Two years? Where did that go?

 

I’m getting to the point of closing the blog. If anyone does actually read this, you might have noticed the gaps between posts has become wider. Hence if nobody responds to this post, I’m closing. Please feel free to be negative – at least it’s a response!

It has been a chaotic two years. We lost Pam’s mum, that was traumatic. I fell out with my training partner, but I’m not going to talk ill of the dead. He was found dead at the side of the road on a Spanish Island, then we lost Mr Michael. That was sudden and highly unexpected. He might have been in his 80s but could still cock his leg over a saddle and peddle over the New Works climb. I just hope he gains forgiveness for his Potboiler Poetry – Jane Austin meets Duran-Duran was too surreal for most tastes.

There has been success in Dawley Park! We have established a Cycling UK group and held several rides over the summer. It looks like people were just waiting for it to happen. We have moved away from trying to recruit absolute beginners that the bike revival was trying to inspire. Our regulars are more cyclists who are looking for a social ride, without having to join the local racing club.

I’ve also taken my Focus bike out to Spain. The roads are fantastic and the climbs inspiring. There is always a good view, and most villages serve ice cold beer. The local cyclists are friendly and do acknowledge someone going the other way.

The only issue has been brakes. Descending mountain hairpins on rim brakes can be intimidating, after being used to disc brakes. Sometimes the bridges over the Barrancas are old (ancient) and don’t match the camber of the road. The back road into Enix proved the point - a concrete road level by caterpillar tracks. At the bottom lay an oddly angled bridge on a hairpin. A must make bend. The barranca isn’t steep at this point, it does has a reed bed there to absorb overflow from the village sewage plant. Talk about landing in the shit? Luckily, I made the turn, only to puncture on the ascent out – due to the concrete ripple that had been created using a plank.

Most Sunday rides ended with me meeting Pam in our local bar for beer and tapas. What could be better? The quality of food in local Spanish bars far exceeds what is being presented as fine dinning in the UK. Why did we ever leave the EU? Anyone who voted for it should be force fed onions and tripe for the rest of their days. Then they may understand the quality of life in Europe.

On the diabetes front, things are looking more positive. I have paid to see a very forward-looking consultant. I believe in the NHS, but there are times when the guidelines offered by NICE just don’t work. Then there is no choice but to look elsewhere.

The latest battle is with the receptionist from hell. I asked for a new blood test before a review with Nursey. The last one was in August, and my blood glucose levels have changed significantly. The aggression was unbelievable; she seemed to believe that out of date information would be fine to base for a new treatment plan on. The woman really does need an attitude adjustment. Her sole purpose appears to be preventing patients accessing services. I have even seen her turn away a mother with a child gasping for breath, that was an obvious medical emergency. The mother was told to go to the pharmacy or A&E, if she was that concerned.

Anyway, Nursey awaits. So do new adventures in the saddle.

Just a quick mention of the gear I have been using. I don't get paid for this - honest.

Shutt Velo Rapide - their summer gear has been excellent. Without this I could have quickly been a boil in the bag case. It really does tap the moisture away. It cools and dries quickly.

https://www.shuttvr.com/

Spiuk helmets -I was going to trust my helmet to baggage handlers. So I purchased a new one in Spain. It has been a few years since buying a helmet, and I was amazed by the lack of weight and ventilation in these helmets. Only 50 Euros, a helmet of similar quality would have cost much more in the UK.

https://spiuk.com/en/

None of this could have happened without the bike shops.

Plush Hill Cycles - Without their attention to detail in packing the bike, it may not have survived the journey.

https://www.plushhillcycles.co.uk/

Bicicletas KM 0

The local bike shop in Aguadulce. Sold me the helmet, gels (for emergencies), hydration tablets and new inner tubes. Thank you for putting up with my attempts at Spanish.

https://www.bicicletaskm0.com/

Not remission - but winning the battle!

 

The battle with Nursey may be finally over! In September I had yet another blood test to try and prove that I was no longer a diabetic. As is regular practice, I was required to have a follow up interrogation. I requested a GP in the hope of getting some common sense from Dr R. Instead, I got an ageing Asian lady who appeared to be returning to medicine in an effort to stave off early dementia or supplement a pension that would not fund her grandchildren through a gap year.

Her response to everything was, ‘I don’t know, you will have to ask the nurse.’

Seven years of medical training in order to refer all questions to the nurse. She knew nothing of glucose levels, types of monitors or accepted norms. She did insist on weighing me on a set of scales that looked like they belonged in a medical museum or on the set of a 1960s drama. As she was unable to bend down to read the dial, my weight somehow managed to increase from 93.2Kg to 94KG – as this was the next large number she could see. Or I had gained 800g over breakfast. Before anyone jumps to conclusions, yes there had been significant movement that morning in a downwards direction.

Then came the blood pressure check. I did mention that I had struggled through the school traffic, battled the Coop car park, and walked briskly up hill to get to the surgery for an 8.45am appointment - an appointment that she was late starting. Her qualified medical opinion was that such events would not affect it and my blood pressure was high. She suggested that I should do something about it.

