The most amazing thing about this, is that it’s real. It’s not a joke. Nor a piece of fiction. It’s true. For real.

Yes. The entire list below are items that was available for purchase on a flight over the Atlantic. Unfortunately I don’t remember if it was with United or American Airlines, so I can’t give credit. But it was one of them.

The indoor dog restroom
The voice activated R2-D2
The world’s largest writen-on map mural
The tabletop photo studio
The preserve your memories slide and negative converter
The all-in-one child air travel seat
The only stainless steel wallet
The remote controlled manta ray
The LP and casset to CD recorder stereo system
The “keep your distance” bug vacuum
The configurable pet gate
The rolling on and laptop bag
The motion tracking web camera
The easy iPod media sharer
The always fresh pet drinking fountain
The arcade legends full size 100 game system
The home floor scrubber/polisher
The world’s largest crossword puzzle
The versatile console to card to dinner table
The androscoggin sheepskin skippers
The peaceful progression wake up click
The original sleep sound generator
The precise-portion pet feeder
The pet ramp and staircase
The one touch any media iPod uploaded
The genuine Turkish bathrobe
The genuine Turkish towels
The physical therapist’s hot/cold wraps
The superior comfort bed lounger
The hard surface floor dream cleaner
The airport friendly laptop bag
The marshmallow shooter
The shirtpocket underwater camcorder
The configurable outdoor/indoor pen
The upside down tomato garden
The wireless speakers iPod dock
The only swiveling and reclining deck chair
The adjustable feline scratching platform
The no blind spot rear view mirror
The star wars battleship game
The closet organizing trouser rack
The wireless remote controlled pan and tilt surveillance camera
The 14 gallon no spill portable gas pump
The best garment steamer
The only digital camera swim mask
The solar insect zappers
The portable touchscreen video poker game
The museum precious metal cleaning plate
The insect repellent hat
The million germ eliminating travel toothbrush sanitizer
The one step DVD/CD duplicator
The pet owner’s robotic vacuum
The trestle patio table and stow away chairs
The three suit rolling garment case
The birdwatcher’s motion activated camera
The harbor mountain welded steel log crib with cover
The portable hammock
The natural attractant mosquito trap
The 150 country travel adapter
The preserve your memories photograph converter
The voice interactive alarm clock

This is drivel, but you don't have to read it. I wrote it for myself to remember. You'll feel the same when a bike you've had for ages has to be suddenly snatched away via crash, theft or crack
If anything Specialized make well priced, well designed bikes. Buying a Spesh removes any kind of risk associated with a premium purchase. Ok they lack a bit of passion, heritage from the golden age of bike racing and well everyone's got the Big S so sadly it doesn't make you clever and your not that special.

My bicycle conquests
Ok, first bike ever ever was a Raleigh Blue Bird. Then we found another one in the woods so my sister and I rocked the same look for a while. Another time and another story.
First proper bike ever was a... you guessed it, a Specialized. Hardrock Sport to be exact, had it two weeks then it got nicked off the roof rack the day before a family cycling holiday around Amsterdam. Had to ride a random borrowed Trek for 2 weeks. Sucked.

Then I went to Uni (circ 2004) and I needed a bike to leave in the garden. What was it... a Specialized. This time a cromoly Sirrus. Found in skip, 19 inch frame, rammed the seat right down, skinny bars and stubby stem.
Covered the little beast in stickers - called it the Sticker Bike. Still got it. My sister rocks it to Herne Hill everyday.

I decided after living as a uni student for four years time had come to grow up, proper bike, proper goals.
You know when you just have those moments when you just want one really nice thing to own in your life. For some its a cars, a camera, a fishing rod. Decided for me it was a bike. Could I actually ride, er no. Had I ridden a bike for longer than 40 miles, er no. So anyways, why not buy a carbon full ultegra bike that will be ideal for a 1 hour ride...?

I did the usual shopping about, asked for a deal. I went with Specialized Ruby, had a better subtle look about it. At the time Ruby had just been released, it was a nod to the growing sector of female cyclists.
In the first road race after the winter I finished the race in 5th. From there I rode that bike all the time. A car hit me on it, I rode crits, sportives, everything.
Never let me down always comfortable. Old faithful.

