tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25030328207819584412024-02-07T02:09:10.176+00:00CycletherapyThe trials and tribulations of a trail designer, photographer, husband, dad and bike rider. Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-53775266364818320662023-04-17T11:13:00.001+01:002023-04-17T11:13:30.255+01:00Winter 2023 that's a wrap.<p> <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So that's the ski season finished on Cairngorm, can't say it was one of the better ones ski wise, but work wise it was excellent! Landed a photo contract with </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">them to capture various shots of not only happy users, but also the folks behind the scenes that make the hill work; the road crew, fitters, lifties, patrollers, train drivers, pistie bashers, etc, etc. Some very early mornings and very late nights, some snow covered cameras, some skiing of freshies as the sun came up and by head torch long after dark and overall a pleasure to photograph people I've known for 30 odd years doing what they are very good at and very passionate about. A good team with some good craik. Was a pleasure folks.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikV25nIuc8BgyA82ZSj6zqNbcFUwf1u2DKvf2CV6ZCRL8mg-1J5uybX5k_EPfwh6sAkApZZ-NL50DQ0OcBDk11LyH8sclds5TmthP0vKFFhgmOuufyj_PoTPZokjFb1j2WhWRnzbF3t8OUdv4S5EMzX36EvrULQSWhVvU6FKgslrne-b7PNJ6-eNeLIQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikV25nIuc8BgyA82ZSj6zqNbcFUwf1u2DKvf2CV6ZCRL8mg-1J5uybX5k_EPfwh6sAkApZZ-NL50DQ0OcBDk11LyH8sclds5TmthP0vKFFhgmOuufyj_PoTPZokjFb1j2WhWRnzbF3t8OUdv4S5EMzX36EvrULQSWhVvU6FKgslrne-b7PNJ6-eNeLIQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyUxfsyVw1n9jJxMpM9vZt7StyIgrHYxorYodH5m8Ef5OdA5RjLlw6rt4WjTM6nYi7lL8520x2aWtVrSG0nuMHLNCqaGqewFvguuuwY3Vwl2ITvojQY4roshDVSLY2ybx5HqbeRtJGi5R40B6NeUf-GXIayuRZdv5myV-Aq8CCqUtW4Ft94f-pVG6kDA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3820" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyUxfsyVw1n9jJxMpM9vZt7StyIgrHYxorYodH5m8Ef5OdA5RjLlw6rt4WjTM6nYi7lL8520x2aWtVrSG0nuMHLNCqaGqewFvguuuwY3Vwl2ITvojQY4roshDVSLY2ybx5HqbeRtJGi5R40B6NeUf-GXIayuRZdv5myV-Aq8CCqUtW4Ft94f-pVG6kDA=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-GKltN950pbaFv6DieIJT6T-DwXZmddcCHZcsiFxoSoByG4fXV-SVl9Q6Tu1OTJ397d_xWe_bKPvMCziGD2bQQNzkAJcxVdlcoLL0EYRIf-bLnh0RI54c5hOTlX3ibWQXGBWCeTYeSkE5IgV4QChtJygdydqmgb7IKUmlmT6Qt82e7rw97L2Q-b33ng" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-GKltN950pbaFv6DieIJT6T-DwXZmddcCHZcsiFxoSoByG4fXV-SVl9Q6Tu1OTJ397d_xWe_bKPvMCziGD2bQQNzkAJcxVdlcoLL0EYRIf-bLnh0RI54c5hOTlX3ibWQXGBWCeTYeSkE5IgV4QChtJygdydqmgb7IKUmlmT6Qt82e7rw97L2Q-b33ng=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYD1mR1zj2AZo-APUUr-wRPJ7p3XPnPd8fGxkwAVC-N6FQh1WaFSihPz9Qbgz3Av6kjHzzAXMUhXLMf1HcIozeMqvg_ecpfjWLz92a8gaAg1mWDfHBkpiizZjJ2fZfWvjZIow4Nwnuy2MZUb7PP01nmzeyMxS69MiZCQldqzZ-051TlMIA9FYlzTw43g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3125" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYD1mR1zj2AZo-APUUr-wRPJ7p3XPnPd8fGxkwAVC-N6FQh1WaFSihPz9Qbgz3Av6kjHzzAXMUhXLMf1HcIozeMqvg_ecpfjWLz92a8gaAg1mWDfHBkpiizZjJ2fZfWvjZIow4Nwnuy2MZUb7PP01nmzeyMxS69MiZCQldqzZ-051TlMIA9FYlzTw43g=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHBv5upyTgRR3JnJUNzzCwwvvwa5pTNMRGpZROPgXg0HXKgLIZ7Nn0gY4sBaBcWdhFdcddGCYH6EaZSixk_t-aWsUfplGIIe5WVPMefHdDYVOjsT6paE5TSjSL7D1xailZdYGzHUHWg7gkzsV08QgEy9NEHIlR3MvRUfVJRTHdoGMkCsEuSb9Z7sSZmw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3125" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHBv5upyTgRR3JnJUNzzCwwvvwa5pTNMRGpZROPgXg0HXKgLIZ7Nn0gY4sBaBcWdhFdcddGCYH6EaZSixk_t-aWsUfplGIIe5WVPMefHdDYVOjsT6paE5TSjSL7D1xailZdYGzHUHWg7gkzsV08QgEy9NEHIlR3MvRUfVJRTHdoGMkCsEuSb9Z7sSZmw=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG48F3kTO4RZAAKwFKBaXPRPH9Vegb4FoEx8L2QNDln6-UJ0HQ7CqSYLpD-Ou41w6m4BLsAIYjDsUr0s43aKE6Hs7k81jhSZef8nYqiO50Vu4tKl56PrTrzVkhICe_ZQ4oC0fJ-df_IKlbevb2ORh9hmYppibc7ioYus28NUt16U1dkdpc04CAkLzD3w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3125" data-original-width="2500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG48F3kTO4RZAAKwFKBaXPRPH9Vegb4FoEx8L2QNDln6-UJ0HQ7CqSYLpD-Ou41w6m4BLsAIYjDsUr0s43aKE6Hs7k81jhSZef8nYqiO50Vu4tKl56PrTrzVkhICe_ZQ4oC0fJ-df_IKlbevb2ORh9hmYppibc7ioYus28NUt16U1dkdpc04CAkLzD3w=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbcCukLUK1qWa6WDDg1yv1N5NlVn2394BLS75A9OaMbOkid1CsLoHKdzESIx9Ow2YO9dRVdS043GFSfCiAmjI8GYIZxPZ9-P_Rx4ztdGQFyIi_hG-AahktnjkIIPVqDDcfXbwMzjvw_MyQORf2N4ONhyXvXBQf4EPvtA7FJpJ_TM-yD2w7PKXEq9-wew" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbcCukLUK1qWa6WDDg1yv1N5NlVn2394BLS75A9OaMbOkid1CsLoHKdzESIx9Ow2YO9dRVdS043GFSfCiAmjI8GYIZxPZ9-P_Rx4ztdGQFyIi_hG-AahktnjkIIPVqDDcfXbwMzjvw_MyQORf2N4ONhyXvXBQf4EPvtA7FJpJ_TM-yD2w7PKXEq9-wew=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIuGYxC1MCldshwVyRaRY74G__IZs_HexTsmqo3d_7kfjcLA9CfRq2G6GOnajBfLDhnYOOVhZDuOHb4radH0daizP9tBg7Vz29P5QWB1N8SEnUVJr32DzsNAifL0PvcisY5LQI9mk_-OBdidrKKCAsYXqvduXIxNfdppC7ZS-zxG2a6pBdQwutlPhUGw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3900" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIuGYxC1MCldshwVyRaRY74G__IZs_HexTsmqo3d_7kfjcLA9CfRq2G6GOnajBfLDhnYOOVhZDuOHb4radH0daizP9tBg7Vz29P5QWB1N8SEnUVJr32DzsNAifL0PvcisY5LQI9mk_-OBdidrKKCAsYXqvduXIxNfdppC7ZS-zxG2a6pBdQwutlPhUGw=w640-h410" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzNHOudO5uDqiiwR3T0YTJiY_IvZKVEpb62RmuzRBrb6KbRFmvAAbOK-Y5N1_h_z-fPk9DxgibDZrx7HdTFkSueiTHjuhOyUutKuOackayFE4IIorxEGMjfQcr49_xrSnvckI1pDautSso0HyCfEbheMmLGIwSRX4kdj1pejZMVdG1jsChah1O2Qdg1A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3750" data-original-width="2500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzNHOudO5uDqiiwR3T0YTJiY_IvZKVEpb62RmuzRBrb6KbRFmvAAbOK-Y5N1_h_z-fPk9DxgibDZrx7HdTFkSueiTHjuhOyUutKuOackayFE4IIorxEGMjfQcr49_xrSnvckI1pDautSso0HyCfEbheMmLGIwSRX4kdj1pejZMVdG1jsChah1O2Qdg1A=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4WtNi4d3v4GUG1wsjBF0P5K7z4xrCft7sCZ5ukM1wSSXmHmDGfLTa8uMBJSq2fwLnmIaxq2fckAenulx_OkrtyqMatg9p_n0SvY294kph-aiFrVbKy8tXfLCQ5gEk8EaT7KvAHcPcZuofGe3OS2jQ4y0xLgXE1GJ5yNmlVU8NwnjesmdLuCnk9J2FeQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3125" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4WtNi4d3v4GUG1wsjBF0P5K7z4xrCft7sCZ5ukM1wSSXmHmDGfLTa8uMBJSq2fwLnmIaxq2fckAenulx_OkrtyqMatg9p_n0SvY294kph-aiFrVbKy8tXfLCQ5gEk8EaT7KvAHcPcZuofGe3OS2jQ4y0xLgXE1GJ5yNmlVU8NwnjesmdLuCnk9J2FeQ=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvDdp11VqK5AcKMhD4MtF-WVOZ0KGl4-153Y5l0pmKb2kWS1ND3ReSLwjtBOiTIDpFvxEGIuiRavsLQY71lycOCe1UwXIugktKL4M-ktftDW5YnLvx_agEGxizqXgFmnt1LgPhhMvrixh99BaX3yRrrc9bu5RdxcOglSnmofyCVfGfEn5Pu-s1GLSMCQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvDdp11VqK5AcKMhD4MtF-WVOZ0KGl4-153Y5l0pmKb2kWS1ND3ReSLwjtBOiTIDpFvxEGIuiRavsLQY71lycOCe1UwXIugktKL4M-ktftDW5YnLvx_agEGxizqXgFmnt1LgPhhMvrixh99BaX3yRrrc9bu5RdxcOglSnmofyCVfGfEn5Pu-s1GLSMCQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-TaogpeSDVmjCIgUCBx-kUU-rUgV4emfTtx0C1BWjf3kdGfpqvahFAAsD-bccGJG3vQtM9_Ui0sRazaMNcbYrB4cwptCt8jemhDf7T-YgyIcNXGSus63wxBGp9G20LF7-ceLtCO98DSUjq1HuXh68lZCfLvPjaMH38TqNXIHQTLOxD8DzsOvc-GsBFQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="4073" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-TaogpeSDVmjCIgUCBx-kUU-rUgV4emfTtx0C1BWjf3kdGfpqvahFAAsD-bccGJG3vQtM9_Ui0sRazaMNcbYrB4cwptCt8jemhDf7T-YgyIcNXGSus63wxBGp9G20LF7-ceLtCO98DSUjq1HuXh68lZCfLvPjaMH38TqNXIHQTLOxD8DzsOvc-GsBFQ=w640-h392" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3MV832NAW7h93t1WqKPU75GssCt2L4z_Ix3WIbeukbhPhr5PaSY7-R5142vokvc9TDJZMLm6fb4haY4AZuKv0HWPVMCt_2Yp5gf7qbFLdBfhWBmBZbXVSgDsS9vAxW0nfOIJgo8UdkYoqnjppLopb67F75-ngl3Dv8Wm5QX-5DsrzaKtyL92rWBPCAQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="4444" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3MV832NAW7h93t1WqKPU75GssCt2L4z_Ix3WIbeukbhPhr5PaSY7-R5142vokvc9TDJZMLm6fb4haY4AZuKv0HWPVMCt_2Yp5gf7qbFLdBfhWBmBZbXVSgDsS9vAxW0nfOIJgo8UdkYoqnjppLopb67F75-ngl3Dv8Wm5QX-5DsrzaKtyL92rWBPCAQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVFRSpd9Z0gl7bT1jesZ9RO5TRANSGeMRl6d1dHKU_dXdsq3i3trwhkVyNcSgq_xpoEihVVv8O3NAK_-SxXQKJ0MlHEvcyKPTCFT9JGXocXGbLJW1m0ijm9VvMFErQ84gWTEAkj3Oyt_SuOSEOjrXytQCguHEEXsZ2igzC27LWQ_Xpz7ESnZo7SVz_Yw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVFRSpd9Z0gl7bT1jesZ9RO5TRANSGeMRl6d1dHKU_dXdsq3i3trwhkVyNcSgq_xpoEihVVv8O3NAK_-SxXQKJ0MlHEvcyKPTCFT9JGXocXGbLJW1m0ijm9VvMFErQ84gWTEAkj3Oyt_SuOSEOjrXytQCguHEEXsZ2igzC27LWQ_Xpz7ESnZo7SVz_Yw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhCMifxfhT0w0WmU-nnMtYVNM9taYbf5kLIzYyVICBGiAp4AXSNgZ5A15UxVl7OuNLNeahbJl24G8SUueWo8qxb5KiEzwdsC8gS4LyFVJwIkvVLRHs-OTpWzUtzmn2GZCTSy0xiv5tNn906E5P8QqejLRAhU5_jGdalhnCowok1pGleKF1xLUA9NB_Sw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhCMifxfhT0w0WmU-nnMtYVNM9taYbf5kLIzYyVICBGiAp4AXSNgZ5A15UxVl7OuNLNeahbJl24G8SUueWo8qxb5KiEzwdsC8gS4LyFVJwIkvVLRHs-OTpWzUtzmn2GZCTSy0xiv5tNn906E5P8QqejLRAhU5_jGdalhnCowok1pGleKF1xLUA9NB_Sw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPNqXucmvl3A0KAi1HGF69Vhc7HCR4xZDFU_Ik_D2R_PwnmSdHiSq0aps6M2o23VxwpCFnZ91V08M5ODyHurfP2XSDIrnjm1YGEiSyYdRqz6LcCsNg3YwR8l3qCoqIg39DBPq9DOEV6Fk_RjeRvoesHeUCtZWb6Gi5rkqKV_C_YHfhfYbZ4W-gQjkM2g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPNqXucmvl3A0KAi1HGF69Vhc7HCR4xZDFU_Ik_D2R_PwnmSdHiSq0aps6M2o23VxwpCFnZ91V08M5ODyHurfP2XSDIrnjm1YGEiSyYdRqz6LcCsNg3YwR8l3qCoqIg39DBPq9DOEV6Fk_RjeRvoesHeUCtZWb6Gi5rkqKV_C_YHfhfYbZ4W-gQjkM