Father Christmas cycles Lon Las Cymru

My life has changed, a progressive and aggressive change!

2009-03-14T04:05:00.000-07:00

'
I do believe in peoples inherent goodness and try to do a little good myself, this together with love, age and health bring about changes in your outlooks and future.

Having always had a 'helicopter view', enjoyed all challenges and continue to try my best to stay informed, I did see the recession coming back in 2007 - but so did the lady behind the counter in our Stroud Chinese Take-Away!

I have fought injustices through simply pointing them out, whilst trying not to ladle out any advice.

Above anger, I post written rants to my other blog - together with plea's from the learned and informed to save the Planet (very few of you have found it yet though)!

Much misunderstood, I am determined again to play a bigger part in LIFE! This long titled Blog shall stay live and I will continue to abuse it with a surprise posting or two, whilst writing mainly in Stroud'y Rant!

Nottingham will not see me this month, but friends I intend to be in Staffordshire in April. Daffy should you read this, the glowing pink mountain bike can be in my hallway for Sunday the 22nd - the Cotswolds await?!

Love
Stroudy

Diet - First an Overview

2009-01-18T09:45:00.000-08:00

To read my general thoughts on diet you need to click Stroud'y Rant!

Acceptance + Fitness + Diet = Health

2009-01-15T22:45:00.000-08:00

Health is a battle that a lot of us are losing to over-cooked-fast-microwave-foods that lack vitamins, anti-oxidents, carotenes, minerals, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids and fibre! Yet, do not lack trans fats, additives, carbs, sugar, salt and the genetically modified! Smoking and alcohol damage also, too undermine a nutritional diet.

So, once being good at maths, at working out Vectors, Stress, Strain, Fluid Flow n stuff, later still company accounts.... I have, in fact only just now, created the simple formula for Health that is my Title for this Posting.

Soon, I will go into great detail on DIET to cover nutrition, glycemic index, glycemic load, high nutrition to calorie value foods, high protein to calorie ratio foods etc. etc. Then create an eight-meal-a-day-diet to both slim and shape me into an athlete once again.... I hope like my friend Horse who in his mid 70's can run faster and longer than most 20 year olds! At the regionals in 2006, I saw a 45kg lady power-lifter in her 70's with a beehive hair style lift 100+ kilograms to beat young ladies some 50 years younger! A few years ago, Gloucester could have boasted about an 86 year old lady table tennis World Champion! Strong men: pound-for-pound Larry my coach at 53, plus HalfHour the retired officer and gentleman Master of my club, have both enjoyed a life time of being amongst the Strongest-Men-in-the-World.

I also plan to describe in detail and involve you in the suffering, then I hope the benefits of getting super fit! But today, its me being personal with philosophy!

Acceptance is the easy-going yet hard won philosophy, but it is better than hindsight, anger, debate, sorrow, drink, altered consciousness, terrifying sadness, panic attacks or living-in-the-past!

As in, acceptance of your prospects, condition, situation or current circumstances, however difficult and then getting on with it. Accepting that your lovely wife has banned sex and any extra marital stuff, will end family life as we know it. Or, that the World's Governments, regulators and corrupt greedy city slickers have halved your savings values. Or, the terrible heart-felt-loss of love or a loved one that will change you and your life beyond all previously assumed boundaries.

That sort, the impossible 'acceptance' that we all must at some time have to find deep inside us and wrestle long with!

Lon Las Cymru - Now its your turn!

2009-01-13T03:06:00.000-08:00

I did it! My way!? Solo, through the Mountains with friends joining me on the New Years Eve leg to pedal the Taff Trail over the Brecon Beacons; Carried too much, in four panniers and rack top luggage - two panniers of which were emergency/camping gear; I took the toughest trail options, sticking to the rough mountain forest tracks and slow tiny winding, up & down lanes; Decided on using a lightweight bike without suspension – just fatter road tyres; Planned on doing the whole thing and the leg to Gloucestershire over the old Severn Bridge in just five and a half days; To cycle it over Christmas, mid-Winter, with an Easterly off the Russian Steppes, ice covered lanes and darkness falling after 4.30 pm! Got the idea? Yes, it was to be tough!

Having now done it, climbed mountain passes from sea level or been struggling over a mountain heavily laden in the dark, overly reliant on an earlier compass bearing, with the Easterly being channeled by the mountains into a chill Force 10 and knowing I have several hours of darkness left before I could drop down into a valley to find a B&B - After some nine to ten hours in the saddle! I can say - Yes, that only having the emergency gear gave me the confidence to do it! The knowing that I could make a warm basha camp on the mountain if lost, frozen, exhausted or in-trouble.

I would not now recommend doing this ride Solo-&-heavily-laden without limiting the daily mileage to 20-25 miles or having a support vehicle and a satellite emergency beacon. Cycling and navigating the trail, alone when tired in the dark, under icy and chill Winter conditions increased the danger of a mishap to too great a degree. Although, it would be fun to do it on a Mountain Bike unladen with a group of friends, limiting the mileage in the mountains to say 30-35 miles a day - especially so, if we enjoyed those sunny clear Winter mornings.

The beauty of the trail through Snowdonia, the Cambrian Mountains and then the Brecon Beacons when joined by Daffy & Neil made it all worth while. The sunny warm mornings, causing you to dawdle a little in enjoyment of so many scenic moments! Before the wind stiffened and the chill damp afternoon cold forced up-your-pace to ensure you arrived at a destination before 7-8 pm.

It was great and sometimes it wasn't, it was challenging and it was fun! Winter was a good time to do it and yet it wasn't........ Confused feelings about it? No, it was GREAT and you must try it.

I kept a Blog with Slide Shows, made a few friends and spent a little time with ones I loved. Here is a list of my main Lon Las Cymru Blog Postings:

Lon Las Cymru - Gogledd
27.12.08 Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwryndrobwllllantisilio...
28.12.08 A Hard Ride to Dolgellau @ 96 miles
29.12.08 The Dragon Rocks......
30.12.08 All My Yesterday's
31.12.08 New Years Eve, Inspirational Company and Snow?
01.01.09 The Taff Trail Across The Brecon Beacons in Pictur...
01.01.09 New Year's Day 2009 - A Long Last Leg East
02.01.09 Exhaustion and Recovery

Project ME, New Muscle & Tissue Rebuild!

2009-01-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

I am the Owner & Manager of Project ME, which within a few months will see me lose some 30 odd kilograms in weight and my body rebuilt with new muscle & tissue.

It is my responsibility to deliver Project ME and to ensure it meets The Success Criteria:-
1) Achieving a British Title at a British Drug Free Power-lifting Associations annual Championships, that will make me eligible to compete for a World Title; 2) By delivering a Fit, Very High Strength-to-Weight, Practiced Power-Lifter with the 'Will to Win' to the Championships.

My responsibilities will include: Project Management & Quality, Choosing & Appointing Technical Advisors, Financial & Time Planning, Fitness & Health, Diet & Food Preparation, Adequate Sleep & Rest, A New Wardrobe etc.

The Technical Director is Larry Whyte – The supreme BDFPA Masters World Champion, who as my Coach and Gym Instructor will have input, advice and instruction on all areas and phases of Project ME.

