There's a quote from "Of mice and men" that I could use about "great plans" but all I'll say is that I started this wee blog with the best of intentions right when life in general was about to throw me a finely tuned curve ball. A curve ball that would stop me in my tracks long enough to set aside my specific goals for 2017 and potentially move them over a year.
In March I was made redundant. Along with 7 members of staff that were also my friends, the Tiso group that was also in charge of Alpine Bikes decided that our branch in Glasgow's St Georges Cross Glasgow had to go. After years of questionable upper management decisions, poor foresight and an unwillingness to respond to staff and store management concerns, yet another branch of one of Scotland's first independent bike shop chain bit the dust. I could have stayed but I had no faith left in the company at large, so I found myself without a job.
Luckily I have some friends that thought highly enough of me to send me some work and eventually give me the confidence to start my own little business in my hometown. After a wee bit of summer trading, I think it may just work too. So we'll see how it goes? I'll probably keep a "real job" too until i get a full year under my belt just to be safe?
Just after that I was dealt a health blow which put me on my arse for 2 months during the summer. Anyone who knows me will remember my right hip giving up last summer (2015) which prevented me from doing pretty much anything. Well this year, the left one gave me the same trouble. This time it wasn't as debilitating as the last, but I couldn't ride my bike, was in great pain so had to rest, meaning a put half a stone on over a few months and just got rather lethargic along the way.
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| I did a fair bit of wild camping too. In October the Aonach Eagach Ridge Glen Coe. |
This time though, the physio referral came through while I was actually laid up, making it easier to get to the bottom of it, so through good movement, common sense and rest, I was back up and at it as Autumn came round. I got weaving and lost the weight I put simply by watching my calories. Turns out that I had a spasm in a back muscle that was giving me chronic sciatic pain. Luckily no mechanical problems then, but pretty damn painful none the less.
But there were some positives. This year I passed my Bikeability training, did my level 3 Mountain Bike Leader training and got out on my bike more than ever in September and October.
I slept in more Bothys in that 2-3 months than I ever had all year. Rode more big day rides and overnight rides than I've ever done and at any opportunity just went biking. I also got to work at Ridelines Mountain bike tuition, leading kids and young adults round the trails at Glentress. This simple gesture of trust by the Tweed Valley coaching team was probably the highlight of my working year.
I also managed to sneak into their new promo video that was filmed over a few days at Glentress. It was honestly such a privilege to be included in their work this year. Also we had a pretty great Christmas dinner at Number One Peebles Road too.
So At this point I'm behind the goals I'd set when I wrote the description of this Blog, but I'm still on mission. Cairngorm Loop this year and the HT 550 next year. So just a year behind schedule :)
As I write this however, I'm sitting with a badly sprained ankle. I had a "program" all set out with my training in place for January, but when loading my van yesterday morning to head to Innerleithen, I lost my footing and went over on my ankle. It's pretty much the worst pain I ever felt in my life and I really thought I'd broken it for sure. In and out of Hairmyers A&E inside 2 hours told me that I'd sprained my ankle and most likely torn a few fibres of my ligament, so I'm actually counting myself lucky in the context of what could have happened.
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| Crutches again... I don't look impressed do I? |
Thanks to the guys at Sprockets Cycles for the help with the build. I didn't scrimp on the spec and their help in building it made it a very easy project. I'll get into the bike as I get more experience on it, so if this is your kind of thing then check back to the blog for an update on how it rides for me. Danny Macaskill seemed to think it was OK or his "Wee Day Out"anyway?
I've been at Sprockets a lot this year helping them to launch their new store in Kilmarnock. It's almost certainly the biggest bespoke independent in Scotland at the moment and has seen stupendous growth and support from Scotland's cyclists since it opened in September. I'll no doubt continue to be part of that endeavour at some level, so expect some references to them along the way.
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| Ready for a "Wee Day Out" |
I'm also determined to make more of a balance of all this stuff Vs family time. Those of you who have kids will know that they just grow up at such a rapid rate that you could easily miss the best days of your family life. This may be the biggest challenge of all!
I'm not really much for lists apart from the couple of goals this Blog was based on, but here's what I learnt in 2016
- I actually do like Gin. But I need to drink more whisky.
- I'm always fitter than I think I am.
- Scotland is without question the most beautiful country on earth. (I knew this before 2016)
- Electorates in any country are almost universally uninformed.
- I can sleep almost anywhere outside.
- Vans are best, cars suck.
- I injure easier and it takes longer to heal.
- Rogue One was perhaps the best Star Wars Movie so far.
- I don't see how other people have bother fitting tubeless tyres.
- Gary's WHW attempt on a CX bike was nothing short of awesome.
- My friend Velda Weir thought I was "35 or something".
- My clothing is going down in size.
- I need to eat (or drink) more vegetables.
- Not sure I like Ae forest as much as I used too. I'll go more in 2017.
- It's hard to watch other people lose people.
- I miss being in a band.
- I posted less rides to Strava than ever before.
- My son is the funniest person on earth.
People to thank in 2016 in no small measure or particular order. Andy Weir, Craig Paton, The Ravens, The Goldie Oldies, Gary T, Chris, Lewis, Niall, Adam and the rest of the Alpine Bikes redundancy support group. Dave MacDonald, Andy Dodds, Richard Kidd and probably loads more (sorry)
Most of all however, my awesome wife Donna, who herself has reached and surpassed some personal goals of her own. All whilst attending to our family's needs while I go about at least trying to make us a better life.
It's been a tough one! What will I learn this year I wonder?
