one more cup of coffee

1151

2011-11-13T21:43:00.001Z

Not fully comprehending where the past two months have gone - work has been hectic as ever, which probably explains it.

It took around a month to process and upload my transatlantic trip pictures to flickr (I condensed 2,500 images down to 1,151) - they can be viewed here.

back!

2011-09-12T23:40:00.000+01:00

After 5 and a half weeks away (including 17 days on the Atlantic Ocean, and three weeks in the US), I am back! Comments on how to travel across the Atlantic by container ship (and why you should) and the best cocktails on Queen Mary 2 to follow.

shipping forecast

2011-08-05T01:28:00.002+01:00

Off to America on a container ship - back in September!

Woburn Safari Park

2011-07-27T22:51:00.001+01:00

Sally

2011-07-16T23:31:00.000+01:00

Work work work at the moment, but there is always time for Sally...

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Stutton - Catterwade - Flatford loop - Bentley - Tattingstone - Holbrook - Harkstead - Erwarton - Shotley

2011-07-03T21:15:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 30.92 miles
Time: 1 hour 42 minutes 25 seconds
Average speed: 18.1 mph
Maximum speed: 37.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 6173.2 miles

Half-hearted pootle around the country lanes ... with slow puncture for the last 7 or so miles.

Shotley - Oyster Reach - Shotley

2011-06-26T20:42:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 15.37 miles
Time: 43 minutes 09 seconds
Average speed: 21.3 mph
Maximum speed: 32.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 6101.8 miles

Not doing much in the way of training and virtually no racing at the moment ... will try and get a handful of TTs in before I head off to America in August, but the priority is - bah! - work...

Today: lovely weather - a bit too hot (heat haze obscured Felixstowe docks across the river for much of the afternoon), and a headwind on the return leg of this ride. I reached the turn in ~19 minutes - the return leg took five minutes longer...

The Somme

2011-06-15T23:52:00.001+01:00

Flanders

2011-06-14T23:00:00.006+01:00

Shotley - Erwarton - Stutton - East Bergholt - Hadleigh - Nedging-with-Naughton - Needham Market - Stowmarket - the Stonhams - Pettaugh - Ashbocking - Westerfield - Ipswich - Shotley

2011-06-11T23:12:00.001+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 69.27 miles
Time: 3 hours 49 minutes 43 seconds
Average speed: 18.1 mph
Maximum speed: 36.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5989.0 miles

25 May 2003 - 25 May 2011

2011-05-25T23:30:00.003+01:00

It seems much longer, but it's exactly eight years since I attached a computer to my old GT road bike: I no longer ride that bike, but I still keep track of how far I go when cycling. In the past eight years I've taken a few breaks off the bike - most notably a long stint between 2009-2010 - but I've still clocked up a fair few miles. Indeed, in total since 25 May 2003 I have cycled:

34568 miles

That's 4321 miles on average per year, 360 miles per month or 83 miles per week. It means I've cycled around 11 miles per day on average for 2922 days... even so, I've slipped a fair bit from this time three years ago...

... in fact, since 25 May 2008 I've (only) cycled 6685 miles (i.e. only 2200ish miles per year on average), and around half of those miles have been cycled since 26 August 2010 (i.e. the last 9 months). In fact, given I hit 30,000 miles on 14 September 2008, it would appear that between that date and 25 August 2010 - i.e. nearly two years- I only cycled 1261.1 miles.

Anyway, the miles-per-bike stats are:

GT (purchased 1999, but only kept stats from May 2003 - now broken): 10300 miles
Trek (purchased summer 2003, awaiting resurrection): 17801 miles
Condor (purchased January 2008, used as a general runabout/training bike): 5824 miles
Cervelo (purchased October 2010, TT bike): 643(.4) miles

King's Lynn CC 10

2011-05-21T15:13:00.001+01:00

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 24 minutes 08 seconds
Average speed: 24.861 mph

Result: 21st out of 81

Burrgerrs

2011-05-18T14:20:00.001+01:00

Had I decided to record eating instead of cycling on this blog, this could very well have been my fate:

"When I was 19 years old I had eaten my first 1,000 Big Macs and I was kind of like, I thought how long before I hit 10,000?" he said before eating the world record 25,000th burger on Tuesday.

[...]

Mr Gorske says he eats a Big Mac in 16 bites and keeps track of his consumption on calendars.

I knew an angry poet from Fond du Lac a few years back, it seems living there does strange things to people.

In Dreams

2011-05-17T14:15:00.000+01:00

Am devising an 'old 45s jukebox' playlist in iTunes so that I can have some 1950s/60s background noise when working, but whenever I hear Roy Orbison, I either think of Blue Velvet or Mulholland Drive.

Ipswich BC Open 10

2011-05-14T17:25:00.001+01:00

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 26 minutes 13 seconds
Average speed: 22.886 mph

A bit disappointing: I was going OK for the first half of the race, then the guy who started a minute behind me overtook me and this threw me a little. It then started raining a bit, and I was over-cautious on the corners and descents. I was also shocking on the climbs. So, I lost a lot of time and did not give a good account of myself. Nice day out though: probably overdid it on the ride out to the HQ because I was running slightly late.

Last night I fixed my seatpost at a slightly higher position with the carbon assembly paste and a torque wrench, and it has - so far - stayed up. I think the new position will be quicker when I finally get my act together.

Did a short 25 on this course back in June 2005 :(

Shotley - Ipswich - Gosbeck - B10/32 TT course - Gosbeck - Ipswich - Shotley

2011-05-13T22:06:00.002+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 52.96 miles
Time: 2 hours 59 minutes 47 seconds
Average speed: 17.7 mph
Maximum speed: 33.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5743.9 miles

A nice late afternoon/early evening ride to the north of Ipswich, testing out the circuit for tomorrow's TT. The B10/32 is twisty and turny, and quite hilly. If it's wet, I may choose to ride it on my road bike.

Stopped off at Elmy's to buy new gloves: this is only my third pair of 'summer' gloves in 8 years of cycling.

Would definitely recommend the Westerham road, from Ipswich up to Ashbocking, for cycling - great training, with lots of ups and downs.

Had a weird 'flat' with 17 miles to go: tyre began to go down, but when I pumped it up again, it stayed pumped up. I presume something had gone wrong with the valve... perhaps related to Friday 13th?

Godric CC 10

2011-05-07T19:59:00.001+01:00

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 23 minutes 29 seconds
Average speed: 25.550 mph

Result: 16th out of 61.

Best race of the year so far, mainly because even I cannot mess up the pacing of a 10. My legs were hurting after 30 seconds, and were hurting even more on the tortuously slow final mile, but I didn't really let up, and was hovering between 24.5-26.5mph for most of the race. A bit of crosswind, and a couple of drags, but generally a pleasant course. Probably lost a little time on the turn, as I still find the handling of the TT bike to be a bit dubious, but confidence will come with time. Also, my seatpost had slipped en route to the race: I had put it up earlier in the morning, but obviously had not judged the torque properly (the Cervelo TT seatpost is really fidgety - it needs tightening to a very specific (and low) torque. I am going to order a torque wrench and some carbon assembly compound tomorrow. I think an extra centimetre or so of height on the seatpost will make a difference, and having a torque wrench so that I tighten all the bolts of my handlebar/seat components properly will give me a certain peace of mind which I have lacked since my succession of mechanical disasters back in 2007.

Interesting trip to the race: train from Ipswich to Brampton (nearly flew into a rage when somebody literally threw their bike onto the rack next to mine), then trying to find my way from Brampton, deep in the Suffolk backwoods, to Alburgh - also deep in the Suffolk backwoods - with an extraordinarily vague map and even vaguer signposts. Encountered a couple of interesting looking breweries, but sadly could not stop off for a closer look. Similar problems/temptations beset my post-race cycle back to the station, and this time some BMXs on the train nearly scratched my bike's delicate paintwork... anyway, clocked up around 65 miles for the day, most of which were completed with a slipping seatpost.

January-April 2011 mileage stats

2011-04-30T23:59:00.000+01:00

In the first four months of the year I cycled 1890.5 miles (1402.8 miles on the Condor and 487.7 miles on the Cervelo). I've cycled seven time trials (1x50, 3x25s, 1x21, 2x10s - but it feels like more!) totalling 166 miles.

In 2008, I'd cycled 2323.8 miles over the same period, which shows the impact of having a real job, I guess!

