Here we go then, the start of 2021 and time for some new adventures. Normally the 1st January is Knacker Cracker day (the stupidest, but most fun running event of the year), unfortunately, along with just about everything else, Covid's put a stop to that. It's a shame then, that Covid didn't put a stop to the local war re-enactment society's attempt to replicate great battles of World War One with endless salvos of fireworks last night. I was sorely tempted to nip round this morning with the angle grinder and big drills to get my own back when I got up at cold O'clock. Luckily though I had better things to do! What can be better than a bit of revenge, I hear you ask? Well, if I can't go cracking my Knackers I might as well make use of my time and start the year as I mean to go on with a bit of socially distanced marathon running. 26 miles on New Years day. I think you'll find that's what Bank holidays are made for! It was far too cold to sit at home and I'm far too tight to put the heating on, so I was out the house just as it started to get light, onto deserted, but bitterly cold roads. A heavy overnight frost and low laying mist ensured that it wasn't likely to warm up any time soon, but well wrapped up, with multiple layers, it was a lovely morning to be out and about. With no real route planned I pushed off along the quiet roads towards Odiham, thinking that staying on the roads would be better than the muddy trails and tracks, with the roads being a bit less slippery than the paths and fields. All correct assumptions on my part, but by Jove, running on the roads is boring! One foot in front of the other, with nothing to distract yourself. No puddles to jump over, no holes to avoid, no gates or stiles to break your stride, just easy plodding along! I've not been this far on the road for a while, having done all of last years long distances off road and I must admit that it's not something that I'm in a rush to repeat. Needs must when the Devil drives though and 26 miles on the road is better than no miles, and a fine way to get the new year off to a good start in my humble opinion. 3:56 for 26.5 miles in the cold's certainly nothing to shout about, but it kept me warm for a few hours, burned off a few more mince pies and made room for the bacon sandwiches that greeted me on my return! I'm not saying that it was cold in the week, but I went out for a few easy walking miles one day in the week and got caught out when the weather took a turn for the worse and I wasn't prepared for it. I'd got up to a bright and crisp, frosty morning and thinking it might be a bit slippery out left the bike at home. With the sun shining I'd wrapped up warm but left the waterproofs at home. You'd think I'd know by now that that's a school boy error. 5 Miles from home and the sky's opened with heavy wet snow. Within 10 minutes I was soaked and cold. By the time I finally got home I was so cold that I had to get "The Emma" to release me from my trousers as my fingers wouldn't work! Let that be a lesson to me. No matter how close to home, or benign the weather looks, you never know what's coming! As I mentioned the other day, after a few cold days out in the van I've decided that heating is required, so it's time for a new project. The insulation I added during the initial build does an admirable job of keeping the temperature bearable, and if your just coming in and going to bed it's fine in any weather. It's when you get back cold and wet with no way to dry your wet kit, that it's a bit of a bummer, so I've acquired a cheap and cheerful diesel heater, courtesy of those masters of knock off products (China) and our friends at E Bay. There's plenty of space under the van floor so that seems the logical place to mount it. Unfortunately, being a non standard installation it's going to have to be a make it up as I go job, not that, that's ever stopped me before. First things first then and we need some way to mount our heater. A bit of thinking whilst out running and were off. I'll get some paint on it this week, not that there's much chance of it ever drying at the moment and then have a look at getting it fitted. Unfortunately, fittings going to require the removal of the front seats and floor covering, so in a bit of irony, I need it to warm up a bit before I can go much further!
