tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83552931536954387472024-02-19T05:01:40.509+00:00Team GrumpyYouth and Talent are no match for Age and TreacheryGrumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-77457985927191039632018-09-19T06:03:00.001+01:002018-09-19T06:03:04.956+01:00Ominous weather forecast for 2018 Duo NormandTeam Grumpy has been anxiously monitoring the weather forecast for Sunday 23rd September (Duo Normand day), via the very excellent <a href="http://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/cerisy-la-salle" target="_blank">XCWeather</a> website. There's a spot of decidedly awful weather blowing in for the day of the race - see this screenshot:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNESVg4ldU56vY4WnHRX0wuhgBHnPJhKad8T51zBIHJ9WHD2DS4S_AREFy_tDK9uECXSle1NM2s_c1PaE9kw_CHqbElrh4GC5b1qEr9MIb1WLs0ixqj1NKd01G8jBu18dssQc0TSytlKGy/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-19+at+05.08.08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1024" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNESVg4ldU56vY4WnHRX0wuhgBHnPJhKad8T51zBIHJ9WHD2DS4S_AREFy_tDK9uECXSle1NM2s_c1PaE9kw_CHqbElrh4GC5b1qEr9MIb1WLs0ixqj1NKd01G8jBu18dssQc0TSytlKGy/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-09-19+at+05.08.08.png" width="320" /></a></div>
It is possible that in the next four days, this forecast will improve, but frankly I doubt it. Team Grumpy will be packing spare road wheels in case this weather materialises. The team's start time has been confirmed as 10.32am, but actually the strong gusts will affect the whole field.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-85958118702550992232018-09-02T06:25:00.001+01:002018-09-02T06:25:18.071+01:00The new Duo Normand course <div dir="ltr" id="_6K5cpxLx5dQCDz" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Calibri, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-variant-ligatures: none; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; position: relative; transition: margin-bottom 0.3s ease 0s; white-space: pre-wrap;">
After a fatality due to a collision between riders and another team's following car a couple of years ago, a change in course was pretty much inevitable. In 2017, the teams' following cars were taken off the course prior to the final out and home section of the course, as it was owing to the design of this part of the course that the accident was able to occur. For 2018, the organisers have announced a new course. This takes in about half of the 'main part' of the old course (but ridden in the other direction), before heading off eastwards.</div>
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Grumpy Bob had made an <a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/20325293" rel="nofollow noreferrer" style="color: #008272;">approximation of the new Duo Normand course</a> on Garmin Connect. Note that there's a little uncertainty around the precise start and finish of the course. It's likely that the finish line will be as before , in the main street by the square, and that the start will be nearby, heading downhill initially and then on to Montcuit. The profile of the course suggests that a reasonably flat and quick section is bookended by some pretty hilly stuff, some of which will be new to Duo Normand riders.</div>
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While on holiday in Normandy, Grumpy Bob had a leisurely tootle round the course on the tandem, getting a bit of a feel for it, and how it compares to the previous course. Of course a ride on TT bikes will give a better idea of how it'll play out. The <a href="https://www.duonormand.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer" style="color: #008272;">Duo Normand</a> website has a video of some sections of the course. Some thoughts arising from our easy ride round the course:</div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The start seems like it'll be quite quick as riders start on a descent. But it quickly gets a bit tough, particularly on the long climb to Montcuit (in the old course this was a fast descent leading to a very sharp left hand turn that Team Grumpy dubbed <em style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ghoul Corner</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-variant-ligatures: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In reverse, this is a sharp right hand turn, and it'll be important not to lose too much speed.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There's a fast descent next.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Shortly after, there's a lengthy climb to Le Mesnilbus.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then a lengthy, twisting descent through Feugères down to the marshes, and round to Tribehou.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Just after Tribehou, the course turns left, away from the road used on the old course towards Le Hommet d'Arthenay. This bit is quite flat with some gentle drags. At one point we ride through a dense woodland.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Le Hommet d'Arthenay has a couple of relatively gentle traffic calming speed humps - worth keeping an eye out for.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Then there's a lengthy rise as the course approaches the main motorway to Saint-Lô - the course flops from one side of the motorway to the other, eventually reaching a double roundabout.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There's a lengthy climb to La Chapelle-en-Juger - probably this is the toughest climb in the final hilly section of the course.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We then go through La Chapelle-en-Juger to Montreuil-sur-Lozon, where there's a sharp left turn onto the final approach to the finish. There's a long drag to a summit that experienced riders will remember from the old course's out and home section, but after this there's a really fast mile or so to reach the finish.</span></li>