New era
The Spesh was never a top dog, it was never designed to be a jaw dropping bike and plus it doesn't have uber components. I got the itch to get something uber - I bought a Look 555 frame on a deal I got, dressed it up with uber light carbon, ceramic chainrings, Dura-Ace, the works.
But when it comes down ito it I dare not ride it. Its upsetting but me and the Look never formed a bond. I brought that frame into the world, stuck a load of stuff on it but it never really developed and evolved into the machine the Ruby has come to be.

It's not a question of fit why with the Look. It's something I can't put my finger on.
I think it's because I treat the Spesh mean and it comes back fighting.
Smashed it over cobbles in the Arenberg forest (2008), did anything happen, no. Yes my arms ached after riding all the sectors of Paris Roubaix but I was able to ride the next day.

Early 2009 I got better as a rider after my first cross season. I removed the compact carbon cranks and stuck on standard Ultegra SL's at about the same time some jimmy whacked me on a roundabout I lost a lever and an O from my Oakleys and had to upgrade to Ultegra SL shifters.

A hairline crack has appeared between on the non driveside of the BB. The lacquer has slightly bubbled underneath it around the crack too.
Within half an hour it was sorted Specialized asked for the frame back and they will swap it out for another frame. Thing is they only have an S Works Ruby to exchange. Of course I said yes to it.


Epic events on Ruby
Purchased Autumn 2007
Rode a winter season on it 07-08
Won my first road race on the Ruby-2008
Rode a wet, cold and slightly snowy Tour of Flanders-2008
Rode Paris Roubaix-2008
Raced a season of Palace 2008;
Rode a complete winter on it 08-09
Rode sunny Tour of Flanders 2009
Raced at the Tour of Ireland on it. Grabbed a top 10 finish on stage 3 -2009
Rode down a canal in Belgium where Kristof Ramon took a picture
Rode Rapha's Hell of the North grave ride.

Went to Wales, stayed at a Welsh person's house (team mate Tracy @teecee37) had Easter Eggs and all sorts. Did lots of riding. It was good there were hills, a race and hills.
I've made a rather crude photostory. Camera of choice - iphone. Yeh I know its lacking in any kinda of commitment a great blogpost not even got a flickr gallery. But then I'm working to quantity not quality people.
Day 0 - Arrival and a spin. The data and photos are missing because I didn't have my Garmin charged or my iphone. But bascially on Friday we did 50 hilly miles towards the route of the Dragon Ride. It was good but we took it easy.

Day 2 - All Rapha women's wear got ridden in and tested in sun, fog and spitty rain today. Rode to Barry Island for a photo at 'world' famous Marco's Cafe, off of Gavin and Stacey. Barry Island is a seriously not nice place. I guess like Southend but Welsh. We looked out on the beach, saw some litter and then went off riding.


Day 2 - Race and training ride got compacted all together. We met up with Jif Cardiff and our other teammate Ang. She raced the day before in a handicap was was unable to join us for our first ride of the camp.
We rode 17 miles out to the race, the race was a around a motor circuit run. Forza Spring Series 2. Big headwind down the start finish is all I can remember. Quite a big field I rolled around in the bunch trying to work my way forward but it was fairly fast. Hence I made myself work much harder by hanging around at the back, with 5 to go I was floundering and slammed the brakes on as a crash happened. That was it the bunch disappeared and I decided that was my day done. Would have like to have finished but that is racing and I should know better for hanging on at the back because thats where the crashes always are!
Curles took the win for the women with Ang taking second. Their finish was roughly mid pack, good work though against brutish boys. James didn't fair so well in his first road race and was mid pack but shamefully beaten by the Rapha Condor girls.
As a break tried to get away in the race, I flicked my Giro Haviks off my face (somehow, a freak occurance) and I they were lost to the wheels of my competitors. The lens survived so the boys at Giro sent through a replacement frame for me. Phew not so gutted.


Day 3 - Big training ride. Roughly 10 riders headed out. Featuring Ang and her coach Del, myself, Tracy, James and Curles. Hilly and fast. Knocked out 40km/h on the flat for the first half that really shock the legs out. There wasn't much time for photos this was pure training and no cake. Much to some riders disappointment. But in the immmortal words of Dean Downing "eating' is cheatin"
Thankfully there was a massive Roast Lamb dinner to finish the day! We then headed home, tired but trained.
Roll on the season!

