Author: Pascal

With about five days left until the big event, I’m trying to be sanguine about my chances. Deep down I’m thinking “Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit – what have I signed up for?”, and those deep down voices are clamouring pretty loudly – making it hard for my optimistic little squeaks to be heard. I think Martin is feeling a little nervous too, although I quite like his mantra “It is what it is – we’ll give it our best shot”. Continue reading “Only 5 More Days to Go…”

My cousin (katyhemfit.com) has gone vegan in the last year. Not mad militant vegan (at least, she hasn’t tried to bust my balls for the diet I have, and I saw her drinking wine without checking to see if it was rennet free first), but vegan none the less. Continue reading “Random thoughts on eating”

Desperately in need of a new cycling jersey, I decided to have one made which reflected something of my personality. Something whimsical, geeky and steampunk. Something to do with computers, perhaps. Something with my number one heroine on it. Hmm. Continue reading “An Excellent New Jersey”

Back on my bike again, the Lifeboat Patrol rides from Ilfracombe to Plymouth, with a stop off at Okehampton in the middle. Nineteen riders started, and nineteen riders finished (although one did have a little rest along the way), and we were joined by two support drivers to sweep up any stragglers, and to provide assistance in the event of any problems. Continue reading “Devon Coast to Coast”

I am not, as I may have mentioned previously, a runner. I don’t like it. I’m slow, it feels uncomfortable, and insufficient ground is covered for it to be interesting. Walking I like, because I can look around and take pictures. Cycling I like, because I can cover distances. But running falls uncomfortably between those two stools – too fast for photography, and too slow to actually get anywhere. Continue reading “Thame 10k”

The morning of Fathers Day was very enjoyably spent watching the incredible spectacle that is Giffords Circus. Tweedy was endearing, funny and loved by all the children (as usual) rather than worrying, creepy and weird (as is more normal for clowns). The kids loved Keith, his pet iron, and the adults loved the folded banana trick. The acrobats and the trapeze were heart-stoppingly impressive. Continue reading “Fathers Day Blast”

On the 20th August, in Lincolnshire, twilight ends and night starts in earnest at 21:45. The night ends, and twilight begins, at 4:26. It may still be dark in the twilight but the glimmerings of the sun (and hope) will be visible. It does, of course, mean that for six and a half long hours Martin and I will be riding in the inky black – the route lit only by our lights, the spread out twinkling of other cyclists, glow sticks (we’re told), and the glare of the occasional passing HGV. Continue reading “Night Rider”

With the Thame 10k coming up in a little over a fortnight, I thought it best to go for a quick training run. Besides, isn’t cross-training what it’s all about these days? So, in the best tradition of ensuring that I can do more than I’ll actually be asked to do I ran 11k – and bloody hell! To think that people actually run for fun! It was excruciating. And I was slow. Continue reading “Going for a little jog”

I was joined on the Evans Hatfield Sportive by Steve and Martin (thanks, chaps, you made it a far more enjoyable experience – I’m very grateful to you). It was Steve who summed it up the best – 75 miles of enjoyable cycling followed up by 15 miles of brutality (the biggest hills were saved til last). Continue reading “Evans’ Hatfield Sportive”

I’m proud of what Great Britain has accomplished, which is why I was pleased that Scotland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. I can understand why some might not have wanted to, and I think that Scotland needs greater autonomy (as do England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and their regions), but we are greater than the sum of our parts. Continue reading “Thoughts on Brexit”