lengths in 52 minutes.

This evening I went circuit training and had a small personal triumph. Being a big girl I have never been able to do the full bridge (or plank) for the whole time until our instructor blows the whistle and tonight I did it, twice. Small victories!

Cycle training to Knaresborough

Yesterday was the second time I have been out training with the group. Six of us turned up at the car park in Otley led by our captain for the week Richard T. It was cold and foggy as we left for our journey to Knaresborough.

We headed out of Otley towards the main road that leads to Harrogate but no sooner were we on that road than we turned off there and headed up the country lanes. Potholes, shale, mud and poo were quickly encountered and everytime I shouted a warning of some sort I had some amusing or amused response from John who was behind me. He wondered why I was doing 'jazz hands' which was to indicate that there was some sort of obstacle or hazard in the road that could tip him out of his seat.

Richard had put Dean at the front so that he could coach him in changing gears and so that it slowed the faster riders down and kept us to a decent pace for the day. Dean did absolutely fine despite riding an unfamiliar borrowed bike with gears that are on the frame rather than the handlebars.

We eventually rejoined a main road and headed up a long drag of a hill. This is where Richard, John and Graham raced off looking like they were barely going uphill and I passed Dean. We all re-grouped at the top of the hill where Dean eventually joined us looking a bit tired. Some steady level road soon gave way to a roundabout at Pannal and then another uphill section. Blimey I couldn't even see the first four and Dean would eventually lose sight of me. Again we had a breather at the top of the hill and then it was downhill most of the way into Knaresborough.

At the last hurdle we found they had closed the road. A large tree had fallen into the river and floated sideways down until it hit the bridge. Loads of debris had washed up behind it causing a dam effect. They had to get some heavy lifting and cutting equipoment in to clear it. We waited here a while as we had lost Dean and Peter. After a nice chat with one of the guys from the Environment Agency we decided to carry on to the cafe as we had remembered that Peter had said he knew where it was.

Dean and Peter did indeed make their way there and we had a pleasant stop for refreshments and some banter.

We set off back up a hill (where do they all come from?) and stopped and waited every so often for people to catch up.

We headed into Harrogate and then back out again on the roads that I am familiar with when I am driving. Things weren't too bad from here on. When we got to Weeton station Dean decided to get the train back home as he was quite disheartened by this time. We tried to tell him that we hadn't far to go but I think his heart had fallen into his socks by this time. I know the feeling from last time when I didn't believe in myself.

Having waved Dean off we set off again with me in the lead. I pedalled hard all the way back to Otley passing a dead rat along the way which prompted an amusing 'are we going to Hamm or Hamelyn?'from Peter who was right behind me.

We arrived back in Otley having done 32.5 miles and I really didn't feel too bad.

Tonight I have been swimming at Tong Pool again. I did 64 lengths of intervals in 45minutes. My other half, Peter also came with me tonight as he has a lot of aches and pains so hoped the swim and the water might sooth things. He said he was feeling better when we left.

Cross training continues

Yesterday I went swimming at Spenborough Baths again. It was fairly busy and there were already four people in the fast lane so I went in the next lane where there was only one other person. We were soon joined by several others though and the water became quite choppy. Still I managed to do 72 lengths (1.5 miles) in 62.5 minutes.

Last night I went circuit training. There were only five of us there and despite being the heaviest I am probably the fittest of us.

Today I was not in the mood for much exercise, I don't know why. I did go for a quick spin round the block to see how the borrowed bike is. It seems fine but the hills are still er hilly!

Evie, Bear and I then went for a pleasant walk across the moor and round Birkenshaw and through the farm back to East Bierley. Had a lovley chat with another lady dog-walker who thought Bear was gorgeous.

Swimming Intervals

Last night I went to the local pool. It's lane swimming between 6 and 7pm. I took my float and pullbuoy with me. I started off with a warm up of 4 lengths of breast stroke. Then I did 2 lengths of legs only, 2 normal lengths and 2 lengths of arms only and then two normal lengths again. I alternated the legs only as 'froggy' legs and kicking and I alternated the arms only with breast stroke and front crawl.

I am absolutely rubbish at front crawl and have little confidence where that stroke is concerned but I was surprised at myself doing front crawl arms with a pullbuoy. I managed two lengths at a time without feeling like I was drowning.

I did 56 lengths in total so I am happy with that.

By the time I was walking home i felt like I had had a good workout.