Nathan Evington

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.


Sunday, 8 June 2008

Wanted - second wind!

Well, clearly May did me no favours 'cos I feel like I've gone backwards form-wise... not only did I get next to bugger all proper training in through the second half of the month but I've also picked up this niggle on my knee which I haven't yet shaken. Fortunately I've managed to get out on the bike three times this week trying to make amends, but I'm almst a mile an hour down on pace compared to a month ago. Hey ho!

Anyway, a summary of the week:

Wednesday I was out at Ballater in the middle of the highlands - I managed to sneak out for an hour after work and get 17 miles in. I did a loop which went up a 200m climb - I thought it was going to be a real killer, but it turned out to be mainly drags with a series of very short steep bits, short enough to sprint up. Descent was cool though - I pulled skid number 2 for the season after getting caught by a massive change in gradient coming into a tight right-hander. I definitely won't be winning the race down the hills...

Thursday aftie I rode back from Ballater to Aberdeen, taking in a couple of long climbs (circa 3 miles each). Unfortunately they only average about 3.5%, but still they were could for getting settled into a climbing rhythm. 45 miles in total, 17.3mph. Despite the earlier forecast it turned out to be a head wind all the way back.

Sunday I've been out for a 79 miler. After a desperate slog home I managed to scrape in at 17 mph dead. Suppose this wasn't too bad as I'd picked the hardest hills I could find today. Route profiles below (click to enlarge). The main climbs are at 11 miles (1:9), 17 miles (1:12), 38 miles (Cairn O'Mount, 1:12 ave with 1:6 at the bottom and 1:7 at the top), 48 miles (~1:20) and 54 miles (1:9). There were 3 or 4 other 100' plus climbs including a 1:8, but all fairly short. I have to say that on the run in, other than the dodgy knee the leg muscles didn't feel too bad, but my arms and back were in agony from all the out the saddle climbing.

Today's first for the season was getting sunburned - proof indeed that even in Aberdeen the sun can shine. Clearly though it happens so rarely the thought of putting sun cream on never even occurred to me. Before you get too excited... it broke 18degC today, so hardly full on Alpine acclimatisation weather, but a welcome change from last weeks pouring rain none the less.

Next week I'm on call so might struggle to get a long ride in unless I can get someone to cover for me. Hopefully I should be able to Fri and get out for a bash then. The Sunday I'll probably go out for another 25m TT to see weather my form really has deserted me. I've been tweaking the bike position and the cleats today, and checking out stretching exercises, so hopefully the knee troubles will start to ease off...

Back in Hull/Tickton for the last Sat and Sun of the Month if anyone's around (esp. Sun) and fancies getting some miles in). We can also discuss tactics for keeping Dez the Bez at the front and under 15 mph when we get to France...

Better go 'cos the we'en has awoken and decided he wants to help me type... Cheerio,

Creakin' Col.
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1 comment:

Damian said...

2 things I don't understand in that post. 'Dez the Bez' and 'under 15mph'. Don't geddit?! ;-)

9 June 2008 at 08:41

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