Author: fionnghal

by

Ladies of the Lake

I had my first ever attempt at a formal cycling event today when I was persuaded by Fiona and Anna Walker to take part in the Lake Classic Wimmin’s APR. Now this is nothing at all to do with repayments of money but it certainly did add interest to my cycling experience. An APR is a pursuit race in which riders chase each other around a circuit route in ability groups, with the slowest starting first. If your group is passed by a chasing group then you either have to keep up or essentially your race is over. Our cicuit was the LAke of Menteith and I, of course, was in the tortoise group and soon enough ended up at the back of it with another two ladies. This was partly brought about after a classic comedy moment when I couldn’t get my leg armers off in the pit lane at the start. I was almost literally riding out the pit lane with one leg stuck out while a marshall held on to a leg warmer in an attempt to remove it. Needless to say we were overtaken by both chasing groups but we decided we would soldier on and use it a learning experience. All in all it was a good day out, in remarkably good weather, and showed me precisely how much I have to improve before I can consider myself even an average cyclist.

“racing” round the Lake of Menteith

Not sure we were meant to stop for a photoshoot

the Walkers Babes

by

Blasting around Bellingham

I decided to do something a bit different cycle-wise at the weekend. I had heard there was an international bonsai superstar in residence at Willowbog and thought I’d tie in a visit to bow at the feet of the Great One with a nearby cycle event I’d just been made aware of – the Bellingham Blast. This is a two-day event featuring a short family ride on the Sunday around the immediate area, and a longer, 61mile, challenge through Kielder Forest and right around Kielder Water. Part on road but mostly on whin track, the route was a rather good one and it certainly was a challenge. I did some 4000+ feet of climbing (and burned up over 3500 calories) over the constantly undulating route. There were only two negatives: first, the signage was on the poor side especially at the start where the absence of a directional arrow had me going round the route the wrong way (not the first time in my life I’ve been going the wrong way at things!). My annoyance at the bum steer as it were was soon tempered by the fact that I was intercepted by a marshal who was actively looking for me and a couple of other riders who had taken the same wrong direction. To have recognised that riders had not made the first checkpoint within a rsensible timefarme was great proactive marshalling and a far cry from what I had experienced at the Pedal for Scotland event.

The second negative, for me anyway, was the long section of road metal surface which is a particular dislike of mine. I guess this is simply because I am first and foremost a roadie as is quite evident from the fact that I really don’t like bumping and sliding around like those other types of cyclist. 😉 Fortunately it was soon over and I was just glad that my wrong route had meant that I was heading down the largest slope in that section rather than up. I was also very glad I had taken the Surly as it allowed me to make speedier progress over the lakeside trail than I would have done on an MTB.

All in all this was an excellent event and I hope to be able to do it again next year. At least I’ll know which way to go.

lakeside

The way through the woods

Half way up a hillside

The International Bonsai Superstar - the Real Bonsai Eejit with some other bonsai...erm... persons

by

Pedal for Scotland – the good news

There is the small fact that although the activities of the moron minority did mar my day a little, I still was able to complete the ride without incident. I felt pretty good the whole way round and the hills I struggled on last year seemed fine this year. I was a bit surprised to see that I had done the distance in about 25 minutes longer than last year, but I put this down to having stuck over the first ten miles with a group of friends who were uncertain of the route. The bit between the outskirts of Coatbridge and the approach to Cramond was excellent but then it was slow again through Edinburgh. Ah well – good photos to show for the day at least.

Home stretch

look at me!

by

Pedal for Scotland – some thoughts

As I indicated in my previous post, I found the ride this year a bit strained because of the antics of some idiots. The issue is not the route per se but the simple fact that the significant proportion of that 6000 is what you might term “casual” riders. And within that category there was, to put it bluntly, a large number of total morons. I now find myself saying that I will not ride it in this particular event again. The reason is quite simple: I saw so many examples of idiotic cycling behaviour that I would neither want to be associated with it nor would I risk my own safety.

