Daily photo - 8: Getting back into cyclocross

You know autumn is here when Sundays are filled with cyclocross races up and down the country. I had hoped to do some of the summer cyclocross races in the evenings, but it was hard to get to the venues in time for the 7pm starts.

Now that they are on Sundays it is much easier to manage and this is what I call the proper cyclocross season. I've been quite looking forward to it - maybe because I am feeling slightly fitter after the training for a marathon and doing regular rides.

Photo: Sarah Dawe, TTL Photography

So during my weekend away in Gloucestershire I signed up to do a round of the Western Cyclocross league. The round took place at Gloucester Boating Lake, not far from Lydney and the Forest of Dean mountain bike trail centre where I was yesterday.

This league had a pleasant local feel, which reminded me of how cross used to be when I first started 16 years ago. You turn up on the day, pay your entry fee and then race. You can register to be in the league if you want, but it's not compulsory. At £15 it's comparatively inexpensive. The modern bit is the timing chip you wear around your ankle, that they give you on the day. You return it after the race in exchange for your licence (which you would have left with them before the race). It's all very convivial and down at a personal, human level.

The last time I raced in the Western Cyclocross league was last year just before Christmas when I did a round at the Mendips Raceway, near Cheddar Gorge. It was a non-technical course but the race became properly cross-like and testing (for me) when the weather turned quite wet, pretty cold, and miserable. So it was nice to race on a warm sunny day this time around.

As conditions were dry, it was a fast flowing course through the park, over short laps. There was nothing particularly tricky apart from a couple of short sharp lumps where you had to give it a bit of welly to get up to the top, and zigzagging through the trees. Like with most cross races there were the usual hurdles too which I wasted time on since I couldn't remount quickly.

During the race local people gave us lots of encouragement, while afterwards the racers chatted among themselves. There were only nine women racing in our race, which took place with the male over 50 vets. I finished 8th, though one woman DNF'd, so I guess that means I came last! That was no bother for me though, as I was in a little duel with another racer, so we had our own race within the race.

I spent most of the race chasing her down and she never quite managed to get rid of me until the end.  At one point she messed up a corner and I managed to get past her. That should have been my opportunity to make a real dig and gain time on her, but I sat on my laurels and she managed to come back and overtake me.

There was probably a lack of grrr or gung-ho instinct on my part because it didn't occur to me to put the hammer down and get ahead. Or maybe deep down I didn't feel quite as confident as I thought I was. When she came past me I preferred to put the pressure on her. It worked to a degree, but in the end I lost a bit of focus on the last lap and she opened up an unassailable lead. It was a good duel, though the fact that I had the energy to go mountain biking afterwards meant that I could have ridden that bit harder! Note to oneself for next time.

The racer's name was Charlie and she was from Cotswold Veldrijden cyclocross team. They've got quite a strong team of riders, so there's no shame in finishing just behind one of them.

Charlie told me about other races in the Western League that would be fun to do, including one around Christmas that goes through a cow shed. I look forward to that!

So cyclocross is on, and I look forward to doing more races and hopefully getting a bit of my attacking mojo.


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Daily photo - 7: Mountain biking in the Forest of Dean

It's that time of year when the cyclocross season starts and I become interested in all things biking off-road. In reality I should do this sort of thing all-year round. There are lots of opportunities, given all the gravel races, summer cyclocross and mountain bike events taking place. It's just difficult to fit everything in though, especially as I still like to ride on the road. And I have to fit in other things like everyday life too.

Today, I took myself to the West Country and checked out mountain biking in the Forest of Dean trail centre, between Gloucester and South Wales.
As my journey started later than planned, I got stuck in slow traffic on the M4 motorway and I arrived there late in the afternoon, so by that time I only really had time to ride on the Family trail.

That was fine for me as I am planning to do a cyclocross race tomorrow, so I wouldn't really want to tire myself out. This Family trail is part of what used to be the Severn and Wye Railway line, so the trail is wide and well surfaced.

As the trail gently undulates through this ancient forest as you head northwards you see various sign posts with the names of the former stations, and you can imagine what the place must have been like back in the 19th century when this area was associated with mining.

Overall, Forest of Dean is a scenic and quite undulating part of the world, with lots of forested areas both inside and outside the trail centre. In some parts you get wild deer hanging around, as well as lots of pigs and wild boar. Some may find that quite fun to see, though being a bit of a scardy cat I didn't feel comfortable with that and was worried that I wouldn't be able to ride away quickly enough if I needed to! At least there was a variety of trails and directions to choose from. It's a great place to spend a weekend - not necessarily spectacular like nearby Wales, but still pretty nice.

What to expect at Forest of Dean

• The trail centre is based around the villages of Cinderford to the east, Coleford to the west, and the central village of Cannop.

• There are pay-and-display car parks dotted around the different sides of the forest, though the central part would be just north of Cannop, near the cycle centre.

• Accessing the mountain bike trail centre can be done by bike via one of many cycle paths. 

