Author Archives: Phill

Every Cloud.

By 13 commentsDiabetes, Photography, Rides, , ,

… Has A Silver Lining.

Like most of us, I get a bit negative sometimes.  The weekend weather was crappy so I didn’t get out on my bike, so I spent a little time contemplating my navel.  I realised that sometimes, despite the imperfections of life, we need to count our blessings.  So here’s my little compare & contrast exercise for my cycling experiences over the last few months.

Clouds:

Hypos.
Since increasing the miles on the bike, my diabetic control has been a little haywire.  I’ve been experiencing more frequent hypoglycaemic episodes, especially at bedtime.  They’re not too bad and I’m coping with them easily, but I don’t really want to be chugging chocolate at bedtime – I mean, I’m not a girl for goodness’ sake!

I’ve reduced my teatime insulin by a couple of units so I’ll see how that works out – early signs are good.  Let’s be sensible about this, it’s actually a sign that my body is using its energy more efficiently and, well,  just more.  It’s not all bad as long as I’m grown up about my drug dosages.

Backache.
My lower back has become worse over recent weeks.  I don’t suffer badly with backache but each time I ride out, I come back with a twinge.  I’m not happy about it.

Some reading around the subject tells me that it’s because I upped my saddle a cm or so, to get more power out of my legs and take some strain off my ageing knees.  This definitely increased the power, but (apparently) your hamstrings shorten when your saddle’s low.  Then when you raise your saddle, the hamstrings pull on your pelvis as you ride, causing the twinge.  So now I have to do hamstring stretches to improve things.  Every day’s a school day at Phill’s Irregular Cycles!

Bruises.
Ow. Thud. Ouch. Boing. Scratch. Oof. Ping. Unh.  This, with exclamation marks removed, is the sound of my riding.  No big drops, no RTAs, no expensive collisions – just me having lots of minor bangs and knocks.  If I were a pretty girl, the state of my shins and calves would be alarming.

Thankfully, I’m an ugly bloke so none of the scabs, bruises and chain marks matter.

Silver Linings.

OK, I’ve got that off my chest.  Now, this is what this post is really about.  Whenever I get a litte bot fed up with riding, THIS is what I remind myself about.

Fitness. I’m fitter now, at 40, than I was at 30.  I’m much much fitter than I was at 20, before I was diagnosed with diabetes.  My body’s reaction to it’s own pancreas had left me a withered, weedy, muscle-free weakling so I pretty much had to start again.  It’s been a long road but I now have calf muscles and my legs are really taking shape.  I’m building some body mass apart from the pot belly that contented living has earned me.  I can cycle further than ever before and the feeling of finishing the Manchester to Blackpool 63 miles then not being at all bothered at having to ride an extra mile to put £3.50 on the parking meter was priceless.  10 years ago, that ride put me out of action for over a week.

Fun. I really enjoy my cycling.  Somebody told me recently that the way to pick your sport is to ask yourself when you’ve finished something: “How soon do I want to do that again?”  If the answer is “Now!” or “Tomorrow“, than you’ve found your sport.  If the answer is “Next week” or “That was a flippin’ chore“, then you need to have a re-think!  When I was running, I had to keep a chart to force myself to train regularly.  With cycling, I’m already looking forward to my next ride as I’m washing the Fat Boy down and putting him away.

Friends. This virtual online internetty community of cyclists has been a bit of a revelation to me.  My blog has morphed from a random collection of my normal thoughts into a pretty cycling-centric affair, and the people who share it with me (that’s you lot) are a strong source of motivation and advice.  Out there in the real world of actual real stuff, the smiles from other cyclists, walkers, dog-poo-bag carriers and even fishermen are a regular reminder that the Daily Mail world of muggers, Tennents-drinking hoodies and rapists isn’t always around the next corner.  The world is mostly quite a nice place, with just a few idiots here and there.  Mostly we know where “here” and “there” are, so we can try avoid those places.

Finking Time. One of the greatest benefits of my Tuesday-night autopilot loop is the hour or so I get to be with myself.  Putting things into perspective; thinking through issues at work and at home; planning life from the saddle.  It’s a great state to be in, whizzing along the canalside without any distraction more worrying than someobody occasionally coming the other way to share a nod and a grin.  you just don’t get that kind of thinking time at home or at work.

So What?

There are more Silver Linings, but I’m in serious danger of putting you to sleep.  Suffice to say that, over the last few months, I’ve been enjoying my cycling more and more.  As my body has improved, the one challenge of managing my more efficient use of insulin has been outweighed by the better strength and stamina I’m able to draw on.

