Good reasons for going to Heaven

I have previously featured Cycle heaven in my blogposts because of the family connection with my brother Andy, it seemed an obvious subject matter at the time but I probably did not do it justice. Cycle retail is a competitive market and to succeed its not enough to be 'good' you need to be 'very good'. With the increased popularity of online shopping time spent 'discount hunting' online is almost as prevalent as that spent using social network sites. I am no stranger to this process and often spend hours on wiggle, evanscycles or chain reaction cycles websites looking for that 'great deal'. That 'great deal' is only possible because of it can be provided without the additional expenditure of a shopfront and everything that comes with it. I only purchase clothing or other items that might squeeze through the letter box. Items that can be pushed through the letterbox where the scope for surprise or disappointment is limited. When it comes to actual bikes or other capital items, I need to engage more senses than a visual interpretation of what I can see and read on my computer monitor. I don't only want to see my bike on display, but want to know that the one I actually get assembled is going to be put together properly. By somebody who is not wearing an orange overall and is looking forward to their next tea break. Somebody who can build a wheel rather than lift one down from a ceiling rack. Somebody who cycles home rather than gets in his/her hot hatchback. Above : Anne Clarke ..............attention to detail is key That is why I am on my fourth bike from Cycle Heaven. Cycle Heaven has been in business since 1993. It is the largest independent cycle retailer in York and one of the largest in the UK. The driving force behind Cycle Heaven are the owners Andy Shrimpton and Piers Maffett, whose commitment to the ideals of urban community life are reflected in the products they sell and the values of their business. The store offers a large array of different styles of cycle and is most famous for the kinds of bike that make possible a civilised and comfortable car free urban existence - namely classic and contemporary town bikes and folding bikes. As this ethic can also embrace jaunty but nonchalant rides out into the country, this is also the place to go for longer distance cycles such as hybrids and touring bikes. They also offer a lot of family options - child seats, trailers, child trailer bikes and the like. Make no mistake, at Cycle Heaven they 'cycle to live' (and not the other way around!). 'My Ridgeback Horizon has enabled me to cycle 30 miles a day commuting to work and back all through the winter saving about £160 in fuel per month....do the maths' Cycle heaven have also recognised the new attraction of sportive events for which they offer Scott and Cannondale makes. At the heart of the shop is their busy 'open' workshop, which can seem frenetic, come summer, but with their long opening hours and four full time technicians they can usually accommodate your repair, with a smile. This year there are plans to open up another shop at a rather interesting and innovative location. I am certain that this will be a massive hit. Not wanting to ignore the attractions of what the WWW can offer they have a great website and now offer a full range of their own branded T Shirts which can be purchased on line.

Cycle Heaven Shirts

Remember all good cycles go to Cycle heaven.

All I want for Christmas ............

As the winter weather continues to keep us locked in its frozen jaws, I have finally conceded defeat in my attempt to cycle 6,000 miles this year.
Even if the snow and ice were to miraculously disappear, I would still need to seek further divine intervention to rid me of my current 'medical affliction', before I could remount my two wheeled steed. Fortunately I have gratefully avoided winter bugs and colds for some years now.
I find it frustrating when work colleagues feel they need to stay at home every time they are forced to buy some tissues.
You would not get that from me !!!!!!
I would literally have to be at deaths door with the old 'grim reaper' the other side pretending to be delivering some late Christmas post.

......... when I have had to take time off my ailments have been far more serious.
For the past two years I have obviously had pneumonia but still went in. Alas this year I am sure that I must have swine flu which I cant beat off.
It has probably lay dormant in me since my visit to Texas where it had blown over from Mexico and lodged itself in my cycle helmet. There is no other rationale explanation.

Thankfully tomorrow sees the arrival of the winter Solstice or the shortest day of the year.
After that the days get longer, each one after the another and boy will I be counting.

The actual celebration of the winter Solstice is seen as more important than the Summer one as if if effectively the start of natures 'cycle' - I knew Id get the word cycle in somewhere.

The Saami, indigenous people of Finland, Sweden and Norway, worship Beiwe, the sun-goddess of fertility and sanity. She travels through the sky in a structure made of reindeer bones with her daughter, Beiwe-Neia, to herald back the greenery on which the reindeer feed.

On the winter solstice, her worshipers sacrifice white female animals, and thread the meat onto sticks which they bend into rings and tie with bright ribbons. They also cover their doorposts with butter so Beiwe can eat it and begin her journey once again.

All I can say is that its a good job Beiwe and Santa travel on separate nights as things could get a bit messy.