2g=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt_YnkrCO9mRbdjda0m6XnkkwW5FHVYI-s5-kyTp2XdI4-HzAmrfXv3XB_M2jhA6BToMp6p-vFB2hnzQBEaOcICKqUZLO0pQyAefb1cXnhQiK2JB4FPkjS3mRt1A78gEjoQ1AAyOMIeMomFPJN7pqxxGWmXIkYayZg9OW88Hi6kPE94fzbNe0cAmHm-w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgt_YnkrCO9mRbdjda0m6XnkkwW5FHVYI-s5-kyTp2XdI4-HzAmrfXv3XB_M2jhA6BToMp6p-vFB2hnzQBEaOcICKqUZLO0pQyAefb1cXnhQiK2JB4FPkjS3mRt1A78gEjoQ1AAyOMIeMomFPJN7pqxxGWmXIkYayZg9OW88Hi6kPE94fzbNe0cAmHm-w=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqckTeSz7bZfp7weMO208Y5_ani0XvEsAkEAsUktV25EQ9XjIh-361pEC5wC_mtAUBCylWlqS1HT9_exdZ9BfVecsKTpcZ_ZI6-FV_0txT8tXSGe44fbGkWfX2DMLI4s8QA5YtYFetNPR1dHD1z0ypfYNPKyajvRcx4o5YNHF4LHMcqjN510Om5agOWw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqckTeSz7bZfp7weMO208Y5_ani0XvEsAkEAsUktV25EQ9XjIh-361pEC5wC_mtAUBCylWlqS1HT9_exdZ9BfVecsKTpcZ_ZI6-FV_0txT8tXSGe44fbGkWfX2DMLI4s8QA5YtYFetNPR1dHD1z0ypfYNPKyajvRcx4o5YNHF4LHMcqjN510Om5agOWw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH5NWbQq9bjB7SER_eyrK0iQ-moeP22-h-bcfYu0M6fybdxGEGWd2BnnCCMT1b1AK54lmXYHtGQVnYfgCWB6ooKoBRC4P5J284Q32piE7ZSvXLJzA4W18lpVFRHEJJMUOdVIc7qa03EeyvR6tYRSJUxQMjEnKpgzLJJ3wj6sjt8GGWYtMr_Gy3hx57DA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiH5NWbQq9bjB7SER_eyrK0iQ-moeP22-h-bcfYu0M6fybdxGEGWd2BnnCCMT1b1AK54lmXYHtGQVnYfgCWB6ooKoBRC4P5J284Q32piE7ZSvXLJzA4W18lpVFRHEJJMUOdVIc7qa03EeyvR6tYRSJUxQMjEnKpgzLJJ3wj6sjt8GGWYtMr_Gy3hx57DA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbYLk-cp33ccuFO1cbVowtp6Q21wsVatq8oMdpkcjtDeU2t54d4Ui_KsEz2FOwJcf9Bb8t-slDUCA0Kx31IMfNuKAj_0qQKMy5fEbFHqRBqXDrIZwtDeXASR4yBkLOGbVU4tcKZNO9q71QnWmDNnxn3zaAIhrtbmOzBkMhOjmBELJh733z7kLii0mWDw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbYLk-cp33ccuFO1cbVowtp6Q21wsVatq8oMdpkcjtDeU2t54d4Ui_KsEz2FOwJcf9Bb8t-slDUCA0Kx31IMfNuKAj_0qQKMy5fEbFHqRBqXDrIZwtDeXASR4yBkLOGbVU4tcKZNO9q71QnWmDNnxn3zaAIhrtbmOzBkMhOjmBELJh733z7kLii0mWDw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJnWcWvZn8Ac5GvqaGrIebUviSldQnOoMHIjn8-oVkb9AmV7hsvImDufyc2cFbP73gQJE_1_Uej9XfHHgg4a5A84exX4EVrUhOiSwO_EwK_wXWO8Up9N4-LqNWkiqV0mW0Zrm_KvBowmPMnSlc0gp7wJDmavwhC3P-Y_cK-72L8XMKV0sJ3hlWOHIYTg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJnWcWvZn8Ac5GvqaGrIebUviSldQnOoMHIjn8-oVkb9AmV7hsvImDufyc2cFbP73gQJE_1_Uej9XfHHgg4a5A84exX4EVrUhOiSwO_EwK_wXWO8Up9N4-LqNWkiqV0mW0Zrm_KvBowmPMnSlc0gp7wJDmavwhC3P-Y_cK-72L8XMKV0sJ3hlWOHIYTg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieTYGn4Wm2KePRut_OAqkHqe21uPyQLfgVO1zQ9KO_ZYbcW5MDUCSp6clzJhSU3u6BSokWryglQaPiLEeXdItdWbFkpDgeKIz7iVTIrlVmM8aV0FK_N4SSO1m3OPMAFr4LdHMLN7GEOFKCaFBXUXAoYC4bsJHsRyDm2NKbrTlURpvGp02PAyO55Tuz4A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieTYGn4Wm2KePRut_OAqkHqe21uPyQLfgVO1zQ9KO_ZYbcW5MDUCSp6clzJhSU3u6BSokWryglQaPiLEeXdItdWbFkpDgeKIz7iVTIrlVmM8aV0FK_N4SSO1m3OPMAFr4LdHMLN7GEOFKCaFBXUXAoYC4bsJHsRyDm2NKbrTlURpvGp02PAyO55Tuz4A=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwWNt3s0hiCINEQDBTV550RvTM3E_CtUerVWq0JkOn3__tgGIk7-nTzbSsvxNUuIc4xsmh5kLiISOxNE41ChcHj5_sBnlg9mOjdxgZvQN_jsVij91sPjREd4yAbcJ-sggOUQQc3MTCvdNsi-lqRa8t1WSqHRrJ34uRf8tlaB_KjTml8jz5ypa4GqyEFA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwWNt3s0hiCINEQDBTV550RvTM3E_CtUerVWq0JkOn3__tgGIk7-nTzbSsvxNUuIc4xsmh5kLiISOxNE41ChcHj5_sBnlg9mOjdxgZvQN_jsVij91sPjREd4yAbcJ-sggOUQQc3MTCvdNsi-lqRa8t1WSqHRrJ34uRf8tlaB_KjTml8jz5ypa4GqyEFA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPgIRalSw5IuG65-xudUFkUhCY4e5DxgRcfyH5SDj1NhLSrsN1RXkODgIgLTf4PbexK8OxTKX8Y1qJ9_7qYm5vS43yFCeqF0Ed2JPBjDa7D8ANyG26oQkG9e1CZedwRq0TA5eK_1O9rgjkyyQF2y-yrKOOVcRdfoE7qPd28asfocGBwo6vQRWYV8TdZg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPgIRalSw5IuG65-xudUFkUhCY4e5DxgRcfyH5SDj1NhLSrsN1RXkODgIgLTf4PbexK8OxTKX8Y1qJ9_7qYm5vS43yFCeqF0Ed2JPBjDa7D8ANyG26oQkG9e1CZedwRq0TA5eK_1O9rgjkyyQF2y-yrKOOVcRdfoE7qPd28asfocGBwo6vQRWYV8TdZg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtJ5XpvDu67XWFX0fu_LHwt-6NwoqX7Zi2XMl_gzgIr_27LGrwBmgK0io7rg2h9nqh-LV-XD146081uyC_RvyeBOBhlNZV7_yGTBJwJhdQ_YjR0NNHcOXgmNdAt1pkEDs5j_8Lp3r4P7zC3bNKWip1LQ2aQMKA22km0L00dUsptmWL6ue2-hMJpsTFQw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtJ5XpvDu67XWFX0fu_LHwt-6NwoqX7Zi2XMl_gzgIr_27LGrwBmgK0io7rg2h9nqh-LV-XD146081uyC_RvyeBOBhlNZV7_yGTBJwJhdQ_YjR0NNHcOXgmNdAt1pkEDs5j_8Lp3r4P7zC3bNKWip1LQ2aQMKA22km0L00dUsptmWL6ue2-hMJpsTFQw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFS0m8n8ATPwrvRYmXMsAEg7xIB-UnJCnHqYAwx7wcAHvy3i2Y0LuTVgx3LOi_Br848FBeDAo2U5lGZQLV4bTUgHiZ8x-I55_HkUbPndgCoASKeBz5nM5iT8Y9IAiU3hn1kbauabLYo0aZ19ErGtzDwGooT8DeUKzcckJvq-jCkpKCOfshbEcBb2CEug" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFS0m8n8ATPwrvRYmXMsAEg7xIB-UnJCnHqYAwx7wcAHvy3i2Y0LuTVgx3LOi_Br848FBeDAo2U5lGZQLV4bTUgHiZ8x-I55_HkUbPndgCoASKeBz5nM5iT8Y9IAiU3hn1kbauabLYo0aZ19ErGtzDwGooT8DeUKzcckJvq-jCkpKCOfshbEcBb2CEug=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmjytc-AKjc1QH8p9x489qX3YbnU81y6hAH6F7UVLmBKRWvaN4XKBUm1hQGTYZ8pvJkZUOIZKHSjdc2AqLHoHePeisOgb2fYsgHqQ7w65RjAcVbxR0hmxM809V1NoX4Jmvh9MsCYvmi_2UFAK_e9f29yXBypHVb1Xk1BMIFlz091eGMQeaf5RVWN1iyQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmjytc-AKjc1QH8p9x489qX3YbnU81y6hAH6F7UVLmBKRWvaN4XKBUm1hQGTYZ8pvJkZUOIZKHSjdc2AqLHoHePeisOgb2fYsgHqQ7w65RjAcVbxR0hmxM809V1NoX4Jmvh9MsCYvmi_2UFAK_e9f29yXBypHVb1Xk1BMIFlz091eGMQeaf5RVWN1iyQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhThYJTK0c9SMxOqxeozNJqeyMBAqp4f7jA3hqnhdJHQK8YP0aZBJ27dXRJyr4ZzbH-aBWNNIM8bneWbSva1kw1Gnrt5VGYn4NuEi46W5UsGKyya4fhfLJyLMr2FequGgMgB7VqcIDZf-wiLhw-xzbxuwxzLkZ_TLiSuajz6bRuTDSJ7jF9JEUp8m3l9A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhThYJTK0c9SMxOqxeozNJqeyMBAqp4f7jA3hqnhdJHQK8YP0aZBJ27dXRJyr4ZzbH-aBWNNIM8bneWbSva1kw1Gnrt5VGYn4NuEi46W5UsGKyya4fhfLJyLMr2FequGgMgB7VqcIDZf-wiLhw-xzbxuwxzLkZ_TLiSuajz6bRuTDSJ7jF9JEUp8m3l9A=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2nsUBbLnPxeC2hut4uONF-0YonLKIZ35PEBsVbbvt5GSH8lRE-2AG7XBRSau1GKQeb9LEm2rnp13_KaZQyMVexfkJyFjqzLvspBR8mBo-EG2t3BnOvbGyLHrZAZ9fE2e3r-sqUBJB6X_0VwyfaKDsxUvxKbRHQc1jDWv2CT9cVyMfThwLNeckI6GyYw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2nsUBbLnPxeC2hut4uONF-0YonLKIZ35PEBsVbbvt5GSH8lRE-2AG7XBRSau1GKQeb9LEm2rnp13_KaZQyMVexfkJyFjqzLvspBR8mBo-EG2t3BnOvbGyLHrZAZ9fE2e3r-sqUBJB6X_0VwyfaKDsxUvxKbRHQc1jDWv2CT9cVyMfThwLNeckI6GyYw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAaTqZBHnBGklhpXSXWMTLQY1bG6MqfWExbMt_kITAns-MdxV-SFFva2CtDNZFoY9OTGmXqws3o46jhfgTQiq-ud_ot14I7S_Y2vXvLKkxTv9qGSrxCWoBB5dbPUiqfoB3Cb6aiIubUfj0ZdIOjQxvp57o4hOKKLdF6GqMqXQdFLci-Eg6dZjLa9JLdA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAaTqZBHnBGklhpXSXWMTLQY1bG6MqfWExbMt_kITAns-MdxV-SFFva2CtDNZFoY9OTGmXqws3o46jhfgTQiq-ud_ot14I7S_Y2vXvLKkxTv9qGSrxCWoBB5dbPUiqfoB3Cb6aiIubUfj0ZdIOjQxvp57o4hOKKLdF6GqMqXQdFLci-Eg6dZjLa9JLdA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG8YTho5XCWcfEXIjf07rWzmzghKxwxGAxD_xHVlLYxENBz4rm55xHP4tw9l7Hx5CQl4RsSRDkUOZVcEvdmLSK3B48XwRzn6eSJxP91FG-fXiq1t4pmoaBnShDJIIwGOinsNkpCC5O25IgeYyNPIoioC49PDTKR4N6vsSy0GzhglOUfJg1ET4s5iKQpw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="3125" data-original-width="2500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhG8YTho5XCWcfEXIjf07rWzmzghKxwxGAxD_xHVlLYxENBz4rm55xHP4tw9l7Hx5CQl4RsSRDkUOZVcEvdmLSK3B48XwRzn6eSJxP91FG-fXiq1t4pmoaBnShDJIIwGOinsNkpCC5O25IgeYyNPIoioC49PDTKR4N6vsSy0GzhglOUfJg1ET4s5iKQpw=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOGqahaFHG8UrApwn05SkIJMjW2o_A85JjRaF49xmfd0PqAodcs0s-PATlqxwNrhtuwWrpYPN7expcwUacHh3F2KrS4ugmPukxsOXydeHzfB576TWj5K5NE_3lLHJU10KxGQEi_nTx7BviOMM2rGpnc0wOWgdJ2UPjAxfXAx_HphONCrJ9EkXsvzYg3g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOGqahaFHG8UrApwn05SkIJMjW2o_A85JjRaF49xmfd0PqAodcs0s-PATlqxwNrhtuwWrpYPN7expcwUacHh3F2KrS4ugmPukxsOXydeHzfB576TWj5K5NE_3lLHJU10KxGQEi_nTx7BviOMM2rGpnc0wOWgdJ2UPjAxfXAx_HphONCrJ9EkXsvzYg3g=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidAbi80v5Z3osjpq09BVaCrOUIBbeJM6J0PkTUU404LFf9Kb1yBmgq313S-hzClep9T-jqhzauqXBaWhJiV2YWS1ZAQbfH5mGyRDY475cNJpDU7c1ntga48ZCzmXmHofGtaJvjWua3TfUV22ZN42-f-LrqP27IHKsIT04KcnxJvMR8K7MC7H2TPfx7Kg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="4444" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidAbi80v5Z3osjpq09BVaCrOUIBbeJM6J0PkTUU404LFf9Kb1yBmgq313S-hzClep9T-jqhzauqXBaWhJiV2YWS1ZAQbfH5mGyRDY475cNJpDU7c1ntga48ZCzmXmHofGtaJvjWua3TfUV22ZN42-f-LrqP27IHKsIT04KcnxJvMR8K7MC7H2TPfx7Kg=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3_ih9dsnCk5f0l7tfqtR_nT9bze6ZL6QV6EU4VRXwicUbami87HQzY6Wc3ydAXb59AjmJXeV10vLtFg_FOiZGjucDeKO_i4rYBWgTu9SdgLJQT2wm32eiT6BNBSd6nDT8_GTrn4AN9kmVT1Iu93PKWY-v3zpXrtrtV6J1BLGbrr9Z2tvWh2MNRY2Udw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3125" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3_ih9dsnCk5f0l7tfqtR_nT9bze6ZL6QV6EU4VRXwicUbami87HQzY6Wc3ydAXb59AjmJXeV10vLtFg_FOiZGjucDeKO_i4rYBWgTu9SdgLJQT2wm32eiT6BNBSd6nDT8_GTrn4AN9kmVT1Iu93PKWY-v3zpXrtrtV6J1BLGbrr9Z2tvWh2MNRY2Udw=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBx86_2A_tiP4RPk5R8oJaIBgGXfWOGJKlz57wMxnZo25HE7KyCxKoB4iDTtHROh8X5sb6kIxMO6PBFgTi6qEqg_Tc_bV_I6IZ2C2vZyvOYznBile_tiDca36Ez1EYK8Rt4gC0O_YAS3otB322huGWcLM0V7jUYX8GKL2uYBjOdDoqA7QTtkSwFrJksg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBx86_2A_tiP4RPk5R8oJaIBgGXfWOGJKlz57wMxnZo25HE7KyCxKoB4iDTtHROh8X5sb6kIxMO6PBFgTi6qEqg_Tc_bV_I6IZ2C2vZyvOYznBile_tiDca36Ez1EYK8Rt4gC0O_YAS3otB322huGWcLM0V7jUYX8GKL2uYBjOdDoqA7QTtkSwFrJksg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7f4a1mKvyInzhm2Rby2bqfKg_z2r-rshIBGOZvx9MGbHpXgDoltgofY6z3xCXPCj6CcvW0Ie9PDqXlxwlFa25HEaiic9faUexJCvX5htWfDycKRP9h6bCc14WXDeslBPYIQogczgmUhKu-AyJRv3wkznEvsjRVpvaDpgN8aXZA5sUkXn7VdApX1qdcg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="3750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7f4a1mKvyInzhm2Rby2bqfKg_z2r-rshIBGOZvx9MGbHpXgDoltgofY6z3xCXPCj6CcvW0Ie9PDqXlxwlFa25HEaiic9faUexJCvX5htWfDycKRP9h6bCc14WXDeslBPYIQogczgmUhKu-AyJRv3wkznEvsjRVpvaDpgN8aXZA5sUkXn7VdApX1qdcg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFhHMlWSRLFGSmQ99teE3MyTXtrefLStT8mvXKlwt7aR-b4CZEPPbqCn8o1Hx5VxHDJIaec16XULX88bAHbMDBQz54I49JfzVWo6ZbzXHfBnM9Hn9phfpeSGFNPW_3OkpoXCT4FuArmd0DpDfAGscDcu4t44Dv8qzdQPz-OfX_deIFqdLZb0sN5luQvA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2153" data-original-width="2153" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFhHMlWSRLFGSmQ99teE3MyTXtrefLStT8mvXKlwt7aR-b4CZEPPbqCn8o1Hx5VxHDJIaec16XULX88bAHbMDBQz54I49JfzVWo6ZbzXHfBnM9Hn9phfpeSGFNPW_3OkpoXCT4FuArmd0DpDfAGscDcu4t44Dv8qzdQPz-OfX_deIFqdLZb0sN5luQvA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-19810688037737791112022-05-16T11:55:00.005+01:002022-05-16T12:16:37.927+01:00HELLO! Long time no see. <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Phew, how's everyone doing?