CUCC Open 25

2011-04-30T22:17:00.000+01:00

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 1 hour 04 minutes 57 seconds
Average speed: 23.094 mph

Not feeling great today: was stung by a bee above my left eye yesterday while out on a ride to loosen up my legs and now my face is swollen as if I've been punched.

Nonetheless, 2 minutes and 5 seconds quicker than four weeks ago on the same course; today was rather different conditions: a good tailwind on the first leg, horrible headwind/crosswind on the other two legs (you cycle the triangular lap twice, so about 15 miles today was tricky - plus the tailwind section had some alarming gusty crosswinds on the fastest section, which led me to be cautious).

I got a stitch about 10 miles in, which wore off within a mile or so, and am generally disappointed with today. I think more training and a positional rethink is needed...

on the wireless

2011-04-26T18:21:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago I did an interview in Hyde Park for the programme 'Word of Mouth' about some research I did last year. The programme went out today on Radio 4, and can be heard here for the next 7 days. I appear in the twelfth minute... it was a tricky one, as I hadn't really looked at my notes for this since August last year... the other bits are well worth a listen though, especially the interviews with the old hands of Speakers' Corner.

Colchester Rovers 50

2011-04-24T23:07:00.008+01:00

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 50 miles (though the course is slightly long...)
Time: 2 hours 15 minutes 58 seconds
Average speed: 22.064 mph

33rd out of 62.

Treated this as training more than anything, as my legs were spent after Friday's long ride. Plus I had to cycle 18 miles to get to the HQ for this race (and I had to get up at 05:15!) - overall, I did 90 miles on the TT bike today. Ouch.

This '50' was on a slightly different (and faster) course (the E7/50c) than the last time I did this race, and the conditions were much nicer today. But I was four minutes slower. Am getting impatient with my general lack of speed.

Shotley - Ipswich - Woodbridge - Butley - Sudbourne - Snape - Blaxhall - Wickham Market - Dallinghoo - Woodbridge - Ipswich - Shotley

2011-04-22T21:11:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 71.38 miles
Time: 3 hours 51 minutes 31 seconds
Average speed: 18.5 mph
Maximum speed: 32.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5478.2 miles

Stark choice this morning: write lectures, or go cycling... chose to go to Snape, but added some variety by riding a loop from Melton to Butley and Sudbourne, then Snape, then coming back via Wickham Market and Dallinghoo. The net result: a route map that looks like a giant sperm sitting on east Suffolk (see below).

Lovely hot day, mostly still, and quick: days like today make all the cold, wet bike rides over the winter worthwhile. Broke with tradition and had a sandwich at Snape (slightly more expensive than a slice of cake, but much more food).

Also: the cycling tan lines are back...

Shotley to Snape and return - alternative route

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Shotley - Oyster Reach - Shotley

2011-04-21T17:11:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 15.37 miles
Time: 41 minutes 59 seconds
Average speed: 21.9 mph
Maximum speed: 34.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5406.3 miles

As far as I can tell, this is the fastest I've done this route since June '08 (which was on a faster bike setup).

Also note this very similar effort in July '08.

Hot, fairly still day: some tailwind on the way out (reached turn at less than 20 minutes) and a surprisingly tough headwind on the way back. Was pushing pretty hard all the way, and would have gone slightly faster except for a couple of hold ups (traffic overtaking me and then having to stop, when I could've made it through).

Quite pleased with energy level: last week did a couple of gentle medium distance rides and have largely stayed off the bike this week. Have a '50' this weekend, which should be interesting...

Shotley - Old Felixstowe Road - Felixstowe Ferry - Kirton - Shotley

2011-04-15T19:57:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 49.51 miles
Time: 4 hours 03 minutes 33 seconds
Average speed: 12.2 mph
Maximum speed: 31.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 5371.1 miles

Shotley - Ipswich - Felixstowe - return

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Shotley - Harkstead - Alton Water (lap) - Stutton - Flatford - Bentley - Tattingstone - Harkstead - Shotley

2011-04-13T19:52:00.001+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 37.79 miles
Time: 3 hours 24 minutes 16 seconds
Average speed: 11.1 mph
Maximum speed: 25.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 5321.6 miles

Shotley to Flatford with lap of Alton Water

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Lea Valley CC 25

2011-04-09T21:23:00.002+01:00

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 59 minutes 59 seconds
Average speed: 25.006 mph

Phew, that's my fourth fastest 25 mile TT - and a remarkable 7 minutes quicker than last week! Of course, this week was glorious sunshine and a dual carriageway course, but even so, it's not every day I go (just) under the hour. And many thanks to Ron Purdy who, noting my 26.01 in the Plomesgate, advised me to sprint for the line - otherwise I may have recorded a 1:00:00 or worse.

Of course, virtually everybody in the event went under the hour - and this remarkable young man did 46:35. Yes, 32mph average over 25 miles.

I was apprehensive about riding a dual carriageway course again (even though I've been fine on them in the past), but found the worst traffic was in the minor roads around Newmarket and the HQ in Exning. What is wrong with people? Newmarket's a funny place, though: it seems to have three dubious nightclubs in a row, with unconvincing names: Millionaires, De Niro's and, erm, 'Innocence'.

The E2/25 is not really a 'drag strip' dual carriageway course, rather it is gently undulating and rather exposed in places. The surface is generally pretty good though, and if you can roll with the course it is pretty good fun.

E2/25

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Shotley - Oyster Reach - Shotley

2011-04-04T22:27:00.001+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 15.37 miles
Time: 44 minutes 50 seconds
Average speed: 20.4 mph
Maximum speed: 34 mph
Odometer (at end): 5205.8 miles

Fastest I've gone on this route since September 2008, a blustery day but nonetheless pleasant. My legs still felt tight from Saturday, so this loosened them up a bit.

East Anglian VTTA 25

2011-04-02T21:00:00.001+01:00

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 25 miles
Time: 1 hour 7 minutes 02 seconds
Average speed: 22.376 mph

24th out of 44

Ouch! A shocking ride, really, but not too unhappy (when I rode this event in 2008, I was exactly three minutes quicker). After all of the time trials I've ridden recently (except the WSW 21) I've finished thinking I could have pushed harder. Today I pushed too hard, which left me struggling to get round. I had basically exhausted myself after the first 5 miles (into a strongish headwind) which is when Michael Hutchinson (who had started 3 minutes behind me) overtook me, he appeared to be travelling the speed of a small car.

I finished with knackered, aching legs which is a good thing - they'll be stronger next time, and I will now be able to gauge more accurately where my limit is.

Of course, this course (E33/25) was one of the circuits used in the National 12 hour time trial in 2008, so I kept having flashbacks of that horrible/wonderful day.

Plomesgate CC Open 10

2011-03-26T21:39:00.000Z

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 26 minutes 01 seconds
Average speed: 23.062 mph

16th out of 35
Fastest ride of the year, and not too displeased with this - only 33 seconds off my fastest time on this course (I rode the B10/9 several times in 2008, recording a 25:28, 25:40 and 25:29).

I have also 'blooded' the Cervelo - about 2 minutes before I started, somebody noticed my hand was bleeding. At the end of the race, my hand looked like this:

Anyway, I am starting to get used to the Cervelo, and have lowered the bars a little to try and improve my position. I think the main problem is still my inability to pace myself properly - I'm not pushing hard enough at the start of these races... will have a chance to improve matters in my next race, a 25 miler.

Shotley - Harkstead - Brantham - Cattawade - Flatford loop - Bentley - Tattingstone - Freston Xroads - Shotley

2011-03-24T18:00:00.001Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 31.11 miles
Time: 1 hour 43 minutes 10 seconds
Average speed: 18.0 mph
Maximum speed: 39 mph
Odometer (at end): 5137.2 miles

Have loads to do, including the over-elaborate US visa application procedure, but could not resist a spin round the country lanes on a lovely day (I also let Audrey out on the lawn for the first time this year).

The miles are really starting to pile up now. Around 150 miles since last Friday; around 1150 miles this year.

Shotley Peninsula loop via Flatford

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Shotley - Snape - Shotley

2011-03-20T17:11:00.001Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 62.65 miles
Time: 3 hours 23 minutes 40 seconds
Average speed: 18.4 mph
Maximum speed: 33 mph
Odometer (at end): 5067.0 miles

Not a bad day for cycling - dry, not cold - a bit gusty, but nothing too awful. My climbing ability is improving a bit, so hills are not such a miserable experience now.

I began the ride by stopping off at Woolverstone Marina where, by chance, Erica, Marenco, Wilbur (the whippet) and two of their friends had walked to from the Butt and Oyster in Chelmondiston. Apparently the friends had offered to drive Erica + Co. to the countryside, and in a twist of fate, the friends had cut out a walk based around the Shotley Peninsula.

