@nthony

This time last year I was enjoying the i-team Gran Fondo - reputedly one of the harder sportives, and the hardest in Wales - 100+ miles around Snowdonia. It rained. All day. Ysbyty Ifan saw hail and 2C. 8 hours, waterproofs on all day. It was ace. But I did it - and that's what it's all about.

This year saw me wondering whether I could get to Llandudno and back via Conwy and a flat route with the assistance of my two good friends Jason and Justin.

Many thanks for (failing to despite best efforts) shielding me from the wind... however most importantly - thanks for having faith and making me realise that 60 miles is still do-able by my current reincarnation. Again - I had my doubts, I did it; that's what its about. See you next Sunday.

"Afraid to ride?", as Jonathan all too often utters, those sharp stinging words that mask a laziness I am harbouring.

However the latter part of this week - 'imagine my surprise' when the ongoing shifting issue I have been having presents itself as I look down as a notable kink in the chain.

This little puppy is just waiting to snap. Sure, it will only do it when I am going up hill, so take your pick of the 14% to 18% gradients that my commute sees. [ READ MORE ]

Okay, so that is a rather final statement, however, 'more obstacles overcome' just sounds a little negative if you ask me.

A morning of inventive thinking, and further application of Mr Dremmel has overcome the last obstacle in the construction of Winter Bike replacement.

Having solved the issue with the headset (Alpina 1 1/8th hiddensets are a different size from all the other 1 1/8th hiddensets) I was left with the issue of fitting the front brake and mudguard. [ READ MORE ]

Progress creeps up on silently and taps you on the back, you look around and realise how far you have come - like the sensation of realising you have been lost for a while now, lost sinking in like a heavy weight in your tummy that leaves you fumbling for the map. *HERE I AM*.

Today was a day where I was bracing myself for the light in the tunnel to make train horn noises. Things seem to be coming together far far better than expected. Its been a few days for getting things done; both starting and finishing alike.

The poster boy of the last 72 hours of feeling groovy and just getting stuff done HAS to be FINALLY managing to fit an headset to the new frame, and thus, have steering on the bike that arrived whhhhaaaaaay back.

[ READ MORE ]

Friday the delivery of my replacement winter frame happened.

My much loved, and seen me through a great deal hand made frame cracked on the down tube last year. The parts where stripped off, and its been put in the shed. It's now time to put it all together on this rather shiny budget aluminum affair.

Yay for China and mass cost effective copy production.

My lovely wife returned to the house this morning after leaving muttering ice, to the noise of the engine running outside.

Come time to leave for work (a rediculously leisurely hour - I know) I was cosied up in full and ready to ride in prepared for it to be a little colder than of late.

However - no matter whether you speak Celcius like me or not - when the cycle computer settles on 34F - "its cold". It was like wedges being driven in through the gaps in my lid... not amusing. Not complaining as such since this is how it should be - but none the less - blimey - its here!

...Its actually cold out there! Not a "can you fetch me a cardigan love its chilly" but full on blimey glad I am wearing winter kit today.

Yesterday saw the addition of overshoes and gloves and longs, today saw the winter windstopper jacket... and it was not too hot either. What a change in the weather.

It is my first outing for my new overshoes and gloves since I had to replace them after the theft. They seem to work okay - although its not proper cold / wet / dark as yet - however there is a bunch of stuff about them that I cannot help but feel needs a bit of red pen and "see me" - so I wrote to them. Will see what they have to say before posting further. "Dear W L Gore ... about this Gore Bike Wear..."

The yearly reservation of the television set. Evening highlights as they used to be.. Sir Phil and friends on ITV4 at the classic 7pm slot that makes sense, or the new gang over on Eurosport.

It does entertain me that now they have taken Duffers of commentary (thank heavens) he is now in front of the camera (heaven forbid), and is not being at all well tolerated by Steven Roche. Oh dear. Catty comments on TV - excellent. [ READ MORE ]

Yesterday evening, I rode home on a close and somewhat overcast day. I got changed, pulled my TT bike from the cupboard and went through the usual drag which is trying to get air into the tyres through the tiny hole in the disk (not aided by my choice of long valve tube), and very deep section front wheel (by aid of a long metal tube, which you have to remove, let some air out to prime the valve, and then manage to relocate on the valve without actually seeing it. [ READ MORE ]

What a wet day. What a cold day. Where has the weather gone?

Its 7am, I am loading my bike into the back of a van in full cycling waterproofs with a bag full of optional kit, energy drinks and foods.There is rainwater already trickling down my back and running off my nose.

I got to bed at midnight, and managed to stay sober the night before, the only plus point so far - as our little team headed its way to Y Bala courtesy of Team Gaskin's corporate transport. [ READ MORE ]