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We've all been through a lot since I last wrote anything down.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Corona, the on going car crash that is Brexit, UK politics and just when you think it couldn't get any worse, now the Ukraine war. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">But here we are in Spring 2022 and Corona is over (well, actually it's not...) </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Quick update on the other job - Cycletherapy work has come back post Corona with trail building, designing, reporting and mending all back on the calendar, with builds at Perth (Kinnoull Hill), Laggan (Orange) and the long forgotten design for Tarland II now being built. Hiding in the wings are some interesting design / feasibility studies that if they ever see the light of day will be very exciting developments. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVWOY38CU3jKrwcBMoZ5Va5kFdMf5Y1eZhw-cxAMH72N4m2zSzinb8nDBVWgt0cn9N_BGJ804KSERmt3oYdf5bZRrjR6OCx77X_rT2PUhOmVtszutnP7xlIqI0vPqpq-PnsbXIsXx7lqzzuIBNfFkpe_UiWuAog0UKo7rmrYhvoLcckAxSJnabRoBtg/s2500/ferg%20berm%20eyes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2500" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVWOY38CU3jKrwcBMoZ5Va5kFdMf5Y1eZhw-cxAMH72N4m2zSzinb8nDBVWgt0cn9N_BGJ804KSERmt3oYdf5bZRrjR6OCx77X_rT2PUhOmVtszutnP7xlIqI0vPqpq-PnsbXIsXx7lqzzuIBNfFkpe_UiWuAog0UKo7rmrYhvoLcckAxSJnabRoBtg/w634-h508/ferg%20berm%20eyes.jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eye auto focus revelation!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5mXMHhCZ03H1C4_qu_XJCqXMNNfrRxUClT6-qD7LVTQwpmiulzXfMLxnFYqBJQZkjz4x9-V_66pLG9E_ikFuJZXxBzsN5eNiJLWeavTiD0lhyRftb6c-IjLbX45urPzO9JCeDV8l-cRRjQ5LDp5Tidc6mmzk_l6nxdE5Ev_DGQp1AEvY6EOwr-aPzw/s1800/79FB7765-23F0-4F2C-BD12-22D0B02C7303.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="791" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5mXMHhCZ03H1C4_qu_XJCqXMNNfrRxUClT6-qD7LVTQwpmiulzXfMLxnFYqBJQZkjz4x9-V_66pLG9E_ikFuJZXxBzsN5eNiJLWeavTiD0lhyRftb6c-IjLbX45urPzO9JCeDV8l-cRRjQ5LDp5Tidc6mmzk_l6nxdE5Ev_DGQp1AEvY6EOwr-aPzw/w631-h791/79FB7765-23F0-4F2C-BD12-22D0B02C7303.jpeg" width="631" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy testing the rebuild at Laggan<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYCTMjLSG5uY_VvIT2WTRF1pFjlEv0NYfq_GGf6vozFWTElRY0LHcGNc9XgWilFmkca8zWBVPK8tuv-IZ9HHRrrf1ayh4uGeYDSYmRzsnRq8MuaIw6Ea1vJ9GnmFg3g8OQRtcm0rqJla3F8r9ymZ1ixqRCyGFq3gnUirTK6j2rGfU4vatHCYHa1DL0w/s2500/DCB91775-27A2-4730-B927-AFFB7A8C2C73.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1667" height="950" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYCTMjLSG5uY_VvIT2WTRF1pFjlEv0NYfq_GGf6vozFWTElRY0LHcGNc9XgWilFmkca8zWBVPK8tuv-IZ9HHRrrf1ayh4uGeYDSYmRzsnRq8MuaIw6Ea1vJ9GnmFg3g8OQRtcm0rqJla3F8r9ymZ1ixqRCyGFq3gnUirTK6j2rGfU4vatHCYHa1DL0w/w633-h950/DCB91775-27A2-4730-B927-AFFB7A8C2C73.jpeg" width="633" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete the digger driver testing the Perth rebuild<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-VBoFhs0-O4-5ksDktIVXZ6_qATwzEeSnZBCBL18aHfycWrPGygOIEpE2b4LxDHQ1wt2PgtRnbLP0zPsdK880zF9xmpqVkkWCHT49_6TwF_5YoT5EYvdskTvUPuOKXFJPudpoU5C8jjjYGrg5zlwY8CTYb2qd9BMJWVTMiiKjdaL-_mbESucEjyDNg/s6000/49E930AC-7F66-4388-B8E3-B17DD4CB9739.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-VBoFhs0-O4-5ksDktIVXZ6_qATwzEeSnZBCBL18aHfycWrPGygOIEpE2b4LxDHQ1wt2PgtRnbLP0zPsdK880zF9xmpqVkkWCHT49_6TwF_5YoT5EYvdskTvUPuOKXFJPudpoU5C8jjjYGrg5zlwY8CTYb2qd9BMJWVTMiiKjdaL-_mbESucEjyDNg/w665-h444/49E930AC-7F66-4388-B8E3-B17DD4CB9739.jpeg" width="665" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Product shot for Cairngorm Brewery</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But photography really took a hit, with basically everything stopping dead for almost 20 months. A few wee projects locally, but there are areas of my photography business that will probably never come back. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So whilst everything was quiet, I sold all my Olympus, Fuji and Canon kit and moved to Sony, sounds mad, but Olympus had gone bust and I was unsure if I wanted to continue professionally with a 'dead' system (Olympus were eventually bought out and relaunched as OM Systems, but I had already made my mind up) However, it has streamlined my cameras to one brand which is better supported, easier to swap lenses around on and hopefully future proof. </p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The Sony's really do work so well after years of dodgy focussing and the limitations of tiny sensors. Low light performance is hugely better what with the bigger sensor and eye auto focussing is a revelation especially for fast paced people shoots. I can genuinely leave focussing to the camera and it just gets it done. And at last shallow depth of field! Photo nerds will know what I mean coming from micro four thirds. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even done a few weddings...</div><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8dkzOZ-KD0ECZr5gXCZ-6aQmnbAF6kvmvczYRgXWUuifH122Ii0uLAUxeeg9hAR0YexqYP23-Bj5YpDc-rVSCH7_HFHYbHCKEsAlqWpom3bXdQIpRTZm8fLNwk15bRb4N0UfOfjNHbDHT_911lWCoYHo-RMEtmGDnuqWAZVwvjD6aGyoRPy5mzRe2g/s3375/5956C8EA-C0CB-4D09-A934-C48BE97E07B1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3375" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8dkzOZ-KD0ECZr5gXCZ-6aQmnbAF6kvmvczYRgXWUuifH122Ii0uLAUxeeg9hAR0YexqYP23-Bj5YpDc-rVSCH7_HFHYbHCKEsAlqWpom3bXdQIpRTZm8fLNwk15bRb4N0UfOfjNHbDHT_911lWCoYHo-RMEtmGDnuqWAZVwvjD6aGyoRPy5mzRe2g/w640-h426/5956C8EA-C0CB-4D09-A934-C48BE97E07B1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding shoot local beauty spot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xxGUhMi5h1-0jiMxkEgkMZ3iJgCftqEnPp8zc0xQEhrL45ggEumjti7XBbuoHburNyN19Ai2QA8Wtfso-rtciLRA1Yj1tQCu2m-nsKTO5BquoR6pCwvvpGtcx7DxLGyRDU5cctIInYzviaxVoT2cC97rMXXO_3iDhS7JrWpSBVnZwByYPmhqJPmbjQ/s3000/81EDAF0B-331F-41D2-A39D-6C7C9BAD5277.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2143" height="825" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xxGUhMi5h1-0jiMxkEgkMZ3iJgCftqEnPp8zc0xQEhrL45ggEumjti7XBbuoHburNyN19Ai2QA8Wtfso-rtciLRA1Yj1tQCu2m-nsKTO5BquoR6pCwvvpGtcx7DxLGyRDU5cctIInYzviaxVoT2cC97rMXXO_3iDhS7JrWpSBVnZwByYPmhqJPmbjQ/w589-h825/81EDAF0B-331F-41D2-A39D-6C7C9BAD5277.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="589" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding shoot about as local as I can get!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xxGUhMi5h1-0jiMxkEgkMZ3iJgCftqEnPp8zc0xQEhrL45ggEumjti7XBbuoHburNyN19Ai2QA8Wtfso-rtciLRA1Yj1tQCu2m-nsKTO5BquoR6pCwvvpGtcx7DxLGyRDU5cctIInYzviaxVoT2cC97rMXXO_3iDhS7JrWpSBVnZwByYPmhqJPmbjQ/s3000/81EDAF0B-331F-41D2-A39D-6C7C9BAD5277.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">But then having dodged it for two odd years Corona got me (remember I said it wasn't over) and although not too bad, compared to the horror stories during the early days of the pandemic, it did floor me for a wee while. It seems to be taking it's time to completely clear my system, so just slow and easy bike rides just now, if I push too hard I'm knackered for days after. So scrub all race plans until the body feels ready to pick up proper training again, gotta be patient and just play the long game with this one. Also 'brain fog' is a thing - so bear with me folks if I'm slow on the emails!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Stay safe everyone.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-18249559291842911692019-08-22T10:42:00.000+01:002019-08-22T12:19:58.744+01:00Summer 2019 Round Up.