Shotley to Snape Maltings

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I don't believe that one should devote his life to morbid self-attention, I believe that one should become a person like other people.

2011-03-18T23:57:00.002Z

It has not been a good week, and today has possibly been the most trying day of the lot. So, for catharsis, here are the edited lowlights.

First, I got absolutely drenched cycling the 12 miles from my house to the station in the rain this morning, meaning a damp train journey to London and then a race against time to get shoes, socks etc. dry in time for class teaching (rule one of successful class teaching: dry clothes). My own fault, really. I should have packed more items of clothing. A sou'wester would've been a good start.

During the trip into London, I sat in the quiet carriage of the train, with it's enormous 'THIS IS THE QUIET CARRIAGE' signs, and began to read a book. Alas, some people who couldn't or wouldn't read were sat behind me, listening to music really loudly, so I was constantly distracted by that tsh-tsh-tsh noise. This wasn't what distressed me, rather it was the gloomy realisation that seething with rage at people who don't turn their music down (but not actually saying anything) is a sign of impending (and somewhat premature) middle age.

The class actually went quite well, which was a bonus in the context of the day (since October I have spent around 5 hours travelling to and from London each Friday in order to teach for 50 minutes). Today, while teaching, I found a USB flashdrive in the classroom computer. Afterwards, I popped it into my office PC and found the CV of the owner. As I'm not entirely mean-spirited, I emailed her and offered to post the flashdrive to her or to bring it in next week. She was relieved, and said she could meet me in ten minutes. So I waited outside and handed it over. She was grateful, and wondered if I wanted anything in return. I said 'no' and was about to cycle off to the station. She then started going on about how she knew I must've looked at the contents of the flashdrive as I'd found her email address, and warned me not to share any of the information I'd seen, especially if I'd 'copied the drive'(!), as some of the information was 'personal' and 'very sensitive'. I assured her I had only looked at the CV to get the email address but she kept going on about how anything I'd seen should be kept 'between you and me'. My first thought was that it seems you can't do a good deed anymore - nothing seems to be above suspicion. My second thought was WHY DIDN'T I LOOK AT OR COPY THE FILES!?! But seriously, I was genuinely annoyed at her implied mistrust. Moreover, if it is that important, don't forget to take it home with you in the first place.

So, I was cycling back to the station, without further incident, when I got to the mad complex of junctions around the Bank of England. I was holding a straight line and it seemed from my perspective that a taxi was veering into my path from the right. As I went past him, I banged on the front of the taxi to indicate my presence and displeasure at his apparent lack of awareness. This did not go down at all well: as we went through the junction, the taxi revved past me with its window rolled down, and the driver shouting obscenities. I saw the traffic was queued ahead, and shot down the inside of a bus, stopping at the red traffic light. At which point the taxi must've accelerated and gone round the outside of the bus (on the wrong side of the road), before pulling in again about five feet from me and partially blocking off the other side of the road (remember, this was a traffic light junction). Therefore we were reunited and I pondered what would happen next. The bus driver hooted the taxi driver, as obviously this had violated the Highway Code as well as being a pretty dangerous bit of queue-jumping.

Anyway, the taxi driver got out of his taxi, started shouting at me (effing and cee-ing etc.). I decided not to shout back, but did suggest that he appeared to have driven across me at the previous junction. He said he effing hadn't and effed and cee-ed some more. I suppose he needed catharsis too. Given a couple of other cyclists had now arrived, and the bus driver and some pedestrians were watching with interest, he then limited himself to spitting in my face (though the fact the wind was blowing in his direction reduced the effect of this) and then stomped back to his cab. I suggested that he was clearly a big man, to which he agreed and he said that he was going to smash me off the road. Funny thing was, once upon a time when I was an angry (well, angrier) young cyclist, I would've likely shouted back and got punched in the face.

I feel I won the moral high ground in this one, although I was disappointed none of the other cyclists said anything. On a serious note, surely people who get that angry that quickly shouldn't be allowed to operate dangerous machinery, especially as their business involves conveying members of the public. I do think my confrontational attitude towards vehicles that nearly knock me off my bike could be toned down a bit, but it's usually down to adrenaline and a sense of vulnerability. On the other hand, the only drivers who have ever actually gotten out of their vehicles to remonstrate with me have been bus and taxi drivers. Never milk floats or ice cream vans (perhaps dairy products reduce aggression levels).

Anyway, I managed to get to the station without the taxi driver smashing me off the road and got onto a train (I had an altercation with a moronic National Express East Anglia platform attendant about cycle conveyance the other week, but that's another story...) Somebody in front of me was reading the Evening Standard and one of the stories was 'Tsunami disruption hits new iPad launch'. I think this is what really threw my day over the edge. Not because I want an iPad (I'd rather have an etch-a-sketch), but because those six words epitomise the hideous and warped nature of modern media and, I suppose, the audience who consumes it.

On a positive note, I had a lovely cycle ride back from the station: a clear, moonlit night, the wind at my back, and no further rain. I also passed 5000 miles on the Condor (since January 2008). It is not always wonderful living in the countryside, but nothing beats being the only soul riding down a moonlit country lane.

But generally: Grr! Roll on the weekend.

Shotley - Harwich - Shotley

2011-03-14T21:03:00.001Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 50.87 miles
Time: 2 hours 53 minutes 49 seconds
Average speed: 17.5 mph
Maximum speed: 39 mph
Odometer (at end): 4919.4 miles

This was punishment for shoddy riding in the time trial on Saturday: the route I take to Harwich is rolling and quite hard going, plus a stiff breeze from the east today made half the ride quite difficult.

Highlights: friendly dogs on the country lanes near Harkstead; the sunshine during the first 30 or so miles; hitting 39mph (fastest I've been on two wheels for a while)...

Shotley to Harwich

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visting Velia (and parents)

2011-03-13T21:07:00.001Z

Headed to London today, on the classic weekend rail replacement route from Ipswich, in order to see Lidia, John and Velia before they move to Paris. Of course, Velia provided the sanest company of all, and the most spectacular hat.

West Suffolk Wheelers sporting 21

2011-03-12T21:07:00.003Z

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 21 miles
Time: 57 minutes 48 seconds
Average speed: 21.799 mph

Result: 19th out of 43

Second time trial of the year, and my lack of fitness and lack of familiarity with the new bike was exposed here. I've done a 55 and a 53 on this course before, on my Trek (click the 21 mile label below for details of those glorious days).

On the plus side, I cycled around 65 miles in total on the Cervelo today, which is all good training - I'm now up to 150ish miles in total on the new bike. I reckon it will take a few more hard lessons like this to get me up to any kind of decent speed though. Plus, maybe I should start drinking coffee again...

CC Breckland 10

2011-03-05T23:32:00.001Z

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 26 minutes 55 seconds
Average speed: 22.291mph

15th out of 38 (check out my new alter-ego)

Oh dear.

Shotley - Old Felixstowe Ferry - Shotley

2011-02-27T19:38:00.001Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 45.09 miles
Time: 2 hours 29 minutes 44 seconds
Average speed: 18mph
Maximum speed: 28mph
Odometer (at end): 4759.9 miles

Awesome ride, on a nice afternoon (if a bit chilly to be out in short sleeves and shorts...) Haven't cycled to Felixstowe in a while, and the west-to-east portions of the ride were pretty quick with a slight breeze to my back. Got to the cafe at the Ferry, looked at the ominous grey/yellow sky that I was going to be cycling towards, and had a mug of tea before hot footing it back home. The bike really does like my old Mavic Ksyrium elites with proper race tyres and will miss them when I put the old wheels and scabby winter tyres back on tomorrow.

On the way back, through Trimley, a youth on a moped decided to see how close he could overtake me while hooting his horn... then around 15 other youths overtook me on mopeds, with L plates. Bless! The L's Angels. Anyway, I got into their tow, and they looked slightly ashamed that a bicycle was keeping up with them for a couple of minutes. Good training, courtesy of the ASBO youth of Felixstowe.

Managed to avoid the ominous cloud, and only got rained on for about 3 minutes, so it was nice to avoid a third drenching in the past week.

Shotley - Ipswich - Hadleigh - East Bergholt - Brantham - Stutton - Harkstead - Erwarton - Shotley

2011-02-24T19:32:00.001Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 39.16 miles
Time: 2 hours 14 minutes 57 seconds
Average speed: 17.3mph
Maximum speed: 29mph
Odometer (at end): 4687.2 miles

A sad start to the week: cracked the seat tube of my old GT, trying to remove the fused-in alloy seat post (with the intention of renovating the bike) - RIP!