I am hoping to introduce another senior technical advisor during the next week whose role will primarily concern the Prevention & Treatment of Sports Injuries.

If you have been an avid reader of my Blog or a close friend, you will know I love to create new food experiences and that I won't be able to resist this challenge. Yes, I intend to create Food, write a Recipe Book for Power-Lifters and will be seeking advice from many Mentors including Wayne Derbyshire, a current BPO European Champion and Body Builder. Plus from many Friends.

Hi, my name is Larry Whyte and I am proud to be David's coach & gym trainer

2009-01-07T13:28:00.000-08:00

In 2006, I became the World Champion Drug Free Powerlifter in the 90 Kg category, bringing home 4 gold medals from the Championships in Bendigo, Australia. I am very proud of this achievement as I had only just returned to the sport after a 15 year break, and I had also reached the golden age of 50. Prior to the success in Australia, I became the British Masters Champion & the Midlands Masters Champion, breaking two World Records in the process.

I entered powerlifting in my mid twenties and my last big achievement before I 'retired' was to win the South West Powerlifting Championships, hoisting a decent 295 Kg's. In my twenties I was into martial arts & boxing, making good use of my natural flexibility & speed.

In 2007, Mens Health Magazine did an awesome 6 page feature 'The Life Of Iron' on me, my background and achievements. I have been a Gym Instructor and Coach since 2007. I will compete for the British and World Championships in 2009, after taking time-out in 2008 - then I plan to retire to leave it open for David to have a go!

My achievements and titles include:
World masters drug free power lifting champion 2007 – dead lift un-equipped and world record holder for equipped. Event held in Italy.
European masters champion 2007 - bench press, dead lift equipped and un-equipped. Event held in Switzerland.
World master champion 2006 - winning 4 gold medals. Bench press un-equipped, world champion dead lift equipped and world record holder. World champion dead lift un-equipped, world record holder and bench press. Event held in Bendigo, Australia.
British masters champion 2006/2007 - bench press dead lift equipped and unequipped. British record holder equipped and unequipped dead lift. Event held in England.
Midlands masters champion 2006/2007 - dead lift equipped and un-equipped, and bench press. British bench press record holder and best male over all. Events held in Cheltenham 2007 and the Midlands in 2006.

My next challenge? A British Championship. Yes, A British Championship

2009-01-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

I have promised to post an article on my Lon Las Cymru solo ride, some thoughts on Cycling Fit and to discuss the Survival Equipment I took and didn't use. Then tonight, I read Georgina Best's blog posting and she is good, very good! In her blog 'For Girls Who Can't Do Football' she made a heart felt statement on life:

"Maybe it's because real life is in the small, the ordinary and the everyday. A reminder that we should live every moment to the full and treasure our existence. And what football shows me is that the game's not over until the final whistle, that a battle can have beauty within it and that strength comes in working together and mutual support."

In demonstration of what might be possible, I decided to live this sentiment! So in the last few minutes I have taken the best advice possible and been offered World Class Coaching by a World Champion, the aim a British Championship and the chance at a World Title within three years. I hope your all in a betting mood?!

Of course Cycling Fit will be part of my training programme, with the odd long ride and I will be challenging a few to join in, to be coached and train together for a Title! More of this soon......
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The Taff Trail Across The Brecon Beacons in Pictures

2009-01-03T03:46:00.000-08:00

More pictures to be uploaded over next few days......

Exhaustion and Recovery

2009-01-02T17:11:00.000-08:00

It is Friday and I wake up in my own bed. My recovery plan involves rest, naps, sleep and cup after cup of herbal tea. I manage to blog, then send Neil an email in understanding of his feelings our ride together had invoked. New Years Eve had been a good day to enjoy beauty and friendship.

I am determined not to cycle anywhere today. In accepting the Rector and Christina's invitation to enjoy good cooking and a warm hearth, a lift is immediately offered - as they already understand how I might feel.

Again I am with friends, they tell me of their own plans to undertake a long journey and busk everyday for charity, that my ride has helped inspire. Warmed in many ways by a lovely evening, I begin to think of another French Cycle Tour this coming June - perhaps with back-up crew.

Well?

New Year's Day 2009 - A Long Last Leg East

2009-01-02T04:25:00.000-08:00

I slept under two heavy duvets in the high round tower at Daffy's and the first memorable event of the year was my slipping in my socks on the steep narrow wooden stairway that curve downwards to 'ski the lot' and hit the first floor landing! The steepness and small size of the stairs made for a fast bruising yet injury free descent?

Daffy had learnt the need for lots of food, so we had a huge whatever-you-want breakfast and piles of snacks to store away enroute. The plan was to follow the Taff Trail(8) to where the Celtic Trail(4) divided off to the East. The Celtic Trail would then lead me on a winding route through Caerphilly; On to Newport hence to wander the Coastal Salt Marshes to Caldicot; Then the long hill into Chepstow before a couple of miles of up-and-over on the old Severn Bridge cycleway; Then wander the lanes to the A38, to head North in the direction of Gloucester, before going East towards Stroud to reach Stonehouse - a journey of nearly 70 odd miles.

Daffy wanted to join me as far as Caerphilly Castle, it was chilly so instead our leave taking was well timed at the divide of the trails. She had surprised and seen me off in Holyhead, found me in Brecon, accompanied me to Ponty with Neil and now waved me goodbye dan jalan bagus on the Celtic Trail home. I headed back towards a cold home, the hot bath, an exhausted sleep and a blog or two. Yet, knowing what warming presents to buy Daffy for her 40th Birthday Party next week!

Lets just say the trail home was a bitter cold slog and I could have done without the broken beer bottle in Newport!

The fierce beauty of Snowdonia, the Cambrian Mountains and the Brecon Beacons were the best, with the solo legs of Lon Las Cymru having each been an adventure. Having company and sharing the beauty of New Years Eve morning had made my journey the more memorable and enjoyable.

Thank you

PS. There are Neil's pictures to download, upload to the web and add as New Year's Eve '08 & Taff Trail Slideshow. I also plan to blog on the related subjects of staying warm and survival soonest.

The Off - New Years Eve 2008

2009-01-01T17:47:00.000-08:00

New Years Eve, Inspirational Company and Snow?

2009-01-01T00:53:00.000-08:00

Neil, Helen and Carys had driven up in early morning temperatures of -7 degrees Centigrade to the Castle at Brecon - where Neil is to join me and Daffy on the Taff Trail section of Lon Las Cymru to Pontypridd.

Firstly, Neil held a master class, truing and making reliable both of BadBoy's wheels! No ordinary mountain biker, he is best described as an 'acrobat on wheels' who enjoys long black runs down French mountains. Watch out though, this year the taxman is buying Daffy a mountain bike and lessons, so she might carry out a long time wish to downhill Ben Nevis!

Ho, another long time mountain biker and our guide on few previous adventures in the Brecons can not now join us today.... But, here at the start I have my soul mate and hero Daffy. The best and truly inspirational friends, Neil and Helen! So I am feeling good, happy, loved and yes, ready for what awaits us this New Years Eve.