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDMlke7MDRXbg0bFFGi9Cy2FS-j46DAgKXURypTALbHA1TLgpLsGJj7HEs0s_AipEnEwnizgkSE_zbDEt3vh-paGGc_ZIw4M6o2ZIt4GCeHlgm3vmrtIczatYmBUED3-MyxLx4J5qTCPV/s1600/Lake+Como+boys-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDMlke7MDRXbg0bFFGi9Cy2FS-j46DAgKXURypTALbHA1TLgpLsGJj7HEs0s_AipEnEwnizgkSE_zbDEt3vh-paGGc_ZIw4M6o2ZIt4GCeHlgm3vmrtIczatYmBUED3-MyxLx4J5qTCPV/s640/Lake+Como+boys-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A funny old summer that was, yes, I know, it's not over yet, but kids going back to school kinda means it's a change of season to me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last few summers have been dominated (although I try not to let it be) by training for the 3 Peaks cyclocross race and this is how this spring started again. Lots of long road rides, actually 'gravel' road rides as we're spoiled for that up here. Then into my structured training schedule figured out by David Lines of Espresso Cycle Coaching. Davie had studied the data and decided we should work in the initial stages training on low down power and torque, cue many, many repeats of our nearby big climb - the Burma road, all done in a higher gear than comfortable and at low revs. As it was still only April at this point, some of these reps were done into the snow, with studded tyres fitted and winter gloves, this was just about doable - not pleasant, just bearable. These sessions were hard, but even outside in the wintery weather, were still preferable to the indoor trainer. Eventually, shorter higher power hill repeats were added which had me scouting around our nearby hills to find two to three minute climbs, definitely a different way of using Strava! So, all in all, things going nicely, power numbers higher than previous years, weight coming down (always a 3Peaks 'thing') family life not too affected and we (Davie and me) had planned that during my upcoming summer hols in Italy I would switch to running which uses less time and can be done early morning before anyone wakes up i.e. minimal family impact. The 3Peaks has a brutal start climb that favours the fell runners, so upping my running game was no bad thing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The doubts were setting in as I left for Italy, no entry confirmation email, this meant I was now waiting for a reserve place. I put the entry doubts to the back of my mind, enjoyed the holiday and bagged some cracking hill runs on the steep mountain tracks that climb up and away from the shores of Lake Como into the surrounding hills. I was really enjoying the runs, hard sweaty work, but really good for the head, just concentrating on foot placement on the rocky trails, no external thoughts and no 'faff' getting out, just shorts, a running top and trainers, on the trails in under 5 mins, back before breakfast, easy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As the holidays came to a close, I had to push the organisers for an answer, was I in or not? I know they say not to contact them (they're obviously very busy) but I had to start making some serious decisions - do I keep training 'just in case' or did I have to face up to the fact I just wasn't getting in. The reply came that the last sixteen places had been handed out and I wasn't one of them.<br />
Gutted.<br />
I must admit I had been fairly relaxed about getting in, I thought a 3.31hr time would defo see me being pre-selected. There was a slim chance that there might be some last minute cancellations opening up some spare slots, but with my work / family / life balance, I couldn't keep making sacrifices on a 'maybe'. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I had to let it go.<br />
Bowing out of this marvellous race with a sub 3.30 was not going to be - and I doubt it ever will now. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'll admit, not getting in really hit me hard, I've always found that if you really want something, then hard work, determination and Just. Not. Giving. In. Usually wins the prize. Anyone reading this know my military days? You'll know what we went through...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But to just not get in felt like someone felt I wasn't worthy of a race entry - I took that personally. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Months of training down the drain, I briefly considered focussing on the upcoming cyclocross season, but a quick check of the calendar showed the first 3 races all clashed with my kids mountainbike club training days and there's no way I was causing them to miss that, they are loving riding their bikes at the mo. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually it was my kids that helped me get over it all, with them saying just to get out and ride with them more - "we'll help you ride better dad" - cheeky buggers! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Riding through the rest of their summer hols with them was a revelation, their utter conviction to ride anything and their determination that I could do it too, slowly rubbed off (a little bit) on me and eventually I was clearing drop-offs I would never have even attempted at the start of summer. To ride trails with them that previously I was having to go round the 'gnarly' bits was a hugely enjoyable experience and we could now 'train' it down trails, albeit with me at the back! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqF4vY7XV2MeDHAG_8gG80LUllNRbqgC0oUxuZB4ErWTMN23bElE2xthN6oSrAubBAxyIey_WXJdezk1xp3HLp8cBRRsJ-C5LyobLm8UEeE1P_ls-0ZXDww0A4A68RWfJkyoczXvktiov/s1600/high+burnised+ferg-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqF4vY7XV2MeDHAG_8gG80LUllNRbqgC0oUxuZB4ErWTMN23bElE2xthN6oSrAubBAxyIey_WXJdezk1xp3HLp8cBRRsJ-C5LyobLm8UEeE1P_ls-0ZXDww0A4A68RWfJkyoczXvktiov/s640/high+burnised+ferg-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took ages for me to get over this drop-off, but Fergs wouldn't give up on me! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPznLwNf3bKoKS6683b8_FbyxsbYn_Nln_C0Rz9TronmhfPEomSzDrZYQ2extJ7DkQF73hFLUci2NDMPF6caFsNSnzl4J2oGx9BKhfL6B4imZBub6lVH-4RAPfPptOusc6yB8aqhYuz-D/s1600/high+burnised+sandy-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPznLwNf3bKoKS6683b8_FbyxsbYn_Nln_C0Rz9TronmhfPEomSzDrZYQ2extJ7DkQF73hFLUci2NDMPF6caFsNSnzl4J2oGx9BKhfL6B4imZBub6lVH-4RAPfPptOusc6yB8aqhYuz-D/s640/high+burnised+sandy-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ones a little trickier...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The kids are back at school now, all is quiet in the house and the missus and I get back to our 'normal' routine. Mountainbike trail design work is drying up with the looming nightmare of you-know-what in late October. Therefore, I am focussing (sorry) on my photographic business which is probably a more viable long term prospect with expensive trail build budgets relying on a cash strapped government and the disappearing Euro funding.<br />
But cheers Italy, you were beautiful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzoOl0ALIcqwFo2l01yPMm26ZlTQmim3eWgk5OplV85YPQD8k3RnI5PoessEhm4-PxYchH5J_ayzTk_yif-BVxwwBArWGlDNbobCy4c3AMyI7N1xJX_IlQwSHTm69Y3uyoeamYLj6FSPS/s1600/italy+pics-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzoOl0ALIcqwFo2l01yPMm26ZlTQmim3eWgk5OplV85YPQD8k3RnI5PoessEhm4-PxYchH5J_ayzTk_yif-BVxwwBArWGlDNbobCy4c3AMyI7N1xJX_IlQwSHTm69Y3uyoeamYLj6FSPS/s640/italy+pics-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8vjEkwBh0jAltGcQchPkIMoLuPcL3oX1uqyaSVLgYZk2GKyBfYsAUX1gAwdzlVWuGOgAmCcbXUjM8MBKZTosR4e9ZkmvPNZXM0gJ2XBSndmDkFKvKIJWpojM_dQFGFkmvTXir4LoCfOf/s1600/italy+pics-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8vjEkwBh0jAltGcQchPkIMoLuPcL3oX1uqyaSVLgYZk2GKyBfYsAUX1gAwdzlVWuGOgAmCcbXUjM8MBKZTosR4e9ZkmvPNZXM0gJ2XBSndmDkFKvKIJWpojM_dQFGFkmvTXir4LoCfOf/s640/italy+pics-3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMoxWJi9nGQRKTGiZ9dNLR4itxqdgOoCztTx-XvXUa_wJN5ao9_5Q7Wu7YUal6GwGjo4RTopP-K6v6XLNi-jm5ohq40HBHoTXfDt-nAFcDoQVIAfQl795jGJ6reWnWfqEHLvF2r8U3T3H/s1600/italy+pics-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMoxWJi9nGQRKTGiZ9dNLR4itxqdgOoCztTx-XvXUa_wJN5ao9_5Q7Wu7YUal6GwGjo4RTopP-K6v6XLNi-jm5ohq40HBHoTXfDt-nAFcDoQVIAfQl795jGJ6reWnWfqEHLvF2r8U3T3H/s640/italy+pics-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoYFv4j8Yu18pyim3z3EIBGsTg_3QYLUnJ0QKqsBj_7XUpclFjIxR0KYmUBG9q-DaePEjj0GyeYqSe-EpfmyPn5AJ-8L1fEX1vHfKMGbUFOs9soontWDX93Wo6uNvb94VyGvCJOevZl3v/s1600/italy+pics-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoYFv4j8Yu18pyim3z3EIBGsTg_3QYLUnJ0QKqsBj_7XUpclFjIxR0KYmUBG9q-DaePEjj0GyeYqSe-EpfmyPn5AJ-8L1fEX1vHfKMGbUFOs9soontWDX93Wo6uNvb94VyGvCJOevZl3v/s640/italy+pics-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JfK0wZV9NXAXSAOcUnx0P-qyh5xzri-kbZH4VyRJQF4Pplcs0dUFdIqcLrsB1qzAXhJ2mJ3kFssUPYERLvU4T0uEAkKHxPra1Ee7ePMkexDorrmIUG6_7zV0t_y_rRXWXJa2C6LhksuT/s1600/italy+pics+2-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JfK0wZV9NXAXSAOcUnx0P-qyh5xzri-kbZH4VyRJQF4Pplcs0dUFdIqcLrsB1qzAXhJ2mJ3kFssUPYERLvU4T0uEAkKHxPra1Ee7ePMkexDorrmIUG6_7zV0t_y_rRXWXJa2C6LhksuT/s640/italy+pics+2-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-44955746959050809082018-10-01T14:33:00.001+01:002018-10-01T14:44:17.301+01:003 Peaks Cyclocross 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrCWDLHJIH48rFeK-d83_lJSTNOmcRDdp5i8owSPPtRffIrYFtRc9Kla8w8elMkbBZSZJy20_XxF2jxGDRo9SjL8lA5XJhQH7bBO2HIgBKCZRP6CjgC_mZYiHEOBifSb6Xr8DEK9sZAHX/s1600/me+downhilling+pen+y+gent+2018+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrCWDLHJIH48rFeK-d83_lJSTNOmcRDdp5i8owSPPtRffIrYFtRc9Kla8w8elMkbBZSZJy20_XxF2jxGDRo9SjL8lA5XJhQH7bBO2HIgBKCZRP6CjgC_mZYiHEOBifSb6Xr8DEK9sZAHX/s400/me+downhilling+pen+y+gent+2018+cropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
pic. Steve Fleming</div>
