HML assessment: day 2.

Posted on 29th Mar 2016 by essiep

6°C, some sun to begin, snow after lunch turning heavy.

I’m starting to enjoy myself now. My leads were ‘spot on’. Again, a couple of errors crept in while following. The Assessor thought my geology presentation was ‘enjoyable’. On the walk in, there was a fine piece of cut slate near a working quarry. On close inspection, it was peppered with iron pyrites. A nice piece.
Sunshine to start, later there were small hail stones pinging off our packs. In the last hour, snow fell. That reduced visibility as much as fog does, the grip is less too.
I have the feeling that when folks back at work ask what
I did go my holiday, they’re not going to be all that jealous.

Tonight is night walk. More micro-navigation but after dark. This rain should just about finish for an hour. I hope for no more snow, head-torches can work against you with bright reflections from larger flakes.
I can sense the possibility that I may just pass this.

Night walk…

Continue reading →

Hill and Moorland Assessment:1

Posted on 28th Mar 2016 by essiep

6°C, grey start with brisk W,
In a double room with a stranger, his name is Dave and he seems okay. I felt a little more than awkward. Kate last evening,
I introduced myself to two others in the bar. On their table saw their copy of the green book ‘Hillwalking’.
Meeting them did reduce my nerves somewhat.

Continue reading →

Climbing wall 2

Posted on 24th Mar 2016 by essiep

6°C, some light rain,
Second climbing wall session with Carl. Consolidated last week’s techniques. We need to climb above 4+ for the In Pinn. We did climbs with overhang, with ledges and corners.
The best we did was 6b, the 6a defeated us both.
If my hands were stronger, I could sustain the holds while different options are tried. Or, if I had more skill, I wouldn’t need stronger hands.
Either way, we didn’t beat the 6a

First bumbus.

Posted on 20th Mar 2016 by essiep

I rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 49.63mi, time: 03:17:30, pace: 3:59min/mi, speed: 15.08mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1393579517

Perfect conditions for a spring ride. Both Dalton and Bannister hill were crested comfortably. The latter, slightly less so than last week. The rest of the day was at a decent pace.
With these light winds, a taller hear would work. Note to self: swap with summer wheels later in the month.

140/90

Posted on 19th Mar 2016 by essiep

High Blood pressure, or not?
Playing with a blood pressure gadget at home. I got three readings within a few minutes:
172/93 x77
144/78 x92
111/81 x113
100/63 x 120
Systolic/diastolic x heartrate.
Perhaps best ignore this device.

The standard top measure is 140/90.
If the first readings are right, I have high blood pressure. In order to improve I should:
1 eat less salt,
2 eat more fruit and vegetables,
3 healthy weight,
4 Drink less alcohol,
5 exercise more.
But I cook without salt (and ready meals- never), eat almost only vegetarian, Bmi 23, 1 unit per week average, 10-14 hours exercise each week.
Ignore it?
It’s probably like the bathroom scales. They’re not much use either if you weigh yourself at a different time each day.

Wolf Mountain Climbing Centre.

Posted on 18th Mar 2016 by essiep

6°C, light N, grey with light rain.

It’s been 20 years since I did any rock climbing. Back then, I lived in Bristol and climbed in the Gorge. I swapped to cycling when it became apparent that it wouldn’t work in the winter. Also, solo climbing is not really a prospect either.
Carl, a few others and I will attempt the Inaccessible Pinnacle in June. We went to the climbing centre to get some skills.
The In Pin is a easily low grade climb, it’s just the exposure that intimidates some. Oh, and the weather.

First climbing wall session. Carl and I drove over to Wolverhampton for this booked induction session. Wolf Mountain is built in a converted old swimming pool. There are several rooms including a children’s space where we were taught how to belay. Once we’d ‘fallen’ off the wall the guy was happy to give us a pass.
Then we were free to climb and practise.
I wanted to be more fluent tieing the figure eight not, and Carl wanted his flat with no twist.

We’re soon to book a guide for the In Pinn. The following day, we do the Three-Peaks with Chris. Carl and I have done it before, but we’re happy to go along with Chris for a bit of mutual.

1,000th mile.

Posted on 16th Mar 2016 by essiep

7°C, NE chilly breeze.
I rode Arrow with MapMyRide+! Distance: 18.40mi, time: 01:23:07, pace: 4:31min/mi, speed: 13.28mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1388479221
Started this morning’s commute with 999.9 miles on the collective clock.
The first mile, barely out of my home road clocked up the magic mile.
That’s the first milestone. Planning is underway for the Diamond challenge. Ambitious, but it looks doable. The main threatening variable is the weather.

Satisfied, moi?

First proper day of spring.

Posted on 13th Mar 2016 by essiep

14°C, light wind and clear sky, mostly. Ideal conditions.
I rode Fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 55.06mi, time: 03:36:22, pace: 3:56min/mi, speed: 15.27mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1383738887
Bannister Hill, Dalton and a decent pace for the rest of the day. Result.
A local rider tracked behind me up the climb, and I pulled away near the summit. ‘Did I do good?’ I said when he latched on when it levelled. If rode choice aluminium like with 10 gears. The descent was his though.

Georg Friedrich Haas.

Posted on 9th Mar 2016 by essiep

5°C, heavy rain, this morning’s flooding is the worst of the winter here.
Hear and Now – Donaueschingen Musiktage 2015 – @BBCRadio3 “>
Remember how entranced I was by Hans Abrahamsen’s Schnee?
Here is another: Georg Friedrich Haas. It’s the yet unreleased Trombone Octet played on the radio last Saturday.
Full of space, the clean sound is under precise control and unwavering harmony. It times you in the opener, it sounds like school kids playing rather badly. Then it rights itself.

Georg Friedrich Haas

I want a hard copy, but from where?

White dusty salt.

Posted on 7th Mar 2016 by essiep

I rode Arrow with MapMyRide+! Distance: 54.12mi, time: 03:47:00, pace: 4:12min/mi, speed: 14.31mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1372582069
Dry salty roads, and a cold northerly.
Speed rose as time went by, and I turned for good only because I was cold. Wrong clothes.
It takes hours to warn up once home if you have been cold for along time. Days like these, I need a hot bath. The shower doesn’t do it.

Micycle

Mike thinks b/hikes

Monthly Archives: Mar 2016