0 Comments
Well there we go, another year over and done with, and to be honest I can't believe how fast it's gone. Considering we've spent a big chunk of the year in lockdown and when we've not been in lockdown it's been raining, it's flown by. 2020's certainly not been the most exciting of years on the adventure front and it's not been the most inspiring year on the projects front. But, looking back I don't think I've done too bad all things considered. On the projects front I've completed the fruit cage on the allotment (and had a very successful growing season), we've had a home made Christmas and I've got a fair chunk of project patio completed, although there's still a way to go on this one! On the running front I've managed to complete a marathon distance (or more) run in every month of 2020, which considering there's been very few organised events for the majority of the year is pretty good going in my opinion. I can vouch for the fact that it's a lot harder to drag yourself around 26 miles on your own than it is with a bit of support, and trying to keep it local during the lockdown whilst still trying to keep it interesting, proved a new challenge. A challenge which actually proved beneficial, forcing me to investigate a lot of new paths and trails in the local area, massively increasing my knowledge of the locality and opening up some interesting new routes. I've not done too bad on the bike either, clocking up just shy of 3800 miles, which again when you consider there's been very few organised events to inspire me isn't too shabby. Things haven't been quite so good on the camping and overnight adventures front though, and I seen to have only managed 6 nights out under the stars all year. Again, the coronavirus situation has massively hindered the overnight escapes, so that can't be helped. The late spring and early summer were glorious weather wise, but coincided with the no going out rules, and by the time the rules were relaxed the weather had taken a turn for the worse and my work problems were at their peak, severely limiting my time to get out and about. On a more positive note and despite the restrictions, I've still managed 38 nights out in the van through the year, the majority of which have been in the colder months, so it's still earning it's keep. With my latest project to add heating (something I should probably have done from the start) it should continue to increase it's versatility and comfort. As I mentioned earlier, I've had a good season on the allotment, with plenty of veg still to harvest, ready to see us through the remainder of the winter and we've got a fully stocked store cupboard full of Jam's and Chutney's, so we're certainly not going to starve this winter. The gardens looked ok through the spring and summer too with plenty of colour which led to some nice evenings and early mornings sat contemplating the world in the sunshine. Over the next few weeks I'll try and find the time to update the Reminiscing page on my website for a bit of a look back at 2020. But in the mean time how about a few facts and figures for all you statistics fans out there.
Miles Run - 1726 Runs of 26.2 miles or over - 12 Longest run - 39 miles (Basingstoke canal) Runs over 13.1 miles (Not including those counted as marathon distance) - 25 2 Pairs of running shoes worn out! Average daily running distance - (miles run /365) - 4.73 miles Miles Cycled - 3797 miles Longest ride - A miserly 133 miles Average daily cycling distance - (miles cycled /365) - 10.4 miles Nights out in the van - 38 Nights out camping - 6 Not the highest cycling mileage ever, but the most miles I've ever run in one year by a small margin, something I'm pretty happy with. I've managed to get through the whole of 2020 injury free too, something which will hopefully continue into 2021 and beyond. So, come on 2021, let's see what new adventures and challenges you've got too offer! I've been busy over the past few weeks, beavering away in the workshop and the kitchen on a few secret projects. The cat's out the bag now though, Christmas is over for another year and all the presents have been given away. So what have I been up too? Well, it's been a home made Christmas here at castle Perratt. Almost all of this years presents have been made by me, and even if I say so myself, most of them have turned out OK. Add in the Yule log, Christmas cake and Pudding, Christmas crackers and other random bits and bobs and I think you'll agree we've not done too badly. All that's left now is to take down the Christmas tree, sweep 3 tonnes of wood shavings and other detritus out of the workshop and get back to the running and cycling. And believe you me I need to get some miles in if I'm ever going to burn off the calories I tucked away over the last few days! There's not much to report on this week. It seems to have been endlessly wet and windy and whilst I've been out and about, none of it's that interesting. I had a trip down to see "The Old Cheese" in the week and a weekend out in the van to see "The Boy". Other than getting very wet on more than one occasion that's about it though.