See that face of concentration, that's because I've realised there's a faint whiff of a chance of a sub 3.30 time (which is a big deal in the 3Peaks world) and I'm hanging on for grim death trying quite hard to get off the final descent as quickly as possible, but without spleening it or puncturing. Both common occurrences.<br />
I never ever thought I'd get near this, but a 3.31 in the end is cruelly just not good enough. Twelve minutes off last years time, so pleased as punch with that.<br />
Preparation for this year went well; started training in good time, running / skiing though the winter, lots of early summer miles in, then settled into the Espresso Cycle Coaching schedule once again masterminded by David Lines. This is all designed around my busy work / family life and involves shorter more intense sessions, which seem to do the trick for me. Lots of indoor turbo stuff, unpleasant, but effective.<br />
Form was coming on nicely with a win at the first Scottish Cyclocross race at Bute a fortnight before the Peaks and weight was right down at scrawny, malnourished look, perfect. Even time this year for a nice taper to get rid of the constant fatigue of heavy training.<br />
I made a few changes to the bike, as a mountain biker I've always struggled descending on the drops so I raised the bars a bit, fitted a shorter stem and wider bars<br />
Would still like hydro cross top levers - come on Hope!<br />
Usual pre race plan; down a day early, set out cached bottles (this worked well again) then hook up with the fast Scottish contingent (Gary and Ewan) to scope out some lines off of Whernside - the hardest descent. This was a good thing, recorded an almost reasonable split time on this part.<br />
Like last year, nervous the night before, but ate and slept well and arrived at the race venue nice and early for a wee pedal around to settle the nerves and wake the legs up.<br />
That Start! It doesn't get any nicer, got a better start line position though and managed to get near the front for the key turn off the tarmac over the cattle grid (scene of many a crash) and onto the first of the off road sections.<br />
First checkpoint after the horrendous slog up Ingleborough and I was up on time a wee bit, but by the checkpoint at the bottom of the hill I was well up on last years split. Grabbed my bottle on a cane (always a wee boost to morale when I see it's still there) and head down for a fast roadie bit to the next hill. No help on this leg, just head down and pedal hard.<br />
The next hill, Whernside, is a real leg killer, with hundreds of stone steps at just the wrong height. However, time split on reaching the top was way up, it was at this point I stated thinking sub 3.30!<br />
A cracking descent followed, following Gary MacDonalds advice of 'just batter down the slabs' passed loads of crashed riders or those dealing with punctures - my tubeless @45psi got through it aok though.<br />
Down off the hill safely and the last bottle stash was collected from a handy bush near the viaduct, and unlike last years bottle cage fail, I was able to drink all the contents before the last climb (no point taking it up the hill)<br />
The last climb is different to the first two in that most of it can be pedalled, well, with a 38x42 it can! Like last time great crowd support, really lifts the spirits to get cheered on, the crowds are what make this such a special event. Same has to be said for the marshalls, always cheery and they've been stuck out in the cold and the rain all day, not just for 3.30 hours!<br />
3.10 split at the summit. Aaagh sub 20mins to the finish! I know I can't do that, this descent rewards the fearless 'brakes off' types.<br />
I can't descend like the best of them, the consequences of spleening it and being possibly stuck in a hospital hundreds of miles from home and family play on my mind too much.<br />
These days I'm more safe and steady.<br />
Anyhoo a minute quicker down off the hill than last year, then the final lung busting few miles to the line - saw some riders, chased them, caught them, didn't look back, heart rate here 183! 3.31 and a handful of seconds, delighted, but 4th in cat and off the old buggers podium. Damn.<br />
Really don't know how I could go any quicker, don't even know if I'll do it again, it's such a huge effort to prepare for this race, but could I possibly find that extra minute or so....Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-8701608445151434062018-06-07T17:14:00.001+01:002018-06-07T17:14:52.810+01:00NC500 For BicyclesI'm so rusty at doing these updates, I couldn't even remember how to log in.<br />
Anyhow, once I was through the 'forgotten password' stage, I thought I might as well get down my thoughts on a recent 'holiday'...<br />
Quick update; hard winter, no trail building, thankfully loads of photo work got me through. Skiing was great, cycling not so - apart from the revelation that is a cross bike with studded tyres (Cheers David at Bothy) Summer kicks in like HOT, back onto trail building, 3 Peaks cyclocross entry off (fingers crossed) back on bike regularly, weather still awesome, need more miles in the legs...<br />
So hatched a last minute plan with fellow Aviemoron Brian Fishpool to use this unusually amazing spell of good weather do the North Coast 500 in the time available - 5 days.<br />
Now I don't do lots of miles, I get bored easily and don't usually have a lot of time to spare, so 60ish is normally my limit, but I reckoned nice and steady, with plenty of stops would see us right. Shame we didn't do that!<br />
We were travelling as light as we could for an unsupported trip using accommodation; a bar bag, frame bag and small saddle bag (thanks Andy Toop for 'bike packing' *cough* advice!) and using our 'posh' road racing bikes, maybe not the best choice, more on this later.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuKAnlkT6xKl6vNp_9XHLj1xJsILwNBVzZgD-UJkzoe5Jq7VexI41ESyfxaVpQg9cmS_hRau9084HRXpyeiq_nl0U8GopQsD5jotOx_vmINW6VY1gnwTCtOsdZjXoQurUpK0RSDERy3f_/s1600/IMG_5834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuKAnlkT6xKl6vNp_9XHLj1xJsILwNBVzZgD-UJkzoe5Jq7VexI41ESyfxaVpQg9cmS_hRau9084HRXpyeiq_nl0U8GopQsD5jotOx_vmINW6VY1gnwTCtOsdZjXoQurUpK0RSDERy3f_/s400/IMG_5834.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Due to lack of accommodation in Applecross we decided to start there after an early drive over from Aviemore, then 'overnights' at Ullapool, Durness and Wick, with the last night of Inverness being a quick lift home to Aviemore from the missus, leaving the last day to do the final Inverness - Bealach leg without the bags. Sorted.<br />
The first leg from Applecross to Ullapool is 117 miles and 7500' of climbing, we set out with the 'steady and lots of stops' idea, but with a strong headwind, dropped into the old roadie thing of 'bit and bit' two up for most of the day (this would become the pattern for most of the ride) We rode maybe a wee bit too hard, took not enough stops, nearly ran out of fluids and battered our selves into the relentless headwind and 26º temps. We arrived in Ullapool at 9pm, completely knackered and after inhaling a fish supper, a packet of peanuts, jelly babies, a pint of milk, several cups of tea and all the hospitality shortbread, collapsed into a brufen and paracetamol aided sleep. Not pretty.<br />
Day two dawned with two very sore cyclists devouring a full Scottish breakfast, filling our pockets with the free bananas and setting out for Durness, 98 miles away and another 7500' of climbing. This was the leg we regretted 'race' gearing and narrow tyres. 36x28 isn't low enough for roads with double black arrows and carrying overnight kit! And 25c tyres on very eroded tar and chip roads is a punishing ride.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCwNf-5o0WTbBmBYCIO44jK6CSZvcnBFXnnOvNLtI7LhDoHXEZ3PYtC8ZHSI_Bng-C2_bRYQOrYU4ozrccAu3jThxUtyZrMQVm3rIQYlCPa3DNjKfqC9mADpQr2ouA_D0hN_y74LY4P89/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCwNf-5o0WTbBmBYCIO44jK6CSZvcnBFXnnOvNLtI7LhDoHXEZ3PYtC8ZHSI_Bng-C2_bRYQOrYU4ozrccAu3jThxUtyZrMQVm3rIQYlCPa3DNjKfqC9mADpQr2ouA_D0hN_y74LY4P89/s400/IMG_2502.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another hot and windy day, but stops at Elphin (great cafe) Lochinver (Spar) and Kylescue (lovely restaurant) saw us arrive at Durness slightly less weary than day 1 at 8pm. The staff at the Smoo Hotel were excellent, modifying their menu to serve up a huge chicken pasta with side salad. Good bike storage too. Cheers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhio2NVNikgjoQJItG0OjVipJUKMkqDVj7xuQtJndSItPMdGJonRZzPtXAM6MmIbuzLlMZ0XGubVLoPcyqF9UlNT4DcCpqO9sGFZN0PPRQM7u-JYQ2G8zWCPr-vOZL2-d03GGm4hltwpovz/s1600/IMG_5846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhio2NVNikgjoQJItG0OjVipJUKMkqDVj7xuQtJndSItPMdGJonRZzPtXAM6MmIbuzLlMZ0XGubVLoPcyqF9UlNT4DcCpqO9sGFZN0PPRQM7u-JYQ2G8zWCPr-vOZL2-d03GGm4hltwpovz/s400/IMG_5846.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Day three, Durness to Wick, 108 miles, 6200' climbing, this is where it started to get a bit boring if I'm honest. The first part to Tongue is pretty, there's a nice shop / cafe there and unless you really have to 'do' the 500 I'd bale out south here and head for Lairg - Bonar Bridge - Nigg - Cromarty - Inverness for a nicer finish, but no, we cracked on, largely my fault as I felt I had to do the whole thing before I could comment on it.<br />