Anyway on to the more serious stuff . If I cant cycle at the very least I can think about cycling and more importantly next years events.



This year will see some new events I and The Mules will be completing.



June 6-8th 2011 Inclusive.
Morecombe to Bridlington following the Roses Way from the west to the East Coast of England.

26th June 2011
Flat out in the Fens -112 mile Sportive across eastern England.

9pm 9pm Friday/Sat 8th/9th July 2011
Charity 24 hr challenge for 'Help for Heros' cycling for 24 hrs with a prise for the sponsor who selects the correct mileage for the event.
We have decided to organise this ourselves around East Yorkshire.



27th August 2011
Anglo Mules trip to USA where Karen and Simon will be joining Joanne and I in competing in the 30th Anniversary of Hotter than Hell 100 miles Sportive.



4th September 2011
Manchester 100 mile sportive.



Now all I want for Christmas is lots of Cycling gear, a tape worm to lodge in my digestive system for a couple of months and the temperature to get above freezing on Christmas morning !!!!!!


I dont ask for much...........................



Merry Christmas to all readers , see you on the Road.

Always use a rubber - ride a bike

In the bleak mid winter

This time last year I had already completed 500 miles since Christmas day.
This year its a big fat ZERO !!!!!!!

Its not that I don't like cycling in the cold, I just prefer the upright position rather than the ditch, kerb, on coming traffic or snow drift.
All across the UK there must be lots of us annoying the Hell out of family,wives and partners.

Some pubs have recognised this fact

I have just been auditioning for Dr Zhivago and getting FAT

And watching others enjoy the whiteness

There is always next weekend..............

Tuesdays Tune

Cycle Heaven

During the course of my blogging I have made many references to my twin brother Paddy from Houston, who has had a significant influence on my cycling life.

There is however another brother Andy who is equally as important.

With a young family his actual cycling activity is now infrequent, yet his ethos is far greater than both of his elder brothers put together.

Despite being a successful businessman he owns no car and has no wish to.

He believes that living in a large town or city there is no need to have one, even despite the limitations of somewhat inadequate public transport system.

He is strictly a Train, bike or foot man, although when there is a 'need' he does hire a car which he quotes 'enables him to appreciate a drivers perspective'.

When I ask him about getting in the weekly shopping he tells me he has a bike for that

Transporting the children......He has a bike for that too.

I guess owning a cycle shop does has its advantages.

It is called 'Cycle Heaven' and is situated in York. It prides itself on providing a wide variety of bikes for those who wish to embrace cycling as their principal means of Transport.

If you are a hard core racer type and want to buy something to steal an edge on your rivals or talk about the latest criterium results this may not be the place for you.

But he does pretty much offer something for everyone, even us wannabe roadies.

I got my Scott Addict bike from there and he does sponsor The Clifton Cycling Club in York.

He has also been involved cycle politics being instrumental in the 'Stop at 'Red Campaign' http://www.stopatred.org/

He recognised that in order for cyclist to be taken seriously that they need to act responsibly.

I have to agree with him on that one.

On Sunday my bike was booked into Cycle Heaven for bike servicing.

After a tough week of cycling, with heavy rain and a return to booties, coat and arm warmers, I had considered the car.

But wishing to avoid rebuke from my younger sibling, I decided to ride.

The local weather station provided some optimism, with the promise of sunshine and showers.

I was at the point of accepting anything with showers, sunshine would be a distinct bonus.

They lied though - There was five hours of thunderstorm after thunderstorm, rendering me as wet as an otters pocket.

York was totally awash with the river bursting its banks. Local events were cancelled and even the teddy bears convention decided that any picnicking would have to be done indoors.

Training

217 very wet miles completed this week with the anticipation of sniffles and sneezes to come Atchoooooooo!!!!!!!!

My virtual ride takes me to Chattanooga with only 821 miles to go.

From there I will travel to Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Beaumont and then on to Houston.

Cycling in London

So you say your a cyclist?

As the Autumn of my life steadily sneaks up on me, my memory is not always as sharp as I would like it to be. One of the regular things that is effected by this is my recollection of various passwords.

There used to be a time, that the only code I had to remember, was the combination lock to my bicycle.

Now I have about twenty different passwords to remember.

To make matters worse, I have to change most of them every three months.

I used to store them in my Blackberry 'password box' but alas I forgot the password for that too.

When I do forget, I have to go through a right rigmarole of having my personal identify verified.

Its a good job that my twin brother Paddy lives in America, as I used to be asked the question.

How do I know that 'you are you', and not your twin brother?

More confusingly, I have also been asked.

How do 'you' know 'you are you', and not your twin brother?

I guess that there is always the possibility, that when we were babies we got mixed up.

However as we are not in line for the thrown, or awaiting some massive inheritance, being 12 minutes younger has not affected me too much.

When you look at the cycling there are also some identity issues, with so many disciplines that accompany the generic term of 'cyclist'.

Each has its own following and stereotype attached to it.

Each is also very different.

For me, I seem to have forgotten my metaphorical combination code as I scramble for my 'cyclist' identity.

For years It was easy, I was a recreational cyclist and that was the end of it.
Now the lines have gone all fuzzy.
I still ride to work, ride to the pub (Very important) and ride to the shops. This sort of puts me in the 'ecco-recreational' category. However if you now mix in Sportives, Audax, and the odd time trial then you have a very long word.

One that might compete with llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrob wllllantysiliogogogoch which incidentally is a place in wales and translates as :
"The church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel trees near the rapid whirlpool by St. Tysilio's of the red cave"
Sounds a really cool place to cycle.

Considering other disciplines such as :- track cycling, cycl0-cross, fixed gear street riding, the many forms of BMX riding, mountain biking, road racing, criterium, or people just taking spin classes in the Gym there is good reason to be more specific.

The principal may be the same but the application, training and technique is often very different.

I sometimes hear drivers castigate cyclists.

Well which 'cyclist' exactly do they mean, as we are not all the same?
I think anti cyclists often take a piece of negativity from every discipline they can think of, and clump them all together as in this satirical video 'The Cyclists'.

Weekly Training/Weight Data

This week my weight loss has moved to a sensible amount of 4lbs (18lbs in three weeks). I am starting to find the hills easier and the flat bits much faster. The energy levels do seem to fluctuate though, so I am now taking whey protein drinks after each ride.

I managed 228 miles this week with 11,000 ft of climbing. I am very pleased with this but its been tough. It included 70 miles today in gorgeous weather around the Wolds. I took some photos (below) which included a cycle scare crow spotted in Wetwang. The strangely named village was hosting a scare crow festival.

I also had my daughter take one of me sporting my fantastic T Shirt from Rat Trap Press Check them out, they are all very original and great value. I support them because they are hand made using a silk screen process by the man himself.

In my virtual reality bike ride from Beverley to Houston, I stated last week that I was over the gulf of St Lawrence and moving towards the New Brunswick Coast. This stretch of water still contains some winter ice which affected my GPS. It miscalculated our progress probably through wishful thinking. We are still infact in the Gulf of St Lawrence and longing for landfall !!!!!!

Inspiration

This afternoon, I intended to have a nice leisurely ride, around the Wolds.
When I set off the sky was dark, with heavily laden storm clouds.
Unable to hold its weight, the seeping rain poured out, blowing horizontally across my path.

It has been like this for days and I have not been best pleased.
Im am sure that its natures way to intimidate me, into a life of sedentary slovenliness.

I pedalled on undeterred, looked up to the Sky and bellowed 'YOU CAN F**K RIGHT OFF!!!!'
Any observers looking on might have thought that I am 'slightly mad', or 'eccentric', which I prefer.
I must confess that this scenario is often played out in other similar circumstances.

Whenever I get money out of the cash dispenser, I always say 'thank you'. Not once, but twice.
The second time, when the machine gives me my card back. (Maybe that one is out of relief)
When my computer bleeps at me, I apologise profusely, and of course when Addy (My bike ) is good, I encourage him.

Anyway after cursing vehemently at the sky, things abruptly changed.

The sky, realising that it had just had a 'right good telling off' smiled at me.


















The rain stopped, the wind calmed down, and the clouds dissolved like sugar in a nice cup of Tea. I smiled back, It seemed appropriate, and I took off my coat, as if I were entering someones house.
The warmth of the sun caressed me, and I was soon turned on by life, and the inspiration of Nature.
My afternoon jaunt turned into a beautiful 58 mile ride. An energetic, and inspirational piece of pedal turning


















'The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way. Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all. But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is Imagination itself'- William Blake, 1799, The Letters

Rolling back the years

Since 'Addy' (My new bike) has arrived on the scene, my life has changed.
I guess most people in life, like to be liked.
I am certainly no exception.
Knowing Addy's desire to get out at every opportunity, I have pretty much pandered to him to gain his affection.

Now we have a routine going I am starting to think that he might quite like me.
I also realise that he is far smarter than he appears, for such a youthful bike that is.
I think that there is a bit of a yin yang thing going on between us.
I look after him and he looks after me.