Helen, captures an image or two of this happy threesome at the start, then will deliver my rear panniers to Daffy Towers in Ponty. We set off through Brecon, to follow the canal for a mile or so before signs take us winding up to Talybont reservoir.

Here, with ice in our hair and in my beard, the cloud white-out sees us start the forest trail on-up past beautiful ice and stalagmite grotto's to our left and views of the Brecon Beacons o'so slowly appearing above the clouds as we pedal ever higher. Near the top, the cold flooding at the entrances to the old railway tunnel is as Ho advised. In a few minutes, its midday and we are in Sunshine before the freezing cold that win's out when we descend.

I am wearing warm liner socks under thermal waterproof socks inside roomy leather boots which are again partly shielded by the front panniers I am still using - its this combination of footwear carefully dried each night, that has kept my feet warm during the damp freezing cold afternoon and evenings of my journey from Holyhead. Daffy and Neil have tight fitting light cycle shoes and socks, thus their feet are 'blocks of ice' within minutes of leaving Brecon during a light snow fall. Plastic bags, loosened shoes, extra socks and plastic bags, plus some walking brings a little relief.

We are trying to avoid exhaustion through snacking and taking drinks every forty minutes. As we travel down through Mertha, Daffy realizes the need to find warmth and eat - the choice is very limited, so we end up enjoying poor food, poorer service and late service. Which means we are warmer yet going to now reach Ponty in the dark! Its the cold that is sapping our energy the worst, so we are happy to find ourselves nearing our evening's destination.

Daffy is passionate about surprises! So when she stops at a pub we are greeted by friends and start in on the New Year celebrations....

Wain Fawr - New Years Eve 2008

2008-12-31T04:06:00.000-08:00

All My Yesterday's

2008-12-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

I have done many things over the years, crossed the Sahara by accident, written a book in Indonesian that led to my traveling the archipeligo, survived Mogidishu, had a ship pirated off Beirut, sailed the confluence of the Blue Nile & White Nile, watched in utter amazement as the entire crew of the vessel I was commissioning threw themselves into the sea and swam away, escaped the Libyan Secret Service Lock-Up etc. However, the last few days took me to the edge of exhaustion that the likes of the coldest Tough Guy event didn't manage! Because I got it wrong, doing too many miles a day whilst overloaded with kit on extrordinary trails hurts and exhausts after some nine hours in the saddle.

On a cycle tour you plan to cover a certain number of miles, when mountain biking you plan your route in hours and this adventure was more akin to mountain biking! So I needed to do it as light as possible, carry the minimum not 150 litres of luggage, wear the same clothes with only a few essential dry items stowed away and perhaps just the military survival blanket instead of the two panniers of survival gear I took!

So, having planned safe I had overloaded the bike for the trail I found myself doing and the planned daily mileage. Yet, having all the gear for surviving the mountain conditions gave me the confidence to ride solo, ride into the night and to do a nine hour day in the saddle. Wrong or right, the last three days in Snowdonia and the Cambrian Mountains exhausted me.

Last night Daffy joined me in Brecon and we plan to cycle todays leg to Pontypridd with a couple of friends, then celebrate New Year! To save my bikes wheels I intend to send two panniers on ahead with a friend who is driving down.

I would love to do those last three days again on a mountain bike with friends over some four days...

Afon Gwy - 30th Dec. 2008

2008-12-30T04:02:00.000-08:00

Half a Mile to Dernol & Afon Gwy - 30th Dec. 2008

2008-12-30T02:29:00.000-08:00

The Dragon Rocks......

2008-12-29T13:02:00.000-08:00

I have got it so wrong and yet? BadBoy, I have used you so badly! In the Summer you were the ultimate 'no suss' mountain bike with balls, now there is my weight plus a full set of panniers fore-n-aft with chunky legs putting rear wheel skewing torque on to climb near vertical mountain slopes. I tightened up four loose spokes after breakfast, then BadBoy fully loaded climbed some four hundred metres above Dolgellau on country lanes and tracks, through and past amazing scenery to have five spokes tightened to true it's rear wheel again!

So now no time to visit Machynlleth's Centre for Alternative Technology, yet I did stop at their Cafe in town for thick hot veggie soup and pizza. To ensure power enough to take BadBoy's cluttered and overloaded frame up and over the 510 metre high Rhiw Fawr pass besides Foel Fadian as the Sun set red over Snowdonia.

I had decided to commit myself to the climb, the Steppes Easterly channeled by valleys to a Force 10, the miles of ridge high freezing cold riding, the water flows fording and painting the tracks a thick Ice White or a shiny Black!

A gamble that said: " I will have enough energy left to make the long high cold ride into Llanidloes; That BadBoy's rear wheel will not collapse; the bike lamps charge will last the journey; The descent will not chill extremities and dull my mind to danger!" and that I was confident of making a warm sheltered bivi near the Summit should it prove necessary whilst the clothes I was wearing would help maintain body and mind in the worst of conditions

Saved by a The Old Phone Box Changing Room Trick on the descent, the knowledge that walking and pushing warms the body and bits, that a gel energy tube with cafiene will get you thinking again when cold and exhausted.

Afon Dulas - 29th Dec. 2008

2008-12-29T05:27:00.000-08:00

Cadair Idris - 29th December 2008

2008-12-29T03:33:00.000-08:00

A Hard Ride to Dolgellau @ 96 miles

2008-12-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

A huge breakfast and a sunny five day forecast sorted me. The Cannondale Bad Boy required more air pressure and the low rider front panniers to be fixed so they do not swival into spokes.... This and getting two of yesterday's pictures into the blog, saw me and BadBoy meander out of Caernarfon at near 11 am!

I dawdled, stopped for a coffee and chat, took a nap in the Sun and just enjoyed the ride. I took some iphone pictures, uploaded them to the web and then just as I was thinking about a little tourism in Portmeirion two things happened. Riding East alongside Afon Dwyryd the chill Easterly head wind slowed me and I realised that I only had an hour odd of daylight left!

The mountains were also channeling the wind and it became hard going.... I used the last of my daylight to climb into Gellilydan to go due South to Dolgellau on the A487 - now unable to take the tough forestry track route. Yet, sheltered from the wind by the valleys and direction of travel, I upped the cadence and gearing to enjoy the lamp lit long swooping ride - on arriving I fired up the GPS application to find the B&B in the heart of the old town.

BadBoy and a singing rear spoke were locked away. A long hot shower and change of clothes, allowed me to find welcome at The Cross but no food!? The lovely barmaid was a Liverpool supporter, so I was soon provided with a plate, cutlery and a Chinese Take-Away.......

Now, I have to check my rear wheel spokes after breakfast as I don't wish to make Bivi and sleep in the woods tonight!

View from Meirionnydd - 28th Dec. 2008

2008-12-28T06:37:00.000-08:00

Enjoying Trail, Beauty and the Sun - Garndolbenmaen, 28th December 2008

2008-12-28T05:21:00.000-08:00

Me, Bethan and Daffy - Angelsey, 27th Dec. 2008

2008-12-28T00:54:00.001-08:00

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Angelsey, 27th December 2008

2008-12-28T00:44:00.001-08:00

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Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwryndrobwllllantisiliogogogoch

2008-12-27T12:28:00.000-08:00

The Fish-n-Chip shop across the road from Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwryndrobwllllantisiliogogogoch Station needs to change its cooking oil, so some motorist can fuel his car - as its no use for anything else..... I suppose the locals have now got used to the strangely awful taste, its possible as I have seen people drink lager!? Yes, honest!