The roads get busier, actually all the route has lots of traffic, but here they started passing more quickly! The terrain becomes less spectacular and in our case we were head on into that strong easterly, still v' hot too. A great lunch stop at a pub on the roadside at Melvich and we pushed on to Thurso (Tesco) to do that long distance cycling thing of sitting on the pavement eating sandwiches, crisps, chocolate and milk. Becoming less interested with the whole thing by now we put our heads down and simply ticked off the miles to John O Groats, didn't linger and fuelled by Haribo we ground our way into a dreary Wick. Both had sore knees by now (high gears) and we were in a hotel on the third floor - thanks. Hysterical laughter at dinner as we realised the menu was more 'haute cuisine' than was required by two very hungry cyclists! Thanks to the waitress that kept returning with the bread basket. Even the puddings were wee! Cheeseboards all round.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraVdjboh27sOgrD49xucFs9scAl7oOoPVpVNX8KoSyJAlEJ20P9_aSTS7PebvvpG-CmKoJuL4LE1iGD0w3OhyFZwME9Jvk48HlND2Lo0GmcJ6W0yXdpDUcDHZ-yzQfTNmgU_QxDXXHQt_/s1600/IMG_5850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraVdjboh27sOgrD49xucFs9scAl7oOoPVpVNX8KoSyJAlEJ20P9_aSTS7PebvvpG-CmKoJuL4LE1iGD0w3OhyFZwME9Jvk48HlND2Lo0GmcJ6W0yXdpDUcDHZ-yzQfTNmgU_QxDXXHQt_/s400/IMG_5850.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Day four, Wick to Inverness - ghastly! Just don't do this! Busy roads, motorists and lorries all IN A HURRY with the added danger of harr reducing visibility to a 'I'm scared' level. 95 miles of purgatory, 4700' climbing but at least a slight tailwind. The dreaded A9 was always going to be the worst day, and it was, this section had nothing to recommend it to cyclists, apart from a nice cafe in Helmsdale (on the seafront) which offered to dry wet jackets from the harr. If the ferry is running, dive off at Nigg to go Cromarty - Black Isle - Inverness, or, as we had to, the back road out of Tain to Alness and then Evanton, this is a lovely wee road.<br />
My wife had been pre-booked to pick us up from Inverness and we were hugely relieved to see her (and my cheering young lad who'd sneaked off school early) for the run home to Aviemore. Finished this day quite quickly so had a little bit more recovery time that evening - long bath, big feed, washed kit, cleaned and lubed bike, etc. Bliss. Knee very sore now.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
THERE ARE NO PICTURES OF THIS DAY.</h3>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Last day was with no kit and at last the benefit of a tailwind from that pesky easterly. Nicely 'pain-killered' up for the knee we spun out to Loch Carron averaging 22mph, dismounting for the dreaded Garve rail crossing (just do it) and a lovely cake and tea stop at the Hotel at Achnasheen roundabout. A quick ice cream and then onto the Beallach, which we both know well having raced on it and we still had the help of that delightful tailwind. Unfortunately, the outrageously fast descent to Applecross was ruined by endless huge campers either crawling down on their brakes or crawling up burning their clutches.<br />
Bish bosh, back to the parked car after 75 miles and 4200' climbing (which all really happens at the end).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl74sacO8OBGjT_ulsBZySMyhFRU87gnC4Rcpe7mXqg0gaH1q2Oy2g0wiZ1Y5Fe6sW7NYq3k0uBEcl7ezUqvlYM9E63uWKYtcjWkZQU7m6bjiGJfoNw-KsCuvq5sFEa3d0vQWa-5tei3zC/s1600/IMG_5868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl74sacO8OBGjT_ulsBZySMyhFRU87gnC4Rcpe7mXqg0gaH1q2Oy2g0wiZ1Y5Fe6sW7NYq3k0uBEcl7ezUqvlYM9E63uWKYtcjWkZQU7m6bjiGJfoNw-KsCuvq5sFEa3d0vQWa-5tei3zC/s400/IMG_5868.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
So, thoughts.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>The west and a bit of the north coast are the only bits worth doing on a bike.</li>
<li>Don't ride on the A9.</li>
<li>The roads are awful, potholed and very rough, fit the biggest road tyres you can and consider tubeless.</li>
<li>There are some really steep hills, even with minimal kit you'll need lower than 36x28.</li>
<li>If you're doing it in 5 days, unsupported, it's hard. Pack, then unpack and repack half of it.</li>
<li>Take longer on it if possible. </li>
<li>Accommodation books up fast. We used the Royal Hotel Ullapool which was nice, Smoo Cave Hotel Durness, again excellent, good bike storage and reasonable and finally The Mackay Wick, lovely room, nice staff, good bike storage but tiny meals (from a cyclists perspective!) and my house, very nice, great facilities, excellent meals, fully equipped workshop. Fully booked!</li>
<li>Food stops are available, never go by one! </li>
<li>There is lots and lots of traffic everywhere, deserted Highland roads it is not. There is everything from sports car exotica to old classic cars, to enormous motorhomes (waaaay to big for these roads) and the ever present motorbikes, which were no bother as most are cruising and waving hello. </li>
<li>Get your mindset right, we were neither stripped down unsupported record seekers, or cruising and sightseeing, but rather we treated it like 5 long hard training rides. This hurt. Should'a been more chill and enjoy.</li>
<li>The NC500 is a marketing exercise, do it if you really have to, but get the maps out and plan something with a nicer finish.</li>
<li>Don't ride on the A9. Got that. </li>
</ol>
The knee is slowly recovering, I put it down to grinding big gears in relentless headwinds and possibly worn cleats with little float, never had an issue before, so hopefully it'll fade away.<br />
it was harder than a Majorca training camp and I've taken days to recover - tired and still eating everything I can find in the kitchen.<br />
Oh and shout out to Dominic, a cyclist we met along the way and bumped into several times, he had the right attitude, just cruising and enjoying being out on his bike. <br />
Nice one Dom!<br />
That's the winter road miles done, back to a summer of trail building, photography and 3 Peaks cx training.... <br />
Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-81664458344715601882017-09-25T20:35:00.000+01:002017-09-26T16:18:19.400+01:003 Peaks cyclo cross - done. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IE-E9Na8nAHXcsrrNUXWYUJo7Tzu31weSi34Mote3rt0UvA6ReepaMJZpEE6JLofUaniGaxq71nO5LrsbR5bfxxNCt4hE8bk2e8YsrTyFfBXJeK1td-0sCTrhj1aERKtfnZDatjIeLvp/s1600/me+3+peaks+2017-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IE-E9Na8nAHXcsrrNUXWYUJo7Tzu31weSi34Mote3rt0UvA6ReepaMJZpEE6JLofUaniGaxq71nO5LrsbR5bfxxNCt4hE8bk2e8YsrTyFfBXJeK1td-0sCTrhj1aERKtfnZDatjIeLvp/s400/me+3+peaks+2017-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
See that happy smiley face? That's 'cos Simons Fell wasn't killing me. That was a relief. My coach said "it's no a running race", so lets bin the running and concentrate on the cycling and you know what, he was right.<br />
To be honest I had no idea how I would do in this race and the night before I was very nervous, more nervous than I think any other race I've done. I just didn't know how fit I was, I've never done 7 weeks on the turbo, could I go hard from the start? Or should I pace myself round so that I could at least finish?<br />
Add that to the apprehension about the bonkers start and would my bottle caching idea work and I didn't sleep well on 3Peaks Eve! <br />
I had gone down a day early, this was a good thing; I could recover from the 6hr drive (massive sleep in a massive bed) recce parts of the course, get a wee pre-race ride in and sus out where to stash some bottles.<br />
This all went well, I'm a great believer in recce-ing and checking everything in plenty of time, I hate last minute 'faffing about' - check it and forget it.<br />
Even so, restless sleep, up really early, big Premier Inn breakfast and off to the race. Sign in, meet friends, hand over bottles - for hand-ups where possible, and try to look calm (wasn't).<br />
The line up is mad, stand in a place you think might be near the front a good half hour early, then watch as loads more push in til you're no longer able to see the front!<br />
Then the start.<br />
How to describe the start?<br />
It's like 650 totally wired and hyped up cyclists all trying to get to the front, utter madness.<br />
My coach had 'reassured' me by saying go as hard as you can right from the gun, get up near the front (well, top 50-60ish) and just hang in there for the rest of the race. Gulp.<br />
Heart rate straight up to max and bonkers riding all around me, going from hard on the brakes to stamping out watts that I should only ever see in 20 second intervals. I'm sure there were crashes, there was certainly lots of colourful shouting.<br />
Even with all this effort we still hit the first obstacle - a cattle grid, bunched up and there's some impressive track standing to avoid unclipping.<br />
I'll not give a blow by blow account of the whole race, but Simons Fell was over without too much pain, the first descent was very boggy and I grabbed my first cached bottle with shouts of "well done Paul Masson!" from those who had been standing near my labelled bottle!<br />
Loved that.<br />
Picked up a nice wee group on the first road section, everyone worked well together and pretty quickly it's off the bike and onto the second climb - Whernside.<br />
Another trudge, but as on Simons Fell, I wasn't suffering too much and even managed to pick off a few people throughout the climb, this was starting to feel good.<br />
