Our NAV4 course is looming in just four weeks time and there has been a small flurry of interest recently. Tonight, I emailed out 'Final Details' to all those who have booked so far, so they should have details awaiting them. Currently, the course is fully booked with a few people having places pending the receipt of booking forms. Balance payments are now due for everyone. The number of places are limited by space at the Hostel and tutors availability. However, if you wish to be held on a 'reserve list' please email me a booking form - no payment neccessary until a place is offered.
With regard to GL3Day, that is nearly full as well, with a handful of places still open. Naturally, one or two entrants may 'DNS', hopefully by telling me first, so if you want a GL3Day entry send me a form in the normal way., ie entry form and deposit cheque, please.
Finally, The NAV4 Symposium was a highly successful weekend with everyone having a great time and learning loads ... especially that Longsleddale is a hidden gem of a Lakeland Dale.
There is a good report written by Jamie Wilkinson from NFR on http://www.northumberlandfellrunners.org.uk/ Thanks Jamie.
I'm off to Open5 this weekend so won't be in email contact until Monday evening.
Yours,
Joe
Friday, 27 February 2009
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Hello from Harris
Just a quick blog to update you on a few things in my absence. I'm currently away from home (and all things IT) as I'm out in The Majestic Outer Hebrides for a week or so. The weather is currently blizzardy hence I'm in Tarbet Community Library.
As some of you might have guessed I'm here regarding The Hebridean Challenge and will be meeting Steph and Gavin later today to discuss this year's race format and route etc. The 2009 Heb promises to be both a year not to miss, and a good year to come for a first visit. More of the detail will follow in due course but (for one year only?) this year the event starts on Skye before heading to Harris and Lewis. Consequently, it will be easier to access and cheaper all round due to simpler ferry logistics. It also means that the Highlights of Harris and Lewis will compliment those of Syke to create an oustanding race.
Quietly run by a small team of volunteers, The Heb is undoubtedly the UK's original and finest Multi-sport, Multi-day race.... it deserves your support and you deserve to savour it. Get your team or pair sorted now and enter very soon.
NAV4 Symposium
There are still places available on our NAV4 Symposium on 14/15th February. Full details are on the website - http://www.joefaulkner.com - so if you want to come along just send me a booking form or email and I will attend to it on my return. The weekend is open to all abilities of 'adventure racer' and their partners and friends. You don't need to take part in a workshop .... using the accommodation as a base from which to do you own activities is OK, too. It will be fun.
Must dash ...
Joe
faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
As some of you might have guessed I'm here regarding The Hebridean Challenge and will be meeting Steph and Gavin later today to discuss this year's race format and route etc. The 2009 Heb promises to be both a year not to miss, and a good year to come for a first visit. More of the detail will follow in due course but (for one year only?) this year the event starts on Skye before heading to Harris and Lewis. Consequently, it will be easier to access and cheaper all round due to simpler ferry logistics. It also means that the Highlights of Harris and Lewis will compliment those of Syke to create an oustanding race.
Quietly run by a small team of volunteers, The Heb is undoubtedly the UK's original and finest Multi-sport, Multi-day race.... it deserves your support and you deserve to savour it. Get your team or pair sorted now and enter very soon.
NAV4 Symposium
There are still places available on our NAV4 Symposium on 14/15th February. Full details are on the website - http://www.joefaulkner.com - so if you want to come along just send me a booking form or email and I will attend to it on my return. The weekend is open to all abilities of 'adventure racer' and their partners and friends. You don't need to take part in a workshop .... using the accommodation as a base from which to do you own activities is OK, too. It will be fun.
Must dash ...
Joe
faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
Sunday, 11 January 2009
One Lump at a Time
Q: 'How do you eat an Elephant?'
A: One lump at a time.
Much has happen over the past few weeks but none of it has any great importance, so you might stop reading now.
Conversely, I seem to have munched my way through a mountain of stuff and I'm not neccessarily talking about Chrimo food intake. True, I had to find some bigger trousers to wear, recently, as I was podged out from Winterslobitis, but is was due to relative inactivity rather than big fat dinners. 'One lump at a time' refers to a number of projects, each of which has been ticked off in turn.
Straight after Boxing Day I spent an amazing three days on the Isle of Skye whilst suffering from Sciatic and an increasingly numb left leg. The purpose of the trip was to familiarize myself with the greater reaches of the island in preparation for 'The Heb'. It should, by now be common knowledge that I am Race Director for 2009, and that The Heb will have a two day 'Phase One' on Skye before paddling The Minch out to Harris and Lewis for the remainder of the week and 'Phase Two'.
