Rumours that Team Grumpy plan to eschew the 2013 Duo Normand in favour of seeking a Wimbledon doubles wild card entry are entirely unfounded. Team Grumpy are insufficiently coordinated for ball games.
Congratulations to Marray and Nielsen!
Saturday, 7 July 2012
Thursday, 14 June 2012
The clock is ticking...
Grumpy Bob returned from dragging a loaded tandem round the Outer Hebrides and north-west Scotland for 9 days to find that not only had registrations opened for the 2012 Duo Normand, but that 'Grumpy' Art Vanderlay had entered Team Grumpy!
So that's provided a bit of focus for the coming months, since neither member of Team Grumpy has thus far in 2012 shown form that could in any way be described as scintillating.
At the moment, Grumpy Bob is trying to convince his body that cycling is not about pedalling for 8 hours at 10mph but really concerns riding at >25mph for about an hour!
So that's provided a bit of focus for the coming months, since neither member of Team Grumpy has thus far in 2012 shown form that could in any way be described as scintillating.
At the moment, Grumpy Bob is trying to convince his body that cycling is not about pedalling for 8 hours at 10mph but really concerns riding at >25mph for about an hour!
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Picking out the positives
No, this isn't about drug cheats - though, frankly, my recent experience of racing has shown to me how tempting it must be to take something to catch up quicker than is possible naturally.
No, this is about my return to racing - well, I say racing, but it was more training on a T bike (and slow training at that). I have 'raced' three TTs in an eight day period, setting new worst times for 50, 10, and then 25 miles. Seriously, it was only the 25 mile event that was not a worst ever time for me - and that's only because a few years ago I made the mistake of entering the Ross on Wye 'hilly' (more like mountainous) 25.
Sitting in the HQ after the final one of these very public humiliations a friend said to me 'don't worry, you'll be able to pick out the positives from all of this soon enough' (thanks Les). I replied that there was not a chance that anything positive could emerge from this experience. Well, was I right or was Les's more sanguine view justified?
Frankly, I don't know - and only time will tell. But on reflection I was so ill only a month ago that I could not contemplate racing for a while yet. In fact, I entered these three events firmly in the belief that I would probably not be able to start them. I did start, I finished (though I did contemplate a DNF in each), and there has been no adverse health reaction. More importantly, I am back on the bike and still have approx. 15 weeks to build for the DUO.
I guess, then, I have been able to pick out the positives after all.
No, this is about my return to racing - well, I say racing, but it was more training on a T bike (and slow training at that). I have 'raced' three TTs in an eight day period, setting new worst times for 50, 10, and then 25 miles. Seriously, it was only the 25 mile event that was not a worst ever time for me - and that's only because a few years ago I made the mistake of entering the Ross on Wye 'hilly' (more like mountainous) 25.
Sitting in the HQ after the final one of these very public humiliations a friend said to me 'don't worry, you'll be able to pick out the positives from all of this soon enough' (thanks Les). I replied that there was not a chance that anything positive could emerge from this experience. Well, was I right or was Les's more sanguine view justified?
Frankly, I don't know - and only time will tell. But on reflection I was so ill only a month ago that I could not contemplate racing for a while yet. In fact, I entered these three events firmly in the belief that I would probably not be able to start them. I did start, I finished (though I did contemplate a DNF in each), and there has been no adverse health reaction. More importantly, I am back on the bike and still have approx. 15 weeks to build for the DUO.
I guess, then, I have been able to pick out the positives after all.
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Team MK 2-up - A classic Team Grumpy disaster
Apart from foul weather and blustery winds, what could possibly go wrong for Team Grumpy in the Team MK 2-up, a regular event on their time trial calendar?
Two p*****res, that's what. Grumpy Bob can merely refer the reader to the report over at Flies&Bikes, as he really cannot bring himself to recount the circumstances around this latest Team Grumpy fiasco. Team Grumpy had to resort to beer and Thai food for consolation.
Grumpy Bob has now ordered new tyres.
Two p*****res, that's what. Grumpy Bob can merely refer the reader to the report over at Flies&Bikes, as he really cannot bring himself to recount the circumstances around this latest Team Grumpy fiasco. Team Grumpy had to resort to beer and Thai food for consolation.