After work today, I completed 42 miles over the Wold Tops with lots of climbing.
It was a menacing evening with huge Cumulonimbus clouds bringing violent thunderstorms.
But it was beautiful all the same.
Cycling so high up I could see for miles.
The strong winds fluffed up the budding tress who in turn flirted with each other with tangled branches.
Occasional shafts of sunlight broke through the darkened clouds, like a spotlight on the stage. Highlighting natures own spring starlets and shinning a path through another storm.
I loved it.
I felt like I got a last minute place as an extra, in an extraordinary epic called 'Nature'.

With my increased exercise and diet combination, I was feeling, fitter, slimmer and .......younger.
A bit like Benjamin Button. I remember watching the film on the plane back from Houston.
I Loved that too, although I am not to sure that a certain F. Scott Fitzgerald would have shared my views.
It tells the story of somebody who is born old then grows younger.
Its an interesting concept and one I would certainly sign up to.
Its a shame that when your a bit older, when your at your wisest, smartest and most financially secure. You are also less likely to be physically able and energetic.
How I would have loved to have been young and wise.
The film also stared Cate Blanchett who is my favorite actress.

During the film there is also a reference to a man getting struck by lightening 7 times.
As I was being chased by the storms this evening, I too thought I might be joining this exclusive club, but Addy looked after me.
He guided me through the wind and hail back into the sanctuary of Beverley.
As he gets older, I am seemingly getting younger......When we meet in the middle we will be awesome double act.

Snakes and Ladders

As the weather has gradually started to improve, I have now started getting some miles in after work. To be fair, living with an adolescent racing bike, I don't really have a lot of choice.

'Addy' (My new Scott addict) has taken to staying in the house. He positions himself in such a way, that he is facing me when I come in the front door. When I get in he looks at me expectantly. If I try to ignore him, he gives me such an unpleasant look. Subsequently I feel compelled to change into my cycle clothing.

Although I am warming to him, I cant help notice that this feeling is not mutual.

He wants to enter the Tour de France, where I want to reach my 50th Birthday without having a coronary. He acts like he got last pick in the NFL draft, and that I was a player he really didn't want.

One evening he took me down this track, where I came across an evening cycling event.

There were about 30 cyclists 'going for it'. Eyes balls bulging, hearts pounding and legs pumping like a 'nodding donkey' on speed.

Addy loved it, and when we got home he persuaded me to look at joining a local cycling club.

Yorkshire is blessed with a multitude of cycling clubs with three relatively close to me.

Beverley Velo in the town where I live, Bridlington Cycling Club over on the coast, and Hull Thursday Club In Hull.

In order to stop Addy winging all weekend, I decided that I would have a ride out with Beverley Velo Club on Sunday morning.

When the morning arrived I ambled down to the local sports centre which was the usual meeting point. Amongst the assembled riders there were a number of obvious things that instantly struck me..

1. I was the oldest person by about 15 years

2. I was the heaviest person by about 50lbs

3. I was the only one wearing shorts and a short/sleeved cycle jersey.

As we set off at a blistering pace, I mused over why the other cyclist were all covered up.

Surely it was not that cold ?

When we slowed down for some traffic, It gave me the opportunity to think properly.

The bulk of my bodies blood had been summoned by my legs. This had left all other areas to flounder, especially by brain. Finally some of it was now seeping back.

During this timely reprise, my fragmented neurological messages, had determined that my fellow riders were in fact 'Skeletons'.

I was riding with Captain Barbossa's crew who were dressed in Lycra.

I have actually seen more meat on a well chewed dog bone.

It was obvious now, they would need the additional clothing to keep their limbs together and because they had no natural bodily warmth.

I fancied if we all got stranded on the moor top, they would all vote to eat me first.
After previously feeling quite confident about my cycling ability, this was soon dashed as we started our first significant climb. The skeletons pace hardly changed, and why would it!!! Their bikes were heavier than they were.

For me it was a totally different story. Addy wanted to race on, whilst my body wanted to play with gravity, and return to the bottom of the hill.

My perception of being a competent hill climber was just that 'A perception'. Things in life are all relative, cycling is no exception. In this company I was a novice.

I was soon struggling at the back, a place that was alien to me, but one I would have to get used to.

It was like starting all over again.

Klaus a German rider, joined me taking pity on a new prospective member.

I was very grateful. It was a decision he might regret now.

As we got to the top of a climb the road swings sharply to the right. It also has a left hand turning at the same point.

Addy used to my normal route, followed the road around to the right.

Klaus assuming I knew the route we were on today, turned left.

The result was not pretty.