On arrival at Holyhead Station I started to load the panniers to bike, then from behind came a firm "Hello" from about three foot off the ground. To my great surprise, standing there was Bethan looking very lovely and smart in matching woolen hat and coat - you know, Daffy's daughter MiniMe. And there, hiding behind a huge lens further on up the platform is 'The Ponty Paparazzi' herself! "#*#*# it's Daffy" or some such words must have went through my mind, which translated to "What a Lovely Amazing Brilliant Surprise!"

So for the first five miles of my ride that very lens is poked out in my direction as Steve takes direction. Some pictures are being emailed to me now.

The ride was up-&-down. pedaled into an Easterly on tiny lanes, tracks, the Menai Bridge and cycle paths. With a low bright Sun, blue sky easing into an amazing red Sunset. It was some 37 miles, during all of which time I was buoyed-up from seeing Daffy n Family.

Riding East or South East, Snowdonia slowly raised-up into the blue, to dominate the sky across the Menai Straights.

I had scrapped my felt Father Christmas Outfit - which would have been replaced by five hours of needlework on the train, had I not had a wine-tasting evening with Neil and Helen in Cardiff. I was wearing the red Ermin edged bed hat though, as you will see -----

Entrain to Holyhead - Thank you Helen.

2008-12-27T01:29:00.000-08:00

Last night I stayed with Neil, Helen and supercharged daughter Carys, who I digitally captured during a quiet moment. Lots of games were played, won & lost - like Twister!

Over a great meal, we started to catch-up and talk about their businesses and credit crunching strategies, retirement plans, the amazing human dynamo who recently refused to join the Welsh gymnastic squad as she now wants to be a ice skating dancer. Carys is at eight, dancing & singing in a city centre Panto (a special licence was required to appear on stage in a professional production).

We plan to meet up again and go to Daffy's birthday party on the 10th of January - it was lovely spending time with them on Boxing Day and Helen seeing me off this morning to Holyhead

Carys Phillips

2008-12-27T01:26:00.000-08:00

Cardiff today, Holyhead start at 1 pm tomorrow and Lon Las Cymru awaits Father Christmas's Cycling Holiday!

2008-12-26T02:53:00.001-08:00

The kids enjoyed Christmas and that's us smiling out of the slide show at you. But one last serving of Chic - a late helping of CHRISTMAS PUDDING before I blog about the ride, posting pictures of mountains and other cyclists met!

New York, New York.... VéloCouture

2008-12-24T13:32:00.000-08:00

Hi, If you register for the New York Times on the web, you sometimes see a cyclist or five - who likely read the paper daily. Click on this for VéloCouture Slideshow:-

A Field Guide to the New York City Bicyclist

I guess several of these Guys have not yet made the New Year Resolution, taken the Vow and so can't yet claim to Talk-the-Talk & Walk-the-Walk!? Its been over two years since I owned and drove a car.... Yet, I cannot say Never Again or Never-for-Ever as being this shade of Green is hard! You miss out on some of TheCranks rides and spend less time in Wales!

Merry Christmas All

Vélo Chic this December includes a Christmas Tree

2008-12-24T12:39:00.000-08:00

I prefer the title Vélo Chic, but Copenhagen Cycle Chic leads – OK!

Why? Well earlier this year I went shopping with Daffy for a bike, on the third try we finally found a store in Cardiff where we served by a knowledgeable person, also the Owner. On explaining what Daffy wanted and her budget, he showed us a part carbon Marin that seemed right. Yet Daffy would have liked to shop-on as it was white! So, here and now I apologise for not considering the concept of VéloCouture or Daffy as being a Vélo Chic.....

May I suggest the importance of now going to Copenhagen or reading the Copenhagen Cycle Chic posting dated the 23rd of December, by first clicking on Mikael's title:-
Cycle Chic Global Round-up 2008

I list the VéloCouture or Cycle Chic 08 websites Mikael discusses, but if you want the links visit his site:-

Vélo Vogue / San Francisco; Girls & Bicycles / Edmonton, Canada; Lodz Cycle Chic / Poland; Cicloeleganza / Italy; Amsterdamize.com; Bicycle Pirate / Australia; My Hyggelig / Mineapolis; Bikes and the City / San Francisco; Cycle Chic / London; Bike In the City / Paris; Urban Cycle Chic / UK; Tweed.cc; The Cycling Gentleman; Righteous Metal Broad; Sweet Georgia Brown; How To Ride Your Bike in Style; Momentum Magazine / Canada; Sydney Body Art Ride; Chic Cyclist in Boston; Riding Pretty in California; The Hague Cycle Chic; Montreal Cykler; Drunk and In Charge of a Bicycle; Sacramento 'Cycle Chic'; Cycle Chic NY; Toronto Bike Chic; Vélocouture a Flickr Group

Thank you Mikael of Copenhagen Cycle Chic

A Stitch in Time!!!!

2008-12-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

Like you I have a very busy week, yet today is lost as I am rattled around another large building in Gloucester. The weekend is G String's and friends in Wales. Then complete bike; Sew costume; Pack panniers; Clean house; Christmas shopping; Wrap presents; Plan Christmas menus; Buy & prepare food; Work through to Christmas Eve; Do stuff I have not thought of; Adding empty slide-shows to my Blog - to be filled by my emailing them pictures on my ride..... etc

Christmas Day, enjoy with kids n family!

I didn't mention Blogging as I won't start again till Boxing Day!

Merry Christmas and a Happy Peaceful New Year

Gloucester Cathedral

2008-12-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

This was my third year and they have just got better and better! I was but one of nearly a thousand attending and it was magnificent..... the soloists, the choirs and The Peeky Blinders delivered moments of pure magic and tone. Christmas in the Cathedral arranged by Age Concern Gloucestershire was almost perfect.....?

I had arrived in Gloucester with a crowd of noisy ladies who had to shop first, whereas I went straight on on past the Cathedral to Spencers Deli and had a royally stuffed organic chicken dinner with all the trimmings. Only then with my first takeaway black coffee did I head into the Cathedral to greet the Crew and a peeky twosome.

Mutual compliments, chat, kisses, a hug from the Rector and I was off.... to the Cloisters Cafe for a second coffee. Having decided on a seat by, and not behind a towering twelve foot diameter pillar, I chatted to my neighbour before David Newman peeking above a lectern quietly introduced.

Canon Celia enthused a warm welcome before a first Carol.

This year no petite Darling Julia to enliven and partner me in after Cathedral activities. Please somebody, next year ask Darling to do a solo of that Maori classic to please us all - me especially. Or, I could ask Daffy for you?

Christina was spell binding and her rendition of 'From a Distance' was lovely. But it didn't challenge the acoustics as much as the solo-sans-instruments by the Mistress of the Heart & Soul Choir - I dare you CB to give it a go!

