Well you, son of T de F Rider...

Introduction (please imagine it being narrated by Leonard Nimoy) Fast and Furious The Expendables The Bourne Series Terminator Transformers Spiderman Pirates of the Caribbean Final Destination What do these movie franchises have to do with Scott's tumble in the Majorcan countryside?  Not much, until now. Now, his little story can join the ranks of the above esteemed titles by going on (at least) one story too long.  As much as Scott would have loved to wrap things up after the last episode where he made it home in a back brace for a slow but steady recovery. But, oh no, that's way too easy, so, dear reader, sit back and enjoy the next thrilling episode with Scott and his dodgy descending technique. I got home from hospital on a Friday afternoon.  I had a truck load of meds and a back brace. "Honestly love, I feel a bit tired now but another few days and I'll able to start going back into the office" I probably even believed that too as I said...

Following on from my last blogs about this, (read them first please if you haven't) I've made it back Blighty.  I am about to be handed over to the care of the NHS from Luxembourg Air Rescue.  I had also previously stated that this would be a chance for me to see first hand a direct comparison from the care I got in Majorca and here. Before I get into that there are a couple of points I want to make. I am and always have been very pro NHS.  I do think it's a great institution but you only ever hear the negatives re waiting times or ops that have gone wrong etc.  But those are the things that make headlines.  Unfortunately we are quick to complain and slow to praise.  After all, why should you say "well done" to anyone treating you.  "They're just doing their job".   Well, to some extent maybe that's true. But caring, as a profession, is so personal, there are many degrees of good and "bad" that can be distinguished by the patient, ...

Even though I have already posted about the crash, I wanted to share my experience of having a major trauma in a foreign land and how I was treated. I want to start from just after I hit the deck.  Initially, I was lying in the ditch over some big rocks screaming like a baby.  I admit I'm not brave at the best of times but this was pain like I have never felt before.  (By the way read the previous post if you haven't already so it makes sense.) I shouted for the first couple on the scene to help me up.  I was aware I could move my head and limbs ok so I didn't think anything can be broken. As they pull me to my feet I realise the pain is too intense to stand up, so I lie down on the road on my side which didn't hit the wall.  Other people arrive on the scene and try to offer comfort.  Something soft is put under my head and I'm given shade and water.  As I'm lying there I can feel it difficult to breathe and very painful if I try to take a deep...

I can now state "My season is in ruins"... ...and it was all going so well. I'm sorry to report I've had a major "off" descending the Coll de Femenia last Monday (13th June). I had just picked up a hire bike in Puerto de Pollensa for few hours of pedalling in the sun and mountains of Majorca this week in-between lying in the sun with a few beers and lazing in the pool. Unfortunately all those plans have been ended by over cooking a corner a few turns down from the top of the Femenia.  I had just spent, what felt like forever dragging myself up the 7.7km climb in 29 degrees heat.  It had occurred to me more than once on the way up, "what the hell am I doing?  I could be lying by the pool".  Still, I pressed on and eventually reached the summit.  Obviously I stopped to take the obligatory selfie. A happy Scott only a few minutes before the crash I then set off back down towards Pollensa and the sanctuary of the hotels pool/bar. A car...

April was an improvement on earlier months this year.  Got out half a dozen times and a staggering distance of about 360kms. Even managed two visits to the world famous Eureka Cafe.  The cake there always ensures I don't lose too many calories on these rides. Did my longest ride for quite a while, in fact my longest recorded on Strava, 116kms.  Went over the "Shelf" a famous climb out of Rhuthin in North Wales.  Wasn't too bad either.  Last time I went over there was 25 years and 10kgs ago.  I did notice the difference!  But it reminded me of what I had been missing.  Despite my lack of ability, I do still like the hills of North Wales.  This area of the UK is really fantastic for pedalling around. The new kit arrived (see last post) and was fitted.  Managed to get it all working, so I'm very pleased with the upgrades so far.  Even managed to recoup some of the cost with a bit of spit and polish on the old kit and flogged on eBa...

So after an okish (for once) January, Feb was not great.  Three (3) rides. Just three.  Just over 200kms.  Pretty rubbish, but I put it down to the crap weather and my penchant for not wanting to get wet or go out when its dark and cold.  Well, I wasn't going to ride in the Eddie Soens Memorial race in early March so I think I can get away with it. Then March arrived.  Another ski trip followed by a bout of man flu wiped out nearly the whole month.  I suppose the skiing itself was good training, but that was soon undone by a further 20 day lay off.  But now we have got to Easter and I have had two rides in three day.  Only short 30 kms at a time, but softly, softly catchy monkey (as they say). Two bits of exciting and motivating news to help me going forwards though... 1) A major order made from Wiggle!! (Other online cycle component retailers are available).  I decided to go "all in" and purchase a new groupset and pedals.  Not a ...

Ok, so the cycling isn't going as great as I'd hoped.  But I can blame the weather and holidays for that so I don't feel too guilty about it.  Yet. I actually skied further than I rode my bike in January.  Not sure that is something to be proud of or not.  I suppose it is if you are cyclist trying to be a skier.  Perhaps not the other way round.  But neither scenario really applies to me.  I skied 289km and only rode 204km in January. Could be the making of a new winter duathlon type event... Skicling...? I do love skiing though.  I had a fantastic week in Les Arcs, weather and snow were amazing. In fact it was too warm.  Only got to wear my Darth Vader ski mask a couple of times as it was just not needed (except at the very top as shown above). I just hope the weather picks up here now as I want to get out on my bike again.  Large quantities of food and red wine offset any calories spend on the piste (with quite a bit to spare...

You would probably guess that most people would say that they don't think about where they sit on a bus. But a recent study using 4 years worth of data* suggests otherwise.  This applies mainly to the frequent bus user in particular as they use previous experiences of bus rides to influence their decision. Infrequent bus passengers are initially distracted by the novelty factor to make any sort of calculated choice. This research is based on frequent  commuter passengers typically spending over 20 minutes on each journey. First of all, the bus type plays a big part in seating tactics. For example the back seats on a single decker bus are viewed very differently to the back downstairs seats on a double decker or indeed the upstairs back seats. Here's a break down of the areas and my advice on where to sit to achieve the ultimate goal for a sole traveller... A double seat to yourself... Lets face it.  First aim is to sit by yourself.  Secondary to that...

I discovered from Twitter, I think, that racing is returning to Birkenhead Park this year.  This prompted me to writing a little blog on my experiences through the 80's and early 90's of my all time favourite course. I actually raced around the park on 44 separate occasions and won there 6 times. Before I get into the story of my times racing round the park, I will give a little background history, on the park itself. (Oh blimey, I'm almost writing an informative blog!) For the uncultured of you reading this, Birkenhead Park was opened in 1847 and was the first park built with public money, after the town of Birkenhead asked Parliament for the powers to use the money to build a municipal park.  More famously though, the designer of New York's Central Park  Freddy Olmsted visited Birkenhead Park and used some of the features from it in his design for Central Park. Birkenhead Park has recently been the subject of an £11.5 million renovation, fund...