Not Just A Fan In July

David Millar's book 'Racing Through The Dark' is one of the best cycling books I've read.  It's pretty compelling stuff and he is a rare breed within todays modern peloton: honest and intelligent.

I was attracted to Phil Southerland's book, 'Not Deal Yet' as he is the founder of Team Type 1, a diabetic orientated Pro cycling team.  Being a type 1 diabetic myself as well as a road cyclist, I hoped it would offer some interesting and useful insights on the disease from a cycling perspective.  I wouldn't describe it as a bad read but it was very flat in parts and I'd often find myself struggling to get to the end of a chapter.  I did gain some useful training tips on how to keep my blood sugar levels tightly controlled before, during and after riding, and reinforced the importance of keeping on top of my diabetes in general.

I Tend To Agree

Out With The Black

The Only Good Thing About It

 

Every year I curse the BBC's coverage of 'Glasto'.  Tightly edited, looped sets run from Friday afternoon to Sunday night, so it turns into one big repetitive blur for most people.  This year the only decent band they decided to broadcast was Warpaint.

Beginnings And Ends

Gettin' Nostalgic For '07

A very cold visit to the Velodrome.  Winter 2007?

I Thought They Were From Manchester?

One Track Mind

The Rule Of Thirds

It's Nothing To Do With Lost

I'm not the most read Burkowski guy out there.  I mean, there is plenty of his published material which I've yet to get round to, but I've covered the classics.  I finished Post Office today and loved it.  I leaps between funny and heartbreaking and back again. A hundred times.  Having worked my fair share of monotonous, bureaucratic, boring jobs it certainly cuts close to the bone for me.  However, I've never hit a woman, gone on a two week drinking binge or spent three months at the race track.

None Out Of Three Ain't Bad

Heavily Involved

(Photo: Spinks)

Four weeks from now.  You can quote me on that.

Ishod's Section

Obsessive

I'm listening to this one album almost exclusively.

Sunny Responsibility

Maggie

Just The Beginning

Chad of Chad Koeplinger fame started my backpiece the other night.  We didn't get started until 11.30 but luckily he is as fast as they say.  Two hours later my back was lined.  It's the head of a mahakala.  The necklace and a snake and lots of lines for the hair are to be added next then goes the finer lines, shading and colour.  

Twig

Don't read this before going riding.  It's a good but harsh look at the suffering that is the Tour.

My intention was to ride from Swansea to Pontardulais then Ammanford and back round to Pontardawe and down the Swansea Valley.  In hindsight the route was a good 40miler but I got lost on the mountain and had a very hard time on some of the ascents that day.  Things got interesting in Ammanford.  The map wouldn't work on my phone and I was unsure of the right road to take so I stopped at a petrol station to ask for directions.  The old man laughed at me when I said I wanted to know the way 'over the top' to the Swansea Valley.  I think he deliberately sent me up the steepest roads.  It hurt.  I NEVER stop during a ride but in this instance I had time to whip out my phone and take a few snaps!  I planned on taking some photos of the steepest sections but didn't get a chance.  Once at the top it levelled out and proved to be a terrific stretch of road to ride along.  You can see the route and stats (my lowest ever average speed!) here, as well as some other rides/routes I've done.