Then, yesterday, cycling to/from work in the pouring rain, I broke a spoke on the rear wheel of the Condor. Undeterred, and given today was warm, I put the Ksyrium Elites from my Trek onto the Condor - the shifting wasn't exactly crisp, but at least I could go out for a ride this afternoon.

Most of it was quite stressful, with lots of unpleasant traffic, but the B1070 between Hadleigh and East Bergholt was a joy to cycle on (gently undulating, twisty country road, with a good surface).

Have cycled around 570 miles so far this year, which isn't too bad (am on course for 300 miles per month); and around 1550 since the end of August last year (around 260 miles per month). All of this is a good improvement on this time last year when I was cycling 0 miles a month.

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Shotley

2011-02-12T19:17:00.001Z

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 10.92 miles
Time: 34 minutes 13 seconds
Average speed: 19.1mph
Maximum speed: 25.5mph
Odometer (at end): 33.0 miles

After this, decided against riding Ely: (a) still not confident in controlling the new bike (b) conditions were pretty grim (muddy, slippery roads), which only worsened (a)...

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Shotley

2011-02-08T22:49:00.006Z

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 10.96 miles
Time: 32 minutes 54 seconds
Average speed: 19.9mph
Maximum speed: 25.5mph
Odometer (at end): 22.0 miles

After the 'test' ride on the Cervelo, had a cup of tea, adjusted the aerobars a little, and set out for a 'proper' albeit short ride. A bit more used to the aerobars, and the positioning on the bike. Still not sure if I'm going to be any good hauling this bike round the Ely course on Sunday though...

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Shotley

2011-02-08T22:45:00.000Z

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 11.10 miles
Time: 36 minutes 09 seconds
Average speed: 18.3mph
Maximum speed: 26.5mph
Odometer (at end): 11.1 miles

First ride on the TT bike - a bit tentative, getting used to aerobars again... the new bike is very light, it accelerates quickly and is good fun. But terrifying.

Shotley - Oyster Reach - Shotley

2011-01-30T15:51:00.000Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 15.42 miles
Time: 47 minutes 19 seconds
Average speed: 19.5mph
Maximum speed: 29.5mph
Odometer (at end): 4428.5 miles

Just to see whether I have any speed, and this isn't too bad for January - reached turn at 20.5mph; then headwind/hill on way back slowed me up, but I could've probably pushed harder, especially on the way out.

Will take the new TT bike out for a spin next weekend if the weather doesn't turn wet again...

Have done nearly 300 miles of cycling in the past two weeks, not including a couple of hours of evil turbo training... it's now two weeks until the Ely Hardriders and I think I'll aim for a ~21mph average.

Shotley-Freston Xroads-Flatford-same route back

2011-01-22T15:30:00.000Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 29.88 miles
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes 19 seconds
Average speed: 17.0mph
Maximum speed: 31.5mph
Odometer (at end): 4343.0 miles

Ugh.

Shotley-Southwold-Shotley

2011-01-16T22:00:00.000Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 100.05 miles
Time: 6 hours 29 minutes 51 seconds
Average speed: 15.4mph
Maximum speed: 28.5mph
Odometer (at end): 4247.8 miles

Ouch! Relatively easy on the way out (first 50 miles at 17.5mph) then turned back into 20-25mph gusting headwind (though it eased up as darkness fell).

A pleasant enough ride though - the sun was out for much of it (until darkness fell...) and I stopped twice for tea (at Snape on the outward and return leg) and once for chips (on Southwold pier). I love this out-and-back route, which highlights some of Suffolk's finest features.

First '100' since late 2008 (when I did the same route, 30 minutes quicker); and first bike ride since November last year. I've also done a bit of turbo training, but nothing spectacular. I need to get into some kind of shape for the Ely hardriders next month...

Shotley - Snape - Shotley

2010-10-31T15:49:00.001Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 61.83 miles
Time: 3 hours 23 minutes 25 seconds
Average speed: 18.2mph
Maximum speed: 34mph
Odometer (at end): 3936.5 miles
Weather: grey, a bit damp, and mostly still

Lovely day for cycling - cool, but not too cold; very little wind; and fantastic autumnal colours all along the country roads. Lots of cyclists of various species about, and the Sunday drivers weren't too awful... I think I managed to cycle off most of the calories I'd consumed this weekend as a result of Lidia's now-traditional birthday pub eat-a-thon.

Pleased with this bike ride - when I last did this route, on 12 September, I averaged 17.1mph, so - a month and a half (and 600 miles) later - this was a definite improvement. And much better than my 'comeback' ride.

So, I'll keep plugging away with cycling to and from work with a big bag on my back, as this seems to be helping me build up some decent fitness. Feeling very happy with work, life and cycling!

cervelo P2

2010-10-31T15:45:00.000Z

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Flatford - same route back

2010-10-23T21:51:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 29.81 miles
Time: 1 hour 38 minutes 18 seconds
Average speed: 18.1 mph
Maximum speed: 31.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 3835.6 miles

This is 1mph on average faster than when I last did this route on 4 September - it's nice to finally get a bike ride without being encumbered by a rucksack. The mental traffic stays the same, though (overtaking me on a tight bend? check, overtaking me travelling at 30mph in a 30mph zone? check, somebody coming from the opposite direction overtaking somebody without caring I'm actually in the lane they are moving out into? check, etc. etc.)

I also experienced the heady thrill of my front tyre blowing out at 24mph, lucky I was on a flat piece of road. In fact, it was very near the piece of road where my chain jammed in 1999 (on an old MTB I used to hack around on), causing me to jolt down onto the brazings on the top tube, nearly castrating myself. Happy times.

I also now have the new TT bike in my grubby paws - pictures to follow when I get a minute.

nearly done

2010-10-19T20:11:00.000+01:00

Meanwhile, given the present government's apparent desire to destroy the humanities, any suggestions with what I could do with three degrees in history? Give up? I guess many people are going to be affected tomorrow, and people need to think collectively rather than individually if they're going to come up with an alternative, but it's tremendously frustrating. Universities are one of the few things this country does well...

...on a better note, I have not been out on any proper training rides recently, but I am getting between 80-100 commuting miles in per week.

life after the PhD...

2010-10-02T14:41:00.000+01:00

Last year, a few months after submitting my thesis, a few weeks into a miserable job, and a few days after my viva, I had to return to my old uni to give a talk to new history PhD students. I must have come across as a misanthropic pessimist and may well have put some of them off history for life. For some reason, I was asked back this year and I gave a much more upbeat speech, reflecting - with a bit more water under the bridge - upon the personal and professional struggles that the individual faces after the PhD.

For me, after deciding that happiness is more important than a regular wage, and that I should never again sacrifice my ambitions and beliefs, life has been a lot better (which is the opposite to what most people - mainly those in 9-5 jobs - told me).

Towards the end of last year, I quit what turned out to be a glorified student babysitting job (i.e. not exactly what I had in mind after a decade of hard historical study) just four months into a two year contract, and began to refocus. A pre-Christmas meeting with my thesis supervisor really helped - he made me feel less useless, and helped me realise exactly what I needed to be thinking about, removing the vague thoughts that had taken up residence in my brain. Talking to friends - and strangers - also helped, because, by this point, I felt like I'd wasted ten years of my life, that the PhD had been a mistake, doing history had been a mistake and that everyone else could function with working in the real world whereas I couldn't. Of course, others didn't see it this way!

In January I began some fairly flexible history teaching (to international students who wanted to obtain qualifications to get into UK universities), which I enjoyed immensely, and I also obtained a two-month contract to undertake amazingly interesting and varied historical research on behalf of a fairly prestigious client. My enthusiasm and self-belief began to return ... however, during this period, I was also preparing and firing off applications for academic teaching and research positions, and was bombarded with rejections (applications are extraordinarily time-consuming, as each has to be tailored to a specific context ... thus, a short rejection letter terminating what may have been days of effort is pretty demoralising!)

Trying to keep my spirits up, I felt that even if I didn't land an academic position for 2010-11, I would nonetheless probably get some part-time teaching at my old uni, while my boss at the international university foundation college was also offering me more work, alongside all-important praise for what I'd been doing. Having a Plan B is really important when applying for academic jobs, but the Plan B must still reflect something you want to do. One of the problems during the miserable job was the thought that I could've been making a living doing stuff that I enjoyed doing.

