The Stable door is Open

If you are afflicted with a compulsive cycling disorder there are only ever two sorts of days
Days when you Cycle and days when you wish you were cycling.
The later are usually ones that a shared with other significant dates such as weddings, births and funerals.
Work does not count as you can usually sneak a few wheel revolutions in prior to or after this important role that pays for your compulsion.
For those who do not regard rule Number 5 (Harden the F*** up) as obligatory there is a third type of Day.
Days you should be cycling - and could, if you were not made 'candy floss'.

As a new follower to Rule 5, I acknowledge that I previously had 'candy floss' days when instead of cycling I would write about it in my blog.
So now my excuse for the lack of Blogposts is Rule Number 5
Thank you Velominati

With a kind winter us Anglo Mules have managed to rack up some impressive mileage achieving a level of fitness that one might expect to achieve in June or July.

In April we took part in the North Lincs Sportive which unsurprisingly was another windy one.

Every year at this particular weekend the elements never disappoint in their consistency of blowing over 30mph.
If I were a kite surfer, newly erected  wind turbine or a piece of discarded litter such consistency may please me, But as a cyclist I knew it would be a day of tired turbulence which would end up with some obligatory tramadol to cure a stiff neck.
It was also a reminder that its not quite time to take off those toe warmers

 North Lincs Sportive (Brigg) 100km (64miles) and 130km (100 Miles)
 
Centered around the North Lincolnshire Wolds this Sportive holds a similar terrain as that found on our own East Yorkshire Wolds.
Most did the 100km ride.......peer pressure pushed me to take on the 100 miles.
Tramadol was used!

Matt and Paul on hearing the shipping forecast.........................

Andy looking for somewhere to hide

 April ended with the Heart of the Wolds which again saw some Mule representation with both the longer and Medium Ride. Full livery was displayed which was both eye catching and formed a topic of conversation amongst other riders.
Mule enthusiasts had apparently graffitied the road with words of equine encouragement.

The Golden Globe

If you ever got stuck in a lift in Leeds, London or Liverpool with three strangers what would you expect the 'Ice breaker' to be?
The answer is something that bookmakers would not even take bets on - The Weather.

We seem totally obsessed with talking about it.

Comments about the weather seem to have the same importance and promote the same passions as ones favorite football team.

When people snarl on monday morning, muttering that it was a 'bloody diascrace', its difficult to work out whether or not they are talking about Hull Citys woeful performance or that of the local weather man.

Daily courtesies have been hijacked - with the traditional 'Good Morning' being replaced by 'Hasnt it been cold lately' 

I have to confess with five apps on my phone relating to the weather I too have been influenced
Almost hourly looking to see how wet, windy and warm it may or may not be.

Whilst others might be gauging this phenomenon for the possibility of golf, gardening or alfresco gastronomy. For me its about Cycling.
The early season sportives have supplied weather conditions so adverse that I would not normally consider recreational riding.
High Winds, driving rain and plummeting temperatures were delivered in good measure, its been so grim.
However having forced myself to take part, I have now become conditioned.
Poor weather seems to have become part of my cycling arena.

If I was being reviewed by a Psychiatrist and they showed me association cards it would be easy peasy

Down hill Skiing = Snow
Beach Volleyball = Sunshine
Cross country Skiing = Snow
Sand castle competition = Sunshine
Snow ball Fights = Snow
Sailing = Wind
Kite Surfing = Wind
Wet T shit competition = Rain
Mud Wrestling = Rain
Cycling = Wind, rain , Freezing Cold
100%

Its not such a bad thing though - It takes away any deliberation.
Before I used to talk myself out of rides.
'Its far too windy'
'Its far too cold'
'Its too wet'
I now just go out and pedal........... and let the weather take care of itself.
If its poor,
I expect it.....If its better than poor
I smile because its always a bonus.

On one such recent day we took off to Dalby Forrest in North Yorkshire.
It was a chilly start, but soon we saw this Golden Globe in the sky which seemed to emanate a greater degree of light and some unaccustomed warmth.
Coats, and arm warmers were discarded, dark lenses were clicked into eye frames and perspiration was encountered.
After much debate we decided that the celestial object might be the sun, but none of us could quite remember what it looked like.

