SIngletrack Weekender

Evening all, this is my first attempt at a blog. It's Matt hi-jacking the world famous Marmalades blogspot.
Today I did the first part of Shimano/Singletrack weekender. Unfortunatley the day didn't get off to an auspicious start mith my Cannondale having a rather large 'FAIL' (as the kids would say these days)

Luckily this happened before any racing as you can't swap bikes half way through you have to do 3 disciplines Trials, Downhil (today) and Cross Country (tomorrow) all on the same bike.

Luckily I have a very beautiful and understanding girlfriend who lent me her bike (with pink brakes) and I cleared all the trials sections and came 10th in the Downhill. This means I'll be on the front row for the cross country tomorrow with no time penalties! Look out for the 6ft guy on a girls bike which is too small for him. I have been compared to a performing monkey on a minature bike. Thankyou.

Woo hoo.. new beds have arrived at marmalades, it now means that we can cater better for larger groups (particularly lads who don't want to share a double!)

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And here are a few other pics of Marmalades...







1st attemp at the whole Tri thing

So I finally did it, after years of excuses and putting off I finally did it my 1st Tri. I don’t think I could have picked a better one either...

Rossendale Tri club has fantastic training sessions and the regular Run and Swim nights gave me the support advice and motivation I needed to build up the courage and confidence to enter.

We has guests staying with us the night before, Magi and Adrian (relations of one of our neighbours)and I was totally bowled over when they along with some other family member turned up at Marl Pits to cheer me along. I was given plenty of advice before the event...

On the day I tried to take my time on the swim, I hadn’t managed to time myself properly and guessed it would take me around 8 Mins, I had managed to do the cycle route in and usually did that in about 47 mins, the run was always going to be my weakest discipline and I guest from the training sessions I could do it in 25 mins, but that wasn’t taking into consideration the swim and bike before.

.My times on the day were 7.01 for the swim, 52 and a bit for the bike, a horrible head wind and a bad car accident on route added a bit to this... and the run was a leisurely 28 mins which is a bit pants but at least its embarrassed me into going out running more than I did! I thought I’d never say this but I am starting to enjoy the running now!

Champagne, Cup Cakes and Pizza... Oh and Pilates

So we ate too much and we definitely drank too much! But I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

The night out started of very glam all 16 of us wearing LBDs no honestly here is the evidence.

And ended up as all nights out should eating chips and gravy out of a polystyrene tray on the step of the mini bus. Andy our driver was a superstar with the patience of a saint,thanks to olympic travel for the excellent service and putting up with a bus full of very drunk very loud ladies, they even waited for us while we finished our chips and burgers.

Next morning it was the 1st surprise for the Hen...

Here she is blind folded just before her indoor sky dive, which looked awesome but I must admit my hangover kicked in just as we arrived, so I was glad it was just Sarah.

When we got back Marmalades we had a massive Tea Party with an obscene amount of Sandwiches Champagne and homemade cake. Here is Sarah with her princess dress and crown on I think it’s a look that she should work more often.

Sunday morning was a chance to work off all the excess of the last few days with a short run and a beautiful outdoor Pilates class.

Thank you Sarah for choosing Marmalades for you Henwend and thank you ladies for making it a memorable weekend for Sarah. Sorry for missing out some details but something’s have to remain secret... Remember what plays away stays away ladies!!!

Hen Weekend

The countdown is on; the big weekend is nearly upon us! NO NOT THE ROYAL WEDDING. It’s my 1st attempt at hosting a Hen Weekend or Henwend. 16 beautiful ladies will be descending on Marmalades on Friday then it’s a night out in Manchester with LBD as the theme.

Saturday night is a complete chill out with either a relaxed BBQ or a monster Pizza night, the house is going to be a bloke free zone for the whole weekend... Watch this space for photographic evidence.

Which way Lee or Cragg Quarry

Since I am commuting a lot less now it’s freed up some time that I have filled with MTBing!!! swimming and my nemesis running.
From the front door it’s a killer climb up to Cragg quarry and after a couple of laps round there I was off too Lee quarry to get some practice in at riding up steps and off drop offs, after the amount of road riding I had been doing its was much needed.



Ahh sunny evenings with no midgies.

100 best uk road climbs

Just came across this link to Google maps which marks the 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs in the UK, there is a book that you can get more details from; 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs: A Road Cyclist's Guide to Britain's Hills - Paperback (3 Jun 2010) by Simon Warren. I can even do one on my commute home (Rammy Rake).