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All in all, this looks to being rather a good change to the event. It'll be safer without the hairpin section, and the sections used in the old course are now new to us as they are being ridden effectively in reverse.</div>
Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-80316764577796785022017-06-23T12:15:00.000+01:002017-06-23T12:17:05.087+01:00Duo Normand 2017It's June, and Team Grumpy has entered the 2017 <a href="http://duonormand.com/">Duo Normand</a> despite an almost total lack of form. This is due (in the case of Grumpy Art) to a prolonged period of illness just as the 2017 season was getting under way and (in the case of Grumpy Bob), a mysterious drop in form. Oh well, Team Grumpy doesn't let minor issues such as lack of fitness get in the way of a fun extended weekend in Normandy!<br />
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Travel arrangements are sorted, as are the accommodation requirements.<br />
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After last year's tragedy involving a collision between a veteran team and a supporting car near the finishing line, Team Grumpy had wondered what changes would be implemented in the 2017 event.<br />
To be honest, Team Grumpy has long felt that the following cars were more of a nuisance than a benefit and with one exception has eschewed the use of a following car. It's in the final hairpin section from Marigny and back, that cars are a particular issue.<br />
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From the Duo Normand website, it seems as though following cars won't be permitted in the final 12km of the course, and that there will be some neutral vehicle arrangement to aid stranded riders in that section. It also seems there's a clash in the UCI calendar that may reduce entries in the Elite category.<br />
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Team Grumpy first participated in the 2003 Duo Normand, and in all subsequent editions bar one. This is Team Grumpy's 14th Duo Normand outing.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-10271404780336380382017-01-15T18:37:00.002+00:002017-01-15T18:37:58.842+00:00First Open event of 2017 enteredThe Team has entered its traditional season opener, the <a href="https://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/race-course/14592#anchor">Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25'</a> in south Wales on 12th March, on the Resolven-based course R25/24. As usual, this will form part of a weekend with the equally traditional preparation which involves conspicuous consumption of curry and Belgian energy drink.
On the equipment front, Grumpy Bob's SRAM eTap system on his primary TT bike is once again functional, after a two month wait for a replacement part. So no equipment excuses there. And both Grumpy Bob and Grumpy Art have been engaging in some serious turbo training. So, perhaps unwisely, Grumpy Bob is exhibiting signs of optimism.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-13219105482401020212017-01-07T12:44:00.000+00:002017-01-07T12:44:21.653+00:00The Year AheadIt's that time of year when Team Grumpy starts shaking off the cobwebs and thinking about the upcoming racing season. Grumpy Bob's already made his first outing, the <a href="http://robertsaunders.org.uk/flies-and-bikes/2017/01/01/new-years-day-10-4/">North Bucks Road Club New Year's Day '10'</a>. Not brilliantly satisfactory, but at least the rain held off until the ride home.
The Team is just about now planning its first event of 2017, which should be the now traditional outing at the Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25. This year, the event is on 12th March.
So that's the first target for Team Grumpy. We have also been thinking about returning to the Duo Normand in 2017. Just to whet the Team's appetite, Grumpy Bob plotted the Team's times since 2003...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UFADEGb10vP__-9E7DyST5ZbXr6BgCi3d9iUvzdjB1KBpGQoESc5V14PgkyLb_S5y2edQsPHBC70DPrVaC45Anrkgr3E7KfipMmG2oa9gFDJsTNlY-fCQQCnACDkip_Lou3_BmzlLXnL/s1600/graph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UFADEGb10vP__-9E7DyST5ZbXr6BgCi3d9iUvzdjB1KBpGQoESc5V14PgkyLb_S5y2edQsPHBC70DPrVaC45Anrkgr3E7KfipMmG2oa9gFDJsTNlY-fCQQCnACDkip_Lou3_BmzlLXnL/s320/graph.jpg" width="320" height="192" /></a></div>
The dotted trend line is a little morale-sapping. Indeed, when GrumpyBob emailed the graph to Grumpy Art Vanderlay, he gained the following reply:
<blockquote><i>Will you stop doing this sort of thing.</i>
</blockquote>
Ho hum, business as usual!Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-46604136649139445292017-01-01T19:03:00.001+00:002017-01-01T19:26:49.532+00:00Duo Normand 2016Here is a somewhat belated post, outlining Team Grumpy's excursion to the 2016 edition of the Duo Normand.<br />
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<br /><iframe width="760px" height="500px" src="https://sway.com/s/8B6nmJQEVpyx0FEf/embed" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" style="border: none; max-width:100%; max-height:100vh" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-82906328350953698892015-08-17T16:34:00.003+01:002015-08-17T16:34:59.092+01:00Duo Normand 2015Well, the new <a href="http://duonormand.com/" target="_blank">Duo Normand</a> website came online the other week, late enough to cause some minor worry for Team Grumpy, who had already booked ferry crossings and accommodation a few months ago.<br />
