OK, that is the bike pretty much fettled for Kielder.

OK, that is the bike pretty much fettled for Kielder. What a pain in the arse! Got rid of the annoying rattle that I couldn't trace I think, by rebuilding my cassette. It would have appeared to loosen itself enough that every sprocket had a degree of movement relative to every other one. Hoping not enough damage to the freehub to need to replace that though...
Oh, and thanks Superstar, I do like your cheap pads, fit my elixirs when Disco brakes didn't, but when one pad has a misaligned braking suface they won't fit, and will leave me one set short! So my best worn set on the rear and a new set up front.
Fingers crossed...
Oh, and my shiny new jockey wheels are seriously shiny, and new, ninja throwing stars be gone! KNC bling (for me anyway) do your stuff.

Right, thats it, my first malt loaf in the oven.

Right, thats it, my first malt loaf in the oven... A tried recipe by others, just not me with my basic skills (and ingredients) :-)

Hello, I think this is essentially a DM on Google+ as I have only included your name in the address to twin purposes.

Hello, I think this is essentially a DM on Google+ as I have only included your name in the address to twin purposes. Will check no-one else can see it (with wife's account) and also ask you a question. You recently got a wood burning stove? Can I ask why? It has just been in my head that it might be a practical alternative to burning ever more expensive gas (and something I have always wanted) and was wondering if you had done the maths and decided it was potentially cheaper or if you also just always wanted one, and so did it :-)
The ideal would of course to take the family on regular foraging trips into the local woods to collect dry fallen wood, the reality would undoubtably be buying stuff in but it would be an alternative to gas central heating not a total replacement.
Was just pondering and remembered you got one recently so thought I would be nosey :-)

Chris.

Navitron do some good eco energy things, including this rather funky little paraffin lamp/radio.

Navitron do some good eco energy things, including this rather funky little paraffin lamp/radio.
http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=18&catID=67
Cool :-)
http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=18&catID=67

It's been nearly a year...

... since I put anything here.
Busy year, really busy. Our little girl has been growing up, going from a gorgeous gurgling little rug rat to a gorgeous, smiling, giggling, happy little adventurer, who is utterly fearless in every respect (it would be nice if she gained a healthy respect for things like big drops, sharp things, really hot things but hey, there is plenty of time for that later).
Work has continued to be a changeable place, in a good way but at least a years stability beckons and I am kind of looking forward to it. Remember what I am actually supposed to do for a living.
As far as the cycling is concerned, I did say that this would be the place for that kind of thing didn't I? Well, I am still enjoying it, managing to commute a bit more but the next month will show how well that goes (I actually need to be at work to commute after all) and the Kielder 100 is looming large again. Next Saturday of course. Wow.
I am fitter than last year. That is certain. I have also actually cycled less than last year, that is also certain. I will be going up on my own this time which I have mixed feelings about. I should be able to be pretty selfish and mooch about, sleep when I feel like it and get ready in a slow and long winded way. But I will miss my girls and the phone reception up there is pants, so might literally be out of contact totally for a couple of days. Not done that before and not sure I will like it...
Still, it could be a dull midge infested couple of days for them so it is the right decision.
Right, that is it for now time to go to bed and dream of dusty Kielder trails and making the first cut off before it actually cuts off :-)

Happy birthday to me

Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy biirrrthdayyy dear me-eeee,
Happy birthday to me
:-)
Glad it is raining hard enough on the campervan to let me enjoy lots more birthday!

A Nokia 5800 may not be an ideal Google+ companion and the Facebook mobile site may be way more developed, but here...

A Nokia 5800 may not be an ideal Google+ companion and the Facebook mobile site may be way more developed, but here I am first... Think I like Google+
I am also quite partial to this new site (to us) in York. Easy cycle into York and York itself is a good place to spend spme time. A return with the extended family seems in order...

Just added 14 various ways of impeding access to cupboards and drawers in our house.

Just added 14 various ways of impeding access to cupboards and drawers in our house. Getting ready to look after other peoples kids can really mess up your house. Hope I get used to them before I tear one of them off by accident.

Time for more unscientific turbo training fun :-)

Wow, long day.