In turn, these have allowed me to enjoy the travelling, the views and the surroundings more.  I’m proud of my little photo album of stuff I see when out on the bike.  Some of the pictures will mean nothing to you, but they mean everything to me.  Have a look, tell me what you think.

 

Hard Work. Wet. Fell Over. Damn you #July150

By 19 commentsCycling Challenges, Rides, , , ,

I’m all in favour of being motivated, but jeeees!

Tuesday Night Is Hollingworth Lake Loop Night.  The weather looked a bit ropey, but I crossed my fingers, made a (delicious I must say) quick pasta tea and lined myself up for an hour’s ride out.

By the time bike o’clock came, it was raining a bit.  “Ah well, never mind”, I thought as I pulled on an extra layer and my buff.  I set off. The rain got a bit harder. The wind got a bit blusterier (that’s a word, really).

By the time I got the t’Lake I was knackered.  I resolved to do one lap instead of my usual two before heading home.  Halfway round the Lake I checked my phone in a sheltered spot, to make sure my new tracker software was working…

User Error 1.

When I started the new tracker software, I hit the standby button on my phone.  Don’t do this kids.  Use the “backlight off” button on the software instead.  Balls!

I did it right, after losing about 5 miles of tracking, and set off again from under the shelter of the big trees.  It was very windy by now, and pretty rainy too.  Ah well, I was nice and warm and this was dong me good.  Wasn’t it?

User Error 2.

I thought it wise to double-check the tracking software.  There’s a little bench opposite the Wine Press pub so I rode the bike down a couple of steps to get under the shelter of some more lovely big trees.

And fell off! Mossy paving slabs and rain do not mix well with MTB slicks.  Before I knew what had happened, I was rubbing my knee and elbow, whilst the Fat Boy lounged somewhere off to my left.  Balls! Again!

Time To Go Home.

From there, I was relived to be heading homewards to be honest.  I’m glad I put a few miles in but I’m crossing my fingers that the next time I go out, the weather’s a bit kinder and that I’m a bit less of a numpty with the tech. 🙁

I’ll review the new software in a bit more detail when I’ve tested it properly.  Initial feelings are positive, I think.

The route’s on MapMyRide if you fancy a gander. Sorry there are no photos, since the weather was pants and my touchscreen phone wasn’t happy so I kept it in my pocket as much as possible.

No Hills To Hebden Bridge #July150 Ride

By 15 commentsCycling Challenges, Rides, , ,

The weather was lovely on Saturday and I was on my fortnightly commitment-free Saturday, so I sat down and tried to map a ride I could take instead of my autopilot Hollingworth Lake loop.  I chose a 27 mile run along the canal to Hebden Bridge then back over Blackstone Edge, a route that would involve a 4 mile steep(ish) climb and a big descent designed to lay the ghost of not hitting 30mph yet.  I opted to leave the slicks on from last week’s Blackpool run, because (a) on roads they’d be nice and fast, and (b) I couldn’t be bothered fettling in such nice weather.

As it happens, I totally ignored the climb and took the soft option!

Cracking Canalside Capers

I headed northeast along the Rochdale Canal, until a signpost showed a diversion off for National Cycle Network Route 66, which led me up a steep little hill through the woods just outside Todmorden. As it happens, this landed me by the railway station so I dropped down back into the town centre from there and couldn’t find the canalside without turning back a couple of hundred yards.

So, I took the road from Tod to Hebden Bridge, only a little bit lost 😉  The undulations were a nice short workout, and unbeknownst to me, I hit 29.2 mph on the second descent.  Bloody 29.2 mph! 🙁 If I’d have known, I’d have booted it a little more just to hit the fabled 30 mph.  Meh. Never mind.

At the park in Hebden Bridge, I looked at my watch and decided it was time for a drink, a rest, an ice cream and a turn back homewards.

Meeting Point Rest Stop, Littleborough

I have to recommend this little place to you.  I think two ladies have put together a cracking little rest stop here.  It’s basically a portakabin by the road & canalside, with a bunch of picnic tables outside.  It’s a very welcoming little place and I believe you should support it if you’re ever in the area.  I really hope they do well.  I had my second ice cream of the day there.  I didn’t need one, but I couldn’t cycle past without stopping to say hello and ask their opening times.  I’ll take Number One Son there in future, for sure.

It’s right here.  You should go. Tell ’em Phill sent you 🙂

The route’s on MapMyRide too, if you click the linky.

The #June100 Awards

By 21 commentsCycling Challenges, Rides, , , ,

I Did Promise, Didn’t I?

Those with elephantine memories will recall that I (sort of) promised prizes for performance in the June100 challenge.  I’d quite happily let it slide, but the problem with publishing stuff is that people can remind you what you said.