I'm only the Race Director, which is a bit of a misnomer as Steph is Event Organiser and Gavin Event Route Planner, so my role is very secondary to those wonderful people. The Heb is the best 'Adventure Race' in the UK. This year, (and maybe for one year only?) you can sample The Heb Magic with two days of Phase One if you can't manage the whole week. The change is 'different' and a brave move, but it's time to ring the changes. Please come along .... preferably to do the whole week.
The dramatic weather on Skye was a little bit frustrating; not being able to walk or run more than a mile for Sciatic kicked in. I was able to cycle so rode so good MTB trails instead, but leaving Glenbrittle on a perfectly still frosty morning was hard. (I had been there, seemingly alone, for 15 hours in -6 degrees) Rassay was nice, too. On the way home I cycled from Glenshee Ski station south along The West Highland Way, again in glorious sub-zero weather, to Victoria Bridge and The Inveroran Hotel, which unfortunately was closed when a 'Full Scottish' would have been very welcome. It seemed like the Hotel hasn't see the sun for several weeks and with the temperature well below freezing I need to ride hard back up the WHW for a couple of km to generate heat and find some 'rays' ....man! Not the most demanding of trails but great scenery. Do it from Inveroran, the other direction, with The Kingshouse as mid-way refreshment spot. The Inveroran Hotel would be a good base to stay. All in all, a very good trip.
As cycling is relatively pain free Keith and myself had the target of the classic 'C2C' ride over New Year. Starting from Whitehaven on New Year's Eve we planned to cycle back to our house near Penrith on Day One. Whilst the good folk of Whitehaven Tesco's are probably used to cyclist donning layers of lycra, they probably hadn't seen one person donning that many layers, at lunch time on New Years Eve. Only the Swan getting to grips (or not) with the concept of walking on water as the Inner harbour was frozen over, looked more incongruent.
We made it home in about five hours of freezing fog, not counting the hour of steaming hot-aches in Whinlatter cafe, where more sweat left my body than during the whole ride. New Year's eve was defferent this year, especially with the thought of a long day ahead to Sunderland.
Up early, to a dark and frost morning we had bike lights on, due to fog and gloom, for the spin along the main road before the climb to Hartside. (1900' tall, it is, and boringly tedious - look over you shoulder and pray for a good day) The sun did come out momentarily around Long Meg Stone Circle, as I took a photo to prove it, and I'm now certain I'm a druid. A stiff eastly breeze built steadily towards top and the obligatory photo stop at the summit was taken in winchill factors of brass monkey proportions.
The problem with winter cycling is that it's lot worse then summer cycling; you get sweating on a climb and then freeze your bits off on the descents. Stuff newspaper down your jersey? No way - a duvet didn't help. Such was the ride over the Pennines, that by Allenheads, at lunchtime, we'd had enough. Keith succinctly announced that, 'he'd enjoy the remainder if we came back tomorrow', so we did. Fortunately, the support team agreed, especially as the driver was too hungover to be allowed to drive to The North East. Eating and drinking in sub-zero conditions had been impossible made even harder by big festive evening meals and medicinal beer intake.
Day Three. And a relatively early start; we returned soberly to Allenheads. With one last wee climb we tipped into Upper Weardale for a whizz down the dale and the short twiddle upto ParkHead Cafe. What a place? Biking cafe from heaven! And all down hill until the sea. Nigh on 40 miles.It really is a great route ... roll on summer.
The next day did command a 'Rest Day' not least because Dave Chief Carbo, Wilko, and Paul H, appeared bright and eagerly to sauntered around the 'Old Crown Round' and there was no way I could hold them up. Capt. Evans award for me, and Sports Personality Award to Stu Smith. The rest of the team undertook suitable undertakings before an evening in The Old Crown, and a night at our secret Camping Barn .... which will remain secret as it too good to share. Sunday did dawn fair and bright, and with rock hard perma frost under our tyres a loop of The Knott and Great Sca Fell was accomplished in conditions probably never to be repeated.
Whizz forward a week and it's now wet and windy. Too windy to venture out and even skulk in the garage, unless I want to lose the garage door. Therefore, website stuff has been prepared for launch, including the details of the inaugural NAV4 Syposium. These will be on the website shortly. Basically, £35 buys you two nights B+B at the bunkhouse, along with free porridge and a Symposium Supper. And a Symposium. An additional £40 buys you a 'workshop' of your choice. It will be fun! Book early.
GL3Day info is also to be uploaded and advanced info has gone out to existing mail-listees. See http://www.joefaulkner.com/ for full info in due course. Some places still remain available for our NAV4 course at the end of March. Drop me an email, to faulknerjoe@hotmail.com if you need info on any of these happenings, or if you have questions regarding The Heb, etc, suitbale for myself, and I'll see if I can answer them.