‘Must be stress at work, can I have a month off?’

‘It’s not that high!’ She snapped.

‘What do you suggest?

‘More exercise and less food.’

I took to the opportunity to inform her that I am able to ride in excess of 200 miles in 24 hours. She was not best pleased and almost pushed me out of the room. I made an appointment to see Nursey.

 

The appointment with Nursey went better than expected. She was pleased with the blood test. The NHS limit for blood glucose is 48 - using whatever ridiculous unit they choose to follow; I was at 52. She could not say I was in remission but could record that I am a diabetic with the condition under control. When I enquired about the next test in three months, she told me she didn’t need to see me for another year. RESULT!

Now I just needed to get clearance for scuba diving. In the UK this is more problematic than elsewhere in the world. The NHS doctors I have seen, all refuse to sign anything to do with diving and the private hyperbaric specialists require verified results from the HbA1c test. Even to share the results the practice wanted £50 to write the letter, then with the private medicals costing over £100 I was beginning to feel exploited by the very people who had told me to do more exercise.

So that is why I found myself sat in the waiting room of Spanish medical centre on a wet Monday evening in February. I was about to pay 40 Euros to see a very qualified hyperbaric specialist who I hoped would declare me fit to dive.

Gravel and Mr Michael

 Yesterday saw a bit of an epic. After a wet weekend, I decided that it was time to get Lance (Specialized) the gravel bike out. Partly because he has mudguards, also it meant I could cross the Severn Valley and not have to come back via Ironbridge (Jiggers) and the increasing number of traffic lights and roadworks. Or risk the by-pass which I didn't fancy after an earlier encounter with a fire engine. 

Going south of Bridgnorth means hills and they're particularly horrid. Navigation is also an issues, with intermittent phone signals and hidden or missing road signs. At one point I nearly missed a turning as the sign was buried in a hedge. Not wanting to descend and then re-climb a hill I got off and found the sign in a hedge - only readable from the uphill direction.

Perhaps that's the attraction of south Shropshire. It is like being in the middle of no-where. Once back on the road I headed for Bridgnorth. The road down Oldbury has been a favourite since my school days. It now has one of those smiley face signs to regulate traffic speed. I felt a sense of achievement when it turned red. Not bad for an aging diabetic on a gravel bike.

I then followed the Severn Way and Silkin Way home. Might not have been step, but the unsurfaced path was a pain in the butt - literally.

Today saw me back out of Herman-the-German-flying-machine with Michael. An old friend and yoga teacher. Michael has just started to emerge from lockdown. This is in part due to his wife needing serious surgery and follow-up treatment. In normal circumstances she would have needed to isolate to avoid colds and flu, but the Covid situation has made matters worse.

Michael can still hold his own on a bike, despite his advancing years. However, not having ridden any hills for over two years we managed to find a gentle route (if such a thing exists) around the Wrekin. Only issue with living on top of a hill, it is always hard work getting home.

The new wheels for Herman still haven't arrived and I hope to get something sorted soon. Bad news from the London-Edinburgh-London organisers is that Yad Moss is off due to road works. So they have found a steeper and longer detour. Great!

Fund raising and Willey

 The fund raising side took pride of place last weekend (2/7/22) when we held our afternoon tea. A fantastic effort from Pam and Auntie Pattie saw funds pass the £700 mark. So many people contributed to the day, not just in cash, but also in the kind gifts for bring and buy etc.

We still have Miriam's handcrafted lucky dip envelopes  if anyone fancies a punt at £1 each. Not only do you get the chance to win a random prize (badges and various bits that include the odd £5 note), but every envelope comes with it's own handcrafted cycle paperclip. A unique prize for any cyclist.

The last week saw my mileage plummet when I was forced to take time off work and the bike to deal with a sickness bug. Only advantage is it stripped me of 1.5Kg of weight and any sense of dignity, as my stomach deposited its content and lining down the pan at regular intervals. This has now cleared and yesterday I was back out on the road.

I went out to the village of Willey.

Last time I was here I was on an Audax and didn't have time to take the obligatory schoolboy photographs. It caused some amusement on Facebook. In addition to the village hall there are a few spinoffs, such as the Willey Wanderers Football Club.

 I'm not obsessing with the place, but Pam's family (through mother) are related to the local estate owner, through the marriage of Lord Forester of Willey's sister to a Mr Keay around 200 years ago.

After Willey it was onto Bridgnorth. The ride was not without incident. The drug dealing motorised teenagers of Telford now see trying to knock cyclists off as a new sport. I'm so glad I did some race training a few years back with Newport CC. I'm well equipped to delivering a Mark Renshaw type response should they get too close. Why our wonderful intelligence lead police forced haven't made the link between expensive e scooters and drugs beggars belief.

