peddlers v pedlars

Rolled out the front door Sunday morning to hear my mobile screaming that someone was calling me. Downed tools and answered it to find that Alex and Sandra had had their bikes taken. Someone had broken into the locked cupboard they use to store them (and pretty much the only people who knew where to find them are the neighbours) and made off through and over a variety of obstacles such as doors, gates and steps. Hmm lucky chance?

Anyway the real heartening moment was when Alex discovered one of the bikes for sale on a local website! A day later 4 police officers were cocking their guns (honestly! They wear polyester uniforms and carry revolvers, fucked up) and preparing for the sting. Weapons not needed as the thief/seller knew the game was up and his mates melted into the background. Later the guy folded when pressed and told them who he sold the other bike to. So one bike back the other hopefully not too far away. Incredible, never heard the likes before but couldn't have happened (the return not the theft) to nicer folk.

Funes, Pamplona and Monopoly..

time charges ever onward

Still really busy here, doubled the amount of private classes I'm doing in the run-up to Christmas which means a nice cash boost but a time drain compounded by a 5th weekend of business. Still not bought any presents, need to pack, need to take photos of bike kit to sell and the washing machine just died. On a positive note I was in a hospital here shadowing some ward rounds yesterday which was awesome if a little intense- listening to medical jargon in Spanish was pretty hard work. I've also just been set an interview date for St. Georges in January which is excellent but means doing my homework over the holidays. Not much else to say, went to Eric and Jamie's for a superb meal last night, got to do some shopping today, out to watch Barcelona play Real Madrid tonight, hopefully pedal in the morning, meet mates in the afternoon and write lesson plans in the evening. Still, it beats being bored all the time.

keep those pedals turning

Training tip #146

Aim for the 2nd steepest climb on your training route, make sure it's really cold and you get up at 5am to see your brother off to the airport, then just as your legs are about to give out and thoughts of walking are crossing your mind spot a random walker/flasher/drug dealer at the side of the trail. See how quickly you pedal now? That's your breakfast burning in your throat by the way.

Training tip #147

As you succumb to fatigue on the steepest climb of your route and push the last few metres look out for the incoming labrador, legs splayed as they each fight to be the first on the ground, tongue lolling around wildly, is that froth in the corner of it's mouth? No time to think about it as it bounds up on you in a playful but bitey sort of way. The owner finally emerges and emabarrased, calls the dog back. Does he put her on a lead? Of course not, watch how it does an impression of a boomerang and comes charging back towards you for another bite of that skinny cyclists arm. See how quickly you pedal off to find the next random walker/flasher/drug dealer?

almost finished

Got my new xt brakes over courtesy of Andy Deliveries Inc. and first impressions are good, great lever and more modulation than the lxs. Bolt thru is also pretty awesome, tracks much better through rough stuff though really needs to go to Innerleithen to get a proper workout. It's had a few incarnations but the ferrous is pretty close to being pretty much 'finished' or as finished as bikes ever get. All that's left is to try out the layback post and either go with that or stick with the inline, not a bad position to be in..

Andy and Julie's visit

At the Bernabeu



In the Real Madrid dugout


Andy and Julie pose outside the palace

the wedding