The new website certainly looks considerably more modern, and is easier to use for anglophones. It also features PayPal as a means of paying entry fees, and indicates how many entries have been submitted for each category. So that's good. On the other hand, we've not had email confirmation of our entry!<br />
Anyhow, looks like all systems are go for another crack at the Duo Normand. Watch this space.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-17800026966980951152015-03-19T10:58:00.001+00:002015-03-19T10:59:40.367+00:00Port Talbot Wh 2-up '25' 15/3/15<div style="border: 0px; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up ’25’ has been a regular fixture on the Team Grumpy calendar for a number of years. As usual, the two evenings prior to the event were characterised by conspicuous consumption of Leffe and curry. This was an acceptable preparation, since both members of Team Grumpy had seen their pre-season training somewhat derailed by illness. The team also avoided any serious bike tinkering on the day before the race. Indeed, the only issues needing dealt with were (a) "Grumpy" Art’s disc wheel needed to be replaced with his trispoke owing to braking issues, and (b) Grumpy Bob's left shoe wouldn’t clip onto his pedal. This turned out to be due to tiny fleck of mud in the shoeplate springs! Pretty quickly all was in order.<span id="more-3384" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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This year’s event (as in recent years) was held on the R25/25, which runs down the A465 dual carriageway from Resolven to its first turn at the Tonna roundabout, back up the A465 past the start to turn left down the B4242, turning at Ynysygerwen to finish some way past the Resolven junction. Usually the dual carriageway section is quickest, with the B4242 being quite slow, owing to its hilly nature.</div>
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The morning of the event was pretty cold and bitter, despite being far from frosty. But with long sleeved thermal vests under the skinsuits and decent gloves, Team Grumpy were pretty much set. New kit this year included new aero hats and the addition of <a href="http://www.nopinz.com/product/nopinz-speedpocket-retrofit/" style="border: 0px; color: #24890d; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Nopinz</a> number pockets on the back of our skinsuits. The Nopinz pockets seem pretty good, though getting the number in place is a bit fiddly. No pin damage to expensive skinsuits, though!</div>
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After a brief warmup, Team Grumpy lined up and were off. Though not before an unfortunate wobble made Grumpy Bob worry about a start line collision. The outbound leg to the first turn was very quick, with a stiff tailwind. The Team had planned for Grumpy Bob to take some long pulls at the front to avoid "Grumpy" Art's breathing issues in the cold air – as it turned out, Grumpy Bob took longer turns at the front throughout the race, as "Grumpy" Art was still suffering the aftereffects of his recent cold.</div>
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All too soon, Team Grumpy reached the first turn, which was dealt in good style, and set off back up the dual carriageway into the headwind. For most of this leg, this just slowed them down, but for the last two miles or so, Grumpy Bob found his Hed Stinger a bit of a handful. No real difficulty or danger, though. Round the second turn and the intrepid team joined the hilly road southbound. This part of the course features some shocking road surfaces (on at least three occasions, Grumpy Bob heard his team mate grumping about some hole or other that he’d cycled through!), and some pretty stiff climbs. Team Grumpy made good progress to the third and final turn before heading back to finish in 1:03:16.</div>
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Team Grumpy wasn’t too disappointed with the time – it’s a tough course, and anyway, the team's 2-up technique was pretty well oiled throughout, with both riders making appropriate accommodation to the strengths of the other. In any event, Team Grumpy were 15th team out of a full field of 60 teams (only three teams didn’t start), and won third composite team.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRcYgTl4L2Ffw8zkluzbv9XocX281VyyOfas2zttQP1bUD46YcZirJryCkRZC3-3XMmMb4nCN15KXFUf-w7XPC3DL4ndHksFIuTo1QyCkz4MZ1NXhlsIJB9u4OhB2-Zvvu8vdfN-KRgu2/s1600/PTW-0313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRcYgTl4L2Ffw8zkluzbv9XocX281VyyOfas2zttQP1bUD46YcZirJryCkRZC3-3XMmMb4nCN15KXFUf-w7XPC3DL4ndHksFIuTo1QyCkz4MZ1NXhlsIJB9u4OhB2-Zvvu8vdfN-KRgu2/s1600/PTW-0313.jpg" height="400" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Grumpy in action. Photo copyright <a href="http://www.sisportsimages.co.uk/GalleriesCycling2015/PortTalbotWheelers25ml2upTT15th%20March2015/index.html" target="_blank">Pete Hamer</a></td></tr>
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Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-85825112778119792062014-07-31T08:58:00.001+01:002014-07-31T08:58:43.242+01:00Are things falling into place for the 2014 Duo Normand?<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It’s been a while since Team Grumpy blogged at this site. In fact, Team Grumpy riders haven’t raced together as a 2-up team at all this season, after a minor scheduling disaster ruled out the Port Talbot Wheelers 25 mile 2-up which usually kicks of the season for the team.</span></div>