I think that is an accurate round up of recent occurrences - the elephant has slowly been digested, and I'm now back in regular sized jeans.
Happy New Year. Indeed.
Joe
faulknerjoejoe@hotmail.com
http://www.joefaulkner.com/
A: One lump at a time.
Much has happen over the past few weeks but none of it has any great importance, so you might stop reading now.
Conversely, I seem to have munched my way through a mountain of stuff and I'm not neccessarily talking about Chrimo food intake. True, I had to find some bigger trousers to wear, recently, as I was podged out from Winterslobitis, but is was due to relative inactivity rather than big fat dinners. 'One lump at a time' refers to a number of projects, each of which has been ticked off in turn.
Straight after Boxing Day I spent an amazing three days on the Isle of Skye whilst suffering from Sciatic and an increasingly numb left leg. The purpose of the trip was to familiarize myself with the greater reaches of the island in preparation for 'The Heb'. It should, by now be common knowledge that I am Race Director for 2009, and that The Heb will have a two day 'Phase One' on Skye before paddling The Minch out to Harris and Lewis for the remainder of the week and 'Phase Two'.
I'm only the Race Director, which is a bit of a misnomer as Steph is Event Organiser and Gavin Event Route Planner, so my role is very secondary to those wonderful people. The Heb is the best 'Adventure Race' in the UK. This year, (and maybe for one year only?) you can sample The Heb Magic with two days of Phase One if you can't manage the whole week. The change is 'different' and a brave move, but it's time to ring the changes. Please come along .... preferably to do the whole week.
The dramatic weather on Skye was a little bit frustrating; not being able to walk or run more than a mile for Sciatic kicked in. I was able to cycle so rode so good MTB trails instead, but leaving Glenbrittle on a perfectly still frosty morning was hard. (I had been there, seemingly alone, for 15 hours in -6 degrees) Rassay was nice, too. On the way home I cycled from Glenshee Ski station south along The West Highland Way, again in glorious sub-zero weather, to Victoria Bridge and The Inveroran Hotel, which unfortunately was closed when a 'Full Scottish' would have been very welcome. It seemed like the Hotel hasn't see the sun for several weeks and with the temperature well below freezing I need to ride hard back up the WHW for a couple of km to generate heat and find some 'rays' ....man! Not the most demanding of trails but great scenery. Do it from Inveroran, the other direction, with The Kingshouse as mid-way refreshment spot. The Inveroran Hotel would be a good base to stay. All in all, a very good trip.
As cycling is relatively pain free Keith and myself had the target of the classic 'C2C' ride over New Year. Starting from Whitehaven on New Year's Eve we planned to cycle back to our house near Penrith on Day One. Whilst the good folk of Whitehaven Tesco's are probably used to cyclist donning layers of lycra, they probably hadn't seen one person donning that many layers, at lunch time on New Years Eve. Only the Swan getting to grips (or not) with the concept of walking on water as the Inner harbour was frozen over, looked more incongruent.
We made it home in about five hours of freezing fog, not counting the hour of steaming hot-aches in Whinlatter cafe, where more sweat left my body than during the whole ride. New Year's eve was defferent this year, especially with the thought of a long day ahead to Sunderland.
Up early, to a dark and frost morning we had bike lights on, due to fog and gloom, for the spin along the main road before the climb to Hartside. (1900' tall, it is, and boringly tedious - look over you shoulder and pray for a good day) The sun did come out momentarily around Long Meg Stone Circle, as I took a photo to prove it, and I'm now certain I'm a druid. A stiff eastly breeze built steadily towards top and the obligatory photo stop at the summit was taken in winchill factors of brass monkey proportions.
The problem with winter cycling is that it's lot worse then summer cycling; you get sweating on a climb and then freeze your bits off on the descents. Stuff newspaper down your jersey? No way - a duvet didn't help. Such was the ride over the Pennines, that by Allenheads, at lunchtime, we'd had enough. Keith succinctly announced that, 'he'd enjoy the remainder if we came back tomorrow', so we did. Fortunately, the support team agreed, especially as the driver was too hungover to be allowed to drive to The North East. Eating and drinking in sub-zero conditions had been impossible made even harder by big festive evening meals and medicinal beer intake.
Day Three. And a relatively early start; we returned soberly to Allenheads. With one last wee climb we tipped into Upper Weardale for a whizz down the dale and the short twiddle upto ParkHead Cafe. What a place? Biking cafe from heaven! And all down hill until the sea. Nigh on 40 miles.It really is a great route ... roll on summer.
