Tuesday 29 November 2011

How to lose 2 stone in 2 months

Well if it isn't the Wii. Screw you Wii.
THE GOAL

On Sunday the 12th of June 2012 I will be tackling the Dragon Ride and aiming for Gold standard. There is however, something of a problem. I'm in the worst shape of my cycling life! As well as a distinct lack of form, I'm carrying almost 2 stone more weight than I was during my peak period, 728 days ago. In order to lose 2 stone in 2 months I will need to tackle the problems that lead to me gaining weight in the first place, and work on building form during two of the harshest months of the year.

Monday 28 November 2011

Dear PC Gamer





















4 years ago I stopped subscribing to your magazine, took up riding bicycles and left behind the world of PC gaming. I left because my PC experiences were drying up. I found myself scratching around the dust looking for gaming nirvana and only ever finding dried up husks. I rode (and rode and rode), occasionally checking the gaming websites to see what was around the corner.
Early in 2011 I saw two games that promised to invigorate the scene. Skyrim and Battlefield 3 were looking very exciting. I opened up my wallet and upgraded the PC to m-m-M-M-Monster SPEC! I then got back on the bike and rode for another six months.

Warwickshire Hill Climb Championship 2011


Matt Clinton giving it stacks

"Matt, what do you think? How are we doing?" This is the question one of the group asked Matt Clinton a few months ago when he came out riding with us one summers eve. He thought about it for a while and then said, "You need to learn how to suffer". We waited for some elaboration on this point, but none came.

Warwick Cycle Races 2010


In September 2009 I entered the Warwick Cycle Races, my first ever criterium, and a first taste of sporting competition since school. I started the race at the back of the pack and finished somewhere in the middle. At the end of the race, having enjoyed the thrill of speeding around a closed circuit, taking outrageous chances on bends, I solemnly vowed to win the 2010 Warwick Races. My plan was vague, but the ultimate goal was clear; to win category 4, the entry level event for adults. The lowest category race of the day, and generally filled with a rag-tag bunch of cyclists, some there for the fun of it, and others there to win. In 2009 I was there for the fun. This year I entered to win.