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<div class="p1">
Our grumpy heroes haven’t been wasting their time however. While not really exhibiting what might be termed <i>sparkling form</i>, both riders have seen a gradual improvement to their solo time trialling efforts, judged both from their times and from their result sheet positions relative to other riders.</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Team Grumpy (mostly due to the sterling efforts of ‘Grumpy’ Art Vanderlay) has already (a) entered the <a href="http://duonormand.com/" target="_blank">Duo Normand</a>, (b) arranged accommodation, (c) arranged ferry crossings and (d) sorted out racing licences. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So everything is in place. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">And of course Team Grumpy is now awaiting a <i>performance destroying event</i> to bring the whole tottering edifice down in rubble. Not that Team Grumpy is in any way pessimistic, though. Whatever happens at the race itself, the team is sure to have a fair amount of fun trying.</span></div>
Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-32119905294886285362014-02-01T05:12:00.000+00:002014-02-01T05:13:26.310+00:00Team Grumpy to Regroup in March 2014There's been something of a hiatus in this blog since Team Grumpy made their trip to Normandy for the 2013 Duo Normand. This has been occasioned partly by the pressures of daily life, but more excitingly by the fact that both members of Team Grumpy have seemingly survived the winter accident and illness free (touch wood!) and have been busily training. Grumpy Bob isn't particularly superstitious, but maybe February 1st is a bit early to make that claim...<br />
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Grumpy Bob and Grumpy Art have, for a change, managed to keep their training going fairly consistently through the winter so far. This is generating an alarming sense of optimism in the Team Grumpy international headquarters, which clearly must be quashed. And soon...<br />
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Team Grumpy is sad to have to announce they will be missing out on their usual season opener, the Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25'. This is because of Grumpy Bob's work commitments. Grumpy Bob's Baldrickian cunning plan was to arrange these work commitments to avoid the usual calendar slot for the 2-up, only to find the event being held a week or two later than expected.<br />
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Regular readers of this blog (if there are such) may recall that this event is usually characterised for Team Grumpy by lack-lustre performance. In 2013, an omnishambles was averted by Grumpy Bob's severe back pain which meant that getting out of an armchair was pretty nearly impossibly (let alone climbing on a Cervelo P3). This year Team Grumpy will regroup for a solo '10' the week before the Port Talbot Wheelers event. Watch this space.<br />
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<br />Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-25608147395288339862013-10-02T14:14:00.000+01:002013-10-02T14:14:12.572+01:00Team Grumpy first losers at Duo Normand (Corpo category)Last weekend Team Grumpy decamped to the Normandy countryside for a long weekend, to ride the Duo Normand 2-up time trial once again. This was Team Grumpy's tenth ride in the event and as for the last few years we were entered in the Corporate category.<br />
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Team grumpy participated despite 'Grumpy' Art Vanderley suffering from a rather nasty cold in the days running up to the race itself, a bizarrely Hitchcockian hornet attack at our accommodation (shades of <i>The Birds</i>), and 'Grumpy' Art's willingness to flaunt Team Grumpy rule #2:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Don't tinker with your bike the evening before the event. It will break, either then or, worse still, during the event</i>.</blockquote>
In the end, mechanical problems were completely absent (for a change), but 'Grumpy' Art was sufficiently disabled by viral issues that the team's performance was affected. Grumpy Bob had to take lengthy pulls at the front to keep things rolling - he was somewhat perturbed by the volleys of mucoid coughing from behind him, but callously kept the pace reasonably high. In fairness, 'Grumpy' Art put himself through all kinds of hell during the race and probably saved Team Grumpy its second spot in the results as a consequence of his bursts of effort in the closing kilometres of the event.<br />
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Indeed, 'Grumpy' Art looked so completely knackered at the finish line that a passerby inquired after his health.<br />