At this point, I figured I'd either have to move back to London or face some considerable commuting in from Suffolk in order to execute Plan B. This prospect daunted me, as my frazzled mind couldn't really cope with the thought of, let alone the reality, of a big move. I then emailed a new institution which had opened locally to see if they needed any history teaching ... and, to cut a long story short, ended up getting a permanent lecturing position there! What really lifted my spirits was that I wasn't selected on publication record, or experience, but because I showed that I wanted the job the most. In other words, enthusiasm for the subject still counts for something in the job market.

This week I led my first seminars and gave my first lectures at this new institution, and the experience was overwhelmingly positive - not least because the students and staff are as enthusiastic as me. That's all you can really want from a job - doing what you love, with people who also love the subject. The job wouldn't suit everyone - particularly those of an elitist inclination - but it suits me perfectly and it's all very exciting.

Achieving some kind of work/life happy balance is not an easy process, and I'm sure there'll still be dark and/or stressful moments - but I think my overwhelmingly negative experience during my first post-PhD job has at least given me a thicker skin and an ability to appreciate what I have in the present, rather than fretting about past failures and future uncertainties.

new toy update

2010-09-13T20:42:00.000+01:00

Fantastic news: the local bike shop has various 'nearly new' parts from its team bikes for sale, so I'm getting a pair of Zipp 404s [*], Dura Ace/Ultegra mechs, SRAM brakes and all the other stuff I need to complete the new bike for just £1200. This means I'll have a fully kitted up Cervelo TT bike for £2300 and with the Zipps, it will look outstanding (and, as a secondary consideration, it will go some). Hopefully will have it assembled within the next 7 days.

* clinchers, but I do ride out to races...

Shotley - Snape - Shotley

2010-09-12T23:20:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 61.57 miles
Time: 3 hours 35 minutes 59 seconds
Average speed: 17.1mph
Maximum speed: 28.5mph
Odometer (at end): 3383.7 miles
Weather: sunny, but with swirly northwesterly breeze

Up at a proper cycling hour (early), in order to be home for the Italian Grand Prix - as a result, saw loads of other cyclists. Half an hour quicker than last time, despite onions on the road and some typical Sunday driving. Rattled along well to get to Snape, where I had a can of coke, a pot of tea and a chocolate brownie; then rattled along pretty well to get home again. Rather than pushing too hard on the way out, I kept well within myself, lots of staying in the small ring and just spinning along. This meant, with the wind behind me, I could pound along for the last 10 miles, getting the average speed above 17mph.

pre-conference musings

2010-09-08T23:28:00.001+01:00

I've paid £300 for the opportunity to humiliate myself in front of my peers at a conference on Friday. More positively, in an unprecedented development, my paper is written more than 24 hours before I deliver it. It doesn't really have a decent conclusion, but it does summarise two out of the three sections of my thesis in 20 minutes. Just to add to the pressure, my panel includes my MPhil supervisor and one of my PhD examiners.

The conference is a three day affair, so I'm heading off tomorrow - am quite looking forward to it as it's my academic equivalent of getting back on my bike (and it will be nice to catch up with people). Although I've been doing various history-related things during the past eight months, my own research has fallen by the wayside. I did a longer paper back in June, which was OK (I think), but, again, it didn't really build upon what I'd already said in my thesis. At the conference I really want to be inspired to get researching again (although my teaching load will be pretty heavy in the coming term) and to have at least one person say they find my work interesting(!) The plan is to write a book proposal this winter, begin researching again in early 2011 when my teaching load diminishes, and then write, write, write and try to get a book manuscript done by early 2012.

Anyway, in the short term, at this conference I want to appear less unsure of myself: when I gave that paper back in June, somebody said to me at dinner afterwards that I act like I don't 'belong', that I need to realise I've 'made it'. We'll see...

Shotley - Oyster Reach - Shotley

2010-09-05T18:40:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor

Distance: 15.38 miles

Time: 48 minutes 00 seconds

Average speed: 19.1 mph

Maximum speed: 29.5 mph

Odometer (at end): 3322.1 miles

Tailwind on way out (reached turn at ~21mph average) then tricky on way back (was down to ~20mph average at top of Freston Hill, then gradually lost speed on the flatter 5 miles of road back into Shotley). Nonetheless, was keeping a fairly good rhythm going, and this, and yesterday, show that - over shorter distances - I'm roughly at the pace I was in late autumn/winter 2008 (i.e. doing nothing bike-wise for nearly 2 years has left me as quick as somebody who is knackered after doing too much cycling in summer 2008...)

Shotley Village Show 2010

2010-09-04T18:42:00.005+01:00

At today's Village Show my mum won the prize (80p) for best Victoria sponge sandwich cake, while I got second prize (50p) in the pet photography. Beaten by a picture of a small dog... Audrey is not happy. Nonetheless, the Village Show was good old-fashioned fun, with the usual enormous marrows and pumpkins despite the dodgy growing conditions of the past few months.

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Flatford - same route back

2010-09-04T13:47:00.000+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 29.81 miles
Time: 1 hour 44 minutes 16 seconds
Average speed: 17.1 mph
Maximum speed: 32.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 3306.7 miles

Did this at the same pace I managed around Christmas '08, though I guess conditions were nicer today. Have cycled just over 146 miles since first getting back on my bike on 26 August...

Shotley - Snape - Shotley

2010-08-28T23:06:00.004+01:00

Bike: Condor
Distance: 62.96 miles [62.40]
Time: 4 hours 5 minutes 15 seconds [3 h 22 m 06 s]
Average speed: 15.4 [18.5]
Maximum speed: 30.5 [33]
Odometer (at end): 3243.5 [1913]
Weather: changeable, mainly sunny, a bit blowy (most of the rain fell during my tea stop)

Figures in square brackets are from the last time I did this ride (according to this blog, it was back in September 2008 though I may have ridden it in early 2009 and not recorded it).

I was slooooow today, but almost intentionally so. I just wanted to see how it felt to ride a decent distance. The answer: fun, but painful (not least because of the need to re-break the saddle). Owing to the familiar route, it almost seemed as if I hadn't been away - almost. The fact I was struggling badly with hills/headwinds/high gears reminded me that it's been a little while...

...on the other hand, 60 miles is no mean feat, and I'm definitely re-addicted to this cycling lark, not least because my general mood has improved massively in the past couple of days (with corresponding reduction in stress levels). I had a really good day out today. I like the cafe at Snape (even if it gets chaotically busy) and had a pot of tea there, ate an excellent chocolate brownie, and met an equally excellent and friendly chocolate labrador. Moreover,on the way out, I stopped at the local bike shop (which had serviced the Condor during the week) and put a deposit down on the bargain Cervelo P2 frame that I'd been tempted with yesterday. I'm going to have to put in some serious miles over the winter though if I'm going to be able to do justice to a built-up Cervelo time trial bike though...

NB: it feels weird cycling without coffee.

NB 2: driving standards haven't improved much since I was last out on the roads on my bike. This evening, the usual young men in hatchbacks were using central Ipswich as a race track. Worryingly, many of them would've probably been kids when I began cycling 'properly' in 2003. Although the old lady who turned into my lane from a junction, oblivious to my presence, proved that poor driving is not the preserve of youth...

new toy

2010-08-28T20:50:00.004+01:00

Just put a deposit down on one of these...

...now just the small matter of getting fit again, and getting all the other bits and pieces needed to build up a TT bike.

shame

2010-08-26T22:15:00.003+01:00

I've had nearly two years of looking at my bike gathering dust in the corner while I struggled to finish the PhD and then struggled to find my feet in the world of work. Now I'm starting a lecturing position next week: it will involve a 20 mile round commute every day, and I figure this is the best way to ease myself back into cycling.

So this morning, in pouring rain, I cycled into Ipswich to get my bike fixed up ready for the winter. Even though I got soaked, it was a really nice ride - I feared I'd get out of breath, my legs would hurt and I'd be demoralised, but I easily managed to sustain an even 16-17mph average pace, with just a few twinges. The plan is to take it easy speed-wise until I've built up a good distance base, and begin working on increasing the pace once my general fitness is back.

I guess my refusal to get on the bike again was mainly psychological: the longer I was off the bike, the more I thought "well, I'm not going to be as quick as I was" and the more I worried about getting back into racing etc. etc.

Now I intend to concentrate on one step at a time: cycling to work and back, doing the occasional ride around Suffolk, and maybe thinking about racing next year.