The good thing about being built like a barn door is that when you come into contact with things, you normally come off best. The same was true in this instance. Klaus unfortunately hit the tarmac, whilst I was as stable as dental implant.

After dusting himself down and assuring me that his bleeding leg was 'nothing', he rejoined the faster front group, leaving me to fend for myself.

I'm sure if I could understand German I could have translated his true feelings.After about 25 miles we stopped at a Cafe. I had things to do so pressed on completing 52 miles.

I did not enjoy today's ride. It was too hard.

My Average HR was 165. Too much as an average for me and way out of my comfort zone. Although I now know have a long way to go, it was a start and at least Addy was happy.......

Isn't that all that matters - to keep your bike happy

Weekly Training/Weight Data
This week my diet has really been taking affect with a further 6lbs lost. That's 14 lbs in two weeks. This works out to be a whole load more potatoes removed from my imaginary pannier. As yet I feel no different on the bike, probably due to my continuously low energy levels.
My legs have put in a formal request to be transferred.

I asked them who they had in mind, thinking that it might be some inspirational sports personality.
It wasn't. Their exchange request was for anyone who sits in front of the TV all day eating donuts.
I have cycled 152 miles this week making 2200 miles for the year.
In my virtual reality bike ride from Beverley to Houston this takes me over the gulf of St Lawrence and close to the New Brunswick Coast. New Brunswick has a rugged and dangerous coast line with a tidal rise and fall of up to 50 ft, the largest in the world. It is also the birthplace of Sir Max Aitken, a famous Fleet Street publishing Baron.

'Whose day is it anyway?'

I have noticed that a number of my American Cousin bloggers have had a day allocated to them for cycling to work. Believe it or not it’s called ‘cycle to work day’. Fantastic. I am unsure whether this is something that applies to all of the States, or whether it’s just something that has been adopted by those States with a more liberal minded transport policy.
Irrespective of this it was really pleasing to see how well it was supported, and to view the many splendid photographs and blogposts celebrating its existence.

After mulling the concept over for sometime, I soon ascended my political soap box.
That is something I really try to avoid, so as not to chase any prospective blog viewers away.
I was annoyed at my own perception, that cycling to work might be seen as a 'novelty' rather than as a viable alternative form of transport.
Questions seeped into my head, where a mixture of varying emotions were stirred.
Why do we have these ‘special days’
Who thinks them up?
How many calendar days are still unallocated?
What if we run out?
If the calendar becomes overprescribed what happens then?
Do we share the days out?
There could be a scenario where we have a ‘peace day’ and a ‘support your local industry day’ sharing the same calendar date.
It would be ok if your town bred white doves.
But what if they made stealth bombers?
What if we no longer wanted to recognise a certain day or days?
Could we not double up on others or even have a whole week set aside for the more worthy subjects. Cycling fortnight has a nice ring to it.

In England we have Guy Faulks Night, otherwise known as fireworks night.
Its meant to commemorate a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament Charming!!!!
As well as forgetting the origins of the day, households seem to spend hundreds of ££££ (that they don’t have) on fireworks.
Im no killjoy but fireworks are technically small explosive devices which anybody over 16 can buy.

They may look pretty illuminating the night sky with all the colours of the rainbow, but what about the trade off.
They pollute the environment, scare every living thing (Including me) and they kill and maim people every year.


Can we not scrap this one and have our own ‘Ride to work day’ instead .


These days that seem to be set aside each year to prick our consciousness often have a double edged sword.

When I was young there was only one day set aside and that was 'Mothers Day'.
It’s on a different date in the USA, probably due to an administrative error in the ‘Days allocations committee' .
Nevertheless on that particular day (whenever it is celebrated), we all clamber over each other in florists and confectioners, to purchase gifts for our dear mothers.
Although I cant fault it, I do sense that it’s a bit of a cop out.
Are Mothers only worth just one day of each year?
I would like to think we appreciate our Mothers everyday.

We have even started having ‘negative days’ such as a national ‘No smoking day’.
Smokers are encouraged not to smoke.
I’m sure they get lots of encouragement throughout the year without a special day.
I am especially good at dissuading them, although my approach is not always polite.
In this instance we are not celebrating something or seeking to do something positive, but merely attempting to not do something that’s bad.

If we are to carry on with these days, I would like to dream of a novelty ‘Use your car day’ when we dust down our garaged relics and all laugh at the futility of motorised transport.
An alternative of course could be 'Rant day' although it appears as If i have just had mine !!!!!!
I’m off my soapbox now, normal blog service will resume on Sunday, when my ‘Cycle Everyday’ will continue.