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The trip to Normandy was actually characterised by self-imposed moderation in all things, including the team's consumption of <a href="http://www.leffe.com/en" target="_blank">official energy drink</a>. Here is the evidence of the team's consumption from four evenings:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz-BthxcwIn8cCBx1GA3eqs8Ua__2tHuulUD09Y3-rYlhpofjXSDd8l1OnQyC419u6nlDR73LVvDDsqnFzsHB9P5JHgyTBw8lVWuZPQNU6V4IFlH9hmf4bYUt_6Ya78EXc-_5nS-D6f8P/s1600/20130930_080145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz-BthxcwIn8cCBx1GA3eqs8Ua__2tHuulUD09Y3-rYlhpofjXSDd8l1OnQyC419u6nlDR73LVvDDsqnFzsHB9P5JHgyTBw8lVWuZPQNU6V4IFlH9hmf4bYUt_6Ya78EXc-_5nS-D6f8P/s320/20130930_080145.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The winning team beat Team Grumpy by a large margin of around 6 minutes - Team Grumpy completed the course in 1:25:29. Scratch riders Durbridge and Tuft (Orica green Edge) took the longstanding course record set by Boardman-Voigt (set in 1999) with a time of 1:04:10, which Team Grumpy thinks sets everything in perspective.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-86521051434729843022013-08-15T06:02:00.000+01:002013-08-15T06:02:52.681+01:00Beer that Team Grumpy can't drinkTeam Grumpy has noted this now resolved lawsuit between energy drink company Red Bull and a microbrewery operating under the name Redwell. Apparently Red Bull are happy that the brewery can continue operating as long as they don't move into the energy drink business (<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-23705255" target="_blank">Red Bull ends dispute with Redwell brewery in Norwich</a>).<br />
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Team Grumpy does recognise the magnanimity in this decision, but clearly also notes that since beer is the team's energy drink, Team Grumpy riders will obviously be unable to consume this stuff for fear of getting the brewery into trouble with the energy drink titan.<br />
<br />
Just to clarify Team Grumpy's position, neither Red Bull not Redwell are official Team Grumpy energy drink.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-52914915894378873082013-06-21T09:15:00.002+01:002013-06-21T17:40:36.315+01:00Return to RacingAfter what seems like an age, the respective members of Team Grumpy have at last started racing again. However, certainly in my case the term should be treated as a liberally applied - rather than literally applied - one. After my slowest ever 25 mile TT (which to be fair was in the Brecon Beacons on a very windy day), I managed to set my fastest time for 10 miles for two seasons. This, though, was still an embarrassingly poor time (which I am not going to reveal) and says more about how many 10s I ride and how bad I am at this shorter distance. But training has gone well recently and the results do show an improvement.<br />
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As is usual when things are not going especially well, I have invested in some new kit: a very neat set of Zipp handlebars and a Dura Ace chainset to replace the Campag (which I simply could not stop from 'clunking').<br />
<br />
Grumpy Bob has had disruption after disruption to his planned season but now has at least had a couple decent outings on his new power-tap disc wheel. The results are encouraging, if not spectacular. Could this all be part of a masterplan to build gradually for the end of September and hit top form at the Duo Normand? Let's hope so.<br />
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Talking of the Duo Normand, I see entries are promised to be open 'very soon'. Somehow, though, it all seems to be a long way off still. Maybe that's just as well.<br />
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<br />Art Vanderlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04622978416288170406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-60677048040087322412013-03-17T06:29:00.001+00:002013-03-17T06:33:24.659+00:00Omnishambles avertedTeam Grumpy has averted their first omnishambles of the 2013 season.<br />
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As usual, Team Grumpy's first 2-up scheduled in the season was the Port Talbot Wheelers '25'. Usually held in the first weekend in March, this year's event was a week or two later. This should have offered an opportunity for Grumpy Bob and 'Grumpy' Art Vanderlay to recoup some of the fitness lost through winter illness. Alas, this appeared something of a delusion, with both riders bitterly reporting lack of form. Recent weeks have seen dark mutterings of faked 'mechanicals' as a a means of saving face should the team under-perform.<br />
<br />
In the end, Team Grumpy evaded an omnishambles by the simple expedient of opting for a monoshambles. This took the form of a recurrence of Grumpy Bob's lower back pain to such a degree that riding (let alone racing) was judged completely impossible.<br />
<br />
Grumpy Bob did actually try racing a week ahead of the Port Talbot Wheelers event, but <a href="http://robertsaunders.org.uk/?p=2183&option=com_wordpress&Itemid=21"> this did not go well</a>.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-58217423074151266692013-03-06T11:38:00.002+00:002013-03-08T04:51:13.472+00:00Team Grumpy protests: "We never drank 'energy drink' while racing"Team Grumpy has noted that among the truly epic landslide of doping confessions (mostly from now-retired riders, we note), Michael Boogerd has finally come clean (<a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/boogerd-confesses-to-doping-in-television-interview" target="_blank">Boogerd confesses to doping in television interview - Cyclingnews.com</a>). Boogerd confesses to doping for a decade in the professional peloton. However, he does still seem quite delusional about what doping's for, as he's quoted as asserting he always rode the Tour de France clean:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Boogerd, now 40, said that he didn't use doping products while he was racing the Tour de France, instead - "It was in periods, usually periods of training in preparation for competitions. I have always ridden the Tour clean."