The event organisers had obviously put thought into the route as it was impeccably routemarked. There was also a sizeable quantity of marshals on hand but what was missing was any indication that the bulk of those marshals were capable of dealing with poor cycling behaviour. It was apparent early on that the bulk of the participants were not regular cyclists and most certainly did not know how to behave on the public road or when cycling in a large group. I repeatedly saw riders overtaking on the inside, weaving in and out of other cyclists at speed, stopping dead in the middle of the road (especially on hills), running red traffic lights and riding on the wrong side of the road even in the face of oncoming traffic. I also saw marshals standing by and doing nothing about it. I believe the event organisers should have recognised that having so many non-regular cyclists on the road at the one time was likely to lead to such behaviour. The main flashpoints should have been identified and stronger marshal presence located at them.

In events like these we rely very much on the support of other roads users. A week previously I had taken part in the Tour Ride in Dumfries, and while admittedly they had significantly fewer riders to deal with, the marshals were superb and highly proactive especially the motorcycle marshals. A similar picture would exist for the other sportives I have ridden this year including the Graeme Obree Classic. What I saw at Pedal for Scotland Challenge route makes me wonder just how much damage we have done to that goodwill. I witnessed a number of close calls and I witnessed altercations between cyclists and motorists. It would be too easy to say that these were not “real cyclists”, but sadly we are all tarred by the same brush and the disgruntled motorist is not going to distinguish between an experienced and road-wise club cyclist and a once-a-summer numpty. I am all for encouraging people into cycling, but there is a massive issue to be addressed in terms of cycling safely on mass rides just as there is a massive issue to be addressed in terms of cycling responsibly. The organisers of Pedal for Scotland must do more to ensure the latter happens as well as the former, and as part of that they should play a major role in ensuring that the participants are aware of their responsibilities. We need all recognise that our war cry of “share the damn road” is, as it were, a two-way street.

by

Highs and Los

Today’s cycling challenge was the Fresh ‘n’ Lo Pedal for Scotland ride from Glasgow Green to Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Although I had put down for the full century ride, Sky Ride had called their city ride for the same day and I felt that showing face was required. So the 48 mile route it was again – with its slight modification of the last mile from 2010’s route.

It was a bit drizzly when we set out from the Green but nothing too daunting considering the rain we’d had in the past two days. Neither was there much sign at this point of the forecast strong winds. I had met Laura and Yvonne who go to the Walkers Thursday ride plus some friends of theirs at the start line so we agreed to stick together over the first part of the course as they were not certain of it. The ride out of Glasgow took us through Easterhouse and over to Drumpellier Park. The first of only three real “hills” was already causing chaos as many of the less than seasoned riders found the sudden presence of some Up (only about 100 metres but an 11%) a challenge too far. Those of us who could make it up found our way blocked by riders stoppping dead in the middle of the (narrow) road while others didn’t have the sense to all walk up on the same side.

My progress to the outside of Airdrie was somewhat slower than I’d wanted but as agreed with the girls I left them there and picked up speed over to Avonbridge. There I encountered the second of the climbs -a shortish (half mile) pull out of the village. Now this time last year I found this challenging. This year I was encouraged to feel that it was fairly easy. Once over the brow of the hill, it was a long flattish stretch over to Linlithgow and a short food stop. The third climb over a two mile stretch takes one up out of Linlithgow. Frm there it is a good fast haul over to Kirliston, made less easy this time by a constant headwind. i quite unashamedly took draft from three big powerful lads and as a result averaged about 20mph over this stretch. The route then dropped into Edinburgh and we made a triumphal entry through the stadium itself. Time 3hrs 35mins which is ahlf an hour slower thn last year despite me feeling so much stronger.

It was an okay ride but marred slightly by the amount of idiotic cycling I saw. Trouble is that these mass participation rides attract less able cyclists many of whom have little bike handling and roadcraft skills. Running red lights was the least of it and I’m sure cycling lost much goodwill from several motorists who encountered idiots on the wrong side of the road etc. Next year I will go for the Sportive I think as it tends to be the “real” cyclists. And at least we didn’t get the rain and strong winds I encountered on returning to Glasgow. Sheesh!