I did manage to get in a few running miles Saturday morning, pre lunch with "The Boy". It was crazy wet and slippery though and hard going. When the grounds really slippery it certainly gives your core a good workout as you struggle to stay upright, so whilst it's slow going it's probably a good bit of training. I stopped off in the van on the way home Saturday night and had a really windy night in a rather exposed site. The wind had clamed down by the time I got up and I managed a few good hours of walking in the winter sunshine. Other than that, I've been busy sorting a few bits out for Christmas, more of which next week. For this week though that's about it. I'll leave you with a few pictures from the last week and hopefully have a bit more to talk about next time! Before we get into the bones of this weeks exciting episode of stupidity I thought I'd just drop this photo in. I clicked this whilst out running early Tuesday morning. According to my phone it was -2 and certainly felt like it, but I think you'll agree, when you get to see the sun coming up like that it more than makes up for an early start and chilly fingers. Anyhow, gratuitous pictures aside, I thought that I'd best get this months instalment of "Marathon A Month Madness" out of the way this weekend before the Christmas festivities get into full swing and I'm too full of Christmas pudding and Mince pies to walk, let alone run. I took the van down to Alresford Friday night ready for an early start Saturday morning, although the fact I didn't wake up until nearly 07:00 sort of messed that plan up. It always takes me a good hour to get myself going before a big run, I can't be doing with running until I've had breakfast and at least 2 brews, so I didn't actually get going until half 8. However, once I did drag myself out of bed and into the great outdoors it was quite a nice morning, a touch on the damp side, but still warm for the time of year and although we've had quite a lot of rain recently the Oxdrove Way, todays chosen route, was mostly still runnable. As expected there were a few muddy areas, where vehicles have churned up the track, which took a bit of dodging around and leaping over, but in the main it was OK. I've run sections of this a few times over the last couple of years, so the routes familiar and easy to follow, without having to think too much about it, an ideal situation when your watching where your feet are going to avoid the slippery bits and puddles. And, as we've seen in previous instalments, I'm not actually very good at finding my way around, so easy and familiar is always good in my book! By mid morning the sun had put in an appearance and as the half way point came and went I was thoroughly enjoying myself. A brief pause at the 20 mile mark to snaffle a marmalade sandwich (the choice of champions, as far as I'm concerned) gave me the chance for a brief breather before the final couple of miles. A final couple of miles, which handily, when you've already done more than 20 miles, is all up hill! Up hill or not, the final few miles passed without incident and I was back at the van with another 26.2 miles completed in 3:46:10. I don't think that's bad going for a winter off road marathon with plenty of slippery muddy bit's and more than it's fair share of big potholes and divots to dodge around. That's that then, twelve 26.2 (or more) mile runs completed in 2020. I'm happy with that and think that it was a worthy challenge, more so considering I've had to do half of those runs on my own, unsupported, due to the Covid situation. I suppose that the next question is do I carry on next year and try to make it 24 in 24 months? I guess you'll just have to keep on watching this space to see what I decide! In other news, I dug this lot out of the back of the cupboard earlier in the week. There's 4 Kilner jars with various concoctions made from allotment fruit and various spirit bases there. The most surprising thing is that they date from 2016 and 17. There was a time when nothing alcoholic lasted more than about 10 seconds here. Oh. how times have changed that things can sit maturing in the back of the cupboard, untested for 4 years. I must confess, that I had a little taster as I was bottling them up and the 4 years maturation certainly hasn't done them any harm. I'll get a few labels on them this week and they can go back in the cupboard with all the other treasure for a few more years! Surprisingly (or not) it took me a while to get going Sunday morning, not helped by the weather I'll hasten to add. I'd initially planned on getting a few bike miles in, but as I've said before, riding your bikes not much fun in the rain, so once I finally got myself going, I pulled on the weatherproofs and winter boots and plodded around a few miles of local paths and bridleways.
Despite the constant drizzle it was good to be out, stretching yesterdays tired legs. I suppose the weather helped, but it was surprisingly quiet out and I think I only saw two or three other people in the whole time I was out (and they were runners!). By the time I got home, wet, hungry, but happy, there wasn't much time for anything else, bar a few hours off pottering around in the workshop and a quiet evening sat in front of the fire. That's not a bad way to wrap up a winters weekend though is it? There's something magical about sitting in front of the fire with the wind and the rain lashing against the windows, knowing that your snug and safe! Brrrr, I can officially say that it's a touch nippy. Nippy's a lot better than Thursdays efforts though. I don't think it stopped raining all day and I'll take nippy over that any day. What's a chilly night got to do with anything though, I hear you say? Well, It's Saturday night and I'm sat in the van with the thermometer showing 0.5 degrees outside at 20:00. It doesn't take an educated man to guess it's going to get colder overnight and I've been out in all day. For the first time since February, I've been Audaxing. Nothing too serious, just the South of Bucks Winter Warmer, a cheeky wee 200 Km jaunt from Beaconsfield, down too Alton and back, via Wheatley and Marlow to make the distance up. But, most importantly it's another return to the normality of organised events and a step closer to everything getting