</blockquote>
So it's OK to dope in training and in preparation for an event, as long as you don't dope during the event. Oh well, that's clear. As mud.<br />
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All this brings to mind the Team Grumpy '<a href="http://www.leffe.com/en/magazine/frontpage" target="_blank">energy drink</a>' scenario. Team Grumpy can confidently assert that the riders have not consumed 'energy drink' while actually competing in 2-up time trials. The riders, however, are willing to confess to 'energy drink' consumption prior to and following competition. The Team Grumpy Manager is mostly concerned that pre- and post-competition 'energy drink' consumption is actually detrimental to performance, and that not putting 'energy drink' in the Team Grumpy bidons could be seen as performance-enhancing. Oh what a muddled and confused world we live in.<br />
<br />Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-339906369666472712013-02-22T14:26:00.002+00:002013-02-22T14:26:52.201+00:00Team Grumpy 'must pull themselves together'News reaches Team Grumpy HQ that the Chief of Luxembourg Cycling has told Radioshack-Leopard rider Andy Schleck he<i> must pull himself together</i> after a winter in which he<i> didn't work hard enough</i> (<a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/luxemburg-cycling-chief-andy-schleck-must-pull-himself-together" target="_blank">Luxemburg cycling chief: Andy Schleck must pull himself together</a> | CyclingNews.com).<br />
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By an astonishing coincidence both riders in Team Grumpy have likewise seen (albeit less unaccountable) loss of form during the off-season, and are expected to experience a serious<i> motivational speech</i> from the Team Manager when the team regroups for the annual embarrassment that is the first 2-up of the season. Both Grumpy Bob and 'Grumpy' Art Vanderlay have apparently been exchanging plaintive text messages in a vain attempt to explain their lack of early season form. In particular, they both claim to have been ill for what seems like an eternity. The Team Manager is expected to demand doctors' notes for both riders.<br />
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On the other hand, it may be worth noting Team grumpy Rule #1:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Remember to make your excuses before the race, not after. Otherwise it will just sound pathetic.</blockquote>
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<br />Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-30980400014176351972013-02-01T12:13:00.000+00:002013-02-01T12:13:27.485+00:00Aargh! Another Team Grumpy omnishambles to come?Team Grumpy has been neglecting this blog of late. Partly that because both riders have been astonishingly busy, but it's also because both riders have been laid low with what appears to be the same illness. Before anyone's tongues wag too fast, Team Grumpy would like to observe that both riders have been located at the opposite ends of the country since the TG omnishambles that was The 2012 Duo Normand.<br />
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For both 'Grumpy' Art and Grumpy Bob were afflicted by a ghastly feverish heavy cough that lasted about two weeks in Grumpy Bob's case, but a bit less for 'Grumpy' Art, who sought medical assistance. In any event, both suffered an extended period of post-viral fatigue that has kept TG from training for about 5 weeks.<br />
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With the now traditional first TG 2-up of the season looming in about 6 weeks time, it merely remains for TG to discover whether their form will bounce back or, more likely, grovel back. 'Grumpy' Art has already started making his excuses, thereby following Team Grumpy Rule #1 "<i>Remember to make your excuses before the race, not after. Otherwise it will just sound pathetic</i>" with extraordinary enthusiasm. He also made grim references to faking a mechanical in this year's Port Talbot Wheelers 2-up '25' (the event in question).Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-55417135634966825492012-10-04T13:32:00.000+01:002012-10-04T13:32:33.608+01:00Duo Normand omnishamblesWell, Team Grumpy didn't approach the 2012 edition of the Duo Normand time trial with great expectations, which was probably a good thing as their performance was somewhat lack-lustre. In large part Team Grumpy can blame problems with work-life balance causing problems with training, and of course Grumpy Bob had that crash while racing only a few weeks before the Duo.<br />
