Clifton CC Road Race.

I photographed my cycling club's road race yesterday. It took place on a course I have ridden this year in a couple of time trials, all heavy roads with no place to recover before the next effort is upon you. I have nothing but respect for every rider that took part. Maybe next year I might be taking part myself.

And Another.

What an experience.

Sunday

Riding 145 miles. Climbing a lot of big hills. In the saddle for 11 hours.

Monday

Full body massage by a Sports Therapist.


Two things I have never done before in my life, two things I want to do again.

Never been to Belgium...

... but this morning I found myself riding there. As I turned from the hills north of York towards the City, I found myself riding across the flat stretch of land before me, underneath a sky that had clouds stacked up like a grey blanket. Along forgotten country lanes known only by locals, the smell of freshly turned earth hanging on the breeze and the only sounds being tractors toiling in the fields.
My training ride had gone well, on my return journey the wind was against me so a little more effort was required. In the drops, watching the road rush under my wheels, I had images of Spring races in Belgium and Northern France in my mind. For a short while I was lost in a place I'd never seen, as I continued the Britishness of my surroundings slowly awoke me from my European daydream.

The Summer so far...

Ain't no holla back girl.

Don't be a victim of life.

I like the 'world' I live in. The things I give the most importance may not work for everyone but they do for me. I am starting a new agenda of only giving time to real issues, concentrating on things I can change and that are actually happening, rather than imaginary problems I create for myself.

I know someone who blames all their problems on other people, constantly complains about how their life would be different if they had the chances of others and generally lives a restricted existence bound by their past decisions, while taking none of the responsibility. They bore me, and frustrate me that there are actually still people who are so self-obsessed they put themselves and their petty, self pity above those with real issues in life.

It always reminds me on a Diane Arbus quote:

"Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats."
Diane Arbus

What I learnt today.

Life is too short for shit food.

To not let bad news destroy me.

To take advice from the right people.

Everything happens for a reason.

I am a damn fine cook.

Panning.

Jeremy Hunt heading for the win.
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin

The thrill of a photograph turning out exactly how you wanted it to never gets old.

Click the photo to see more from the Otley races, from earlier in the Summer.

If it's outside Yorkshire, it's not worth visiting..