Where Eagles Dare….
I remember, as a younger version of myself, and racing in Belgium – when I lived there, that one of my pastime escapes was to read. Alistair McLean’s book – Where Eagles Dare was a fave and it became a good ‘escape’ read.Even if you only watch the film it is still brill! www.youtube.com
The music was great as well as the story It came into my mind today as I was out training. The cold and icy wind was really attacking my progress and I was feeling somewhat cheesed off about it. training long miles, in fact any miles, is hard and mentally draining. Today was no different. But as I came over the brae and saw the the windswept and snow sprinkled hillside I felt better. The tune came into my head as did an eagle. Really! This occurrence kept me spiritually going for the duration of the ride. Physically the things that keep me alive, yet alone going, is the equipment and clothing.
I have pounded my Focus bike for over a 1000 miles per month since the autumn, (7 k in all) and the Finchdean wind jacket is surely an item that could not be dispensed with here during this icy spring. I love my dhb 3/4 bib tights, their roubaix lining and well cut shape serves several purposes; keeping me warm, well insulated and happy too. I cannot rate them highly enough. The eagle was still soaring overhead as I turned away from the head wind and started to fly too towards Gruinart. I had a 30 min Zone 4 to complete before heading downhill and into the headwind once again. Zone 4 with a trail wind really pushes up the speed and I have to be careful not to over cook corners.
I am training on wee roads more suitable to MBX or Cyclocross. I long for fine mainland tarmac and smooth surfaces. My Speedplays are serving me well, I know why they are so very popular and married to the dhb rc carbon shoes I am comfortable and feel good progression through the contact points. I love the simplicity and the design of them. They are so easy to use although setting them up takes sometime to do properly. (Well worth doing so and if you do have ‘funny feet’ or a leg difference then it is definitely worth getting somebody to help set them up.
The best clothing for this time of year is my much used and sported Wickham event wind jacket. It is spring and still there is a coldness in the air. (Today I used gloves again). the jacket is comfortable on and off the bike and I am happy with the cut and shape too. The three rear pockets bulge with SIS gels and Bars, my waterproof and toolkit. The zipper pocket (a fourth compartment) holds my phone. I can travel and train up to 9 hours and be able to carry enough nosh /stuff to keep me going.
The eagles flap very slowly over the ridge at Ballinaby and eventually catch a thermal which they use to navigate Loch Gorm and eventually toward Rock Mountain. I am also now on that route. Mine is not so direct and I have to turn , once again, into the wind, head down and change gear, push on push. I climb and climb up to Rock Mountain. As I reach the top in the fresh spring air and head for home, I look backwards. The eagle has flown….. but the tune stays with me….