The junior kids of Upton St Leonards were the best and eked out a few tears. I was taken back years to the age of 22 when my student apprenticeship completed and struggling to read Arabic, I, a Gloucestershire Youth Leader was sent to the village to bring peace to the club and so involve the Matson kids fully. Megan might be surprised to learn that here I started, trained and managed a Girls Football Team before departing to travel the World for some fourteen years.

Sorry, I've lost the plot and am digressing again so lets make it Good Night

Croeso I Cymru

2008-12-17T06:24:00.001-08:00

This picture was taken from the top of Snowdon, a local cycling club VC Melyd get to see the mountain more often than me – Yes, herein are many links to Wales & Welsh Mountain Biking web sites.

Wales is a mecca for Mountain Biking and now draws riders from throughout UK and around the World, with a full calender of Events and a huge choice of Trails to ride with friends. Plus lots of places to stay, this year TheCranks have stayed on the Beach in an old Lifeboat Station and in a Force Ten Gale on top of Blorenge above Abergavenny which hosts its own Festival of Cycling!

Discover Wales, Coed-y-Brenin and what your missing on the web!

Although I love Wales and a certain Welsh Lady, there is a magical small range of hills in Somerset called The Quontocks whose special secrets are known to mountain biking friends Bangkok and her man – I SHALL RETURN!

--
Father Christmas cycles Lon Las Cymru

I go Live!

2008-12-16T05:47:00.000-08:00

I have added front and rear pannier carriers to the bike and later today the first of several rear lights for an evening training ride - the real news is G-String has asked me to give a repeat performance, I go live as Father Christmas!

Why call her G-String? Because she plays the violin for, I think the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, is as you see quite some lady and very excitable, her text last night began:- Yes, Yes, Yes, Bloody Wonderful! I had only agreed to visit for the weekend, dress-up and do Father Christmas things with her kids, the children of friends and fellow musicians at a party on the Saturday afternoon.

It will be a great weekend with a nice long bike ride to and from!

Post Script: I think Age Concern Gloucestershire have issued a Press Release and I am told I feature in this evenings paper..... That BBC Wales may track my progress too, so I had better find some red Santa trousers that I can cycle in!

What isn't out there?

2008-12-15T10:14:00.000-08:00

I have been visited by a Ghost and still have a bite mark on my arm where I tried unsuccessfully to wake myself! When I was already awake? It was very real and sat watching me in an armchair - not a floating sheet, its skin was spider webbed and old, like the Chinese garments it wore! The days that followed just confirmed the visit had happened and saw me move to the East - it is a convincing story that I will save for another time.

The Internet or World Wide Web is to what my title refers.

I had thought a Blog a great way of communicating to someone who finds it. With so many having a Blog or several, just happening to find mine is near impossible.

With the quality of writing and varied subject matter following a Blog or two is another way of enjoying this never ending realm we have created.

To ensure that Bloggers get a fair chance of being read they have BlogCatalog, which lists their Blogs by interest and also forms a community of Bloggers. You can access it by pressing the small button low on the right hand side of this Blog - I think its under the Brecon Beacons Slide Show.

So consider BlogCatalog as yet another form of Internet Community, of which there must be thousands upon thousands.......

Life is to be lived and in the open please. Yet this particular Bloggers World does provide many with the chance of intelligent dialogue and of friendship. I cannot say the same for other such communities as I know so few and that is the way its likely to stay.

Saddled this Christmas & New Year

2008-12-14T10:22:00.000-08:00

I find writing relaxing, believe it therapeutic and rewarding. So seeing a need to communicate with sponsors and supporters during my Father Christmas solo-bike ride this Christmas and New Year, I started my first Blog and am suddenly a Blogger publishing my thoughts to the world – that is the few who find it or learn the address:-

http://fatherchristmascycleslonlascymru.blogspot.com

Through words and pictures this Blog will promote and report on my Solo Charity Bike Ride, allowing anyone and everyone to follow my progress and use 'COMMENT' after a daily posting to join in and cheer me on if they wish.

It is written also as a personal record with the ride as the major theme, with my 'certificate 15' doings, Cycle Chic and thoughts on staying Cycling Fit also being concurrent subject matter.

Work mates have stopped me to chat about the health benefits of being Cycling Fit, one swapped for a comfy saddle and two guys have sought advice on refurbishing bikes and making Cycling Fit their New Year Resolution.

Some told me they greatly regret not getting on their bikes this year and fear the consequences are catching them up. More have talked about it being too-far-to-bike-to-work, the difficulty shift work poses or the pressure of work and family life. Yet, these are all reasons to commit to getting Cycling Fit, when these can't-do-it's suddenly lose a lot of there power!

Exercise albeit cycling, swimming, judo, climbing, badminton, gym etc. all deliver different fitness levels. But you can't always do some as easily and by doing it get where you want to go! For most, your single person car journey and 40 to 60 minutes in the gym add up to a lot more in time and money than cycling that same journey!

So is walking possible? "Too far...." Could you run it? "Maybe not..."

Can you cycle it? "Yes, and if a little fitter a lot further a lot faster!"

Thank you to the kind few who have helped find more Sponsors - Thank you Jo, Rob & Toni. Also thanks to Brian & Dave for offering to keep in daily contact, monitor my progress and provide emergency support if needed! Thank you Tony for the Santa photograph session. Thank you Kevin for giving consideration to sponsoring a Cycling Fit ride.

Thank you Sponsors and all those who have also given it consideration.

My total mileage will be greater than 300 miles, anybody care to guess it?

You will need to read two of my postings to get close

Christmas Roast on Order for 23rd Dec.

2008-12-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

The kids have chosen beef! So they can cook their own rump steak breakfast sandwiches before opening the presents and lunch will be a large rolled sirloin, which will not take long to cook pink, brown off, rest and serve with all the trimmings. Then to ring the changes a veggie Christmas pudding to an Oz recipe - like the one above.

Tonight, I cooked by request a mini veggie feast! Steamed long baby carrots on a bed of sweet mangetout flash boiled and still crisp,with a Dijon mustard and butter dressing - Aah...

Then grilled roundels of goats cheese with the soft outer retreating from inner tasty core, on a bed of caramelised onions then dressed in a thick pepper and sherry splatter - ooO YES...

Lastly, a finalitastic dish of sweet parsnips & yellow peppers pan fried then roasted to stay hot and served mashed and formed into triangles on large swirls of dark bitter chilli chocolate sauce - rRRRRHhhh...

No recipes - just the surprise veg! I took the Pinot Noir and me.. Blogged out and the kitchen is nearly neat n tidy again I think, goodnight.

Cold and Personal!

2008-12-10T12:00:00.001-08:00

Yan advised, that they experienced temperatures of - 11 deg C at the Rally Stage he marshaled in Snowdonia and higher up it was down to -22 deg Centigrade! Now experience of cycling on snow and ice, has taught me to enjoy the empty roads and tracks. Use tyres with a small contact area that pressure melts the ice to give some traction, then proceed slowly and confidently. Now I will add ski goggles and a cold weather face mask too my kit, further consider taking elbow and knee armour, whilst checking to see if my four panniers will hold some more survival equipment?