Missed the ride this year, hanged out in the Welsh valleys on a training camp with team mates. Ate far too much chocolate but it was a good to ride and meet up with the riders in the squad who I don't know so well.
We watched the race after getting back from training ride and race on Sunday. Thank goodness for Sky +.

Going to add some more photos later, can't be bothered right now

Basically I've become untidy. There is no way to stop it. There is going to have to be a serious hour dedicated to cleaning before I go off to my first fairly important race of the season.
Bang tidy, watched another storming episode of celebrity juice tonight but have now missed two sucessive nights of eastenders, not good.
Sleeptime

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Oh dear, how did I ever let it get like this. Tomorrow is clear up day. I've been training quite a bit trying to get in about 15 miles in the morning en route to the big smoke. It's been working but I've had to get up earlier and earlier. Then I've hit up a normal 5 mile commute on the way home but accelerating away from the lights etcetera.
But this focus on riding leaves me tired. Been a bit lazy recently today I sat down for half an hour of yellin and screaming courtesy of eastenders then flicked to a new series cougar town (fyi not bad).
Anyways I should have been sorting my life out but nooop. Hence my life has defended into a bombsite.
Oh and after last weekends post about organisation. It's a curse or perhaps it's karma. No one is allowed to be organised are they? Maybe the queen but that's it.
If it's raining tomorrow I'm riding but skipping the chaingang. Picking dirt out of my ear and blowing my nose produces dirty snot I am NOT keen on!
So well anyways my point is I'm making friend with turbo timmy

Also I know when you click the image - it loads a Google error. Sorry, I've fixed it but can't retrospectively change it. Well I can, but I'd rather go riding





One is in a unique place when they can say they have done every weekend task and thus actually have nothing to do. I'll hatefully clock watch until about 2pm, when the track champs is on.
It's so weird to be efficient, bike ridden, check before Sundays race. Wash both bikes and wheel sets. Drip drying and now I wait.
Imagine if this became a habit, blimey. That would be so great things would always be tidy.
But hang on isn't that just too simple. I take it back, that's like living in greyscale. Shame on you tidy, organised freaks.

Back to my bagel with cream cheer and frankfurter and more Saturday kitchen. FYI I don't like the chef presenter but I do limethe food
Tomorrow get to ride my new kit, new shoes and helmet from Specialized. New deep sections from Dura Ace.
Thanks to everyone for their support. Low key race tomorrow building up to first national on Windsor course.

I've taken to blogging via my iPhone. Its easier and i reckon i will blog more. *That was massive techno gadget name drop.sorry*
But I upload pics and it doesn't allow the reader to click and enlarge so sorry about that.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone




Oh yeh and check this proper awkward pose with Chris Hoy. Hello Chunky

So, the cross season is but a very distant memory so too the snow season. I had thought about leaving the blog until Sept 2010 and picking up about where I left off, but decided to keep it updated bout road race season with advent of the new Rapha Condor womens test team.
Decided not to do any riding for about a month after the x season, not by choice more by being tired and lazy.
The last two weeks I've entered into some pretty epic rides in order to kick start the seasons training, first was a filthy chaingang to Chertsey from Kingston Gate before then heading home, ended up looking like a chimney sweep. In total probably covered about 85km, this was followed up by the same the on the Wednesday just gone. Instead of waiting for the chaingang three of us just hotfooted it when we got to the park, the aim was to get out and back and then the 7 miles home before 10pm. Because otherwise you just don't have enough time to eat and digest before sleeping. The ride was SO much better this week thanks to the dry conditions and tailwind going out.
Final ride was this Sun, 6 of us from the team rode out from Richmond to Windsor, before peeling off to checkout the 9 mile course for the Windsor womens race in April. A new course in the womens team series calendar. All in all a 65 miler. A week well spent and cake at the end of it.
Rapha womens launch on the 26th March and new team components and kit to arrive shortly.
Now lying still wearing Skins and lubed up legs with elite recovery cream.

Bring it.