Grumpy Bob has now ordered new tyres.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Alas, Team Grumpy is scratch
On Saturday afternoon, Team Grumpy will be lining up for their second 2-up of 2012, the Team MK 2-up. This is a fairly regular event for Team Grumpy - either the team turns out, or Grumpy Bob rides solo. Indeed, one year, the organiser entered Team Grumpy in the 2-up section, even though only Grumpy Bob had entered.
This season sees a change: formerly the event was held over two laps of the 10 mile Astwood sporting course. This year it was to be held on a new course, the F15/25. Unfortunately thwarted by roadworks, the event will now be a 15 mile event. The course, dubbed F15/15 or some such is based on the Brogborough 'cheatie' course which sees the riders start by descending a hill that that they don't need to ride back up. Grumpy Bob is somewhat apprehensive about how apprehensive 'Grumpy' Art Vanderlay will be on the descent.
'Grumpy' Art is probably a bit more apprehensive about the general lack of fitness in Team Grumpy than in his own descending skills: both riders have been afflicted by illness and injury in recent weeks. The Team Grumpy Manager is aware that recent performances by Grumpy Bob have been distinctly lacklustre, while 'Grumpy' Art is still recovering from his bout of viral assault.
All things considered, the title of this article is quite appropriate.
This season sees a change: formerly the event was held over two laps of the 10 mile Astwood sporting course. This year it was to be held on a new course, the F15/25. Unfortunately thwarted by roadworks, the event will now be a 15 mile event. The course, dubbed F15/15 or some such is based on the Brogborough 'cheatie' course which sees the riders start by descending a hill that that they don't need to ride back up. Grumpy Bob is somewhat apprehensive about how apprehensive 'Grumpy' Art Vanderlay will be on the descent.
'Grumpy' Art is probably a bit more apprehensive about the general lack of fitness in Team Grumpy than in his own descending skills: both riders have been afflicted by illness and injury in recent weeks. The Team Grumpy Manager is aware that recent performances by Grumpy Bob have been distinctly lacklustre, while 'Grumpy' Art is still recovering from his bout of viral assault.
All things considered, the title of this article is quite appropriate.
Monday, 12 March 2012
Port Talbot Wh 2-up '25'
As is now usual, Team Grumpy prepared intensively for the 48h prior to this event: a preparation which entails consumption of takeaway curry and Belgian beer, while sitting on a sofa watching TV. Team Grumpy dispensed with rule #2, by tinkering with 'Grumpy' Art's chainring bolts the day before the race. On the morning of the event both riders woke feeling surprisingly chipper considering the quantity of preparation, but were were somewhat disappointed to see thick fog blanketing southern Wales. Fortunately the weather lifted, leaving clear sunny conditions with a light but rising wind by the time the team convoy reached the race HQ at Resolven.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
PTW 2-up '25' - preview part 2
Well, in the run up to the first 2-up of the year Team Grumpy members have suffered illness ('Grumpy' Art) and injury (Grumpy Bob). So, not ideal preparation. The arrival of the start sheet for the Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25' brings with it a field of 51 teams, which is not at all bad for an early season 2-up. And some of those teams are pretty swift.
In the face of such competition, Team Grumpy plans as usual to utilise the usual preparation: takeaway curries and conspicuous consumption of official energy drink (Pop Belge) during the 48 hours prior to the event. Team Grumpy feels that this, coupled with lengthy stints of sofa-sitting, will be more than adequate last-minute preparation for the race.
Maybe.
At least Team Grumpy has taken the precaution of new skinsuits. Of course, any benefits that may accrue from that purchase might depend wholly on whether Grumpy Bob can actually squeeze his winter bulk into the skinsuit. Perhaps this represents an underhand strategy to upset and distract the opposition.
In the face of such competition, Team Grumpy plans as usual to utilise the usual preparation: takeaway curries and conspicuous consumption of official energy drink (Pop Belge) during the 48 hours prior to the event. Team Grumpy feels that this, coupled with lengthy stints of sofa-sitting, will be more than adequate last-minute preparation for the race.
Maybe.
At least Team Grumpy has taken the precaution of new skinsuits. Of course, any benefits that may accrue from that purchase might depend wholly on whether Grumpy Bob can actually squeeze his winter bulk into the skinsuit. Perhaps this represents an underhand strategy to upset and distract the opposition.
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