The Ordeal

The Ordeal

 

Cycling can be a buzz, a strain, exhausting, uplifting or character building.  Sometimes it is an ordeal. 

Sometimes, it is a series of ordeals.....

 

Bob White (better known as his stage persona Ralph Merry) and I had decided that some mountain biking through Sherwood Forest was long overdue.  The first challenge for me was getting up, after being locked in the Local until 2.15 I seriously wanted several more hours in bed, but adventure called. Ralph and I both set off from home agreeing to meet at 10.00am, little knowing the ordeals that lurked ahead. 

 

Ordeal by waiting in the wrong place

 

After cycling round in circles for 10 minutes trying to keep warm we rang one another and discovered we were both there on time but in the wrong place.  At least one of us was in the wrong place.  The lesson is, that agreeing to meet on the corner it is best to absolutely nail down which corner.  Reunited, we pressed on to a tea stop at Sherwood Pines.

 

Ordeal by puncture

 

OK maybe not so much an ordeal as an occupational hazard but a frustration nevertheless when we were flying merrily through the woods, and especially once I discovered I had come without a pump. Fortunately Ralph was better equipped, and we both had fun trying to read its miniscule pressure gauge. 

Back in working order, we pressed on enjoyably through the forest into Clumber Park for a lunch stop at the Christmas bbq. Leaving Clumber behind we picked up a bridle path pleasantly across country towards Walesby.  After a road crossing the track dropped downhill and there were flooded patches which had to be carefully negotiated, until we came to a serious flooded obstacle.... 

 

Ordeal by water

 

After some careful examination of the best place to cross Ralph shouldered his bike and leapt through with dry feet.  I decided it could be ridden, but mid way through the front wheel came to a dead stop deep in mud.  I sprang off the bike, but to my considerable surprise there was no firm ground, just a seemingly bottomless trench filled with icy water.  I managed to stop about chest deep so didn’t completely vanish from view, but getting out proved something of a challenge. 

Although I had committed the cardinal sin of coming without a pump, I was equipped with a spare top and gloves so it was a quick change of the upper half, giving thanks once again for my Dad’s trusty waterproof underpants, left over from his days in the submarine service.

Waterproof top and spare gloves on, and then ride like mad to warm up.  Fortunately the day was not sub-zero but I did take the precaution of describing to Ralph, in a casual manner, the symptoms of immersion hypothermia should I suddenly come irrational, or at least more so than usual.  So we pressed on with all speed into some woodland and a picturesque wooden bridge until....

 

Ordeal by Lake

 

The track became increasingly flooded and rounding a corner we discovered it vanished from sight under the water.  Nothing for it, but to shoulder the bike and wade.  Ralph helpfully remind me that I was already soaked and should therefore go in front.

There was little clue to where the track might be but we pressed on until we were standing in the middle of a lake with no obvious route forward.  To our left the lake was full of bare, lifeless trees like something from Paschendaele. To our right, dense swamp like undergrowth of the sort beloved of the jolly country people in “Deliverance”.   Would we be adding “Ordeal by squealing like a piggy” to our adventures today I wondered. 

We waded on, and were eventually rewarded with the sight of the track emerging from the lake at the far side with even better a reassuring yellow way marker.  A short but rough uphill section generated some warmth when....

 

Ordeal by another puncture

 

This time it was a pretty hurried change but all went well.  At Walesby we were back on to tarmac and turned for home.

 

Ordeal by hill

 

We toiled up Nickerbush hill which I welcomed because it warmed me up, but my legs were feeling the distance by this point and I became irrationally cross at the pond weed hanging from my handlebars. 

Finally, back home, survived! ‘Fin always has plenty of spare gear’ they say. Well they’re not laughing now.

 

 

Fin

Like us on Facebook for a chance to win a £20 M&S voucher!

Winner Best Surveyor / Valuer - Mortgage Strategy Awards 2012 | 2nd Place - "Management Collaboration" category - MPF European Leadership Awards 2012 | CCR Credit Excellence Awards 2011 | Best Company "One to Watch" 2011 | Finalist at the MPF European Practice Management Awards for Risk Management 2010

This email is confidential and intended solely for the addressee and others authorised to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken in reliance on the contents of this email is prohibited. Any view or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of e.surv Ltd

e.surv Ltd. Registered No. 2264161.

Registered in England at:
Lahnstein House, Gold Street, Kettering. NN16 8AP UK

New fellrunning boy band

At last, the identity of the new Fell Running boy band can be revealed

 

 

Like us on Facebook for a chance to win a £20 M&S voucher!