Start line

Finish

Spoils

by

The Less than Pro Tour Ride

Perhaps embarrassingly so for one who quite fancies herself as a cyclist (add rueful but appropriate tinge of reality to that though) I had never really watched pro cycling on tv prior to taking up cycling a couple of years ago. And of course being a creature of extremes I am now redressing that imbalance by watching every single televised event as much as I can including some tours I didn’t even know existed. It therefore came as a big surprise to discover there was a Tour of Britain (proper cyclists are now throwing their eyebrows heavenward and tutting). It was even more of a surprise to discover that there was a charity cycle event being run in conjunction with it in aid of the Prostate Cancer Charity and of course (being a creature of extremes she says again) it became my must-do charity cycle for 2011.

One of the reasons I wanted to do this (apart from the shameless self-publicising) was because several people I know are suffering or have suffered from this disease. The immediacy of this is provided through the very fact that John Walker, one of the owners of Walkers Cycle Shop to which my cycling club is attached, is a sufferer. So, I teamed up with John and Susan Walker to do the 70km Challenge ride route while their daughter Fiona Walker signed up to the full 170km Pro ride.

I had, it appeared, also signed up as unofficial cycle trainer to Susan who is recovering from a year of foot and other injury. Putting to one side the obvious irony of me being a cycle trainer to anyone at all, far less someone who has been quite a cyclist in her day (sheesh! she still is), we embarked on a few training rides starting with some flat short routes and working up to a full 40miler the other week which will forever been etched on our memories for the cracking thunder storm that accompanied us for the last five miles. If ever anything is guaranteed to boost one’s average speed it is being chased along a route by big crashy thunder and the thought of where the very jaggy lightning might strike. It also tested the efficiency of my new Altura pocket rocket showerproof jacket.

The ride itself left from Dock Park in Dumfries and when I arrived in the town the evening before, I realised that there was a good reason why someone had altered the sign on the park gate to Dock Ark because of the volume of rain that was pouring out of the sky. However, the event day brought with it early fog which was soon replaced by brilliant sunshine, but more importantly a total absence of wind. It must be John and Susan that have the blameless lives to bring about such favour from the weather deities.

Our route started off on a gently undulating path along the Nith estuary. Although there was a bit of a rise to negotiate just before New Abbey, the first real climbing of the route came at the turn off and rise over to Dalbeattie. Although not large in terms of gradient, the climb was long and constant. The outward 20miles of the course continued the same undulating pattern right up to the half way point at Haugh of Urr when the riders were met with a steep climb out of the valley. This marked the start of the return leg of the route which was by far the more challenging and the strong sunshine certainly made the riders feel as if they were putting in the graft. The eventual drop into Dumfries over the last two miles came as a very welcome relief as riders swooped down and back under the gantry at Dock Park. resplendent in our Walkers cycling gear, we crossed the line together in a creditable 4hrs 27 minutes. My Garmin recorded my actual moving time as 3hours 13minutes which i am reasonably happy about. I had made the promise to Susan that I would stick with her and coax, cajole, bully etc her round and that is what I did.It was not about racing but about raising money for this very worthy cause and I am very glad that I did it and raised enarly £400 in the process. iw as also very taken by the beauty of the area as I have not travelled in Dumfriesshire much. Well worth a return visit.

this must have been hard work - hand cycling up the grade 12% at Haugh of Urr

the grand finish line

Why I don't like taking my bunnet off for photos at the end of a ride. And why I need to learn to smile with my mouth closed.

scenic Nith estuary

by

Weird skies

For a few fleeting moments this evening there were the most incredible cloud formations in the sky. Apparently these are mammatus clouds (also known as mammatocumulus meaning “mammary cloud” or “breast cloud” – thank you Wikipedia), and are all to do with when heat and moisture mix and a nodule forms under an anvil cloud. No, I don’t know what that means either but I feel a google coming on for the rest of the evening. Thunderstorms are implicated along the way I believe.

However they are formed, they were rather spectacluar

Mammatus under an anvil cloud. Apparently!

by

Something for the weekend

Okay, not sure how many pervs that title will bring out, so if you’re expecting anything at all to do with certain rubber products, then please stop reading now because you’re just going be disappointed.