This afternoon I hitched a lift into Gloucester to meet up with the Grinch. A friend who had wished to accompany me on the trans Wales ride, but since has accepted the Revelation he is likely to die very soon anyway! He had changed considerably during the last few weeks and was shaking all over as he drank a pint of cider. Repeating how Princess, the once love of his life had thrown him out, forcing him to accept what he had become and so choose to come out and tell all that he is an alcoholic, thus to seek help and support in a fight to live.

His doctor has asked him to keep drinking but reduce his intake over the next few weeks, then not touch alcohol for four days before starting on tablets that would make him violently ill after just a sip of cider or wine! The Grinch was told that if he simply stopped drinking, he would fit and have a complete collapse - which with his poor liver and kidney functions would likely end his life.

I had met him the day after Princess gave him up, telling him the same truths and taking his cash to stop the bender he was on. Today, after a long talk I returned his money and gave him my blog address - asking him to start his own blog to record his fight for life and that just perhaps through making daily blog postings he might find some further strength and support.

I then took him to Spencers Deli in Westgate Street where he bought a freshly cooked and plated dinner to take home of Mama's four sausage Polish stew with vegetables and roast potatoes - I believed his promise that he would not stop anywhere on the way back!

Lets hope and pray my friend the Grinch now finds this same strength every day.

You will need leathers, helmet and ski's...

2008-12-09T09:49:00.000-08:00

Reindeer Racing Next Christmas

2008-12-08T14:24:00.000-08:00

Accounting for all donations......

2008-12-08T12:09:00.001-08:00

It is rather important that all donations be accounted for.

Those credit card donations made on http://www.justgiving.com/davidthomas10 provide an immediate visual receipt to each Sponsor under what ever name was used in the listing of donations made. I think everybody domiciled in UK has elected to provide there address on a confidential and private basis to allow the 25% GiftAid contribution to be added.

I have accepted only a limited amount of cash so far, these are from individuals in my workplace who insisted. These were a £20 donation and four £5 donations where the sponsor insisted on immediate settlement.

It remains my intention to arrange collection of workplace donations after pay day in January 09 and obtain addresses for the extra GiftAid.

These five donations are marked as paid on the Sponsor Forms. The £20 donation were added to a £20 donation being made by a spade bearded fast moving Gary, which he paid as £40 into the justgiving website under his christian name.

That leaves me holding £20 in donations. I have also to pay some £30 on behalf of Mr & Mrs Harris of Stonehouse Accessories.

Another special case is Amanda who before taking a B&B Booking from Father Christmas, visited my website and blog as detailed in the email I sent her, then kindly discounted her room rate by £10! I will in the New Year pay this money in under Amanda's name.

I will first need to complete sponsor forms with Amanda and also Mr & Mrs Harris.

Things could easily get messy - so each of the original sponsor forms will be firstly stamped, numbered and copied at Age Concern Gloucestershire before monies are collected. This will allow the sponsors donations to be tracked and audited if so required. Collection should only be made using a stamped and dated form

Remember all monies received by Age Concern are shared with The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Good but Long...

2008-12-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

Its five o'clock on Sunday morning and I am trying to ignore the dulcet tones of the alarm, telling me repeatedly "Its now 5.01"! Yet as promised I get into work for 6 am....

Back to Stonehouse for midday to collect two of my bikes that have had dirt removed and single track damage sorted out by Winston, who ably sorts out all manner of bike repairs, has built two new looking cars from bits, is completing his A levels, speaks several languages and will in five years or so be an Architect.

Winston's employers, the owners of Stonehouse Accessories refuse payment for the work, asking me to kindly make a donation to The Prostate Cancer Charity and Age Concerns local health projects on their behalf - Why? They have read this Blog!

My daughter, Megan has said she will be late as she is doing a calendar shoot?! I am just running a bath when she rings to say she will now make it for the agreed time of 1 pm... I congratulate her on the new car and we shoot off to meet Stu for a carvery lunch at the Frocester George - now owned by Mike Reynolds and Family.

The bar has the biggest log fire I have seen in any pub, a selection of real ale and is friendly. We grab the huge round window table in the lounge and Stu calls asking where we are, it turns out he is at the George in Cambridge! We do finally get to enjoy the carvery meal and succumb to the deserts.

I present Megan with a huge rump steak for their evening meal whilst we argue about a shopping trip to get her a present - I lose! Stu sensibly disappears, leaving Megan and I to track down Rob and Clare. Which turns out to be easy, then I am abandoned by this dynamo of a daughter to watch a weepy film with Clare, whilst Rob complains. I as usual greatly enjoy their company, the talk is sadly of friends losing jobs and of Rob's work being curtailed, so that his percentage will not generate as great an income...

A nice family day. I am home in time to start rebuilding a suitable touring bike for Father Christmas's Holiday. The bike will be light in weight yet have the strength for the off-road forestry sections; low gears for high cadence mountain climbs; new fat road 26" Tyre's to lessen vibration and shock, yet be fast on the road and just about allow me to do without front suspension off-road; Plus front and rear pannier racks - I am not able to travel too light because of the cold weather and the need to be able to make a warm well stocked Basha, if forced to a stop. The four panniers are therefore needed because of the overall volume of the light weight warm and emergency kit I have decided to take.

Remember, the greater the overall weight of the bike, panniers and me, will in part determine how hard the climbs are and how much weight I lose!

Then time to look at the different photo sites on the web and see which is the simplest and best for my blogger uploads, I decide on Flickr. Leaving little time to tap into the hand held device and post this blog.

- posted by iphone -

Testing...Testing....

2008-12-06T15:49:00.001-08:00

This picture is of Preseli, proof I have an easier method of uploading my postings - it took me a few hours though.

I have next to test the successful upload of new slide shows - sent from my iphone

Lon Las Cymru - Gogledd

2008-12-06T01:27:00.000-08:00

Lon Las Cymru is in two sections Gogledd (North)and De (South)and each offers you a choice of the route you can take.

Scenic Lon Las Cymru is National Cycle Route 8 from Holyhead leading you on country lanes, cycle paths, mountainous forest tracks, canal paths and river valleys to either Cardiff or Chepstow - this is the Southern choice of both route and destination? I am going to take the Cardiff one and then take another cycle route on to Chepstow - more of this later in this posting.

The choice of route given to you on Lon Las Cymru - Gogledd is simple, on passing through Porthmadog you can go on the mountain lanes and forest tracks including a part of Coed-y-Brenin MTB trails, through the rest of Snowdonia. Or, you can keep Snowdonia on your left and the Irish Sea on your right, taking the coastal route via Harlech. They meet again after some 28 miles on either at Dolgellau. I am going via Coed-y-Brenin, panniers and all!

My longest day is likely to be the first, if its not I am in trouble!

So on the morning of the 27th December 08, I will awake early in Cardiff to cycle to the main station and catch the 7.20 am train to Holyhead. Where I arrive some five hours later and with luck, cycle out of the railway station before 1 pm. To meander across Anglesey, switching on the bike lights before riding over Pont Menai, by which time I will have done 30 miles with another 8 miles of cycling past Glan Faenol and along Plas Menai before the waypost of Caernarfon.