Winner Best Surveyor / Valuer - Mortgage Strategy Awards 2012 | 2nd Place - "Management Collaboration" category - MPF European Leadership Awards 2012 | CCR Credit Excellence Awards 2011 | Best Company "One to Watch" 2011 | Finalist at the MPF European Practice Management Awards for Risk Management 2010

This email is confidential and intended solely for the addressee and others authorised to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken in reliance on the contents of this email is prohibited. Any view or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of e.surv Ltd

e.surv Ltd. Registered No. 2264161.

Registered in England at:
Lahnstein House, Gold Street, Kettering. NN16 8AP UK

e.surv – Yorkshire Three Peaks 29^th September

A group of e.surv employees decided to walk the Yorks 3 Peaks, as a fund raiser on behalf of “Jamie’s Match Ball” in memory of Jamie Marcus, the son of one of our Regional Managers. I was roped in as guide, and this is the rather florid account I put together for the company Extranet. It was an 11 hour epic, and I had to drag one or 2 of them round, but overall it was a brilliant day. The great thing for me was seeing the reaction of people who hadn’t really been far into the hills before, totally blown away by the environment and their achievement.

So it was, that at 6.30am on Saturday 29^th September, Team e.surv stepped out into the windswept darkness of the Yorkshire Dales, with many miles and many thousands of feet of climbing ahead of them. 

The team consisted of Karen Hailes, Rose Poulter, Jennifer Chambers, Bridget Charlton, Gary Dawson, Adam Griffin and Steve Hall, with Steve Rayers as support, coach, shopper, and masseur.

The route links the three prominent peaks of the Yorkshire Dales: Pen Y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough,  covering 23.5 miles and involving 5200 feet of ascent, which is a mile up - and back down again.

The decision was made to start at Ribblehead, so the long steady climb of Whernside would be a good warm up for the day. It grew light as we followed the path up hill, leaving behind the iconic Ribblehead viaduct, and the creepy isolated house on the edge of Blea Moor, with sinister dolls peering out of the windows.

Strong winds and occasional rain meant that waterproofs stayed on most of the day.  The fast moving clouds, showers and sunny intervals meant the views were dramatic and constantly changing.  We reached the top of Whernside ahead of schedule and were rewarded with amazing views as the clouds rolled back producing shafts of sunlight into the valley.  Downhill to our first roadside checkpoint and refuelling stop after 3 hours, at the Hill Inn. Next, across the moor and a much steeper climb onto Ingleborough.  Here the distance and ascent began to really tell for the first time. 

On top the wind was fierce, and we clung onto the trig point for a team photo before a brisk descent followed by a long trek across the moor towards Horton in Ribblesdale and refuelling stop 2.  On the way Steve Hall explained the ecology of the limestone pavement, unique to the Yorkshire Dales, then finding a ruined barn gave a detailed talk on solid stone construction techniques.  The team were fascinated, and explained that they only fell asleep due to the very early start. 

Fail to prepare – prepare to fail: it is important to mention here some things forgotten by team members which could so easily have lead to disaster.  Bridget, in many ways an experienced mountaineer, turned up having forgotten her waterproof.  Being an HR professional she proposed to obtain one from the back of someone’s chair in the pub, but was saved by Jennifer having brought a spare. At £4.50 from Primark [NB. e.surv wish to point out there are a number of other budget retailers available] it was by far the cheapest waterproof in use that day, but did its job admirably well.  

Karen Hailes had forgotten a towel and there was much debate about how she would cope with a post expedition shower: should she run around the car park until dry, use toilet roll, a square of carpet or old newspapers; but in the end it was decided that the team’s Mr Fixit Steve Rayers should go and buy her a towel.   In a mountainous National Park this proved easier said than done, and Bridget’s advice to “visit a washing line” proved tricky in broad daylight.

The refuelling stop in Horton involved rather more sitting down, rubbing on of liniment, adjusting footwear and the odd application of blister plasters. Then it was time for Pen Y Ghent, literally onwards and upwards: a long steep climb up with some exposed rocky sections before the summit, that needed hands and feet. This proved quite testing in the strong winds and wet conditions, with a lot of miles in the legs.

Finally the last summit had been reached and we gratefully dropped down out of the wind. Waterproofs came off and we descended into a low, bright sun, picking out Ingleborough and Whernside in the far distance -  we’d come a mighty long way since 6.30 that morning.