The next day did command a 'Rest Day' not least because Dave Chief Carbo, Wilko, and Paul H, appeared bright and eagerly to sauntered around the 'Old Crown Round' and there was no way I could hold them up. Capt. Evans award for me, and Sports Personality Award to Stu Smith. The rest of the team undertook suitable undertakings before an evening in The Old Crown, and a night at our secret Camping Barn .... which will remain secret as it too good to share. Sunday did dawn fair and bright, and with rock hard perma frost under our tyres a loop of The Knott and Great Sca Fell was accomplished in conditions probably never to be repeated.
Whizz forward a week and it's now wet and windy. Too windy to venture out and even skulk in the garage, unless I want to lose the garage door. Therefore, website stuff has been prepared for launch, including the details of the inaugural NAV4 Syposium. These will be on the website shortly. Basically, £35 buys you two nights B+B at the bunkhouse, along with free porridge and a Symposium Supper. And a Symposium. An additional £40 buys you a 'workshop' of your choice. It will be fun! Book early.
GL3Day info is also to be uploaded and advanced info has gone out to existing mail-listees. See http://www.joefaulkner.com/ for full info in due course. Some places still remain available for our NAV4 course at the end of March. Drop me an email, to faulknerjoe@hotmail.com if you need info on any of these happenings, or if you have questions regarding The Heb, etc, suitbale for myself, and I'll see if I can answer them.
I think that is an accurate round up of recent occurrences - the elephant has slowly been digested, and I'm now back in regular sized jeans.
Happy New Year. Indeed.
Joe
faulknerjoejoe@hotmail.com
http://www.joefaulkner.com/
Friday, 26 December 2008
NAV4 Symposium - 14/15th February 2009
The inaugural NAV4 Symposuim will take place on 14/15th February at Longsleddale Outdoor Pursuits Centre in The Lakes.
What is a Symposium? 'The term Symposium originally referred to a drinking party (the Greek verb sympotein means "to drink together") but has since come to refer to any academic conference or a style of university class characterized by an openly discursive rather than lecture and question–answer format.' ...
..... although in our terms it will be a combined social and training weekend open to all adventure racers. It is intended to have a simple Symposium Supper on Saturday night, and the after Supper discussion about all things 'AR'. Maybe I'll be able to entice a guest speaker to kick off the evening but whatever the outcome it will be a fun, informative and an enlightening evening.
Day time activities can involve a wide range of things; walking, MTB, running, even paddling or 'ropes', but it will work like this... either, do your own thing , or sign up for a workshop, or two.
I hope many people will wish to come and join the fun, even if you wish to do your own thing rather that join a workshop, as Longsleddale OP Centre is ideally placed for excellent MTB trails, access onto The High Street Range of fells. We have original pre-marked 2005 KIMM maps for you to use .... plenty for everyone to do.
A flat rate will be charged for two nights' bunkhouse accomodation (Friday and Saturday nights) with free porridge each morning and a simple Symposium Supper. The cost of this is guesstimated to be around £35-40 per person. tbc.
Alongside that we hope to provide a number of skill 'workshops' focusing on what ever people want to do, ie, Intro or Micro Navigation, Advanced Score and Route choice strategy, MTB Navigation and racing skill, etc. 'Ropes Skills' or 'Paddle Skills will be offered if the demand exists. There will be an aditional charge for participation in any tutored workshop but the cost of this will be in the regionof £30-35 per 'short' day session and epending upon activity type, equipment, etc.
More details will follow in due course, but I need your suggestions and commitment to make it happen. Please be aware that the number and type of workshops and places on offer will depend upon the level of interest and bookings.
If you are interested please get back to me asap ..... I look forward to hearing from you in the New Year. Have fun.
Joe
What is a Symposium? 'The term Symposium originally referred to a drinking party (the Greek verb sympotein means "to drink together") but has since come to refer to any academic conference or a style of university class characterized by an openly discursive rather than lecture and question–answer format.' ...
..... although in our terms it will be a combined social and training weekend open to all adventure racers. It is intended to have a simple Symposium Supper on Saturday night, and the after Supper discussion about all things 'AR'. Maybe I'll be able to entice a guest speaker to kick off the evening but whatever the outcome it will be a fun, informative and an enlightening evening.
Day time activities can involve a wide range of things; walking, MTB, running, even paddling or 'ropes', but it will work like this... either, do your own thing , or sign up for a workshop, or two.