And so on to the real post: I had a very pleasant but all to short visit from an overseas guest this weekend in the shape of bonsai and Facebook friend Rob Kempinski all the way from Florida. Rob was over on a golfing trip to St Andrews and had accepted my invitation to pop round any time he was over. (Need to stop saying things like that- the buggers sometimes take you up on it. 😉 ) But a very welcome guest he was, and in the short time he was here, he experienced (and survived) an evening in the pub with the Clyde Valley Fliers Friday club. At his own request he experienced (and survived) what he termed “a typical Scottish savoury delicacy”. In the absence of anything vaguely resembling that from our culture, I treated him to a Gregg’s Steak Bake which, amazingly, he actually ate and which, even more amazingly, didn’t cause him to spend the rest of the day in the toilet being ill.

Now as an aside just because we were speaking of toilets, when I picked Rob up from his guesthouse in St Andrews, I encountered this rather splendid offering:

I'm lovin' the lavvy.

Rob also offered some practical assistance on a couple of my wannabe shohin that I haven’t done much other than water and feed this year. I have a potentially decent wee Acer campestre that was the bottom half of a failed air layer and also a shohin Hawthorn that I brought home from Daldowie six years ago after it had been assaulted by a JCB, completely uprooted and severd about eight inches up its trunk. I ahve been letting it develop some primary and secondary brnaches over that time period and it is approaching a point where serious styling choices need to be made. Just shows the value of not throwing anything away.
Anyway, thanks Rob for good company over the weekend.

Working on the Acer

Enjoying a visit to Craig Coussins' garden

by

Doon the watter

I had a very pleasant evening aboard the PS Waverley with Jill and Janey. The event was a Dixieland jazz riverboat cruise as part of the Glasgow Jazz Festival. And jolly splendid fun it was too with glorious sunshine the whole voyage.

Getting in the swing, as it were.

heading towards Clydebank

engine room

One of the three jazz bands that were playing

Twilight

Home again

by

The Big Girl’s Blouse

I have had my large satsuki azalea for around six years now, and as you can see from the first pic taken about three years ago, it has never disappointed in the flower department. In fact it flowers so profusely that I have become accustomed to referring to it as the Big Girl’s Blouse azalea.

However, it had grown too far outwards for my liking so I decided two years ago to start the process of bringing the foliage back into the trunk – a process which also necessitated losing some of the height if it wasn’t to look like some gangly teenager. This wasn’t a problem as the crown was ramrod straight which didn’t tie in with the curves of the rest of the trunk. Since it seems to thrive on good old celtic air, I took it down to North Wales where Kevin B assisted me in the early cut back.

That was in July 2009 and by the end of that summer, after a few further trimmings, it looked considerably slimmer and noticeably shorter.

It wasn’t at all bonnie-looking but I decided not to do any more to it that year owing to the “unpredictability” of the Scottish winter. Picture 4 shows how it looked in late August.

I had been told that it probably wouldn’t flower because it had been cut back the summer previously, but, just to show how hardy us big girls are, in the May of 2010 it tried its best to throw out as many blooms as previously. I kept a few for show but removed the rest of the buds as it was my intention to do further pruning in the summer of 2010.

I still wasn’t happy with the crown, so I set about taking it down even further and also pulling the rest of the foliage in even more towards the trunk. That happened in the July of 2010 and by the spring of 2011 it looked much better.

The tree was kept in the unheated glasshouse over the winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11, which is jsut as well as they were the coldest we’ve had for quite some time. However, it started pushing growth very early this spring and I relocated it to a sheltered spot outdoors in April. I also decided to be brave and remove a final section of the crown as there was plenty of new growth behind and to the front. At the end of April 2011 it looked as in pic 6:

I am relatively happy with the tree now but am not discounting further work. it still needs a fair bit of trimming rather than pruning to get growth where I want it, but overall I am quite pleased. I even allowed it some flowers again this year just as a well done. The last three pics show the tree on 30th May 2011:

The BGB

Kev at work

July 2009

Growing a new head

April 2011

30th May

Flower detail

bud