The Jewel of Glasgow

Lighter nights are here, and have been like an unleashed beast following the coldest winters in Scotland I can remember! The mountain bike has been getting some more use recently with some sessions in what I would describe as the ‘Jewel of Glasgow’ – Pollok country park. This is a truly special place, to the extent it has been awarded the title of ‘Europe’s Best Park’ in 2008.  This is all thanks to Sir John Stirling Maxwell who left the park for the people. Imagine that nowadays? It would be covered in flats.

Pollok House, and my trusted steed (Kona Caldera)

My pal ‘Hamish’ the Coo at Pollok Park

Sitting on the south of Glasgow, I have the privilege of having this tremendous park right on my doorstep, and I am already reaping the benefits of after work blasts round the mountain bike tracks complete with rolling jumps twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Doing both the intermediate and ‘hard’ (but not that hard) track back to back, it is approximately 1.7 miles. Initially I was doing this in the region of 10 min 50sec at an easy pace, but recently gave it more of a blast and got it down to 9min 48sec. I reckon 9min is achievable with a few weeks practice. Got the Garmin Edge 705, mounted on the bike (been using it on the road bike recently also) and will get some of the sessions up and link to the Garmin Connect page.

Links:

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/Parks_gardens/pollokcountrypark.htm

Still here!!

Well after a number of comments about not updating the blog, I’ve been shamed into getting my finger out and get some posts up! Progress on the running front is slow, particularly following the discovery is that it is boring as hell, especially in the dull weather of February and March. Alias, the return of some tremendous days in April has helped nudge things on a bit, resulting in my longest running session of over 16K last Sunday. Buzzing off this new achievement, I swooped passed the house, got a drink and headed out again for another 4K, only to start to feel muscle twinges in my foot within the last 400m from the house. There’s a lesson to be learned here……quit while your ahead and you’ll fight another day!!!  On the mend now, but been hitting the bike more this week…….and the barbeque. What?? Everyone needs a carrot!!