I hope many people will wish to come and join the fun, even if you wish to do your own thing rather that join a workshop, as Longsleddale OP Centre is ideally placed for excellent MTB trails, access onto The High Street Range of fells. We have original pre-marked 2005 KIMM maps for you to use .... plenty for everyone to do.
A flat rate will be charged for two nights' bunkhouse accomodation (Friday and Saturday nights) with free porridge each morning and a simple Symposium Supper. The cost of this is guesstimated to be around £35-40 per person. tbc.
Alongside that we hope to provide a number of skill 'workshops' focusing on what ever people want to do, ie, Intro or Micro Navigation, Advanced Score and Route choice strategy, MTB Navigation and racing skill, etc. 'Ropes Skills' or 'Paddle Skills will be offered if the demand exists. There will be an aditional charge for participation in any tutored workshop but the cost of this will be in the regionof £30-35 per 'short' day session and epending upon activity type, equipment, etc.
More details will follow in due course, but I need your suggestions and commitment to make it happen. Please be aware that the number and type of workshops and places on offer will depend upon the level of interest and bookings.
If you are interested please get back to me asap ..... I look forward to hearing from you in the New Year. Have fun.
Joe
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Moving on ... 2009 looming large
This is the time of year when I often think there is a long winter ahead before ‘next season’ … which in reality is simply not just the case. I’m at my most unfit and least healthy part of the year, having had a heavy cold for a few weeks. And there appears little reason to motivate myself. However, I’m not one to complain, nor push through illness or injury as that is simply foolhardy and did make me seriously ill many years ago.
Looking head to 2009 there is so much to do, both from a racing point of view and in terms of stuff to organize. On the race front my biggest news is that I have taken on the role of Race Director for The Hebridean Challenge, which is both scary and an honour at the same time. I’ve raced it a few times as a pair, solo and team and it is simply the best AR race in the UK. Working with Steph as organizer, and Gavin as route planner, it’s going to be an adventure of it’s own making. 'The Heb' race is highly to be recommended for many reasons; the scenery is stunning, the race atmosphere very friendly and the ethos of the event refreshingly simple and pure. There is no better way to have an adventurous holiday with your mates. It's also a good stepping stone for less experienced racers to sample longer, or Expedition type racing. Getting a team togther can be trying but it is well worthwhile. The 2009 race will see a few minor tweaks which will have quite an impact so I urge you all to get signed up in due course. I acknowledge that the web site is currently not quite upto date, but look out for a few ‘developments’ in the near future. I will also appreciate any feedback from participants as to what things you like, and dislike, as I aim to represent the racers opinion amongst the organising team, in order to help Steph and Gavin continue their excellent work. So if you have any comments or questions for me please get in touch. faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
Closer to home I’m busy plotting our own GL3Day event and busy with bookings for our next NAV4 training course in March. www.joefaulkner.com The full details are available on the website - remenber places are limited and will fill quickly after the New Year. The course is applicable to all mountain marathoners, adventure racers and off-road runners of all ability and experience. We deliver excellent instruction and coaching to tutor groups of no more than four people, during the Saturday, and then enable you apply your self to a mock training event on Sunday, but with support and feedback to help you progress. The evening indoor session and optional night nav later in the evening completes the programme.
On the racing front, the Open5 Series is in full swing although I dipped out of the Staveley event due to high levels of snot and snow! (Urgh) It was just too icy for me but t'was good to meet a few new faces, as well as the old ones and offer advice at the 'NAV4 Help Desk'. Team NAV4 were a bit short on numbers due mainly to the weather. Certainly, Wilko was iced up deep in Keilder Forest and was told not to travel; she does still head the overall leaderboard for Open5 points.
Stokesley is the next event in the series although I’m likely to miss that due to a combination of wedding anniversary, my wife’s birthday and an increasingly pressing need to get up north in prep for The Heb. However, Team NAV4 will be there in force. John Allen will be fronting up the Help Desk - his experience and skills are legendary!!!