At last.... the finish. We could sit down, ease off the boots, drink gallons of tea and eat a huge slab of cake. The aches and pains could be enjoyed as they were well earned. Back to the bunkhouse to shower & change:  Karen’s towel ‘got her mostly dry’ - as it was brand new it wasn’t totally effective. She pointed out that Steve could at least have stopped off at a laundrette to wash it.

Then it was time to wake Roy up (easier said than done) and head off to the pub to celebrate and to drink many a grateful toast: to Lex for their generous supply of transport; to Karen for setting up the sponsorship arrangements; to the company for its indispensible support from the very start of the idea and for the generous sponsorship following ‘e.surv in the Park’; to Steve Rayers for giving up his weekend to be our absolutely crucial driver and supporter; and to all our generous sponsors for the funding that kept minds focussed when it hurt.

The last word can go to Gary Dawson: ‘it’s not just the location that makes the trip, it’s the people - and it was a great bunch’. It was indeed. Details of the next team e.surv expedition will follow soon!

Steve Hall

Vitruvian Middle Distance Triathlon 2012

As usual for these early morning events, a good nights sleeps almost impossible. Have you got all your kit ready? Did you pack your goggles? How many gels should I use? When should I set off? etc….

Swim Start (Courtesy of Louise Hyde)

I could have set off at 4am, but I didn't, I left it until later, and the A1 was shut, and the mist came down, and I didn't have a map, and I got lost, so I finally got to Whitwell at 6am, just as the transition area was mean't to close. Fortunately, I wasn't the only one to fall foul of the A1 closure.

Once the rush was over, and the race talk began, I began to relax and compose myself. Even leaving my start gels in the car didn't phase me, who cares, I'll be fine.

As the sun rose, and the fast boys started, and the wetsuit was donned, it began to get exciting.Here we go, the race that I had been airing for all season. Having run a marathon, done a few bike sportives, got the Dambusters Olympic Tri under my belt, and a few 10miles time trials finished, here was the big one. The first Middle Distance Triathlon. Was I ready, course I bloody well was. A brief chat with Gerry and Bob, both having recent injuries, allowed me to hope for the best. I was confident that they Vitruvian wouldn't beat them.

I learn't from the Dambusters and took it easy at the start of the swim, I got kicked in the face in that one, and scratched my cornea, which nearly spoilt my race, so I stayed at the side and found my space, and soon got into a rhythm in a lovely 18C temperature. It was 2 laps of 950m, and the first lap took me 22 minutes, I had a touch of cramp in the water near the beginning, so I was a little concerned, but it didn't return until near the end, of the second lap, so I was fine. It took me 47 minutes in the end, which was a little over the 45 minutes I was expecting, but I was through it without any major incidents. 

Bob bike (Courtesy of Bob White)

My T1 was straight forward, apart from a bit of cramp again taking off my wetsuit, and I was soon off on my bike. I expected it to be a little chilly at just before 8am in the morning, but actually once you were going, it was okay. My plan was to take it easy on the first 26 mile lap, and then see how I felt. Starting out west was a little slow, and very difficult to keep away from other competitors. ( Drafting rules were in force, so you had to be 10m away for the bike in front otherwise you would risk a penalty, which was mostly impossible as there were 1000 competitors). However on the Eastern stretch, the wind was behind, and the speed started to increase, and at some points I was reaching 30mph. I must say that I was cycling with Gerry (but not drafting), who was out of the water at a similar time, and I think we were keeping each other going. The first lap took 1hr 17mins (3 minutes quicker than my Dambuster's bike time), so I was astonished really, but kept going with the pace. It was a lovely sunny day by now, and a pleasure to be out on the bike, so the miles went quickly, and we ended up doing a very presentable 2hr 29 minutes bike, on the 52 mile course. I was so happy, and quickly trying to calculate my half marathon time, to work out my projected time. I figured I could do less than 6 hours, and possibly near the 5hr 30min mark, but my unexpected bike time allowed me to rethink this. 

T2 was pretty straight forward, and I was soon out on the run, a little stiff, but I knew what to expect, just build it up slowly, get into the run pace that you are comfortable in, and keep going. It was nice to see the support of a few friendly faces at the start. It was getting warmer, but the water stations were frequent, and a quick cup of water over the head was enough to cool the core down. The first lap was over, and I started to feel the blisters forming on my toes. I could only put it down to wet socks off the bike, as I had never suffered before. Well, as we know pain is only a temporary thing, and you put it to the back somewhere for sometime afterwards.

Mark run (Courtesy of Louise Hyde)

The second lap was a bit warmer, and a bit slower, and it was so nice to finally cross the finishing line to the tones of the microphone saying "You are now a Vitruvian Man", it was nice to know that… and I got to the end and thought…Mmmm maybe next year.