The most important thing this morning, even though conditions were grim and the road was slick (which kept my speed down), was that I really enjoyed the 10 mile ride, and am looking forward to collecting the bike and cycling back again tomorrow.

Oh, and the shame came from the fact that - for the first time since 2003 - I felt really uncomfortable wearing lycra in public!

baby tortoises

2010-08-26T22:03:00.003+01:00

triplets

2010-08-26T21:56:00.002+01:00

A cow was calving the other night: the first one popped out and Andrew could see another calf was following suit, so he assumed it was twins and came home to let the cow get on with it. When he returned next morning, this is what he found.

planet, waves

2010-08-26T18:54:00.004+01:00

I recently attended a reunion of sixth form colleagues who I'd travelled with to Ecuador in 1999: this reminded me that I'd once harboured ambitions of travelling the globe in adventurous ways. Yet, since Ecuador, I haven't left Europe once (although, admittedly, I've had lots of adventures in Europe).

On the other hand, I haven't really stopped working since finishing my PhD last summer and (given I've maintained 'PhD hours') I haven't really been getting out much. So I've been stockpiling a bit of money - which means that I can actually put plans to travel further afield into practice. I have cleared five weeks from my schedule next summer and have decided to finally make the long-delayed big trip to America.

The only problem is I have become increasingly paranoid and scared of flying (I have flown several times, but not for years), which makes travelling outside of the continent somewhat difficult. I guess you really don't realise how dominant air travel is until you try to organise a long-haul trip using a different mode of transport.

The solution? Next summer I'm going to be clambering up a rickety gangplank in Liverpool and embarking on a transatlantic crossing aboard a relatively small container ship. I get a cabin to myself, three meals a day, and surely a great deal of nausea as the boat rolls about on the Atlantic waves.

If I do not succumb to the 'perils of the sea', I should land in Chester, PA some 10 days later. According to a previous traveller, this is a town that taxis do not feel safe in. Having grown up around Ipswich, I'm sure I'll be fine, but I won't be hanging around.

The second part of the trip will involve travelling around a bit of America by road and rail. The current plan is to meet Maureen in Philadelphia, see some of the city, head to Chicago (where she lives), spend some time in Illinois, and then travel back east to Boston and New York.

Finally, I will return to Blighty in some style aboard the QM2 (which means I'll have to pack formal evening wear, a monocle and suchlike). I'm really looking forward to all three parts of the voyage, and having the experience of travelling to the States and back without flying.

The trip is unsurprisingly proving to be both expensive and a bit of a logistical challenge with loads of paperwork (i.e. there is no visa waiver if you arrive in the states via cargo ship, so I need to pay a visit to the US Embassy). It is not simple or cheap, but so far it's been a lot more fun than just clicking 'buy ticket' on an airline website, and - as somebody who has always believed in the idea that the way you travel is just as important as where you travel too - it is going to be a proper adventure.

Orwell by boat

2010-07-06T21:03:00.000+01:00

Took a trip in a boat along the River Orwell from Ipswich to the estuary and back, as part of pre-bonding for my new job. Click a picture to view it in flickr.

London in the rain

2010-05-01T20:57:00.003+01:00

Click to see bigger versions in flickr.

Taken on a damp walk along the South Bank, between attending Velia's 1st birthday party and meeting up with my mum and her cronies in Covent Garden.

you don't meet nice girls in coffee shops

2010-04-04T21:38:00.003+01:00

One reason for not blogging (besides the lurking suspicion that nobody reads blogs anymore) on 'one more cup of coffee' is that I haven't drunk a cup of coffee since 22 December. That's over 100 days ago. This has coincided with me adopting a more normal sleep pattern, which has resulted in a considerable rise in productivity. In the past couple of months I've been teaching and I also got a contract to undertake historical research for a rather interesting project. Therefore, I've been commuting into London every day from Shotley and loving the feeling of being constantly on the move. I've also been loving the feeling of sitting in archives and libraries and getting paid for it. The project also has the potential to further my historical career in some interesting directions, but more on that when and if it materialises.

I'm now up to my neck in writing up the research and applying for lecturing jobs and research funding (a necessary but depressing task). I'm also waiting for a gap in my schedule so that I can get back out on my bike (it's been so long since I went on a proper bike ride that I don't remember when it was, or where I went). But things are good, and busy, and a million miles from half a year ago.

winter in Suffolk

2009-12-22T01:12:00.002Z

Have finally dusted down my camera and taken some pictures - helped by some wintry weather.

finally!

2009-12-18T22:38:00.003Z

A pretty good day:

* handed in final, hardbound copy of my thesis (with my slightly revised conclusion) - it'll be available to read in the LSE library before long, so there's something to look forward to. The PhD is now completely off my back.

* obtained 4th row tickets for Rufus, who is touring next April.

* had a great pep talk with my supervisor (well, technically ex-supervisor now) - we have a scheme which entails books proposals, article writing, seminar papers and conference attending. And hopefully a job at the end of it all...

* despite the TRAVEL CHAOS, I managed to get from Shotley to London and back with remarkably few mishaps.

* the lady I was sitting next to on the train let me attempt the crossword in her newspaper, single-handedly restoring my faith in humanity.

* Having been well and truly told off, I finally posted a package to the US which has been languishing in my room for the past 6 months...

blimey

2009-12-06T23:40:00.002Z

Romance and tragedy in Paris.

come on boy, don't be such a baby

2009-10-03T00:01:00.002+01:00

Post PhD = emptiness, misanthropy, nihilism and gloom.

It really is like a major break up.

Moreover, I'm earning proper money for the first time in my life but I don't care. I could buy a decent bike, but don't care about cycling; I could buy new lenses, but don't care about photography; I could write an article and get it published, but don't care about history. I'm not even two dimensional anymore...

5 years, stuck on my eyes

2009-09-19T01:40:00.005+01:00

Words you want to hear when you begin your viva examination:

"Ed, you've got nothing to worry about, we want to discuss how to best get this thesis published."

After 90 minutes of discussion, I was told my thesis is of doctoral standard: the examiners just want me to rewrite the conclusion because they say I sold myself short and should be more forceful in saying what I think! They said what I have to say is genuinely important!

What an amazing day. A very bizarre end to a very bizarre 5 years of work and life though. Thanks to everybody who supported me.

waaaaaaaaaaagh!

2009-08-23T17:57:00.004+01:00

For the first time in 2 years, I wish I still lived in London! Well done England!

Excitement.

2009-08-02T23:59:00.002+01:00

(a) On Friday, I was offered (and accepted) a proper job.

(b) Today, I acquired tickets for the last day of the Edgbaston Ashes test (i.e. tomorrow) ... I also made a cultured return to the Guardian's OBO. (71st over)

Guess which excites me more.

Done.

2009-07-09T11:53:00.003+01:00

Previously, I remembered 9 July as the day I was hospitalised with internal bleeding.

Henceforth: it is the day I finished my PhD.

I have just emailed it off to the printers and will be submitting it tomorrow.

'More later'.

101,379

2009-06-22T15:10:00.003+01:00

I'm definitely entering the endgame now: the introduction, body chapters, conclusion, and bibliography are all written. I am now above the word limit. My examiners have agreed to read my thesis and I'm entered into the exam. My student days are drawing to an end and I have to face the reality of waking up every day without a PhD to think about!

97,000

2009-06-12T02:16:00.003+01:00

Soon my enforced sabbatical from reality will be at an end ... I finished the introduction to the thesis today (yes, I left it til the end) and even filled in the PhD exam entrance form. After four years of slog and one year of considerably faster slog, I'm nearly done! I've even got a title for the thing now. Just got the conclusion, formatting, corrections and filling in one or two gaps to go...

Moreover, a £25 voucher for Adnams products arrived in the post today, as I won the Environment Agency's 'Nitrogen Safety' competition at the Suffolk Show. As I said, I'm on a sabbatical from reality...

85,000

2009-05-12T03:20:00.001+01:00

85,000 words written, which constitute the body of the thesis. Just the introduction and conclusion to go...

things are getting strange, I'm starting to worry...

2009-04-20T23:33:00.004+01:00

Today I met Mulder and Scully, Audrey's parents. They are wonderful: Mulder is smaller than Scully, but very much 'interested' in her and tries all the old tricks to get her interest: nibbling at her arms; scratching her shell... All Scully wanted to do was eat some clover and bask in the sun. Compelling tortoise drama.

And here are some recent-ish pictures of Audrey - who, it now transpires, may actually be a boy tortoise...