Have fun over Chrimbo ... remember ... 'there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing (and sometimes the wrong choice of activity)'
Looking head to 2009 there is so much to do, both from a racing point of view and in terms of stuff to organize. On the race front my biggest news is that I have taken on the role of Race Director for The Hebridean Challenge, which is both scary and an honour at the same time. I’ve raced it a few times as a pair, solo and team and it is simply the best AR race in the UK. Working with Steph as organizer, and Gavin as route planner, it’s going to be an adventure of it’s own making. 'The Heb' race is highly to be recommended for many reasons; the scenery is stunning, the race atmosphere very friendly and the ethos of the event refreshingly simple and pure. There is no better way to have an adventurous holiday with your mates. It's also a good stepping stone for less experienced racers to sample longer, or Expedition type racing. Getting a team togther can be trying but it is well worthwhile. The 2009 race will see a few minor tweaks which will have quite an impact so I urge you all to get signed up in due course. I acknowledge that the web site is currently not quite upto date, but look out for a few ‘developments’ in the near future. I will also appreciate any feedback from participants as to what things you like, and dislike, as I aim to represent the racers opinion amongst the organising team, in order to help Steph and Gavin continue their excellent work. So if you have any comments or questions for me please get in touch. faulknerjoe@hotmail.com
Closer to home I’m busy plotting our own GL3Day event and busy with bookings for our next NAV4 training course in March. www.joefaulkner.com The full details are available on the website - remenber places are limited and will fill quickly after the New Year. The course is applicable to all mountain marathoners, adventure racers and off-road runners of all ability and experience. We deliver excellent instruction and coaching to tutor groups of no more than four people, during the Saturday, and then enable you apply your self to a mock training event on Sunday, but with support and feedback to help you progress. The evening indoor session and optional night nav later in the evening completes the programme.
On the racing front, the Open5 Series is in full swing although I dipped out of the Staveley event due to high levels of snot and snow! (Urgh) It was just too icy for me but t'was good to meet a few new faces, as well as the old ones and offer advice at the 'NAV4 Help Desk'. Team NAV4 were a bit short on numbers due mainly to the weather. Certainly, Wilko was iced up deep in Keilder Forest and was told not to travel; she does still head the overall leaderboard for Open5 points.
Stokesley is the next event in the series although I’m likely to miss that due to a combination of wedding anniversary, my wife’s birthday and an increasingly pressing need to get up north in prep for The Heb. However, Team NAV4 will be there in force. John Allen will be fronting up the Help Desk - his experience and skills are legendary!!!
Have fun over Chrimbo ... remember ... 'there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing (and sometimes the wrong choice of activity)'
Joe
Monday, 1 December 2008
Cyclewise Whinlatter - MTB Skills for AR
This was actually the second MTB skills course that I have undertaken within the year, the previous one being a Day at Glentress with David Webster and is also highly recommended.
What did I learn? Well, Firstly – I’m still a crap mountain biker, and secondly; it is important to identify and practice your weaker disciplines for successful improvement across AR. Just like triathletes needing to training at their weaker discipline in order to gain maximum improvement overall, most of us favour doing what we like best, and not what we like least. Therefore, we go out and train at our favoured sport and neglect skill development.
So, how was Whinlatter? Embarrassingly, I had done very little technical riding over the summer and arrived clutching my ‘trails’ bike which is a smart and relatively unmarked Orange P7, bought about a year ago with the sole aim of improving my technical riding. Even more annoyingly I had done no ‘prep’ for the course and hadn't managed to ride my bike or practice at all. I always ride my other bike, my ‘race’ bike in ARaces; I’m used to it, it has a map board, cross roads tyres and bar ends all set up for efficiency in longer events and it seems to go faster. Consequently, at the recent Open5 in Blanchand on a wet and muddy day, I shied away from spending too much time mud plugging on the bike and allowed more time to ‘clear’ all the run controls. Was this right? Had I under achieved on the bike?
The answer is ‘Yes’ possibly, I had under achieved on the bike section, but I had played to my strengths so that my overall strategy was right for me in those conditions. Setting that aside, in order to move up the finishing order I need to improve my ‘efficiency’ on the bike, and whilst there is nothing wrong with my navigation and route choice is usually very good, I need to ride faster on more technical terrain. But this would only pay off in an Open5 if I can spend, say, the half an hour I spent clearing low value run controls, and replace them with better value MTB controls. Such is the dilemma of Open5 … of course.
I can highly recommend undertaking any sort of coaching to improve your performance and simply your enjoyment of your sport. All too often we reach a plateau in our activity and it is very difficult to move on without some form of external feedback. Sports psychology is a fascinating subject and by ‘getting inside your head’ a good coach will be able to allow yourself to identify what is holding you back. It may be possible to do this yourself, but is easier with an external feedback.
This past weekend I have been working with some Mountain Leader candidates assessing their skills and performance. Over three glorious weather days I thought a lot about learning styles and performance under stress. During the MTB courses I found it very difficult to perform ‘to order’ as the group circled in a regular formation, and had better success when away from any peer group spotlight. Of course this is quite normal for everyone and Rich and Neil, and also David Webster are excellent and breaking down those barriers and providing coaching tricks. Recently I decided that I must swim regularly over the winter months to strength my swimming ability. Living a mile form Ullswater I prefer to swim in the lake. I like swimming but hate swimming pools but whilst ploughing up and down one night I thought this through. I concluded that it actually originated from the childhood stress of swimming pools and actually the changing room part of a swimming session; I was the fat kid uncomfortable in the changing room! Well now that I’m 46 it made me smile but that actual realization was a powerful one.
