David and Katherine Goodwin

I've finally uploaded a few pictures to our website.

See :

• Rowan on his tummy
• Our new office
• Rachel's birthday cake (cake-pod anyone?)
• Emily's photos of us camping near Bromyard

On Sunday, I did my 5th Dyfi Enduro (at least, I think it's my 5th). As always, I had a great time, and pretty much knackered myself - which is to be expected. Oddly I reached the half way point and felt quite perky, so decided I'd better push myself harder in the second half. Thankfully I completed it, and now have one more mug to add to my collection :-)

For the last 5 years, I've done the Dyfi Enduro. And suffice to say, I was looking forward to doing it once more this year.

It didn't seem like long ago that I had checked the site to see if registration was open... today I checked again and discovered that it's been open and is now closed - 602 riders have registered for 600 places :-(.

Boo. Hiss.

Rough Ride 2007

Rough ride website

Like last year, I was unable to go down the night before, and camp; so instead had to leave early on Sunday morning.

Anyway, since last year a few things had changed :

2007 Howies Dyfi Enduro (Mountain Biking)

Wow! This year's Dyfi Enduro was definitely the best ever. The course had changed in a number of areas compared to previous years, and at last the one bit I always disliked (pushing a bike up a long hill on shale) had gone away. Instead we were treated to many new downhill sections, seemingly less uphill, and I certainly experienced plenty of 'oh shit... *phew*...' moments as I battled for control with my bike while going over interesting terrain :)

On Sunday, I went mountain biking with a random group of people at Llandegla (near Wrexham).

There are only a few pictures of myself, none particularly interesting.

Running

On Sunday, Kat had suggested I go mountain biking - however I'm tiring of it, partly because it takes at least 30 minutes to drive to somewhere worth cycling - anyway, not wanting to be fat and lazy, I instead ran for probably an hour and a half (effectively along this 10 mile route). It tired me out somewhat, but was enjoyable.

Upon getting back from what I thought was quite a long run, Bob (the dog) showed his ability to recover quickly (or not get tired in the first place) and was trying to get me to play with him after five minutes :-/

Rough Ride 2006

I ended up trying to do the longer route (80k) again this year in the Rough Ride in Kington. Unfortunately I was totally wrecked before I reached the last water stop, and ended up cycling back to the finish line on the road. Some combination of being tired, suffering from the heat and perhaps what ever lergy Kat's suffering from clearly had a good go at finishing me off. I even felt travel sick while driving myself 5 miles to my mother's house afterwards.

The course had changed somewhat since last year - and was once again very good. I just wish it had been cooler - perhaps I would then have been able to complete it?

Dyfi Enduro 2006

Well, I took 4 hours 46 minutes, which wasn't too bad considering the total lack of cycling I've done this year.

On Saturday, those who were present, were taken on the CliMachX trail, which was quite good (aside from the nasty climb at the start). I was slightly worried at this point as everyone seemed far faster/fitter than I, but I discovered later that I wasn't the only one struggling. The ride was relatively un-eventful aside from one poor soul who cut his elbow up, and another who suffered from three punctures. It looks like here are a number of trails to ride on in the area now (that are sign posted) so I may well head back again.

Holiday Summary

We've spent the last weekend on holiday in Devon in a posh farm cottage (aka www.bolberryfarmcottages.co.uk)

Unfortunately the weather wasn't particularly agreeable, with rain and/or wind most of the time. We did walk along the coast, but aside from mist, rain and two dogs we didn't see much. I did however (thankfully) get to do some mountain biking on Dartmoor (around Princetown, following some of the disused railway) and Exmoor (around Holford). Unfortunately my bike now needs a new derailer and chain, after I somehow bent the derailer to the extent that it became tangled with a wheel spoke (it's due a new chain and gears anyway).