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To this can be added travel woes caused by the Brittany Ferries strike. But that's all a bit like contravening TG rule #1 (<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Remember to make your excuses </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.5px;">before</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"> the race, not after. Otherwise it will just sound pathetic.</span>) and Team Grumpy absolutely doesn't want to sound pathetic. Add to this Grumpy Bob bringing a spare rear wheel that lacked a cassette and 'Grumpy' Art's embarrassingly out-of whack rear mech (of which more later), and the team's preparation can be seen to lack attention. Readers might choose to have a look at the <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamGrumpy" target="_blank">TeamGrumpy twitter feed</a> for the weekend.<br />
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On the day, conditions were decidedly cool, but it was dry (in direct contrast to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9iYv_-LAhU&feature=plcp" target="_blank">2011 event</a>) and with only the lightest of breezes. So, ideal conditions.<br />
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Lining up near the start ramp, Team Grumpy was delighted to attract admiring glances from two lady riders. Opening conversation, it turned out they thought the TG bikes were pretty spiffy (not their actual word, you understand). Unfortunately for Team Grumpy's easily bruised masculine egos, when the observation was made that the bikes might be good but the engines were not, the ladies commented they were only interested in the bikes. Subdued by this conversation, Grumpy Bob and 'Grumpy' Art made their way to the start ramp.<br />
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And off they went. Narrowly avoiding a start ramp collision, and up the lane. Near the top, 'Grumpy' Art detected the stirrings of overdoing it, and the team successfully eased back momentarily. Before long the pace elevated and we began the usual task of reeling in earlier teams. For the most part the early km went well, will little interference from cars (though Grumpy Bob had to bellow at one car to get out of the way to let Team Grumpy).<br />
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Team Grumpy's pace slipped once the hilly sections started, and the riders were caught for four minutes by the Procycling team. 'Grumpy' Art's rear mech issues caused him to repeatedly drift off the back on some of the climbs, on the positive side, his usually craven approach to descents was absent and he made an excellent job of the famous 'ghoul corner' - the fast descent with a sharp left turn. The Team rounded the square into Marigny in good style. It would be nice to report that Team Grumpy cornered to tumultuous applause, but in all honesty it has to be said that our heroes were met with near complete indifference. Still, at least there was photographer there to capture us.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNZb9pNUh2cJyjt_1A9JFJbNDGTgu-Gtzj3ngg07UDMhlfwHIlV1WZ3wuCOBrJE1WV8WssTm4xVFjusHLaxDbUqkGt_VPLcO6LvqDnivKDdGS_lRfqwHai_IYD-i_tFANoCFXwgIEJj-S/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNZb9pNUh2cJyjt_1A9JFJbNDGTgu-Gtzj3ngg07UDMhlfwHIlV1WZ3wuCOBrJE1WV8WssTm4xVFjusHLaxDbUqkGt_VPLcO6LvqDnivKDdGS_lRfqwHai_IYD-i_tFANoCFXwgIEJj-S/s400/003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Grumpy pass through Marigny to the complete indifference of the less than enormous crowd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The final section of the course is a hairpin section of road. Here Grumpy Bob and 'Grumpy' Art seemed to alternate between exhaustion and second (and third and fourth...) wind. At times high speed was reached, at others merely a grovellingly low speed. Eventually Team Grumpy raced through the finish line, though 'Grumpy' Art made his final dash some metres before the <i>actual</i> finish line.<br />
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The result was 1:26:12, for 6th place in the Corporate category. This was Team Grumpy's slowest time in nine outings at the Duo Normand and quite disappointing. What was alarming was the official result sheet as first released, which had Team Grumpy in first place with 1:16:12. What made this alarming was the potential for embarrassment, since two teams had caught Team Grumpy. Perhaps it was our grumpy heroes' faulty French, but it took a surprisingly long time to persuade the organisers that their time needed 10 more minutes to be added on, but eventually a new results sheet was issued.