Whether swimming or biking what is necessary is practice …. practice …. ractice … but based on feedback and with great awareness of your weaknesses and inhibitors.
Go on a Cyclewise course – you won’t regret it.
What did I learn? Well, Firstly – I’m still a crap mountain biker, and secondly; it is important to identify and practice your weaker disciplines for successful improvement across AR. Just like triathletes needing to training at their weaker discipline in order to gain maximum improvement overall, most of us favour doing what we like best, and not what we like least. Therefore, we go out and train at our favoured sport and neglect skill development.
So, how was Whinlatter? Embarrassingly, I had done very little technical riding over the summer and arrived clutching my ‘trails’ bike which is a smart and relatively unmarked Orange P7, bought about a year ago with the sole aim of improving my technical riding. Even more annoyingly I had done no ‘prep’ for the course and hadn't managed to ride my bike or practice at all. I always ride my other bike, my ‘race’ bike in ARaces; I’m used to it, it has a map board, cross roads tyres and bar ends all set up for efficiency in longer events and it seems to go faster. Consequently, at the recent Open5 in Blanchand on a wet and muddy day, I shied away from spending too much time mud plugging on the bike and allowed more time to ‘clear’ all the run controls. Was this right? Had I under achieved on the bike?
The answer is ‘Yes’ possibly, I had under achieved on the bike section, but I had played to my strengths so that my overall strategy was right for me in those conditions. Setting that aside, in order to move up the finishing order I need to improve my ‘efficiency’ on the bike, and whilst there is nothing wrong with my navigation and route choice is usually very good, I need to ride faster on more technical terrain. But this would only pay off in an Open5 if I can spend, say, the half an hour I spent clearing low value run controls, and replace them with better value MTB controls. Such is the dilemma of Open5 … of course.
I can highly recommend undertaking any sort of coaching to improve your performance and simply your enjoyment of your sport. All too often we reach a plateau in our activity and it is very difficult to move on without some form of external feedback. Sports psychology is a fascinating subject and by ‘getting inside your head’ a good coach will be able to allow yourself to identify what is holding you back. It may be possible to do this yourself, but is easier with an external feedback.
This past weekend I have been working with some Mountain Leader candidates assessing their skills and performance. Over three glorious weather days I thought a lot about learning styles and performance under stress. During the MTB courses I found it very difficult to perform ‘to order’ as the group circled in a regular formation, and had better success when away from any peer group spotlight. Of course this is quite normal for everyone and Rich and Neil, and also David Webster are excellent and breaking down those barriers and providing coaching tricks. Recently I decided that I must swim regularly over the winter months to strength my swimming ability. Living a mile form Ullswater I prefer to swim in the lake. I like swimming but hate swimming pools but whilst ploughing up and down one night I thought this through. I concluded that it actually originated from the childhood stress of swimming pools and actually the changing room part of a swimming session; I was the fat kid uncomfortable in the changing room! Well now that I’m 46 it made me smile but that actual realization was a powerful one.
Whether swimming or biking what is necessary is practice …. practice …. ractice … but based on feedback and with great awareness of your weaknesses and inhibitors.
Go on a Cyclewise course – you won’t regret it.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Moving On...
Much has happen since a week last Monday and it now feels like an awfully long time.
The ‘Open5’ at Blanchland was a great day out in a beautiful undiscovered part of the Northern Pennines, and was well worth the effort to get there. James and Lisa, ably assisted by Jim, Andy, Ian et al do a great job of providing a quality event accessible to a wide range of abilities.
James and Lisa’s events are both ‘beginner friendly’ and yet provide a tough day out for the elite, with fierce competition at ‘the sharp end’. If you haven’t sampled one of their events then do so. http://www.openadventure.com/ Don’t be intimidated by the five hour time limit, it soon rushes by when you break it down in to a couple of hours each of MTB and ‘run’ (top tip – just walk quickly and navigate effectively!) Prep and transition time eats into the five hours too.
‘Wilko’ Wilkinson competed solo and raced to second place with a very proficient performance. This proves that she is a strong and very competitive athlete who can navigate and doesn’t need John Allen or myself to lead the way. It was the first event in a series of five so I wonder how it will pan out for all of us.