Wow, long day. Met dad and step mum at Bakewell station to go along the Monsal trail and back with my dad. Nicola Auton and daughter out for a walk with step mum. Monsal trail was pretty busy by lunchtime on the way back and we have all worked on sorting out our garden since then, until about half an hour ago.
That is 11 straight hours of activity, I think I will need very little rocking tonight. I also hope our gorgeous baby sleeps, well, like a fictional baby rather than a real one :-)

They are finishing google labs! That disappoints me slightly, it was always good to see what might be, hey ho...

They are finishing google labs! That disappoints me slightly, it was always good to see what might be, hey ho...
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/more-wood-behind-fewer-arrows.html
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/more-wood-behind-fewer-arrows.html

I think it is fair to say, teething is having a good go at ruining my summer.

I think it is fair to say, teething is having a good go at ruining my summer. Our poor little girl is suffering as she tries to cut a handful of teeth simultaneously. Still, I am only awake, not awake and in pain... mustn't grumble!

Well, that is just shy of 2 hours fun on the bike, quite hard fun, but fun exploring the local woods all the same.

Well, that is just shy of 2 hours fun on the bike, quite hard fun, but fun exploring the local woods all the same. Now it is time to make a start on tea... Was quite nice last time...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/creamychickenkorma_67790
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/creamychickenkorma_67790

Watching a beautiful sunrise is a great way to start the day, but it does mean I am either up very early, or the...

Watching a beautiful sunrise is a great way to start the day, but it does mean I am either up very early, or the days are getting shorter again and I have started to notice.
Still, it is a lovely sky...

Was just watching our daughter try and plug in the lead for the iPod touch she occasionally seems to mistake as hers...

Was just watching our daughter try and plug in the lead for the iPod touch she occasionally seems to mistake as hers into this computer. Was struggling a bit so (very) briefly tried the wrong end, shook her head and smiled at me then went back to trying the USB end. Still didn't manage it (was 45-90 degrees out if that makes sense) so just shook her head and smiled at me, then went back to playing with her things.
If she was older it might be more mundane, but as she is insanely cute 15 month old it made me smile loads and oddly proud :-)

I am sure I just posted something.

I am sure I just posted something... Did I click on something else and Google or Lion didn't just sort it out for me? Best try again... :-)

Another good days holiday, our little girl was beside herself it the aquarium of the lakes.

Another good days holiday, our little girl was beside herself it the aquarium of the lakes. Toddling up to all the tanks, pointing, babbling and going backwards and forwards :-)
Back home tomorrow though, possibly via Lyme Park for a picnic lunch. Then I really need to cram in some bicycle riding or turbo time or something... Kielder is coming........

Few days in the Lake District is panning out nicely, bit of rain has been had, but so have bath buns and splashing...

Few days in the Lake District is panning out nicely, bit of rain has been had, but so have bath buns and splashing in puddles :-)

Well we made it to Ambleside at least!

Well we made it to Ambleside at least! Felt like a really long drive with a couple of stops and next to no sleep the night before. Seems quite a luxury to be up for a feed now after a few hours kip :-)
Anyway, she is nearly done so time to try and get back to sleep. Helped by the continuing slow subsidance of Wednesday nights monster nettling. Never been kept awake virtually all night by a nettling before!

Went out for our usual Wednesday night ride earlier, in the unseasonable rain.

Went out for our usual Wednesday night ride earlier, in the unseasonable rain. Blimey it was a bit sketchy! Every rock and root had clearly been polished to within an inch of its life and anything exposed had taken the surface dust and rain and produced an incredibly efficient lubricant.
Got back after nearly 20 miles of near disaster and calamity, soaking wet, brambled and nettled to buggery and with the bike in need of a thorough clean.
What a brilliant ride :-) filth embraced! But a bit more summer would be nice though...

Couldn't stay awake when little one was feeding, so got up to sort some stuff out.

