Well... I'm delighted to tell you all that I didn't buy a new bike, which didn't get delivered last Friday, so as not to replace the trusty stallion I've been letting gather dust in the garage since my 18th Birthday a mere 15 years ago... I was rubbish on it then... I was marginally better when I last hit the Alps 8 years ago and then I cracked on an 80 miler over two mountains; I'm hoping the 7 pounds that theoretically I won't be carrying is miraculously going to allow me to double the distance and treble the climbing with only half the training!
Anyway, new bike or old bike, the wind blew from the North at the weekend which is the wrong direction... feels like a head wind all day... a nice westerly at least gives a back wind home! This week's route took in the usual hills in the first 35 miles and then had some nasty long drags for the next 20 as I crossed Deeside, before I finally caught a bit of a back wind for the last 20 in to Aberdeen. 75miles in total, 16.5 mph, bed ridden since... Am guessing, but I think I was the only one of us nestled in between snow capped mountains this weekend, so now I know what it's like to see mountains looming on the horizon... So if imagining how painful it'll be counts then I must definately be stealing an edge! I managed not to hit the wall which I did last time I did 70 thanks to a pocket full of GO gels and an extra bottle of supercharged PSP.
Started biking to work last week as an excuse not to have to do any more nasty turbo training. Only 6 miles each way which is not a bad distance for a bit of big ring action! It's tying my thighs in knots - no idea whether it helps or is just doing me in before the weekend...
Well, better get off - need to start circulating the just giving page so we can try and get some pound rolling in for the worthy cause. More news from the Northern front later in the week.
Tatty bye. SS.
Nathan Evington
28/02/77 - 03/11/07
About Nathan
Nathan, was a big chap in more ways than one. He was always to be found at the centre of the action, telling it exactly as it was – loudly!
In fact, Nathan was in such a hurry to make his impact on the world, he arrived on a cold February morning 8 weeks early. He was so premature that he spent his first month in hospital, and at the time was one of the youngest babies in Hedon Road hospital to survive!
Cycling played a huge part in Nathan’s life. He loved the film American Flyers and watched it many times. In it, there is a scene where the main character does the "torture test" which involved running on a treadmill for as long as possible before ending the test by hitting the "chicken" switch. After Nathan’s diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in 2004, he was actually quite excited to discover that he would be required to do his own "torture test" and spent a good deal of time psyching himself up for a good performance. In fact, he was so determined that it was ultimately the doctor, his Mum and the technician who had to drag him off, as Nathan refused to give in himself.
Cycling also revealed Nathan’s talent for remembering facts and figures. He was our very own walking cycling encyclopaedia. He loved to test his friends and show off his knowledge, and he was always the person you would want on your pub quiz team.
Nathan was determined to live life to the full, and unbeknown to his Mum he began playing in a football team a few years ago. The cat was out of the bag when a new football trophy took pride of place on the mantelpiece one evening. Nathan was very proud of himself and his team-mates, although I am reliably informed that Nathan was valued more for his enthusiastic participation, rather than his football talents – which led to his shots on goal just missing the target – 100% of the time!
Nathan was the life and soul of any party and loved to dance. He would always take to the dance floor first, and was quite happy to dance alone. However, his infectious enthusiasm always encouraged others to join him.
Nathan was a kind man, and always generous to a fault – on the benefit of his Mum and brother. He had a very special sense of humour – one he shared with his brother – and left his mark on everyone he met.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
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