Last night I took part in a local MTB Night-O, another excellently staged event by a group of hard working volunteers with minimal support. I don’t actually remember doing a pure MTB Night-O ever before, consequently, the frantic 1:45 hr event had me hurtling about feeling a bit if a Numpty as I overcame ‘big event’ complacency, and the various associated night time factors.
An early ride front wheel slide shook my pride somewhat, but eventually I ‘got my ar*e in gear’ to quote one old colleague, and a new ‘sexy’ Petzl Ultra was very useful, too. I just need to take the racing slicks off my bike wheels now. People often ask me what items of gear I would recommend and I’m often hesitant as I don’t wish to pander to commercialism, and belive you have to experiemnt for yourself especially with clothing, but the new Ultra is well worth the money if you are into multi-sport adventure racing.
What these both events had in common is that neither attracted media attention despite us buzzing around either side of the A591 and across bridleways via farmsteads in the dark, or on the prime shooting ground of the Blanchland Estates. These ‘stakeholders’ wanted us there, unlike some involved in the OMM farce. Both the Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite and the people of Blanchland were very accommodating. If you fancy a quiet, or indeed romantic weekend away try The Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland – a bit quirky, perhaps, but great. Ironically, neither The Lord Crewe or The Sun Inn don’t spring up with websites via search engines.
The media storm that was the OMM has gone, but what is happening is a new wave of investigative journalism – those who want to know why the panic buttons were pushed and by whom, and also why people want to do such events in the first place. There could be interesting articles and TV to be seen, soon, and there is no such thing as bad publicity, apparently.
Finally, looking ahead, the Open5 series will keep me busy for the winter racing season, especially if I do 'get my ar*e in gear' and do some training! My recent revelation is that I’ve got in the habit of swimming indoors – bit of a first for me…. only used to a Lake called Ullswater.
Keep safe - have fun
Ps – Scoob is to be repaired ….
The ‘Open5’ at Blanchland was a great day out in a beautiful undiscovered part of the Northern Pennines, and was well worth the effort to get there. James and Lisa, ably assisted by Jim, Andy, Ian et al do a great job of providing a quality event accessible to a wide range of abilities.
James and Lisa’s events are both ‘beginner friendly’ and yet provide a tough day out for the elite, with fierce competition at ‘the sharp end’. If you haven’t sampled one of their events then do so. http://www.openadventure.com/ Don’t be intimidated by the five hour time limit, it soon rushes by when you break it down in to a couple of hours each of MTB and ‘run’ (top tip – just walk quickly and navigate effectively!) Prep and transition time eats into the five hours too.
‘Wilko’ Wilkinson competed solo and raced to second place with a very proficient performance. This proves that she is a strong and very competitive athlete who can navigate and doesn’t need John Allen or myself to lead the way. It was the first event in a series of five so I wonder how it will pan out for all of us.
Last night I took part in a local MTB Night-O, another excellently staged event by a group of hard working volunteers with minimal support. I don’t actually remember doing a pure MTB Night-O ever before, consequently, the frantic 1:45 hr event had me hurtling about feeling a bit if a Numpty as I overcame ‘big event’ complacency, and the various associated night time factors.
An early ride front wheel slide shook my pride somewhat, but eventually I ‘got my ar*e in gear’ to quote one old colleague, and a new ‘sexy’ Petzl Ultra was very useful, too. I just need to take the racing slicks off my bike wheels now. People often ask me what items of gear I would recommend and I’m often hesitant as I don’t wish to pander to commercialism, and belive you have to experiemnt for yourself especially with clothing, but the new Ultra is well worth the money if you are into multi-sport adventure racing.
What these both events had in common is that neither attracted media attention despite us buzzing around either side of the A591 and across bridleways via farmsteads in the dark, or on the prime shooting ground of the Blanchland Estates. These ‘stakeholders’ wanted us there, unlike some involved in the OMM farce. Both the Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite and the people of Blanchland were very accommodating. If you fancy a quiet, or indeed romantic weekend away try The Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland – a bit quirky, perhaps, but great. Ironically, neither The Lord Crewe or The Sun Inn don’t spring up with websites via search engines.
The media storm that was the OMM has gone, but what is happening is a new wave of investigative journalism – those who want to know why the panic buttons were pushed and by whom, and also why people want to do such events in the first place. There could be interesting articles and TV to be seen, soon, and there is no such thing as bad publicity, apparently.
Finally, looking ahead, the Open5 series will keep me busy for the winter racing season, especially if I do 'get my ar*e in gear' and do some training! My recent revelation is that I’ve got in the habit of swimming indoors – bit of a first for me…. only used to a Lake called Ullswater.
Keep safe - have fun
Ps – Scoob is to be repaired ….
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