<iframe width='465' height='548' frameborder='0' src='http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/229787516'></iframe>Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-17008126336244163492012-09-29T19:58:00.001+01:002012-09-29T19:58:09.674+01:00Duo preparationJust prior to registering and signing on for this year's main event (the Duo Normand) we popped in to the supermarket in the host town - Marigny. Parked close to us in the car park was the team car for Orica-Greenedge (the favourites, Durbridge and Tuft ride for them).<br />
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Whilst Team Grumpy loaded up the car with Leffe beer, pizza and crisps we couldn't help but notice the pros doing likewise. Except they were loading their car with gallons of mineral water. Call themselves pros - they know nothing. What sort of excuse can they offer with preparation like that?Art Vanderlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04622978416288170406noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-45843500555324670702012-09-23T08:34:00.003+01:002012-09-23T08:34:19.041+01:00Duo Normand woesFollowing Grumpy Bob's '<a href="http://teamgrumpy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/oh-dear-aka-aaaargh.html">incident</a>' at the Icknield '10' the other week, he thought things could hardly have got worse for Team Grumpy's ride at the 2012 Duo Normand. After a few days off the bike, he's managed to get some training done, mostly on the turbo. Indeed, his shoulder is far more painful on the bike than on the turbo.<br />
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No, what's more worrying is the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19680871" target="_blank">Brittany Ferries strike</a>. 'Grumpy' Art has been holidaying in Normandy, with the plan of returning to the UK for a few days before returning for the Duo Normand in the guise of Team Grumpy. His return trip was badly affected by the Brittany Ferries strike and subsequent suspension of all Brittany Ferries services (involving two cancellations, then a mid-channel helicopter evacuation of a sick passenger).<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #474848; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.78333282470703px;">Following the series of strikes which has been disrupting our services, our Board has reluctantly taken the decision to tie up the fleet and to cancel all crossings with immediate effect, until further notice. The only route which will be unaffected is the Poole-Cherbourg passenger service which is operated on our behalf by Condor Ferries.</span></blockquote>
It appears that Brittany Ferries have an arrangement with P&O for Dover-Calais, but this is distinctly suboptimal for many UK riders who've entered the Duo Normand.<br />
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Team Grumpy is monitoring the situation somewhat anxiously. The lack of form has suddenly dropped a few notches lower in Team Grumpy's list of worry.<br />
<br />Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-67247212944398596092012-09-09T06:27:00.002+01:002012-09-09T06:27:59.460+01:00Oh dear! (a.k.a. Aaaargh!)With the 2012 edition of the Duo Normand only three weeks away, Team Grumpy riders have been putting the final touches on their training, to ensure they roll of the start ramp in peak condition.<br />
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Or they should have been.<br />
<br />
In fact both Grumpy Bob and 'Grumpy' Art have had their 2012 season beset by injury, illness and lack of time to commit to effective training. Grumpy Bob has felt the stirrings of some kind of form lately, but has continued to suffer misfortune, most recently at the hands of children arsing around on the F15/10 yesterday afternoon. This caused him to take a nasty 26 mph tumble along the tarmac.<br />
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Fortunately, no bones broken. But he's acquired a surprising level of abrasion and bruising. He hopes the bike is OK. His skinsuit and aero helmet were completely trashed in the crash.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-63295943975256404312012-07-07T21:21:00.002+01:002012-07-07T21:21:32.480+01:00TennisRumours 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.<br />
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Congratulations to Marray and Nielsen!Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-25250982453049405712012-06-14T05:41:00.001+01:002012-06-14T05:41:41.454+01:00The 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!<br />
<br />
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 <i>scintillating</i>.<br />
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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!Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-23453329126050613842012-06-07T11:04:00.000+01:002012-06-07T11:04:15.045+01:00Picking out the positivesNo, 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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?<br />
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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.<br />
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I guess, then, I have been able to pick out the positives after all.Art Vanderlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04622978416288170406noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355293153695438747.post-88732431805688064512012-04-29T06:53:00.000+01:002012-04-29T06:54:38.174+01:00Team MK 2-up - A classic Team Grumpy disasterApart 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?<br />
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Two p*****res, that's what. Grumpy Bob can merely refer the reader to the report over at <a href="http://robertsaunders.org.uk/?p=1872&option=com_wordpress&Itemid=21">Flies&Bikes</a>, 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.<br />
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Grumpy Bob has now ordered new tyres.Grumpy Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15703709656407662867noreply@blogger.com0