back to normal in my book. Audax UK and their amazing bunch of volunteers that arrange and organise events have done a sterling job, ensuring everything's Covid compliant. Putting new arrangements in place too limit gatherings, stagger start times, limit human interactions during the route itself (including not using cafes etc as check points) and at the finish. It means that there's no big tea pot or biscuits at the start and finish, but that's a small price to pay to get things moving again safely! Today's start was staggered, and the end was a postal return of Brevet cards. All checkpoints were either "Info controls" (route questions) or “provide proof of passage” and from start to finish I don't think I actually had to interact with anyone, you can't get much more Covid compliant than that, can you? I've managed to keep my long distance riding hand in over the spring lockdown and summer, with a few local and self generated routes, but it's not the same is it? When it's only going out for yourself it's easy to say “I'm not playing because it's cold and wet” or “I just can't be arsed”. When someone else has taken the time to put on an event though it's a different matter and becomes “it's only a bit of rain” and I can definitely be arsed! So, a return to normality and the joy of adventuring. I was out in the van after tea on Friday night ready for an early start on Saturday, after all there's no point in having a van and not making use of it, and who likes an early start when you can sit, snug in bed, having a brew and leisurely breakfast instead. Arriving at the start point in plenty of time I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people turning up. Obviously I'm not the only one glad to be getting back in the saddle and the weather didn't seem to have frightened anyone else off either. Seamlessly booked in and Brevet card in hand I was on the road for 07:40, heading South on a cold but clear morning. It didn't take long to get warmed up though and I was quickly through the first checkpoint at Winnersh and well on my way toward Alton and the familiar roads around home. I think that I probably commented when I rode this event last year that it seems strange starting from Beaconsfield and heading for home prior to turning around to go back. But, somehow it's different and this route uses a large number of roads that I wouldn't normally take so it makes a nice change. A brief rain shower just as I got too Alton did little to dampen my spirits and wasn't enough to bother stopping for waterproofs for. A quick visit to the cashpoint for a Covid approved, contact and interaction free receipt, as proof of passage for my Brevet card and a turn to the North to head back up towards the start. This time on the other side of Basingstoke and Reading, working up towards the more rolling terrain of the Thames valley and the Chilterns. Another cash point proof of passage in Pangbourne and the chance to grab a sandwich or two from my saddle bag, before the afternoons climbing started in earnest. The first of which comes straight after you cross the Thames via the little toll bridge and it's resident keeper on the way out of Pangbourne (free for cyclists and 60p for cars in case you're wondering). The sun actually managed to make a brief appearance as I made my way up through Wallingford, although it remained pretty chilly despite my numerous layers and wind-proof jacket. By the time I'd worked my way up to the next checkpoint at the M40 services at Wheatley and turned towards the final stretch to Marlow and home, the afternoon was drawing to a close and as the sun started to set so the temperature dropped further still. By the time I rolled in Marlow and the final checkpoint it was getting decidedly chilly and with the night drawing in I spent a few minutes adjusting my lights etc ready for the final few miles back to the van. There's a final sting in the tail to get through yet though, with the stupidly steep climb back up out of the Thames Valley. I'm pretty sure that all of the roads out from the Thames are nearly vertical and they always seem to come either at the end of an Audax, or on my way home with a fully laden touring set up! Maybe I did something wrong in a previous life, or maybe I just need to get a more sensible hobby! A final hours work saw me back at the start just after 17:00, by which time it was starting to really get cold. If I'd had a bit further to go, I'd have stopped and put on another layer, after all I'd carried it round all day. But, the old “I'm nearly there” kicks in on the home stretch, so I'll just get cold! Just under 10 hours then for a winter 200Km, I'm pretty happy with that and I must be riding reasonably well as there were still a lot of cars with empty bike racks, sat waiting patiently for their owners to return, in the car park when I set off for my overnight stop an hour or so later. Despite the odd rain shower and the chilly temperatures it was a great, well organised day out and I can't wait for the next one. A massive thanks must go to all who helped make today possible. Sorting out a route and handing out a few Brevet cards might not seem like much, but there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes, from route checking to risk assessments and whilst I can't speak for all, I can tell you that I massively appreciate their efforts and without a doubt the chance to get out on my bike helps keep me sane in this mad world of ours. I'm going to leave this here for now and go and make a brew and stand outside the van and stare at the stars for a while. I'm parked up at the top of a hill, ready for a bit of running Sunday morning before I head for home, It's deathly still, it's a totally clear and crisp night and it's not very often you get to see the stars in all their glory like tonight. It's been another busy week all round really, with a bit more progress made on the Patio project, a bit more tinker time in the workshop when rain stopped play on the building front and most importantly plenty of local running.
I'll leave the pictures below to do the talking instead of rabbiting on about a load of old rubbish, but you can see that whilst progress is slow, it's all starting to take shape. |
Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|