So the legs of Father Christmas's holiday are:

27.12.08, Holyhead to Caernarfon - 38 miles, The Longest Day
28.12.08, Caernarfon to Dolgellau - 58 miles, Snowdonia all On-Up & On-Down
29.12.08, Dolgellau to Rhayader - 53 miles, Snowdonia a second Hard Day, B&B Booked
30.12.08, Rhayader to Brecon - 49 miles, A Fast Ride if we have a following wind!
31.12.08, Brecon to Pontypridd - 38 miles, Daffy Day & New Years Eve
01.01.09, Ponty to Stonehouse (via Cardiff at 250 miles) - 75 plus miles?
So it looks like the Total Mileage will be well in excess of 300 miles
I may yet stay New Years Day at Daffy's and do the last leg on the second of January.

So how many miles will I complete in total?

Note: Promised donations will be collected during last week of January to be added to the then total collected on my justgiving web site which will stay open for donations through till April 09.

Penultimate Leg from Brecon to Pontypridd

2008-12-04T15:16:00.000-08:00

Daffy is special and just too many things, a fellow Traveller, great fun, a lovely Singer, a real Comedian, keen Runner, sexy Swimmer, fit Cyclist, an ex Bog-Snorkelling World Champion, Linguist, Geologist, Business Women, Eye Specialist, Charitable Fund Raiser, Cook, Stage Producer, Mother, Event Organiser, Hero, Friend and Soul Mate is to join me in Brecon for the New Years Eve leg of Lon Las Cymru De back to her home in Ponty.... Lets just say, that if I were too plan another cycle ride say through Cambodia, it is Daffy I would want on my cross bar or at least cycling besides me.

So we plan to leave Brecon on my 198th mile and cycle out alongside the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, then join the B4558 through Pencelli, then before Talibont-on-Usk on the 203rd mile we turn on up into the Brecon Beacons National Park, climbing up past Llyn Talibont (Reservoir) through forest, past Llyn Pentwyn and Llyn Taf Fechan. Then alongside the Brecon Mountain Railway and Pontsticill we cycle besides Taf Fechan to pass through Merthyr Tydfil in the Taff Vale to Pentrebach for a glass of beer to celebrate some 224 miles from Holyhead only 12 miles of Taff Trail out of Pontypridd and a New Years celebration with my best mate.

This is the plan and come snow, sleet and rain I intend to make it!

Cardiff centre will be the 249th mile, then on to Newport and Chepstow to cycle over the tidal rivers Wye and Severn towards home.

So much to do, I visit Gloucester......

2008-12-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

I woke before the alarm and had a wake-up sleepy head bath. My mind prepared a to-do-list of sorts for the morning and the first was to relax further by finishing a novel.

This coming Saturday, Dawn of thecranks is leading us on a ride up and down the Wye Valley on trails she has reccied. So I saw about ordering a set of Juicy Five disc brake pads for my Gary Fisher 29er hard-tail.

Next, I went to Gloucester. Here I collected a basic light-weight Bivi Bag I had ordered, it is a thin waterproof bag that I will sleep in fully dressed in my warmest and driest: padded ski trousers, several mountain tops over Polartec long johns and vest, plus gloves, hat, hoods and socks.... the sheet of the strung-up Basha forming a windbreak and cover above me.

No red garment was found to make a long lasting pair of Father Christmas trousers.

At the Rail Station I bought an advance single ticket from Cardiff to Holyhead, made a seat reservation and got a bike pass, all for £15.00 - RESULT!

Celebrate...... Spencers Deli in Westgate Street is one of a kind. Yes, it deals in meats and cheeses, Italian and Polish Cuisine, plus fresh snacks cooked by Mama - a Chef of some genius! I have an educated pallate from travel, living and working overseas, I cook for friends, parties and events. I know when food is fresh, good and different! So I purchased her thick pancake stuffed with ricotta cheese 80p, the breaded pastry cased glorious mushroom mixture 50p and a large veggie pasty 140p. I breakfasted and lunched.

Then back home and soon off to work we go!

No Single Malt this Christmas..........

2008-12-01T17:16:00.000-08:00

This last Saturday and Sunday rides at low altitude and at zero degrees Centigrade, froze ill protected bits like your toes, ears and finger tips! So the message this year is let Christmas look after your bits.....

A Norfolk company sells a huge range of waterproof socks, gloves and hats for most activities and sports. Its the THERMAL ones that now interest me.

So as well as hoping my Christmas Presents include further SPONSORS and a CONSTANT TAIL WIND, I am hinting to the Kids to check out http://www.sealskinz.com/ and then there stockists for one each of these SealSkinz products:

XL Thermal Liner Glove RRP £7.50

XL Extreme Cold Weather Mitten RRP £45.00

L Thermal Sock Liner Merino Black RRP £7.50

XL Mid Thermal Black Sock RRP £25.00

Jo, they also do Gloves for Shooting and the Country Sock, which has a woollen turnover to suit breeks or plus fours, its full length and waterproof up to the knee.

So no single malt this Christmas just socks n gloves, what have I done? Oh, what have I done!

For those of you who want to go to the beach this year, see the blogs I follow n click on lilstockbeachhut.blogspot.com.

I was on this pebbly beach quite recently and enjoyed these works-of-art immensely. All the coloured and sea worn detritus of modern life and container ships astounds at Lilstock Beach Hut - its not a coach trip destination yet, so GO!

The Father Christmas Look !?

2008-12-01T04:56:00.001-08:00

I have taken the decision not to get the monthly haircut and also to grow a beard - never having had one, I don't know what might be achieved in a month?

Doing this cold windy ride with a false beard would add a choking or blinding hazard! A month long growth should keep me warmer, is unlikely to be long and get caught in my flies. My greatest concern is that my hair and beard will not be an obligatory Father Christmas white, so should I have it coloured or bleached just before Christmas? What do you think...........?

The Father Christmas garb was fine last year at G-String's, when I hammed it up for the progeny of friends from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and CardiffH3, it also looks good in the above photo. Yet, it would not last a day on the bike or survive the Santa Dash in Swindon this coming weekend!

I so miss our sadly departed A.E. and the invisible mending & tailoring skills she commanded.... So I am left searching for some red trousers or long shorts to Santa'ise, having sourced boots, red coat and white 'ermin' trim!

HELP! - would be so gratefully received and my skills bartered in exchange.
--
Father Christmas cycles Lon Las Cymru
http://www.justgiving.com/davidthomas10

Happy Birthday Megan

2008-11-30T15:13:00.000-08:00

My beautiful daughter Megan was 19 this Sunday and after returning from her Saturday night birthday celebrations in Weston-super-Mare, will have had a small tea party with the rest of the family. I am looking forward to taking her to lunch next Sunday and then on Christmas Day morning opening our presents, together with Robert, Brett, Clare and Grainne.

Whilst here in Nottingham, I went off-road with some of QUAFF from last night's do at the On Inn. It was cold and thick shiggy soon clogged tyres, so after 20 odd miles with only Maryke on her new bike having punctured, we were happy to roll back on in to meet the others and enjoy a truly great chilli!

When we left, Maryke found that her rear tyre had also punctured and was flat!

