The results are in.

I have the results from the blood test which I had last week and it looks like it is Raynaud's that i have and not a thyroid problem, this could be good or bad, if it was a thyroid problem I could take drugs to help, but on the other hand, if it was a thyroid problem it could have got a lot worse as time went by. At least I now know for sure what the score is and that there is not a lot I can do about it, time to MTFU!

Due to a few small logistic setbacks, like the radio 1 big weekend and a CRC marathon both running along Rich's route on the original date, we have decided to move forward a week which now only gives about 7 weeks to be ready.

Having just checked the weather for Friday when I'm hoping to do the next recce it looks like it might be snowing, what is up with the weather this year, can't the snow just sod off until winter rolls in aagain.

Lets just hope that the ride goes better this time, I'll keep a check on the weather before I decide which coast I'm heading off to.

New legs please.

This evening has been an unusual one for a few reasons, firstly Rebecca is having a sleep over at Grandma's which means Wifey has gone to bed early leaving Ewan and myself downstairs for a boys only night, and secondly I've had my first run of the season to try get my legs ready for the shock of the Le Mans style start of the 24hr races so they are shot to pieces and I'm walking around like the old dude out of Steptoe & sons!

I had my first play on the latest bike in my collection on Thursday, my Ti Airborne road bike that I prised from my team mate Rich. I had to go a blood test in the morning to see if my 'white finger' woes were down to Raynaud's or a thyroid problem (more on that from Monday when the results are in). I knew i would be cutting it fine for the late start at work so thought I'd see how fast it is possible to get to work under my own power. The answer is 36 min for the 11ml commute which normally takes 45-50 on my slow/heavy Alfine Ti hardtail or 20min early morning in the car.
I was happy with that, a lot happier than I was with the pinch flat that I managed to get on the return journey later that evening! Carbon soled race shoes are not good for walking in as the lack of skin on my heels proved after only 10 min. Thankfully my bro-in-law Mike came to my rescue at the expense of his tea, sorry Mike.

Other than that it's been a good week with some good sessions and according to my oldies the weather has been kind up in the Lakes the past few weeks, it is drying up nicely in time for the recce rides that I have planned for the Easter break.

Back on track

Now that Ewan Michael has arrived to join Team Thompson I have managed to get back on the bike again. Things started really well following the usual Crimbo blowout, Jan saw plenty of good training session and I was feeling good.

The 27th arrived and my date with the operating table was here if only for wisdom tooth extraction. The following week saw a few recovery rides and then Lil RT (Rebecca) had a bout of tonsillitis, which she tried to pass on to me!

Two weeks paternity leave later and it was time to go back to work and pick up with the training ride commuting following 5 weeks with hardly any riding. I could feel the difference the time off the bike made but now I'm feeling like I'm getting back on track.
Time is running out for organising the C2C attempt and I'm hoping some good weather is on its way as I don't fancy another recce ride in the lakes where a canoe would be more use.

Fortunately the rest of the organising for the season is coming together, I'm stocked up on Torq bars and gels and I have a huge pile of Allsports supplements to work my way through. We have managed to source a Scottoiler each to fit on the new Giant Anthems that are on order, both of which I'm hoping will help us in both the C2C and 24hr races this year. I've been running either a hardtail or heavy fs trail bike for the past few seasons so I'm hoping to notice a big difference. Finally the new team kit has been designed and is being printed up at Endura as I type.

All we need now is a bit of good luck/weather and hopefully I can improve on last years results and now Rich is back to full fitness following a big op and little riding last year he should be flying, the year will come to an end at Dusk til Dawn in Oct with us pairing up for the first time after 4 years of trying!

From the begining.

Here goes, first post....

I'll start by setting the scene a little, sat at home reading MBR and a feature on the coast to coast. I decided there and then that I wanted to have a go for myself, possibly over 3 days. Then I thought it would be fun to attempt it and bivvi overnight on the hills and pop down to eat lunch in the towns and villages along the way. Then, early last year I read about the 7 deadly spins and the 'one hit' attempt that Rich Rothwell was planning. A friend of my team mate, Blanche,(Dave Buchanan) was also attempting the Welsh coast to coast around the same sort of time. After reading their accounts and it was decided that my team mate, Rich Holmes and myself would both attempt to beat both records, simultaneously!

So far things have not gone to plan, the first recce ride from Ambleside to Kirkby Stephen was planned for early December, due to the flooding in the lakes over the previous month the going was very slow and it took the 6hrs we had to play with to complete the 22ml over a sodden Mossdale and on to Shap! At least I know how bad it really can get and I undertand where Rich Rothwell was coming from in his report.

The next recce was going to be a safe option as Padge and myself were to do this over the Christmas break. Richmond to Chop Gate, although there was a lot of snow/ice on the roads and a temprature of only 3 degrees things were looking good with 18ml clocked up in only 1.5 hrs, then Padge's rear hub bearings gave up in a spectacular fashion meaning an early bath following a lovely pub lunch and a pint of real ale in Thornton-le-beans.