As Bobby was wearing his Arizona Cycle jersey with the sun brazened across the chest we thought that it may have been seen as some sort of Celtic offering of appeasement to nature.
That the Gods had seen his Cycle Jersey and blessed us.
What we all agreed on was that it was welcome.

A great day was had by all and other days soon followed.
Summer may have arrived as far as the Calendar is concerned but the Winter Gloves, booties and Coat are still in the hallway.



One of our American Mules Dani Hochleutner recently summoned up the weather far better than I ever could :-

The COLD just makes me angry, so I have learned to be well equipped.

The RAIN makes little difference to me, surprisingly. I simply adjust my speed and feel a bit like a little kid again.

The WIND. I looked up the definition of wind and it said "air in its natural movement" which sounds harmless enough. But HEAD WINDS and CROSS WINDS batter at my confidence and have me question my resolve. Thoughts like "go home", "just quit", "turn around" hit me with each peddle stroke. And then that infamous TAIL WIND whispers false confidence that I am better than I actually am.

So I learn something about myself every time I get on my bike. I learn how to be with the reality of who I am, in a world I can't control, and to adjust. Easily, calmly and thoughtfully I move into alignment with the elements of my resistance to becoming something better, faster, and stronger. And eventually I make it back home.
Happy Cycling

Jumping on the Mule Train

(Left to Right: Philip Shrimpton, Dave Hill, Kenny Rhame, Patrick Shrimpton)

In 2009 the concept of 'The Mules' emerged during the completion of the Annual MS 150 Houston to Austin Charity cycle event in America.

That year was significantly different.

For the first time ever, day one was cancelled, because of extreme weather conditions.

Despite that four of the regular  MS 150 Riders (above) which included my brother Paddy and I, were shaken but not deterred.

After spending months of trying to get people to sponsor us, we felt that we would be cheating our sponsors if we only completed the shorter second day.

 All of our backgrounds were connected with risk in its differing forms so we felt well placed to properly assess the conditions. 

Our conclusion was that we decided to ride.

It was not totally reckless, we knew that we would be fully supported and able to monitor the weather systems...... closely.

We did  receive some 'well meant' criticism from some quarters - suggesting that we were mad, and these comments were noted.

If it were not for them the Mules may never have evolved.

For out of respect for those views, it was decided that we should not to ride in our team colours, but as a quartet of like minded fellows.

These events were catalogued in an early blog (Renegade Riders) 

As we cycled towards Bellville we discussed many things as we dodged tornado's, including the values that made us get up that morning.

Amongst the subjects was the idea of making our own team, something that reflected our values and made us different.

We all had experiences of local cycling clubs where the emphasis was on personal improvement and competitive development.

Where riding in the 'Red zone' seemed to be semi compulsory and the desire to chat was negated by the need to maximise your oxygen intake, or to put it in Yorkshire Speak....You were blowing out your Arse!!!!!.

We wanted people to ride for fun and kinship to enhance personal development and present competition as being something you did against yourself.

With our objectives sorted the only thing that was missing was a suitable name.

At that time I was a fledgling blogger and the name of my site 'Travels with my Mule' seemed to resonate with us all.

Paddy suggested we call ourselves Travels with my Mule.

2009 seems a long time ago now.

From that quartet in 2009 our ranks have swelled.

Paddy organised Jerseys, Bibs, beers holders (Very Important) a SAG Wagon and was instrumental in bringing people together in the Houston area of Texas to ride as a team, train as a team and drink beer as a team.

More importantly to partake in Charity endurance rides.

They set up a great social scene with organised monthly social gatherings.

Paddy also set up a website http://www.travelwithmymules.com/ which provides links to all that we are 'about', including a direct link to this blogsite.

To a lesser extent I went back to Yorkshire and sold the concept to friends and work colleagues where we too were able to form our own more modest group which has grown in stature and in numbers.

We followed the US template with charity events throughout the whol;e of the UK and frequent social gatherings.