My wheels are also becoming an issue. After having a new set fitted following the destruction of my freewheel, the new set had loose spokes and lost true after only 200 miles. The bike shop sorted this, but now the bearings are rattling. The response to this one will be interesting. I may have to bite the bullet and just get a decent set that will last the 1500 Km. 

If you haven't donated, but like to. Then please follow the link below. You will change a life.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-rudge4

The chase continues!

 Well Nursey isn't happy with me! I didn't get much of a well done for reducing my glucose levels from 23mmol/L to 9, she just wants to medicate me. My argument is that chasing remission is going to take time. It's taken 6 months to half the level to what would be regarded as pre-diabetes for a new patient, another six months and I could be there. I have already hit 6.5 on a number of occasions, but she thinks these are isolated incidents - so was 21mmol/L! I believe it shows potential, just a case of finding a way to stay at that level.

She did offer "social prescribing for diet and exercise." I asked for the qualification of the advisor and asked did it involve some prescription to a gym? She went quiet and I pointed out the mileage I pedalled at the weekend - 127miles.  She then checked my BMI ( around 28), which is acceptable. Nursey not very happy, in fact very unhappy. She couldn't send me to fat clinic and and I seem to know more than her public health advisor about exercise.

I was offered a range of medications. It now appears that I can have metformin as my liver enzymes have returned to an acceptable level. She assumed I had cut my drinking. Well I had changed my drinking patterns - red wine changed to white, lager or light ale changed to stout. Yes Guinness is marvellous and rumoured to have many health benefits. I didn't tell Nursey that one. As for metformin, even the NHS admits to it having side affects and I would much rather have a sore arse from cycling than spending time running to the toilet.

As to the ride. I rode a  AUDAX UK permanent course called The Wandering Wolves. This a 200km loop starting at Codsall and going out to Chester. See the FATMAP if you want details. This is fairly flat and I joined the course at Donnington. That way I didn't have to travel too far from home. I could have extended the route to start from home, but that would have left a long climb to complete at the end of the day.

The early part of the day was spent battling out to Codsall, for some reason this took ages and I arrived 45 minutes behind the control closing time. I did manage to make up the time on the next stretch to Market Drayton. The ride to Chester was ok, but the headwinds started and the ride to to Holt and Wem was a real battle with the speed falling away as I watched the Garmin. Then the rain started and I arrived in Wem in my rain jacket. I was so glad Pam had driven out to meet me at the last control with coffee and empanadas. This set me up for the wet ride back to Donnington.

I know the hills of South Shropshire can be tough, but at least they're scenic. The Cheshire Gap became so dull after the first 20miles. I never want to see another black and white cow or leafy lane. It all looks the same! But at least it is reasonably flat.

Monday was back on the mountain bike for an after work ride. I had planned to ride into work this week, but late meetings and rain put pay to this. Perhaps a ride around the Severn valley tomorrow. This weekend will also see our fundraiser for Shelter at home. I know many in the AUDAX community don't like sponsorship for events, and organised charity events have got out of hand. I don't need to ride for charity, but I wasn't going to miss the chance to raise some money.

Shelter is close to my heart for a number of reasons. I only avoid being made homeless by the skin of my teeth when my parents lost their house in the recession of the 1980s/90s. There was social housing then and families were kept together, we were okay. For anyone in their early 20s now I fear for how they could ever afford rent or a mortgage. I also can't believe how people are expected to live. The tented city under the flyover in Manchester or the guy with his furniture on Tower Hill in London. I will often give a quid to those sleeping out as a cup of tea or a shot could be a lifesaver. Even if it's put towards drugs I don't mind, a substance misuse worker told me opiates can stop the cold from feeling painful.

I can't help everyone out there, at least supporting Shelter goes some way to helping more people get somewhere safe to sleep. Or may even help prevent them from being put out on the streets.

200KM in a day

 On Saturday I completed a 200km Audax. More information to follow, but I expect most of you have already read about it on other platforms. Enjoy watching the route on the FATMAP provided.

A big thank you to Pam for being in Wem with coffee and food. Also a big shout out to Biketek for setting up Herman-the-German-flying-machine (Focus bike) and enabling me to get this one ticked in a day.

 https://www.bike-tek.co.uk/

To view my rides or donate to Shelter please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-rudge4

London-Edinburgh-London

 

I’m doing it again..this time it’s the BIG one !!

 

London..Edinburgh…London  Cycle Ride

LEL 1500kms/932 miles in 125 hours

https://londonedinburghlondon.com/about

 

Setting out on Sunday 7^th August at 11.15am

 

This time I’m raising money for SHELTER because everyone should have the right to a home. Shelter works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing. Shelter will help people find and keep a home. They campaign for decent housing for all. Their work won’t stop until there’s a home for everyone.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-rudge4

To kick things off we’re having an afternoon tea and fundraiser

On

Saturday 2^nd July from 1pm at our home.

We’d love you to join us!

Come see the bike, check out the route, drink tea and eat cake!

To read the full story of my training, visit:

https://chasingremission.blogspot.com/

@AndrewRudge67