Followed a 'local' on the descent, dunno if this was a good thing, ended in a bog and had to run onto the main track. Maybe not do that again.<br />
Second bottle hand up went well, until I reached down to my bottle cage for a drink a few k's later only to see that I had half a bottle cage and no bottle. A thirsty last climb then. Hooked up with a handy time trial looking rider i.e. a good windbreak, on the road to Pen-y-Ghent and between us we towed along a good half dozen other riders. Thanks guys.<br />
Pen-y-Ghent climb was fine, picked off more riders, legs still felt good, rode to where you should be able to ride - 1x11 gearing was grand.<br />
Dibbed at top, saw the time and thought 'jeez that's good' then proceeded to ride like a right punter on the descent 'cos all I could think about was 'don't crash', 'don't puncture' instead of just riding like a rider that normally rides lots of rocky downhills (like I live in the Cairngorms) duh.<br />
Anyhoo, out onto road, catch a few more riders who seem quite happy just to sit in, but I'm there now so use my last few watts dropping them. Up ya.<br />
So a strong finish leaves me thinking could I have gone a wee bit quicker?<br />
Dunno, but even now, one day on, I'm already thinking of next year!<br />
Massive thanks to my coach David Lines of Espresso Cycle Coaching, he told me what to do and it worked.<br />
Oh and not forgetting all those involved in the race, the marshals, the gang that help pass the bikes over the fences, the bystanders that cheer you on and those that thought I looked thirsty and offered me up drinks on Pen-y-Ghent, all these people are awesome and reaffirm your belief that most normal people are actually quite nice!<br />
Til next year...Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-57225719410893218522017-09-20T10:43:00.001+01:002017-09-20T10:45:02.941+01:003 Peakscx Prep' Done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEgSHDkAPm1cI3AXzNeyJhd7diXWxr7TcP5DtIBF_pySk_57u1-kMZqaDpfIuIJd8nwS-R_ldYZCo2kgd1gb_LV8DspBuLNm8APxRswfs87W8wevDFTSdkWfYKx4GrQbNMNYHWQwGim2e/s1600/61D4CD38-8FEE-40E5-8DF0-D3BC9A4FAC48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEgSHDkAPm1cI3AXzNeyJhd7diXWxr7TcP5DtIBF_pySk_57u1-kMZqaDpfIuIJd8nwS-R_ldYZCo2kgd1gb_LV8DspBuLNm8APxRswfs87W8wevDFTSdkWfYKx4GrQbNMNYHWQwGim2e/s320/61D4CD38-8FEE-40E5-8DF0-D3BC9A4FAC48.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
That's it done. 3 Peakscx prep over. A very different build up phase than last time, or any other race prep' I've ever done before.<br />
It all started same as normal, long rides, short fast rides, some hill running, mountain biking for da skilllzzz and cutting out all the nibbles. Weight was slowly dropping down to race weight i.e. the weight I was 7 years ago (last 3peakscx attempt) and the running was feeling good.<br />
Then disaster; whilst on holiday I dived off a high board into Lake Annecy and burst my eardrum. That hurt. Lots. Worse than that though was it affected my balance and exercising made it agony (raises blood pressure? Dunno) Sore though.<br />
Lost nearly 4 weeks due to that silly little thing and started to panic. So much so that I contacted my friend Gary Macdonald to ask about training advice, he recommended his coach - David Lines (Espresso Coaching). Davie and I then had a chat about 'everything' and once he'd seen my background data and FTP results decided on a predominantly indoor turbo based training phase for the time we had left - 7 weeks. <br />
Now, I'm not an indoor training sort of a guy (I mean, I live in the Cairngorms!), but with the amount of hours I had available each week and the relatively short time left I saw the logic in it, gritted my teeth and did exactly as I was told!<br />
I borrowed one of those modern 'posh' wheel-off direct drive trainers, hooked myself up for power, hrm, on line training software, tunes, fan and towels to mop up the copious amounts of sweat and basically left it all set up to avoid any 'putting it off' excuses.<br />
I had on average 7 hours a week available and my coach made sure every minute of that time counted.<br />
Sweet spot work, threshold work, strength endurance, VO2 max, tempo, long Z4 intervals, short and nasty flat out high gear max power intervals, you name it, I suffered it.<br />
And suffer I did, some sessions made me sick and some made me fall off the turbo when finished and lie down curled up in a ball making really bad noises. <br />
It was brutal, but effective, FTP has gone up 'a lot' and I now have veins and muscles on my legs.<br />
No running, no hill climbs carrying the bike, virtually no outside riding, every minute was dedicated to chasing the WATT.<br />
Weight dropped off shockingly fast, I'm normally 69kg, I'm now 64. I weighed that when I was running marathons at 21. Wife says I look scrawny and weedy. Perfect.<br />
Power to weight is now 'respectable' for a mamil. HRM strap no longer gives me 'moobs' I've had to buy new jeans and some of my once very tight lycra - 'that' Castelli top, now fits nicely.<br />
New outfits ordered.<br />
My Stigmata also went on a diet; carbon everything, lighter cassette, silly light pedals, Cross Boss tyres instead of those awful 3peaks only Landrover tyres and it now looks as lean as me. 7kgs, hope it survives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0C2aDDjUzz0C__kBwOYjrX-fCDhBIq6ZwYl29AskJy2JEM9cA7SxC4MOwRufqAiH7s_9STvTF78IQQEkU41wxA6g7A8SHksFUyaaCFnB5q1Opjhqq7LHQp-cBD7dkJyip7jDEkkITrkL/s1600/F4974503-4F66-4201-AAED-C149EECABC96.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0C2aDDjUzz0C__kBwOYjrX-fCDhBIq6ZwYl29AskJy2JEM9cA7SxC4MOwRufqAiH7s_9STvTF78IQQEkU41wxA6g7A8SHksFUyaaCFnB5q1Opjhqq7LHQp-cBD7dkJyip7jDEkkITrkL/s320/F4974503-4F66-4201-AAED-C149EECABC96.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
Am I ready? Dunno, nervous as hell this time round, really want to equal my old time which was just under the 4hr mark, but who knows - no plan survives first contact with the enemy...<br />
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-17370976753532717452017-07-06T19:41:00.001+01:002017-07-06T19:48:10.507+01:003 Peaks Cyclocross is 'go' <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">After a 7year break, I decided it was time to have another go at the 3 Peaks Cyclocross race. I entered with a vague feeling of 'I'll not get in anyway', but started training - just in case... </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">Then I got accepted and it all became real again, not just something to talk about. I just sneaked in under the 4hr mark last time, I want to do the same again. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">There, I’ve said it. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">My colours are nailed to the mast. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">Ok, face facts, I'm 51 and too heavy, not by 'normal' standards, but by Simon Fell carrying a bike standards. So, cut out crisps, biscuits, cakes and all that non essential stuff, easy, doesn't cost anything, it's just willpower. Next, up the intensity, I can't train big miles, I just don't have time in my work/life balance. Nasty draggy hills, steep just do-able hills, long evil loose gravelly hills, techy should be on an mtb hills and some 'on the drops' speed work all go into the weekly itinerary. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">Running: I've looked back at my old split times and I'm going to have to speed up on the carries. So, more hill running, it's not about the miles, it's about steep ‘blood-tasting’ hills and letting my cyclists shortened hamstrings know that they've got some lengthening to do. Ouch. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">The fun bit was treating myself last year to a new cross bike. The ancient Kona Jake The Snake had been brilliant, but was now only fit for mudguards and winter miles. Time to disc up and go all 1 by. With an eye to maybe having another crack at the 3 Peaks, I'd decide on a Santa Cruz Stigmata - stable handling, vibration damping carbon frame, discs ‘obvs’ and 1x12 with a super wide ratio SRAM set up to try and get a little bit further up Pen-y-ghent. Tubeless Stans cross rims and tyres to be decided….</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">Now it's early July, I'm on family holiday in deepest France and confirmation has just come in (had to make an exception about checking emails on holiday) that my very ropey CV has somehow been accepted. This is a long relaxing holiday, time to unwind, drink wine, eat cheese and generally muck about a bit with the family in the heat. We always bring the mtb’s for a bit of Alpine xc/dh fun, but this year I'm also packing the nice roadbike and a pair of running shoes. Not ‘training’ as such, just grabbing some early morning road rides and the occasional run when I can - and avoiding crisps. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">Wife says I'm skinnier and yes I do look ridiculous in the obligatory French swimming pool ‘budgie smugglers’ - cyclists tan an all. Suits me.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">I'll hopefully come out of the hols in some sort of shape ready to start ramping up the pain through August. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;">Happy summer fellow 3 Peaksers! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-57091431357388075022016-04-26T14:20:00.001+01:002016-04-26T14:20:54.912+01:00Coming out of the winter? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhrNWvOs4brrZrNJLiH6tfWwrpNgD2JGQTYSd099NFKsfH0333jaCmpZIiQd31Rd6lq6n146MsnEVm_iGSpI8GkHMDPEcyBpSgNRZUXOCtxWZu3JGXLvUrmrRSvoEOU9ObLPzLvDEoTVa/s1600/Untitled.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhrNWvOs4brrZrNJLiH6tfWwrpNgD2JGQTYSd099NFKsfH0333jaCmpZIiQd31Rd6lq6n146MsnEVm_iGSpI8GkHMDPEcyBpSgNRZUXOCtxWZu3JGXLvUrmrRSvoEOU9ObLPzLvDEoTVa/s320/Untitled.tiff" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh for goodness sake</div>