• I parked on a dirt track in the village of Parkend, next to a playing field and cycled a couple of miles to the Family trail at Cannop Ponds.

• The family trail is 11 miles (17km) long and can be ridden by people of all ages. I saw quite a few parents out with children aged around 5 or 6 years old. I don't imagine they did 11 miles though!

• There's a bike hire shop at the cycle centre, Pedalabikeaway, and there are other places that hire out bikes - Dean Forest Cycles, at Parkend. Lydney Cycle Centre also repairs bikes.

• Other trails start from the cycle centre - the 7-mile (11km) blue Verderer's trail which is fast and flowing with berms; the 7.4-mile (12km) red Freeminer's trail which is single track and rooty; a downhill run, and a pump track where people of all levels can practice.

• At the cycle centre area, just north of Cannop there is also a cafe, toilets and a bike-wash area.

• You can stop and picnic in different areas, though one of the most scenic parts is the picnic site at Cannop Ponds.

• Try to stick to the designated cycle trails and avoid riding on footpaths. The walkers don't particularly like it, and in fact one local told me that some people have been known to leave broken glass as a way to let cyclists know they should not be on that trail.

• If you are going on the other trails like the blue and the red it may be best to buy a map from the cycle centre as trails aren't always that well sign-posted and the last thing you want is a puncture or a ripped tyre because you got lost!

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Daily photo - 6: Brexit - we really are in The Thick of It

I generally like to follow current affairs. It stems from childhood when my parents would avidly watch all the evening television news bulletins at 6pm, at 9pm, 10pm and even Newsnight too.

We would often talk about the state of the world, and the various politics going on in different countries as well as in the UK.

That's how I learned about such things as Robert Mugabe, and the work he did to liberate what was then known as Rhodesia from apartheid and white minority rule; or the stories about how the UK tried so hard to join the European Union (then known as the European Economic Community) in the 1960s before being eventually accepted in 1972.

So following news and current affairs is something that has stayed with me. So I followed the dramatic collapse of the Zimbawean economy as Mugabe imposed tyrannic rule on his people, how he was overthrown as head of state, and his death today.

However, for the first time ever I actually don't feel like following the news. These days it is so depressing seeing what is going on in the world, and even worse to see that our government has made a complete mess of managing the EU referendum, and the vote to leave.

We have had three Prime Ministers in as many years - all of them from the Conservative Party, and none of them seemed to be in control of what they were doing, and the current Prime Minister appears to be out of control. 

It is like watching very bad episodes of The Thick of It, the political satire written by Armando Ianucci. 

Watching Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivering a speech at a police training centre in West Yorkshire was pure cringe. 

His speech was incoherent, he was bumbling around all over the place, forgetting his words and the messages he did give were completely off piste. It was so bad that even one of the trainee police officers standing behind him fainted while he was speaking!

On any other day I might have felt sorry for him, especially as just a few hours earlier his own brother had resigned from the government over the direction that Johnson the Older is taking the country.

But the fact is that our Prime Minister's policy is so tranchant and draconian that it is causing all kinds of turmoil within Parliament, and every day sees another drama. Since Boris Johnson assumed office on 24th July this year he has had 25 MPs and ministers leave his government (including 21 sackings of MPs who did not tow his line); Parliament attempting to seize power from the Johnson government; Prime Minister Johnson planning to close down Parliament for 5 weeks - right at the time when we should be debating the country's future. 

And after all that the UK may end up being out in the cold, no longer part of any trading block and with no agreed trading or legislative arrangements. I can't feel any sympathy for someone who behaves so recklessly.

So while we laugh at fictional episodes of The Thick of It, the real thing that we are experiencing is Thick of It plus plus, and it's no laughing matter.

So I would rather not follow the news and maybe just immerse myself in The Beano or even old episodes of Love Island!

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Daily photo - 5: Benefits of Hot Yoga

Breeze Yoga is now a regular feature in my weekly routine. Last year I got into doing yoga at the Crystal Palace Sports Centre and Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre.

This year (on my birthday, in February) I went to the next level by doing hot yoga in a studio, and have been enjoying it since. It has really made a difference for my mind and body.

The first time I went to the class, which was Hot Flow yoga I was struck by how hot the room was. I had previously been doing Hot Yoga at Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre, but it was only when I went to Breeze that I knew what "hot" meant.

The room was 40 degreesC. Within a few minutes sweat was pouring down my body.

The receptionist had asked me if I had a sweat towel, to which I replied yes, and showed her my mini towel that I had been used to using at the Streatham sessions. However, for this class the small red towel was useless. It might as well have been a small handkerchief! So in no time I had a pool of sweat on the floor around me. This was hardcore. I felt a bit self-conscious, but in fact everyone was pouring with sweat too - the men, that bit more! So I didn't feel so bad.