The June100 was free to enter, a characteristic which meant two things:

  1. There’s no money for prizes, and
  2. There’s no money for prizes.

So in the best tradtitions of the internet, here are the virtual prizes….

And The Winners Are:

In case you were wondering, the Mutton Bird has the furthest annual migrationary flight of any bird.  In a figure-of-eight circumnavigation of the Pacific, it covers around 74,000 km (45,954 miles) in an average year.  Give or take.  John Berry has the furthest June 2010 leisure mileage of any man and thus he wins the Mutton Bird TShirt.

The other two shirts should be self-explanatory.

Special Awards:

My personal Special Awards are given, fairly arbitrarily, as follows:

  1. Carrie Foster, for using the June100 challenge to actually motivate her to ride less.  The weirdo.
  2. Rafe Forgot, for attempting to cover the 100 miles in just over a week despite not being allowed on his bike until the 18th on account of sawing his own thumb off.  He only failed due to mechanical failure.  Of his bike, not his half-a-thumb.
  3. Clive Chapman, for only recording his off-road Mountain Biking miles and still smashing the target, despite logging impressive (non-qualifying, demoralising) commuting miles.

You three get individual hugs from me.  Except Clive, who doesn’t do hugging.

Onwards And Upwards!

You probably know that the July150 Challenge has already started, so if you haven’t already signed up, do so this instant.  Follow the #July150 hashtag on twitter too.

Delusional Moneygrabbing Parasites

By 18 commentsTat, , ,

I should point out that this isn’t a cycling post. My apologies if you were expecting something 2-wheeler related.

This Is A Rant And Laugh Post.

A friend who shall remain nameless asked me, a few days ago, what I though about certain US-based PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) gurus.  A few names were suggested so I had a little poke around on the information superhighway and found a blog belonging to one of them.

I won’t link it here because a pingback to his site will probably get me countless delusional followers who believe that I’m actually a fan of his.  I’m not.  Let’s make that perfectly clear.  I think he’s a parasite, sucking the lifeblood and money from far too many hapless individuals.  Thankfully most of them stay at home all day: I know this because people with actual life experience wouldn’t fall for his bullsh*t, would they?

He’s called Eben Pagan.

Google him.  Read his wordpress blog and be a little scared.  Then, read the comments his followers leave and be heartily amused.

I’m sorry.  I know it’s wrong to mock the afflicted, but if you’re going to be afflicted with terminal dumbassness, don’t post it all over the internet.  Unless of course you’re happy for me to laugh at you – then for me to post it on another blog to encourage other people to laugh at you.

Actually, do you know what? I’m not sorry at all, not one little bit.

Not Googled Him Yet?

Ok, if you’re not convinced it’s worth your time, look at these.  These are actual screenshots taken from his actual blog which he (probably) actually writes.  Click on them to enlarge them and have a read, then come back here and let me know what you think.

Really? No, really really?

I mean, seriously?

I know that trolling takes place on blogs. I’ve read Joby’s.  But check for yourself.  Some of the comments left on Mr Pagan’s blog are priceless, even moreso for the seriousness and gullibility with which they have been written.

Here’s another one, with the contributor’s link expanded.  Have a click:

Love Bucket. Got to love that website.

Excuse me but I really have no interest in your Love Bucket, love.

Who Is This Eben Guy?

Eben Pagan, I suspect, may not be an actual name.  I have some difficulty imagining his parents proudly proffering him to the Priest at his Baptism and giving him that name.

You might know him as David DeAngelo, who promised to Double Your Dating.  That is, to make it possible for you to turn the heads of the ladieees.  Oh, and to remove the pants of said individuals.

Hey, maybe he can do that.  I don’t know, I’ve actually never tried his methods.  Or anyone else’s I hasten to add.  I just have a little problem with a guy who uses a different name to promote a different enterprise.  Call me distrustful, but to me it seems a little evasive?  I could be wrong.

Any Ideas?

I’ve been thinking how I might be able to get some feedback on this post.  So far my best ideas are:

  1. Tell me your best (possibly fictional but not too adult) self-help technique.
  2. Paste your favourite Eben Pagan advice or comment from one of his followers.

It’s surprisingly difficult to find any negative feedback on this guy.  Maybe he’s actually an actual genius.  My opinion is that he is not.

The next time my blog goes down, I’ll know who to blame… 🙂

Where is your business growing to?

Find out how Phill Connell Marketing Solutions can accelerate your business growth. Practical, realistic steps to improve your revenue generation.

Contact Us Today

%d bloggers like this: