Too cold to dig

Popped round this morning for an hour whilst Kelly was at her Grandmothers, too cold to dig anything though as the frost in the ground was a good inch deep, so a quick tidy up in the shed and put the remaining canes up (need some more) and I was done.

This gave me some thinking time to walk the plot and decided where things could go, I have some dead space by the side of the shed so have decided that I will move the compost heap next to the shed, this will free up enough room to get a 5th large bed on the plot, even if I don't use it at least it will enable me to give each bed a year off.

Pottering......

Spent an hour or so pottering about getting little jobs done today after yesterdays digging efforts. The greenhouse is now ready to grow, tomato rack is in and the staging is complete, also got some canes attached to the bean frame, needs a few more though....

Got all my seed potato's now, 1st early, 2nd and main crop ready to sow in March into April for a good spread of crop. They are hanging in the sacks in the light in the shed, I've nowhere at home to chit them and dont want to leave them on a ledge in the shed incase the mice take a fancy to them, so they'll just have to chit in suspension :)

Greenhouse ready to grow

Canes going up

Potato's 'chitting'

Half Way There!

Finally finished the second large veg bed, seems to have taken an age what with a greenhouse going up and the bad weather to contend with but it's done now :) That marks the half way point on the digging and getting the beds ready for spring.

2 veg beds down.....2 to go

Shed/Tea room

So two more large beds to dig over, the next one won't be too bad but the last could well prove to be hard work as most of does not seem to have been dug over for quite some time.

It was nice to get out and do some gardening with the sun on my back, it's been a tough winter so far with another cold spell predicted, at least the freshly turned soil may get a good frost or two into it.

Also transplanted some Horseradish from the garden at home along with a large Rhubarb crown which was split before planting on plot 71, can't wait to harvest and 'crumble' that!

Tuesday 26th January *Road*

Made the mistake today of not having a break half way round and suffered in the last 10 miles home, should have stopped especially seeing as I'm out of shape and practice, but still I made it round and got some miles under my belt. Took a variation of the usual Repton route, taking in Belton and Newton Solney as the outer points of the route.

View Route on Bikely

Distance = 48.2 miles
Time = 3 hrs 15 mins
Ave Speed = 14.8 mph
Top Speed = 34.5 mph
Hillometer = 33.2 ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 181
Heart Rate Ave = 144
Weather = Overcast, 2c

2010
MTB = 12.7
Road Bike = 84.6
Total Mileage = 97.3

Back to work on Plot 71

Well after the Christmas break and then the snow and ice I though it was time I got back to work on plot 71. Picked some gravel up for the greenhouse on the way and after warming up the gas canister had a brew in the shed :)

Greenhouse interior gravelled and waitng for staging to be erected

Did some digging for the first time since the hard frosts and even on the compacted unturned soil jack frost had done his work, the soil was breaking up really nicely, looks good stuff too, cant wait to get planting some stuff in it.

Got to start thinking and planning what I am going to grow in my first season on plot 71, early potatoes need sourcing and seeds to start of in the greenhouse......exciting times ahead.

Moving along steadily

c2c date set at last

After much messing around and re arranging due to other peoples (work) commitments we (Dad & I) have finally got a date set for our coast 2 coast ride.

12th July 2010 will be the first of 2 days on this ride, although the ride is over 2 days I aim to complete it within 16 hours riding time, we will head up north on Sunday (11th) afternoon and return on the evening of Tuesday (13th).

I have set up a just giving page which can be found here please go along and donate if you can.

I will of course be blogging further updates as the training plan commences.

First club ride in a while *Road*

I've not been out any where near as much as I should have been over winter so was looking forward to this club ride.

Looked out the windows this morning to see ice..... shit, not what I wanted to see. With plenty of layers on I nervously took to the road. Met 3 Steve's, Ian, Paul and Frenchie and headed of to pick Charlie up.

First hill of the day nearly did for me to be honest, too much food on my Birthday meal last night and it felt like it wanted to see daylight again, so I continued gingerly, after about 10 minutes I felt fine again and the next couple of hills caused me no bother at all. Unfortunately we manged to loose 1 Steve & consiquently lost Paul who went to find Steve, not a great thing to do!!

So at the half way point of the ride we about turned and headed home. Apart from the embarrasing loss of two riders it was a nice ride out and nice to get out with the club again.

Got to say as well, I'm very impressed with my club shirt and winter jacket, kept me nice and snug and kept the wind out :)

Distance = 36.4 miles
Time = 2 hrs 36 mins
Ave Speed = 13.2 mph
Top Speed = 34.2 mph
Hillometer = ? ft/mile
Heart Rate High = 196
Heart Rate Ave = 138
Weather = Overcast with sunny spells 2c

2010
MTB = 12.7
Road Bike = 36.4
Total Mileage = 49.1

Snow Pics

Called in to check up on things in the snow.

Icicles on the shed

Plot 71

Around the allotment

Around the allotment

Team Sky Launch Ride

As you are aware I won a ride with Team Sky at their Launch today in London, it was all cloak and dagger stuff, go to the center of London and wait for a text message at 07:30, the time came and I got my message, "Jubilee Gardens by the Millenium Wheel" too good to be true I'm thinking at this time, this must be the 'elite' group containing Wiggo, 3 groups would ride to one point, the wheel HAD to be the elite group surely. I was in Hyde Park so it was only a 10 minute ride to the wheel via her maj's gaff.

Whilst waiting at the wheel I noticed Mr Brailsford was present, this has to be Wiggo's group. Then the Sky Sports team and cameras arrive just as us lucky ones are registering on to the ride, come 08:30 and the pro's start to arrive, Geraint Thomas first accompanied by Serge Pauwels, Kjell Carlstrom and someone who's name escapes me, where was he? As Sky interview Thomas and I lurke in the background Mr Wiggins arrives, yes we did get the plum group, again I lurke as Wiggo is interviewed for Sky and we are told we will ride to The Mall via a short circuit through the City.

Once at the Mall where all three rides joined up we did 3 laps of St James park riding up The Mall each time, then on to the promotion tents for the freebies. The official presentation was not until Midday and I needed to get back, but I done what I wanted to do, I rode with Brad Wiggins and Geraint Thomas!! What an experience, thanks to Team Sky for letting me be there.

Logged it as it's my first ride of the year....

Distance = 12.7 miles
Time = ? mins
Ave Speed = 10.4 mph
Top Speed = 23.4 mph
Hillometer = ? ft/mile
Weather = Sunny -4c

2010
MTB = 12.7
Road Bike = 0
Total Mileage = 12.7

Heart Rate High = ?
Heart Rate Ave = ?
Calorie's Burnt = ?
Fat Burn = ?

Off Season

I've not blogged since October and to be honest I've not riden much either, I took on an allotment recently and my time has been spent turning a run down patch of earth into a workable plot, now my work is nearly done there I can get back on the bike again.

Monday I am heading for London with my bike as I was lucky enough to win a ride with Team Sky at their launch in the big smoke, pics and news of that to follow soon.