Back to training..

Things are starting to look up on the training front at last. I rode Arjuna (my road bike) over to Gill's last night - only 10.3 miles or so but averaged over 20 mph which was good. Then the rain decided to stop bang on cue this morning allowing me a nice dry ride back - taking in an additional hill for good measure.

Have just got out of the shower having taken the mountain bike up to Whinlatter. No reaction from the rib at all as I did 1 3/4 laps of the south red circuit as well as the blue. Don't feel quite as fresh as I would like however am planning a decent ride tomorrow - may try one of the Cross Fell circuits again.

Back to training..

Things are starting to look up on the training front at last. I rode Arjuna (my road bike) over to Gill's last night - only 10.3 miles or so but averaged over 20 mph which was good. Then the rain decided to stop bang on cue this morning allowing me a nice dry ride back - taking in an additional hill for good measure.

Have just got out of the shower having taken the mountain bike up to Whinlatter. No reaction from the rib at all as I did 1 3/4 laps of the south red circuit as well as the blue. Don't feel quite as fresh as I would like however am planning a decent ride tomorrow - may try one of the Cross Fell circuits again.

Family trips...

back from 4 days of seeing family (both mine and Gill's). The timing has been good in that it has allowed my rib to heal a little and it was good to see everyone again.

The rib is still not great and I am going to have to make a decision REAL soon as I have a 50 mile challenge I am supposed to do this weekend - am probably going to have to give it a miss with the Bassenthwaite Tri in August and then hard training until Morocco.

One more piece of news - I managed to change both tyres on the mountain bike and without injury - AMAZING!!

my main excercise for the last two days has been painting (and that left handed!) due to the rib injury It does seem to be getting better with the help of lots of arnica tablets and lots of cuddles with the cats when I was at Gill's yesterday watching the time trial in the Tour.

This years etape du Tour took people up Mont Ventoux (ouch)...something I would quite like to have a go at next year - will see how it fits in with the school terms next year.

Anyway, am probably going to give the open water swim a miss today - although may go down and chat with Stuart anyway and resume training on Monday..

Rest days and time trials..

my main excercise for the last two days has been painting (and that left handed!) due to the rib injury It does seem to be getting better with the help of lots of arnica tablets and lots of cuddles with the cats when I was at Gill's yesterday watching the time trial in the Tour.

This years etape du Tour took people up Mont Ventoux (ouch)...something I would quite like to have a go at next year - will see how it fits in with the school terms next year.

Anyway, am probably going to give the open water swim a miss today - although may go down and chat with Stuart anyway and resume training on Monday..

Update on the Rib..

still hurting...

managed a good half hour jog on the gym treadmill yesterday and have just done a hilly 4 1/2 outside today so it clearly is not broken. Having said that it still hurts if I roll onto that side in my sleep and/or try to do any lifting with it..

Have a weekend off this weekend as it's Gill's parents golden wedding and we are going down to that..will try and do a bike ride tomorrow - that will be interesting to see how it responds to the jolting of going downhill.

Off to watch the key stage of the Tour de France now - and get thoroughly depressed with the grace of those guys as they power up those huge hills...

Falling off the bike...

First big crash of the training year today -falling on top of the south red route at Whinlatter Pass. Not sure as to extent of damage; cuts and scrapes to both legs and damage to one of my ribs; hopefully its just a bruise and don't think its broken. I was able to carry on and do another partial circuit of the red route and some of the blue route as well. Having said that am unable to do any one pull-up on my training board and have not attempted to run yet.

Fitness wise, I am climbing the hills reasonably well on the bike yet not descending well today so need to get some miles in the legs - weather was better than expected and hope to get out tomorrow again.

A couple of photo's taken from the Newlands Horseshoe...

A lovely weekend..The

Despite the weather forecast Gill, myself, Chester and Everest the travelling bear got out for 2 good walks. Helvellyn was on Saturday, up Striding Edge and down Swirral..Not a lot to say about Striding Edge really, we had a heavy shower on the ridge and I took Gill down to the left of the last descent to avoid a traffic jam. This was a little more 'sporting' than she bargained for but she took it all in her stride!! The final ascent up the scree was horrific; I hadn't done this in summer for several years and my god it was awful - loose; broken up and generally in need of serious repair or to be left alone for a while. Sadly due to the crowds of people that we saw on the edge (and we two are as guilty as the rest) the latter looks very unlikely.

Sunday was a last minute decision to try and do the Newlands Horseshoe and it was one of our better ones. Having managed to locate the correct bridleway we had a lovely walk in the sunshine. Gill had run out of water and I was down to dregs in my 2 litre camelback when a farm which sold tea and cake appeared...damn what a shame!!

More pix later or check out http://picasaweb.google.com/simon.bigair

photo btw is of Fairfield, Dollywaggon Pike and the Grizedale valley - from Helvellyn

A couple more of the photo's showing the views from Cross Fell...

As it throws it down with rain in Cumbria and I rue the fact that I left the sun-roof slightly open on my car last night, a couple of pictures from last weekends ride over Cross Fell to cheer people up and remind us all that it is still summer!