The skill level of the other participants in the class was quite high, with some people being able to do the splits and go into headstands, while I struggled to do basic hip opener exercises. The class lasted 90 minutes, which was 30 minutes longer than I was used to, and a few times I needed to just lie down in child's pose to take a breather.

I wasn't bothered though, and I don't think other people were either. They were just encouraging and welcoming. So I have been going to the various other classes they have - Hot Thai Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and a bit of Pilates.

The main reason why I stepped up the yoga was because I wanted to stay injury free in my preparation for the Paris Marathon. Furthermore, now that I have turned 50 I can feel my body getting stiffer and older especially with being hunched over handlebars while cycling, or sitting at a desk. So, it is just a way to slow down the decline.

Benefits of Hot Yoga according to Women's Health magazine are:

• It makes you more flexible
• It's a good cardio work-out
• Reduces stress
• Increases lung capacity
• Burns calories and promotes weight loss

Many articles have been written about the benefits of hot yoga. Interestingly, when I consulted the scientific evidence for this it was stated that although there was a trend towards these benefits, more studies are needed to show that Hot Yoga really does confer these benefits.

Well, if it is just a placebo effect I don't mind because whatever it is I do feel better after a session in a Hot Yoga studio. I have hardly had any post-run soreness in my legs compared with previous years; my IT band is not so tight after cycling; I think I might be becoming a little flexible. So, I think that's reason enough to continue with Hot Yoga. Namaste!


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Daily photo - 4: Reviewing a Liv Avail Advanced Pro

2020 Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1

Today I was putting together a bicycle review that I will be sending in for publishing. I've been testing out the 2020 Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1. It's a women-specific endurance bike that can be used for long rides like cyclosportives, and because it has thicker tyres on it you can use it in rides that go on rough terrain such as the White Roads Classic or the Cheshire Cobbled Classic, as well as cyclosportives abroad like Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

The outstanding feature of the bike is also the SRAM electronic gears it has. I have ridden a bike with electronic gears in the past, though at the time they were rare among amateur bike riders. Now it seems that people have caught on to them, so it is great to see it on a women-specific bike.

Riding the bike has been pretty positive, and having something lightweight and with low gears was pretty useful for me when I used it at the Ride London 100 cyclosportive earlier this year. I am not the young whippet that I used to be, so it's great to have such equipment to help you along the way!

I look forward to seeing the full review live somewhere on the web.


11/09/2019 UPDATE: The review is now live on Cyclist website.


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Daily photo - 3: South London running route

View from my run: Docklands as seen from Lower Sydenham station

This time last year I was preparing to run the Beachy Head Marathon. Twelve months later I am once again preparing to run 26.2 miles at the New York Marathon. It is a greater undertaking than last year because of the distance I am travelling to the race. It is also hillier than other big city marathons.

So the maximum must be done so I am ready for the start line, and can also reach the finish line. These days I am doing training runs of over half-marathon distance (13.1 miles or 21.1km), so it's important to keep things interesting and vary the places I go to, in order to stay motivated.

Long runs are an opportunity to explore local parks and green spaces. Being in South London there are lots of local parks to discover, especially when following the Green Chain Walk. I have done a 14-mile (22.5km) run that took in Crystal Palace Park, Dulwich Park, Brockwell Park, and Dulwich Wood. Today, I did a 16-mile (26km) run that included Beckenham Place Park, Crystal Palace Park, and South Norwood Lakes.

It was interesting to see the different neighbourhoods and see new areas and views that I hadn't previously noticed. This is the view of Docklands from Lower Sydenham train station as I was running from Beckenham Place Park to Alexandra Recreation Ground. It was a slightly dull morning when I ran here, but I hope to return on a sunny day when you can really see Canary Wharf in it's grandeur.


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Daily photo - 2: Health benefits of courgettes

Home-made courgette loaf - my favourite!

I have had an allotment for three years and one vegetable I have grown each year has been courgettes (zucchini to Americans). They are easy to grow, and are good for you. This courgette loaf is one of the products of my efforts, and its quite delicious. I took the recipe from the BBC Good Food website, which has lots of other recipes using courgettes.

As it happens, the plants have been sprouting two or three courgettes a week, so I have needed to find lots of recipes. As well as the loaf, I have done courgette gratin, soup, crudités, fritters, and the fun bit - courgetti, as a low carb alternative to spaghetti.

According to Healthline, benefits of courgettes include:

• Rich in nutrients including Vitamin A and Vitamin C
• Contains antioxidants, which neutralise free radicals that damage skin and cause some cancers
• High fibre so improves digestion and helps lower "bad" LDL cholesterol 
• Low in carbohydrates and helps reduce blood sugar levels
• High water and fibre content which can reduce feelings of hunger and help with weight loss  

So, through circumstance courgettes have become a staple in my diet, and I have to say I feel healthier for it.
As someone who does quite a lot of cycling and other sports it is easy to assume that I am healthy, but despite this we are still not immune to problems like diabetes or ageing skin - especially now that I am 50! So anything extra that slows the decline is always a good thing.


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