The name Travels with my Mule was soon recognised as a bit of a mouthful so we now just call ourselves 'The Mules' both in the USA and UK.

A name that has been uttered by many MC's now where people no longer say

'Who are they?'

As we have grown the Mules have taken part in more varied local and international rides which have supported local and national charities on both sides of the Atlantic, We have also organised endurance social rides for our members exploring terrains in far flung places.

A full list of these can be found on the website.

In order to keep up our momentum and to ensure that others dont miss out and our able to  join our Mule Train we are becoming affiliated to our respective cycling bodies in the United Kingdoam And the USA.

The US Mules have already become part of US Cycling Registering as 'The Mules International Cycling Team'.

They even have their own recognised Cat Riders performing in the Mule Livery.

Paddy naturally was nominated as president but he is ably assisted by Ivonne the team Secretary

(Steve and Ivonne)

Ivonne and her Husband Steve are new members to the team and have ensured that the wave of enthusiasm continues to build.

Such is the progression of the US Mules that they are now able to actively get involved with local charities who want to host ride events to raise money. One such charity being 'Cycle for little Heroes'

In the UK we have just had our first AGM and have appointed officers to form a committee.

Being from 'Up North' in England the we are seen as people who like 'Committie meetings' which has been the 'but' of many comedians over the years - including Monty Python.

I think we are portrayed as being unsophisticated, illiterate yet full of our self importance, with  committee meetings being held with the same reverence as Christmas.

Ours was very amusing and Full of Christmas Spirit......'Famous Grouse', 'Chevas Regal' and 'Highland Park' to be precise.

We have now formed 'The Mules Cycling Club' with myself as Secretary, Duncan Collins as Chairman and Karen Gooding as Treasurer.

The rest of the hard core riders are now committee members.

Tomorrow we will look to be registered with British Cycling and actively boost our own Membership.

Whether Anglo or US Mule our goals are the same.

To promote cycling to all members. To do so in such a way that is inclusive, supportive and encourages participants to enjoy the sport and achieve their own personal goals. As well as promoting a healthier greener lifestyle we are also dedicated to raising funds for various charities through the various events we undertake.

If you want to know more about joining either check out the website.

The Gold Diggers

 

Over the past two weeks the country has been gripped with Olympic fever and for a small Island we have been punching way above our weight as far as our success is concerned.

If you were to compare our medal haul with our national population then we would be clear leaders in the merit tables.

However to measure our games purely on our sporting achievements would be like glancing at the cover of a book and believing you understood the content.

The real tale lies underneath, within the pages, some of it obvious and some subtly interwoven within the storyline.

One of the less obvious consequences is the affect that the event has had on the media.

Regrettably football or Soccer as its known in America is our national sport and as such it normally dominates both the front and the back pages of our Newspapers.

When I say 'regrettably', I am not referring to the actual sport, but its troublesome bi products:-

The players and their WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends)

With a few notable exceptions the majority of our footballers are selfish, greedy, and arrogant.

They are disrespectful of themselves, other players and officials.

They are disloyal to their wives, partners and teammates

They are yobbish, crude and illiterate.

It does not surprise me that many of them use 'Twitter' to communicate, because using any other form they would struggle to string TWO sentences together.

Finally .......continuing with my rant ..............they are hardly patriotic!

When they line up for England they play with less passion and pride then most couch potatoes viewing them. 

Sadly they are also obscenely overpaid and often 'recievce' in a weekend what an average supporter earns for the whole years work. 

Unfortunately such bounty often attract women with the same levels of morality.

To snare a footballer is  regarded as an actual career choice which fortunately for some have no formal  educational requirements.

The application process does expect some essential characteristics though

These include a high level of silicone, regular botox, and a size 0 frame. 

Despite their objections both the players and WAGS appear to crave the limelight, and the paparazzi are all too keen to help out.

The result is that we get very little worthy news.

Any interest into the richness of life appears to have been diluted into a preoccupation with the lives of these creatures.

The WAG and her Mate have evolved into cut out rolemodels that children worryingly look up to - hardly a lofty  aspiration. 

Over the past two weeks, new and legitimate role models have evolved, who have been so influential that the media have abandoned the Gold Diggers and embraced the Gold Getters.
This is none more so then with our women pursuit riders Laura Trott, Dani King, and Jo Rowsell.

They are everything that the WAGs are not.

Brave, committed, loyal, patriotic, respectful, hard working  and now very much loved.   

Last Saturday In the Olympic final, they smashed the world record for the sixth successive time.

Behind each Olympian there is a story, usually of total commitment and sacrifice, with  great highs and lows that come with four years of training. For this trio there is no difference.
Each of the trio, in different ways, has overcome adversity in their journey to the top of the podium.
Jo Rowsell who shares the same birthday as me has shown such courage in her battle with alopecia.
Brought up in Surrey she used to wear her long auburn hair in plaits.
"I remember crying to my parents and asking why it was happening," Rowsell once said when remembering the day her alopecia was diagnosed at the age of 10. "They said they would get someone to fix it."

Alopecia, however, can only be treated rather than cured. Rowsell became inhibited, concentrating on her schoolwork as a way of avoiding thinking too much about her appearance. She did not dare imagine a life where she might feel confident enough to have a boyfriend. It was then, when she was 15, that a small sporting miracle intervened. Rowsell's undoubted physical potential was spotted by a British cycling scout who visited her school in Sutton in 2004.
Cycling transformed Rowsell. In return, she has provided Dave Brailsford's programme at British cycling with a rider who, at 23, is the steady heartbeat who leads out this young team.
Her humanity resounds and, again with some bravery, she admitted her vulnerability on the last occasion all her hair fell out.
She had just met her boyfriend. "I was so worried he wasn't going to like me," she said.
LauraTrott, the new star of British cycling and the strongest rider of the three is a double Olympian having secured the Omnium on Tuesday the track equivalent of the Heptathlon.

Trott claims to "love that weird feeling you get in your mouth when the pain is so bad it tastes like blood". Trott pushes herself so hard that she regularly vomits after races.
To have her on the track in itself is a miracle as she was born with a collapsed lung, and her life was in jeopardy for six weeks. This contributed to a constant struggle with asthma which she has had to overcome.
The 21-year-old Dani King, meanwhile faced her own serious test three years ago. King's hopes of being offered a place on British cycling's elite programme looked like they would be ended by a serious bout of glandular fever. The illness had such a ravaging impact on King that there were doubts she would ever make it as an elite cyclist.

Travelling without my Mule


Last week my training was interrupted by a work trip to New York and I decided to take my Mule shirt with me on the off chance that I might be able to ride.
The last time that I had visited New York was when they had black and White Televisions and any cycle I owned probably still had three wheels.

Although I was working I wasted no time, opting to rise with the sun to ensure that I could experience as much as possible. All around the city were stalls that sold everything from key rings to T Shirts depicting the slogan 'I Love NY' and I am not surprised. I loved it too. As cities go 

I found it to be Warm (Actually it was scorching) vibrant and diverse. Totally cosmopolitan and displayed all the positive aspects of Americana.

The only shortcoming I detected though was its limited encouragement for urban cycling and commuting.

Apart from Brooklyn Bridge (Above) and Central Park it appeared that any cycling journey would be like undertaking some medieval quest, with hazards abound and beasties at every corner.

Having said that I thought that the cycling facilities in central Park were amazing and was able to experience them for myself by hiring a bike from one of the many outlets.

'What a training ground' - The park offered smooth roads,  hills, fast flats, all surrounded in a beautiful setting surrounded by Iconic landmarks.

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Although I did not have my own 'Mule' with me I soon became acquainted with its distant cousin, who performed admirably.

The only downside was my choice of  sports shorts which was not the ideal clothing to interact with a saddle at 100 degrees of heat, but jeans were my only other choice.

 Note to myself  'always bring bibs or cycle shorts for such eventualities'

The seven miles that I appear to have registered was my shortest ride of the year and certainly the slowest,

but I was equipped with a bell that said 'I love New York'

As I sounded it that was certainly the tune I heard too.

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