My first photo; having finally got my totally useless internet provider '3' to get enough connection time to get pictures up. This is what comes of not having a BT landline in this place; if I decide to stay here I will have to get one as '3 are the world's biggest joke; even worse than BT if that is humanly possible. Cable is not around in darkest Cumbria so options are somewhat limited.

Anyhow, this is my current screensaver, taken last summer from the approach to Grey Crag in the Lakes. Buttermere is the lake in the picture as some will know.

Things moving apace...

Well its been a little time since the last post and life has been VERY good this week. Gill and I did a good deed on Sunday giving a fellow climber a lift to Penrith from Borrowdale rather than him using the X5 - which takes forever to get anywhere - and it seems that the universe has taken note as I got offered a job on Monday - albeit one that doesn't start until Sept 09. Its going to be a massive challenge and one that I am really looking forward to; quite possibly taking my career life in a new direction.

Anyway, back to the weekend and a long training ride on Sat; over Cross Fell and then back from the East side of the Pennines over Great Dun Fell back to base - via a steep, rough and often not there bridleway. Over 5 hrs in the saddle and a really good, challenging ride on a hot day. My arms got sunburned which is odd considering how tanned they already are...and the descent to Garrigill from Greg's Hut - about 7 miles of rough tough going!

Sunday saw another walk with Gill and another drenching on the pass from Watendlath to Borrowdale followed by lunch at the Flock tea shop - a nice Herdi Stew! As well as a gripe about the fact that we always seem to get wet on that path is it necessary to build the drainage dikes with huge bounding stones which render what is a bridleway almost completely unridable in my opinion. Let us not forget that this is a national park as well - paid for by OUR money.

Anyway, away from the whingeing and Tuesday saw another trip to Whinlatter after an early morning swim with Gill. Rode all 3 of the trails at Whinlatter and I am REALLY starting to dig the new red on the south side of the pass - will take the helmet camera up next time I go and record the fun!!

More good news yesterday in that did a road run for the first time in a couple of months with no pain from the knee - which is most encouraging indeed and hopefully this is healing up nicely..

bye for now

Bouldering and interviews...

Bit mixed yesterday; have got two interviews on Monday which is obviously encouraging and something to look forward to..

Bouldering last night was not great though, my arms still felt tired from the battering they had taken on the Cross Fell cycle ride on the 8th and I felt drained and tired. Given the amount of training I am having to do to get ready for the Morocco trip that is a little worrying. Luke climbed pretty well though, on this gnarly V2 (although it seems harder) 6a arete we were trying in Honister..

Good news on one front at least...

Managed a 20 min run yesterday in the Gym and no sign of aggro from the injured knee which is good...looks like the ITB problem is starting to heal. Just as well seeing as I have a hard month ahead culminating in the 50 mile challenge on August 1/2..

Just back from a mountain bike ride on Cross Fell. Legs did feel quite weak however managed to get a bit stronger as went on and having savoured a mile walk over boggy ground had a flying descent down to Kirkhall. Might extend on Friday and drop via Pennine Way to Alston and then back over the Hartside.

Will try and upload some pics as soon as possible as well; would be rather boring otherwise!!

Just back from Whinlatter; first time on the red route south today and very good it is too...just off to clean the bike and play with the helmet cam output; will try and put some up at some point. Am supposed to be riding tonight but not sure yet; legs are feeling it a bit....

Now a grumpy monday morning here but a brilliant weekend. Gill and I took in a superb play on Friday night at the theatre by the lake in Keswick..'Summer Lightning' was a 20's farce written by P.G Wodehouse; very very funny and well acted by the cast. Couple that with a bar that sells Cumberland Ale on draught and a good time was garunteed!

Saturday led to a walk up Cross Fell; another lovely day with superb views over the whole of the Lakes and across to the Pennine's. Descent was still a little painful on the knee but was a lot better than the last time we did this walk. Looks like the ITB problem is starting to get better finally which is a great relief.

Yesterday was a bit more of a slow down; however Luke and I roused ourselves to go to Shepherds Crag and do Eve (VS 4c [5.8 for any US visitors]). This is quite a delicate and bold climb and I was very pleased with how I climbed it. Luke did a good job of seconding it before we repaired to the cafe for cake and tea....

Not sure what todays plan is; have got a job application to finish and then may hit the gym or go up to Whinlatter for some mountain biking....thats all for now.

Just a quick update; watching an amazing display of athleticism under pressure from both players in the first Wimbledon semi-final..to be able to keep that level of concentration and precision going for so long is amazing; and quite inspiring.

The start of the journey...

Well now, lets see...

Welcome to any readers by the way; I will update this as much as possible to let you know how things are progressing.

Current status is unemployed due to end of contract at Cumbria Constabulary so am trying to job hunt; sort out the shambles that is my flat; have fun in the glorious summer we are having at the moment...and spend some time with my g/f Gill and her lovely cats...

Spent about 45 mins at Carrock Fell playing on the boulders today - climbed pretty well (by my own miserable standards) so am quite chuffed; at least til I got home to find a letter advising me I had not got a job I went to an interview for...ho hum back to it I gues..

well; off to Gill's to do some more job hunting and to watch the tennis...more later.