Mark & Gerry Finish (Courtesy of Louise Hyde)

Mark time 5:06:02
Gerry time 5:03:20
Bob H time 06:26:19 ( after being injured and not running for months)

Written by Mark

Another Day at The Edge of the World.

 

Having dropped Stevie off at her mate’s in Congleton, on their way to Italy, I took the opportunity of a run around Macclesfield Forest on the far west of the Peak District. The area known as ‘Staffordshire moorlands’ has a uniquely wild and remote feel. It repays the extra time to drive from our side of the Peak.

 

For some strange reason I parked at the Cat & Fiddle, which was bleak in the extreme, with cold & driving rain. Having just come back from holiday in Turkey I was eager to get back out in the hills, but after 10 days at 40° C, wind, rain and 9° C was a bit of a shock.

 

I headed south from the Cat, passing groups of DoE hikers laden with dripping packs, and dropped down past Cumberland cottage, then up over the modest but elegant top of Shutlingsloe. On the summit I met two guys who needed directions back to their car at Clough House, and were about to set off in the opposite direction. They had been following a book of ‘Peak district walks’ but had lost it somewhere along the way, and had no concept of their location at all. Having pointed them in the right direction I carried on, glad to drop down out of the worst of the wind, and a while later found their guidebook and case beside the track.

 

I cut through the woods to Macclesfield Forest Chapel, a hamlet with the ancient and splendidly simple Chapel, used for some scenes in ‘League of Gentlemen’. Further on through the woods then down to the reservoir at Langley and a steep climb up to Tegg’s Nose. Here there is a fascinating partly restored stone quarry, but also this rocky hilltop forms the very edge of the Peak and there are unbeatable views across the Cheshire plain: at least sometimes. Last time I visited, walking with Jill, we were above a cloud inversion, creating spectacular views over an unbroken sea of white, which felt like the very edge of the world.

 

This time I looked out through the driving rain to an impenetrable wall of grey. Somewhere out there was Cheshire, Jodrell bank, eventually North Wales and Snowdonia. Maybe next time, or maybe this actually is the edge of the world.

 

I dropped back down into the valley and climbed up to the forest edge. Turning east into the wind along Charity Lane I was getting uncomfortably cold, and had to stop to put on an extra layer and warmer hat. My hands were cold but I looked at my gloves and thought, this is July, they are staying in the bag.

 

Heading back through ‘Bottom of the Oven’ I climbed back up to Buxton Road following a pleasant steep sided valley.  Finally back to the car and drove somewhere more sheltered, to get changed and head back to civilization.

 

Finn

 

 

Like us on Facebook for a chance to win a £20 M&S voucher!

Winner Best Surveyor / Valuer - Mortgage Strategy Awards 2012 | 2nd Place - "Management Collaboration" category - MPF European Leadership Awards 2012 | CCR Credit Excellence Awards 2011 | Best Company "One to Watch" 2011 | Finalist at the MPF European Practice Management Awards for Risk Management 2010

This email is confidential and intended solely for the addressee and others authorised to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken in reliance on the contents of this email is prohibited. Any view or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of e.surv Ltd

e.surv Ltd. Registered No. 2264161.

Registered in England at:
Lahnstein House, Gold Street, Kettering. NN16 8AP UK

First time trial with Witham Wheelers

Endomondo Cycling Workout: was out cycling 11.98 miles in 34m:16s using Endomondo.

Wasdale 2012

Wasdale wasn't any easier second time round, but I managed to knock 30 minutes of my previous time and finish in 6.01 - 95th out of 144 starters. It was mostly clear all of the way round, not too warm (apart from the climbs) and mainly dry underfoot. I was going really well until Gable and then the wheels started to come off. I found the climb to the summit hard and felt like I was running on empty from Styhead only managing a steady walk to the summit of Scafell Pike and even though its all down hill from there to the finish the legs just wouldn't let me go that quick. Reflecting on my performance at the finish I don't think I ate or drank enough. I had plenty of gels and energy bars and a bladder full of energy drink. However I didn't fancy any of these and therefore wasn't taking on any fuel. I reckon I would have been better with some jam sandwiches, pork pie, nuts and raisins and just plain water. You live and learn and it means I'll have to have another go to test the theory.   The blurb on the back of the race map talks about Wasdale being the hardest race in the calendar and I'd probably agree. It's been along time since I've struggled walking up and down stairs after a race, but it sure beats a day shopping! Richard