Names, Megan means Strong and is Welsh. Whilst Maryke's name is Dutch and is now thought to originate with a female Chinese War Lord! Both names aptly suit the ladies!

Sherwood Forest

2008-11-29T08:17:00.000-08:00

Sherwood Forest exists today as a national nature reserve, a tiny part of what once existed. It is still large enough to get lost in for twenty minutes or more and you can have a long pleasant ride through it. Better still is Sherwood Pines to the south, equally large and encompassing more than twenty kilometers of rolling mountain bike single track between its closely spaced trees. I am spending a weekend here to check out potential mountain bike trails within and around the separate Sherwoods for NashBash 2010, a weekend enduro event that will encompass riding our bikes, shooting some arrows, dancing to bands and drinking real ale.

Saturday sees me and Blow enjoying a cold ride, swooping along narrow winding foot wide trails to dodge beneath branches, swerve around tree after tree, being whipped and ripped at by the JC!

Blow, ex-Army and the principal organiser, is the highly focused chair of our committee. My role is to recce the trails, lay them out and marshal them with a small troop of volunteers. We meet tonight to discuss what is planned, agree our different roles, put words to our outside-of-the-box thoughts and then to bond over some beers before being joined by late arriving party goers!

Please regard this as training for 'Father Christmas cycles Lon Las Cymru' and I will pick up another sponsor or two whilst here - but in truth its all about enjoying the company of friends on or out of the saddle, isn't it?

www.justgiving.com/davidthomas10

Why a target of £3000 in sponsorship?

2008-11-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

When asked this question by a Sponsor today, I told her that I estimated it on the basis of effort as a mile in the cold against a headwind up a mountain track had to be worth £10!

So 300 miles times £10 equals........ You got it, £3000.

My costs to get to Holyhead, any B&B's, food n drink, the investment in survival kit are yes, being paid by me.

It is not a holiday for me, yet there will be a buzz and a sense of achievement from doing it which the daily grind does not deliver. A problem or difficult situation will add spice to the challenge. A young me might have crossed the Sahara, escaped from a Libyan Secret Service cell, taken an old long wheel base down the spine of Sumatra a decade before Landrover launched such an expedition and the trans Sumatran highway came into being.... and much much more! But I am older and stiffer now so Lon Los Cymru in winter is a sensible challenge.

Alone is not ideal and there is just the chance that the Grinch will join me. Although, I suspect its mainly to be able to try an unusual chat-up line on the opposite sex: "Yes, green all over"!

Two days running doesn't make me a blogger, that title will be Father Christmas's from Boxing Day until the 2nd of January 2009. Is it as addictive as football and sex? See Georgina Best's blog using the links from this one, as it is an addictive read!

This was a practice blog by iphone enroute to Nottingham with MTB on the Cardiff to Nottingham train. Now in Beeston awaiting a late S.K's!?

Goodnight - it's time to follow Georgina's latest football blog.

Father Christmas (as of 26th December 08 to 1st January 09)

Father Christmas is dieting & cycling Lon Las Cymru this Christmas and New Year

2008-11-26T14:08:00.000-08:00

I am an enthusiastic larger than the norm cyclist, who dressed all in red is planning to undertake a 300 mile sponsored lone-bike ride this Christmas and New Year, on behalf of the Prostate Cancer Charity and in support of Age Concern Gloucestershire's Local Health Projects – please visit my web page www.justgiving.com/davidthomas10

So soon after Christmas Day, I will pedal-off on the Lon Las Cymru cycle route from Holyhead in Anglesey, aiming to be back in Gloucestershire on the 2nd of January 09. The route takes me through Snowdonia National Park, over the Cambrian Mountains, to cycle past the source of the River Severn. Then I follow the Valleys of the River Wye from near to its source a little North of The Elan Valley, through Rhayader, then Builth Wells to Glasbury. There I turn due South to pedal over the Brecon Beacons to Brecon itself, dropping on down the Taff Trail to Pontypridd for New Years Eve! Then on home via Cardiff and Chepstow, to cross the rivers Wye and Severn for the last time on this ride – over the old Severn Bridge cycleway.

I started cycling again for health reasons with the intention to lose weight by getting more exercise. But having achieved a degree of fitness I made a momentous decision to change life style, give up the sledge and to start cycling to work whatever the weather - a return journey then of some 16 miles. Although I didn't get slim, I did lose weight and got fit enough to do the C2C (Coast-to-Coast) ride with the QUAFF in 2007 across the Lake District and Pennines. Next, I bought a mountain bike under the Ride to Work Scheme and started having a lot of fun, trail and mountain bike riding with friends n bashes around Britain - http://www.thecranks.co.uk/

This June, I had the energy to firstly cycle C2C Devon with the QUAFF, then to float across to France to do a 960 kilometer ride with my brother Gary on country lanes, tracks, river banks and canal paths down to and along The Loire. Then NW back to St Malo, using some 150 kilometers of shady track besides the Nantes to Brest Canal.

I have good reason to recommend the health benefits of moderate exercise, particularly regular cycling and swimming. Cycling leaves me feeling better in myself, more able to deal with life's misfortunes and has gifted me back a normal blood pressure and low cholesterol.

Although diagnosed a Diabetic, I proved to be on the cusp – due to plenty of exercise together with a highly recommended (by me) low sugar / low salt / low fat diet I call 'The Reading Food Labels, No Microwave Meals, No Fast Food Diet that got me discharged by the Diabetic Clinic'!

On our June cycle tour I burnt some 8-10,000 calories plus a day, enjoyed as much French food and drink as was possible and still lost a stone in weight! With the cold winter wind and climbs of up to 500 plus meters being a regular part of National Cycle Route 8 in Wales this Christmas, I hope to lose a little more.......

As well as a large Christmas Dinner, my preparation for this ride will include a higher level of bike maintenance; Ensuring I have tools and spare tubes, brake pads, chain etc to hand; Selecting the right clothes for wet cold and snowy conditions - endeavoring to keeping a spare set dry and to hand at all times; Stuffing my panniers with a mountain / military standard survival blanket, basha and survival shelters, bivi bag, petrol stove, plus lots of food and drink; Training will mean eating right, lots of hill work on the Cotswold Escarpment, winding up the 'W' in Nailsworth, plus circuits up and down Rodborough Hill.

A tip or two:

Should you plan a lone cycle tour, make space for a spare flexible lightweight saddle – a change is as good as a rest! Or have fun and go with others, on regular rides, Bash weekend events and Long Quaff’s like C2C’s.

It is amazing how your leg muscles start to retain and use energy very efficiently if you ride regularly. The week previous to your tour, do four to five training rides. By taking my own advice, I am hoping not to suffer tired legs during the first 3 days whilst waiting for my leg muscles to realize what’s going on!

All in all, it’s much more than just a bike ride and now being in my fifties, preparation and planning will be key to completing this ride. The weather might yet make it into an expedition and yes, it might be more fun in summer. So please wish me the Christmas Presents I most want: - Sponsorship and a Constant Tail-Wind.

This blog is being built to be used during the ride,

so until then my best wishes for a

Merry Christmas

Happy New Year

Father Christmas