75,000

2009-04-17T17:19:00.002+01:00

Not miles, but words. I've just passed the 75% mark of my thesis word limit...

faraway, so close...

2009-04-16T17:20:00.000+01:00

I estimate roughly 10 weeks until I can submit my thesis. Judging by this week, they're going to go very quickly but involve lots of suffering!

helmets

2009-04-13T16:08:00.002+01:00

Just left a comment on flickr about cycling helmets, and given my lack of actual cycling, I figured I could repost here to maintain some semblance of blog activity.

I have worn a helmet while cycling since 2003 (and have covered over 30,000 miles since then). It's not going to help if I'm hit at great speed by anything; but even if you're cycling slowly and you bump your head, you may die or be seriously injured. Last year, while riding the Paris-Roubaix cyclosportive, I lost control at about 18-20mph, swerved across the road (thankfully nothing coming the other way), hit the kerb and went flying head first into a wall. Thankfully, because I was wearing a helmet I was (1) able to survive (2) complete the ride with just cuts and bruises.

Furthermore, both times I've been hit by a car, I've been wearing a helmet and the police seem to take you a lot more seriously if you've taken steps to protect yourself.

Some argue that helmets put people off cycling, and better to encourage people to cycle (given the much broader health benefits of an overall fit population rather than the small minority who are killed because they weren't wearing a helmet) rather than put them off, but even so - you don't want to be the person with brain damage.

I'm still alive

2009-04-07T03:26:00.006+01:00

Indeed I am still alive, but insanely busy/stressed, in between bursts of lazing about and regaining strength.

Am well into my final chapter - the introduction and conclusion should subsequently be a doddle.

As for the animal life which punctuates my day with much-needed responsibilities: well, the tortoise is doing well, while Sally ate a baby hare the other day (but is otherwise wonderful).

I am taking vast quantities of photographs, some of which I am pleased with. On the other hand, I am not cycling vast quantities of miles, and this does not please me. I have done about 350 miles so far this year and 0 races. Last year I'd done 2000 miles by this point, and loads of races. Still, the ends will justify the means and I can still get up a turn of speed if I need to.

My sister returns from Afghanistan in a couple of weeks. She complains the weather has been too poor for sunbathing. War is hell, eh.

I have lost contact with virtually everybody, but again ends/means. Hopefully I'll pop in again before July...

dance me to the end of love

2009-02-14T21:04:00.003Z

Despite the bleak subtext, these are some wonderful lyrics.

Lots of men out on their bicycles today rather than spending time with their beloveds (unless of course they've got some weird fetish thing going on); I also went cycling (52 miles ... that's over a quarter of my total distance so far this year, shamefully enough) though my faith in humanity was restored watching a young couple sharing a bag of chips on Harwich quayside.

the bookhouse tortoise

2009-02-12T21:34:00.002Z

I've been neglecting most things recently, in the quest to write chapter 5 (now handed in), but I was perhaps most guilty about not giving Audrey enough attention. So today I moved her into her new house: it still needs a few things adding to it (the window, the roof), but she seems happy enough with it, if a little chilly for now...

...also, wonderful big Galapagos tortoises on the news at lunchtime in celebration of the Darwin bicentenary. And here's Lonesome George.

they can't play cricket, no no

2009-02-07T23:33:00.003Z

After following the slow rhythms of the first Test in Jamaica for the past four days, I feel somewhat cheated by England's performance today, throwing away the match in a couple of crazy hours. However, massive credit to the Windies, who seem to be gelling into a rather attractive team of late. Meanwhile, England are becoming somewhat of a chore to follow: I can put up with crappy performances, but the off-field squabbles are really irritating, given they're essentially making a lot of money playing a game for a living. Ho hum.

Chapter 5 (see last blog post) is still in progress - I'm proofing it right now and still have to write a conclusion. The past 5 weeks have been hell, as I've been suffering massively from writer's block. Still, by the end of tonight, I should have 72,000 words of the thesis pretty much done. 28,000 to go. 4 months to do them in. Then there's all those jobs out ther- oh.

lifetime piling up

2009-01-11T14:28:00.004Z

Still writing chapter 5... nearly a week overdue. 'Life admin' is piling up... am taking lots of pictures when I'm out with the dog though, and most of my non-work activity is on flickr at the moment. I'll be back on here next week with all my cycling stats from 2008, plus hopefully at some point I'll clock up my first miles of 2009!

My 2008 TT season

2008-12-31T22:37:00.004Z

Date	Course	Dst	Time
10 Feb	BS19	25.2	1:06:13
23 Feb	P886	10	26:40
2 Mar	H10/2	10	24:07
8 Mar	BS31r	21	53:09
9 Mar	E14/28	28.8	1:19:24
21 Mar	H10/17r	10	24:19
29 Mar	B10/9	10	25:28
30 Mar	BS5r	20	50:47
05 Apr	E2/25b	25	1:04:02
09 Apr	Tannery	10	25:10
12 Apr	H50km/19	50km	1:20:07*
24 Apr	B10/9	10	25:40
26 Apr	E3/10	10	23:43
27 Apr	E7/50b	50	2:12:13
3 May	H25/17	25	1:01:01
4 May	H25/2	25	59:11
10 May	E2/10	10	21:50
13 May	H2.5/20	10	23:49**
17 May	E2/10	10	23:00
25 May	H100/88	100	4:22:16
29 May	B10/9	10	25:29
4 Jun	B10/32	10	25:05
5 Jun	B30/9r***	15	37:07
14 Jun	B30/9r	30	1:18:30
28 Jun	E2/30	30	1:13:02
29 Jun	B50/17	50	2:12:00
6 Jul	E2/100	100	4:32:22
12 Jul	E2/10	10	22:34
19 Jul	E2/25	25	1:02:05
26 Jul	E2/50c	50	1:58:16
17 Aug	E2/12	235.62	12hr
23 Aug	H25/8	25	59:13
28 Sep	B25/24c	25	1:01:12

* = 3up
** = 2up
*** = 1 lap

the future

2008-12-31T15:36:00.002Z

Happy New Year!

I wonder if the X factor woman will cover that.

ahahaha

2008-12-30T19:11:00.001Z

Ahahahaha.

There've been some excellent southern hemisphere tests the past month (Chennai, Perth, Melbourne); following them on cricinfo has been a good way of passing the long nights of attempting to write my next chapter. I have 6 days left til my next deadline - so if I haven't responded to any texts/emails, this is why.

6,000

2008-12-25T12:04:00.001Z

On my ride out today, I reached 6000 miles for the year. The last 1000 miles has taken since mid-August though...

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Stutton - Flatford - same route back

2008-12-25T10:41:00.004Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 30.22 miles
Time: 1 hour 46 minutes 26 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 29.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2589.5 miles

Got my Christmas Day cycling out of the way early, before the 'traditional' cooked breakfast, which I'm now letting settle before the 'traditional' walk.

Cold out, and the wind has changed direction so it was tougher on the way back; saw a few other cyclists and joggers, chatted to a man and his son (with his new Christmas bike) on Flatford Bridge. The young boy asked me how many miles I'd cycled, when I told him how many I'd done for the year, he said I should be in the Guinness Book of Records :)

If God Will Send His Angels...

2008-12-24T21:17:00.004Z

What an overwhelming day. We'd had our traditional annual family argument yesterday, and I woke up today feeling far from festive. Which soon evaporated: mum had got a phone call at one this morning to say Emily was on her way back from Afghanistan. The reasons are not too wonderful for Em (though it's, thankfully, nothing wrong with her); but for mum, Andrew, Matt and me, to see her will be both a Christmas miracle and the number one thing we all wanted.

Me and my family also received a pair of parcels full of gifts and cards from America, which prompted further festive excitement. It also means Emily will have something to open tomorrow!

It's been a strange, amazing, wonderful year and there's still 7 days left...

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Stutton - Freston Xroads - Oyster Reach - Shotley

2008-12-24T16:12:00.001Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 22.94 miles
Time: 1 hour 13 minutes 14 seconds
Average speed: 18.7 mph
Maximum speed: 29.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2559.3 miles

Fast and still, stayed on flattish, straightish, reasonably well-surfacedish roads. Fun, just a couple of drivers not giving me enough room when overtaking.

Overall, needed this ride more as a head-clearer than a training ride, it's been a thoroughly bizarre 24 hours.