Couldn't stay awake when little one was feeding, so got up to sort some stuff out. Watched some news. Feel sick, angry and dismayed. There really are plenty of worthless bastards in the world aren't there?
Cannot think of any excuse for what is going on, none at all. Does not matter how angry you are even if your anger is justified you simply cannot carry on like that.
I don't like feeling like this, it makes me a less open and trusting person, makes me suspicious and less likely to help those who actually need it.
Not anywhere near what is happening thankfully, can only imagine what it must be like for decent people who are trapped there, fearing that they may have to literally fight for their lives, not knowing what might happen next as their world goes up in flames.
TV is going off now and I am going to try and go to sleep encouraged by the brave voices in the communities. I hope they still have hope.

First utterly un-scientific turbo session, film on laptop, forgot a drink though.

First utterly un-scientific turbo session, film on laptop, forgot a drink though... might grab that as it is getting warm in the garage but too noisy to open a door at this time!

The Kielder 100 is 4 weeks today?

The Kielder 100 is 4 weeks today? Hmmmm, I really need to make the most of the time between now and then. Still last nights turbo test went well, I am nearly deaf (it is a cheap fan one) but it was quiet enough in the house... Time to punish my legs! Well, not right now you understand :-)

My OTB moment a few days ago made me think my hand was hurt/broken, it was just hurt.

My OTB moment a few days ago made me think my hand was hurt/broken, it was just hurt. Woke the next day and found the bruises and grazes on the fronts of both shoulders, and they started to ache. Did the Cut Gate ride the next day without any issues (well, I only fell off once, sideway, going uphill, into a ditch). Then woke the next day and my ribs were feeling it. Today? My hand is about the only thing that doesn't feel battered!
Still, wouldn't have missed either ride, why do we do it? :-)

So HTC are packing up.

So HTC are packing up... Talking about Mr Cavendish the other day and couldn't see any reason for him to move. Maybe that is why I don't run a pro team or rider...

After yesterdays eventful ride Cut Gate out and back, with a little extra, seemed a proper slog.

After yesterdays eventful ride Cut Gate out and back, with a little extra, seemed a proper slog. Body aching all over, clearly hit the ground harder than I thought yesterday.
Still an awesome ride though, fast bits, techy bits, unrideable bits (this time...) and enough near misses to keep it exciting. I think I might be getting better at this riding thing :-)
Hope I get some uninterrupted sleep tonight though... Could use it.

6.8 miles, apparently 1400 ft of climbing but a lot of that is in one go to get into the woods, and I was trying to...

6.8 miles, apparently 1400 ft of climbing but a lot of that is in one go to get into the woods, and I was trying to stay level. Lots of little rough singletrack I couldn't get much momentum on so had to grind out on the singlespeed. Then crashed OTB on the fast loamy fun bits.
Loved it all the same :-)

Baby girl awake, just.

Baby girl awake, just. I am very awake but fading back to sleep fast. If she goes back down soon I might just get on the bike and get out for an hour or so.
Over to you little one...

Ah, forgot to ask our 15 month old daughter if we could sleep through. It would seem not :-)

That's another Mock the Week watched, thanks iPlayer, now time for bed.

How did you structure your training?

How did you structure your training? (noticed your intervals post the other day) Have been off the bike for a few weeks when I should have been desperately cramming in rides to try and survive the Kielder 100 so think I need to try and be a bit clever as well as riding lots. So where did you start making a programme, book, website, trainer...? Or is it all from that "Time Crunched Cyclist" book you recommended, and I still havent got my hands on...

Operation Aubergine update...

Operation Aubergine update...
Plinths, fitted.
Upstand, fitted.
Extra faffing required? Yes.
Quantity, masses.
Details, never made so many trips to a power tool (miter saw) to shave so little material off to try and squeeze it together. Still, thats it done now :-)

If this works it will be quite very, no, exceedingly cool :-)

If this works it will be quite very, no, exceedingly cool :-)

Operation "finally sort out some more bits on the kitchen" may need a more snappy title, Aubergine maybe?

Operation "finally sort out some more bits on the kitchen" may need a more snappy title, Aubergine maybe? But it is GO! Splashback/upstand thing needs fitting, as do the plinths. All the bits have been cut to size so now it is just a simple jigsaw... Right?

Good morning all, hope you had a good weekend?

Good morning all, hope you had a good weekend? I expect it will start getting busy here again shortly, I guess Google+ is still not blocked at work for lots if people :-)