Continually searching for what is already here,

and it's going to stop.









I promise.

Running.

It seems like too many people are rushing around and belly aching about things they do for 'enjoyment' recently. It's all to easy to get dragged into their rants, and it can spoil a perfectly good day.
So, today I went for a walk, took some photos, talked, and learnt from some like minded folks and topped it off a great coffee in town. Tomorrow I'll go on another solo ride and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Just...

...fell down the stairs. Have lost skin from back, under arm and hip. Nothing broken and using red wine to dull the pain - could be worse.

When one door opens another one must close.

Or however the saying goes.

The title is my posh way of saying I'm not racing 'cross anymore this season because we're buying a house! The stress and workload of two undertakings outside work would surely kill me so racing had to go, for this season.
The good news is the new place is very bike racing friendly - outside bike storage, outside tap for muddy bikes and a great mix of quiet roads and trails on the doorstep. Also I'll have a bit more of a commute so base miles won't be a problem.

Of course it's not finalised until we sign on the dotted line but the offer has been accepted, solicitors called into action and mortgage agreed so it's looking promising.
This week I'll also be cannibalising the cross bike for parts for my winter training ride, expect compact chainrings, full mudguards (and mudflaps) but with a hint of PRO white thrown in, with a Turbo saddle of course.

Early mornings lead to early nights.

This week I have been getting out of bed at 5:30am, traveling to Manchester and building wheels. I now know all the usable spoke patterns off by heart, if you need a 3 cross asymmetrical rear wheel build I'm your man!
Seriously though all this is going towards making me a better mechanic and gaining some qualifications I can use in my career. The day's activities doesn't leave much time for anything else, so this weekend I will be mostly riding my bike and maybe attending one of those bike jumble sales to sniff out any deals.

Mud.

http://www.crosstube.net/Cyclocross+2010%252F2011/Cyclocross+Super+Trophy+Ronse+2010+-+Final+2+laps/68OGkkayiJc%3Ff%3Dplaylists%26app%3Dyoutube_gdata.html

Go to 11:00 to see how much of a fool a bit of mud can make you look. Still don't think it's as bad as Temple Newsam last month.

Usual system.

+1

Possible house-moving opportunities.
Banter.
Home baking from the other half.
Trade price.
Standing on our own two feet.


-1

Talking about money.
Having to admit some things are not at the top of your priority list.
Training rides in November, the first road races are in April - they'll be sick of training before February!

Day off.

Had a proper day off today.
Not done anything that requires much energy, apart from tidy up a little, chicken soup for dinner and then GVA Trophy Koppenbergcross live off the t'internet. Good to see the best in the world struggle in the mud like the rest of us.
I'm no expert on euro cyclocross but it was nice to see someone other than Stybar win, Nys looked like his old self and is it possible Pauwels could podium when the Worlds come around?