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Stutton - Flatford (down to bridge) - same route back

2008-12-23T15:18:00.002Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 30.20 miles
Time: 1 hour 44 minutes 47 seconds
Average speed: 17.3 mph
Maximum speed: 31.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2536.3 miles

Gloomy day, but the air was still. Have given up trying to find source of bike creak. I did see Santa out on his bike, keeping trim for Thursday I guess:

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Harkstead - Erwarton - Shotley

2008-12-22T16:38:00.003Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 13.49 miles
Time: 47 minutes 12 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 25.5 mph
Odometer (at end): 2506.1 miles

Am keeping a steady 17mph pace on my rides, with occasional leaps up and down in intensity, but not really hard training. There's no point. I just want to enjoy cycling and it's hard when I can't find the mysterious creaking noise on my bike (perhaps it's my knees) - the headset is the next area for investigation.

Anyway, a couple of milestones:

* 2500 miles reached on my Condor which I've owned since 29 January and have experienced mixed feelings about. Still, it did manage to get over every mile of Paris-Roubaix cobblestone.
* just over 100 miles reached for this month - this means I've done over 100 miles every month this year. In fact, I'm currently averaging 493 miles per month in 2008.

Shotley - Freston Xroads - Holbrook - Stutton - Flatford - same route back

2008-12-21T23:24:00.003Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 29.81 miles
Time: 1 hours 43 minutes 54 seconds
Average speed: 17.2 mph
Maximum speed: 31.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 2492.6 miles

Sunny and blowy out (and fairly quiet on the roads); got to Flatford at 15.8mph, so returned at 18.6mph. Bike is still being noisy, so will clean and tweak it before I next go out.

Shotley - Ipswich - Hadleigh - East Bergholt - Tattingstone - Stutton - Holbrook - Freston - Shotley

2008-12-20T17:49:00.004Z

Bike: Condor
Distance: 42.68 miles
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes 22 seconds
Average speed: 17.0 mph
Maximum speed: 27.0 mph
Odometer (at end): 2462.8 miles

Though I cycled to Holbrook and back in the week, this was my first 'proper' bike ride for nearly a month. I only meant to do 36 miles maximum, so the added 6 miles were a dubious bonus. I'd not taken any cash with me, so I could not get a much needed coffee and cake at Hadleigh.

Things I discovered: I still go too cautiously on slick surfaces; people still drive like maniacs on country lanes (and most roads, to be fair); my bike is creaking from the drivetrain or pedals, so it needs cleaning, oiling and tightening (when I have the time...); and, finally, I am incredibly unfit. It was an effort to get the average speed up to 17mph!

Still, it was definitely worthwhile being out on a nice (if a bit blowy) day, and it was good to clock up a decent amount of mileage. Moreover, I was in shorts and 2 summer jerseys, there was no need for thermal gear.

Hopefully I will be able to string together some regular rides between now and the end of the year... but many other things are being prioritised over cycling right now. Shock!

teetotaling and prayer [*]

2008-12-15T23:50:00.003Z

A busy week, and the busy-ness has been cranked up yet further today as I finally got back in a 'scholarly' frame of mind. Here's a recap:

* Tuesday: bought a new camera and had eye checked at the hospital, they say they could not have got it much straighter! I am over the moon. Apparently, I will have a red eye for longer than is usual, because I was operated on when I was younger. I was talking to an optician at the hospital when I had a moment of truth: I no longer have to look at the side of somebody's head, or the floor, when I'm speaking to them! This will take some getting used to. Looking people in the eye, so far, has been quite rewarding, but it will be better when they're not gawping at my bloody left eye!

* Wednesday: had a meeting with my new co-supervisor - he says my work so far (4 chapters out of 6) is pretty much ready to hand in - he said my argument is well-made and that I write well ... I was so happy to hear this! I also delivered my 2007 trophy haul back to Rocco of the Willesden, and got a brief glimpse of the goings-on of the infamous Pedal Club.

* Thursday: had the misfortune of visiting the huge Primark on Oxford Street (I survived, and got 5 pairs of socks for £2!!); I then had the always pleasant experience of lunch with Lidia, who is now in San Francisco (lucky), but this was just the calm before the storm. The past two years I have gone out and got drunk with the IHR crowd after the last postgrad seminar of the Michaelmas term. Not necessarily a bad thing, but this year a colleague booked a dinner, and I booked the karaoke. Pictures here. A brilliant night! (though the following order of drinks DOES NOT mix well: white wine, bloodshots, red wine, Red Stripe).

* Friday: left my temporary sanctuary at Tooting just after 8am (following 4 hours sleep), managed to bang my head (it still hurts), got an espresso and peach tea (my patented hangover cure), cursed the makers of peach tea for making a faulty batch, walked to Clapham, felt nauseous on the tube so got out at London Bridge, walked to Liverpool Street, caught train, dozed off, woke up, caught bus, got back to Shotley at 1pm. Fell asleep. Was woken when my mum stumbled into my room to feed the tortoise (she didn't realise I was home, so we managed to terrify each other).

* Weekend: my mum organises a big annual Christmas weekend of eating, drinking and games for three of her friends and their spouses and children. Given we won't have Emily at home this year, this will probably be about the most festive it gets for our family. On Sunday afternoon I took my new camera for a walk to the marina... after a large amount of sparkly wine with the Sunday roast lamb dinner, I also popped into the Shipwreck bar for a few ales ... my head was already a little fuzzy from various types of red wine during the Saturday feasting... still, if you're going to do something properly...

* Today: back to work. I have a chapter due in first week of January. I'm wondering if I'll ever get back on my bike again (eye is still quite sore, and the windchill from cycling would probably make matters worse...)

After a month or so of peaceful sobrierity and rest, the past week has been a bit of a shock to the system. Time to retreat once again into the 1920s...

[*] are a good cure for a hangover, apparently.

aha!

2008-12-08T15:39:00.004Z

As I became increasingly self-conscious about my lazy eye over the past few years (not looking at people when I spoke to them, wearing sunglasses a lot), my friends reassured me "It's not that noticeable!"

But now the truth is coming out! A certain Italian friend of mine emails:

"I am really looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, I can't imagine you with two straight eyes."

Perhaps now I am no longer a walking freakshow (well, not in terms of my eyes anyway) my friends will all vanish like the morning mist :(

tree's a crowd

2008-12-07T23:26:00.005Z

Probably the best day I've had since my eye operation, and I'm scheduled to get up tomorrow morning and return to my study desk. This is a good thing, I'm fed up of doing 'nothing'.

This weekend's been a bit off: tempers are short in our house at the moment. Lots of parental pre-Christmas stress, while I've not really been pulling my weight. I did get the tortoise some bits and pieces, with a view to constructing her a larger home in the next couple of weeks. She's delighted:

We also went and bought a Christmas tree today, but like 2006 Christmas is going to be quite unusual without Emily here. I think we're missing the balance she brings to the house.

Am desperate to get back on my bike, saw lots of people out enjoying the sunshine today and regretted not being one of them - I think the stitch is nearly dissolved, so my eyes are much less painful - but this week is pretty hectic. Have to go London twice (two supervisor meetings, one karaoke party) and have my follow-up appointment at the hospital.

Am a bit bored, all told... this is why I need to get back to work. I'm also very sluggish, possibly because I'm down to one cup of coffee a day.

eye will survive

2008-12-05T11:43:00.004Z

I've been tremendously frustrated this week, largely because I'd scheduled for three days of post-op recovery, while it's actually still an ongoing process. The momentum I'd built up on my work has largely dissipated, though I've managed to tidy my study and create a realistic thesis completion schedule.

My eye is healing up well though: the swelling has gone down and the eye has opened up in all its technicolour glory:

Just went to the doctor, because it feels like I have an eyelash permanently poking in my eye: that'll be the stitches. They'll be taking them out next Tuesday, yeuch.

Also got the histology report for the neck lump they removed in September: 4cm x 3cm x 1.5cm of compacted fatty tissue. A spindle cell lipoma. Nice!

The weekend plan is to continue with preparing the ground for an all-out assault on my final two thesis chapters, before starting the writing on Monday. Cycling is scheduled to begin again the weekend after this one, and I want to do between 300-400 miles this month, to get me over 6000 for the year. However, I've had the realisation the past few days that cycling really does have to be curtailed for the first half of next year, while I finish my thesis. Bah!

under a blood red eye

2008-11-26T18:39:00.004Z

Was at the hospital at 0730, operated on at 1030, woke up at midday, was free to go at 1745. Just got home...

'More later'! For now: what a day! It seems my eyes are now facing in the same direction, though the full results won't be clear til the left eye heals up. Thanks to all the amazing people at Ipswich Hospital (and also for the well wishes of my friends ... ta!)