Oh no we're not...<br />
Hell of a long time since I last posted, but that's modern life for you, somethings gotta give. To tell the truth it's all too easy to get out of the blogging thing.<br />
So. Winter, bit of a damp squib really, never got going, with dribs and drabs of snow and a heck a lot of 'dreich' - shame it's decided to give it a really good go now, in late April, when trails need worked on and bikes need ridden. We skied a bit up the hill, but nothing really amazing until we went on our first family holiday to the Alps, which was, a lot. 50cm fresh on arrival, sunshine every day, no wind, beautiful pistes, lovely people, great food, I could go on, but I'll get too depressed. We've always conned our kids in to how good Scottish skiing is (ok, it can be good sometimes) but now the cats out of the bag and we can't not go again!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO-jfufNW7_4idsSufYfcWWSH1meyO3MxDUjnpM6XukIcJ-3v5-vigR-LwBunfWmbeKviuqyWpTRvoAC5Nu8WtbzIACg-pIZV2kS1l8js_QWvsX6bN3OxMRo54Iua1fR6v7vvJNwiBMvL/s1600/skiing+for+blog-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJO-jfufNW7_4idsSufYfcWWSH1meyO3MxDUjnpM6XukIcJ-3v5-vigR-LwBunfWmbeKviuqyWpTRvoAC5Nu8WtbzIACg-pIZV2kS1l8js_QWvsX6bN3OxMRo54Iua1fR6v7vvJNwiBMvL/s320/skiing+for+blog-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not Cairngorm</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The kids rode some of the 7Stanes in an Easter holiday trip to Dumfries and Galloway (an area well worth a visit) and what these guys are riding now never fails to amaze me. They love their riding and all too often it's me that is worried about letting them ride a feature whereas they just roll in and get on with it. They are at the fearless stage of riding, not yet at the age to worry about consequences - I do that - and everything is new and exciting and 'no problem dad'. Good times riding with these two, we're getting to the stage now where a ride is a 'proper' ride not just a wee pootle with the kids. In a few years they'll drop me and my work will be done...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin19a1glS1jCFxn1qtlZ92BiVyhz95vu5OlvI00lgs15mYKbMPL5wDf8eTMu6F2BQgo56O5Q-BhnMvYc7exqzotw9z-L6k7eSDzkjA5Iv1HmlNS6-5sposaQd-qYdY3zN0W3guMgKS6Zi9/s1600/slab-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin19a1glS1jCFxn1qtlZ92BiVyhz95vu5OlvI00lgs15mYKbMPL5wDf8eTMu6F2BQgo56O5Q-BhnMvYc7exqzotw9z-L6k7eSDzkjA5Iv1HmlNS6-5sposaQd-qYdY3zN0W3guMgKS6Zi9/s320/slab-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gulp</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Workwise, well, quite a lot. Trail work has been taken up a lot with Laggan which has had it's old Red route rather 'mucked up' (I'm being polite here) due to clearfell harvesting. I'm not going to go into this too much, as negotiations are still on going, but needless to say it'll never be the same natural feeling forest singletrack again. I think we will be working on it soon, so something rideable should be in place for the summer (whenever summer loads).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sT16jVbbtTzbKjI51nLiMiJ9FkKlOo43ETuF_-HTUjzf-T1RxO5dh8_mGihYtF5J9MOVevGCic6tFQW2sSTn8dULlqB3_SFfPfoa-cTaFUysobvtJOtQfiA2fMXjK_O_LL0WAZ2eDf-T/s1600/IMG_4307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sT16jVbbtTzbKjI51nLiMiJ9FkKlOo43ETuF_-HTUjzf-T1RxO5dh8_mGihYtF5J9MOVevGCic6tFQW2sSTn8dULlqB3_SFfPfoa-cTaFUysobvtJOtQfiA2fMXjK_O_LL0WAZ2eDf-T/s320/IMG_4307.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not Happy family Masson</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We also built a little something over at Fochabers, which promptly got rained on, a lot, like the sort of rain that washed main roads away in Deeside. It's ok, but the access track wasn't, which is getting beefed up as I type. Tarland which we built last year and had been weathering / riding in nicely got hammered too, but after heroic efforts by locals (neighbours with small machines, riders with handtools and our local top chap Chris Rogerson contracting and his big toys) is up and running again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUMTU_ndfAfaKE-9GAZxlLXe12h7Uoa1K2cTzD94ty1SyNTPpvacG6qwL1y7r5sqvBZDvhBWrEJf2w5UrhvlqzUndneCpsNF6icBVQSmwatf3WZ2z3TI4B9k-8UEfTsLuS6d_aYm1veGt/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUMTU_ndfAfaKE-9GAZxlLXe12h7Uoa1K2cTzD94ty1SyNTPpvacG6qwL1y7r5sqvBZDvhBWrEJf2w5UrhvlqzUndneCpsNF6icBVQSmwatf3WZ2z3TI4B9k-8UEfTsLuS6d_aYm1veGt/s320/IMG_4332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It rained A LOT this winter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Learnie on the Black Isle has been getting a bit of TLC recently, nothing major, just a spruce up for it's tenth birthday. Tenth! I've been at this trail building game now for fourteen years! and I'm still cleaning out ditches, cutting down trees, shifting rocks and raking dirt - albeit with a bit of a lunchtime nap these days. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi_Rlvyy-aSaS2iZE6MtcWZucNV8D2yGwZdSB0eRXMiiDnBk3HI3t8Is1vjzlWcu7Dknpcyz4UUE8DJ6lW_SaBQHEy8q08vc8Ay56J3YaHmR8_i19ff0_igSNMNxG-64aKWjm-NZS6JRE/s1600/IMG_4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi_Rlvyy-aSaS2iZE6MtcWZucNV8D2yGwZdSB0eRXMiiDnBk3HI3t8Is1vjzlWcu7Dknpcyz4UUE8DJ6lW_SaBQHEy8q08vc8Ay56J3YaHmR8_i19ff0_igSNMNxG-64aKWjm-NZS6JRE/s320/IMG_4324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All these years and still digging ditches</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Photography work has slowed down in the housing market, usual in winter, but I kinda get the feeling things aren't as good in the upper end market as they used to be, hmmmm. Luckily direct sales from the back catalogue are a thing now, strange when old pics pop back up and earn money! Even stranger for the people in them (usually mtb riders) who suddenly see themselves in print months later! New quite random areas of my photography business are opening up, I'll go with the flow and see where it takes me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXl39m-OxjQ4ZnGRpwiA2X6C7b2H_fQN2zYI8p0yIIOFyJMrDZbZaCP8g0jX-sw4pqDp6OJy1uutyjzDZyRBuyfciX9geb0pLlqKN_rn5StfdXbGmBuSprDozZNuHaJqHPBCuuGjuQFas/s1600/christmas+house-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXl39m-OxjQ4ZnGRpwiA2X6C7b2H_fQN2zYI8p0yIIOFyJMrDZbZaCP8g0jX-sw4pqDp6OJy1uutyjzDZyRBuyfciX9geb0pLlqKN_rn5StfdXbGmBuSprDozZNuHaJqHPBCuuGjuQFas/s320/christmas+house-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pretty houses</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Skiing legs got a rude shock in the Alps, telemarking at speed on the piste is hard work and after a week I had to adopt new strategies to deal with stairs! However, this has translated into good strong biking legs which have recently been given a further battering on the Aviemorons Mallorca training camp. This basically involved riding hard every day til we were all too tired to think properly and had to lie down. Base miles for us late starting Aviemorons (it's been a hard winter for road riding) but it's a start and just need to keep it going now through this late surge of winter into the summer proper which is hopefully just around the corner... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qRqpCdBm_JoH5PN6JOKA9L9srzPNbSzGsNc6zVVUR5hWqKlrEO2-auKuF6q54jdXXJNuyrZ4wiBnGxpxroXlkB0GhHnApeU83RaCluhOTGfoE-t502qwaHEYwgrEsmNgDMoWnsl7Ongi/s1600/IMG_4470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qRqpCdBm_JoH5PN6JOKA9L9srzPNbSzGsNc6zVVUR5hWqKlrEO2-auKuF6q54jdXXJNuyrZ4wiBnGxpxroXlkB0GhHnApeU83RaCluhOTGfoE-t502qwaHEYwgrEsmNgDMoWnsl7Ongi/s320/IMG_4470.JPG" width="284" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Recovery pose.</div>
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-64440197601341516302015-08-25T16:16:00.001+01:002015-08-25T16:16:03.273+01:00School hols are over.Hols over, kit cleaned, van swept of sand, pics downloaded safe and sound and into a new term we go.<br />
The kids summer hols flew by in a eyeblink; from watersports, to cycling, munro bagging, snorkelling, crab fishing, visiting family and even the madness of the Fringe.<br />
I don't think there was a 'dead' week of "what are we going to do". We as parents survived to exit at the other end with deadlines ignored, inboxes full and clients to catch up with and reassure that all will be ok now. Such is the way of a family with two self employed parents. <br />
Weather was 'Scottish' in its unpredictability, wetness and requiring of the usual insulated protective clothing.<br />
The Outer Hebrides gave us just enough 'nice' weather to appreciate just how beautiful a part of the world it is. I have no doubt it will figure in our future again.<br />
Some pics in no particular order...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLftOH4HzlER4Uh4qzsj3Vm5H69FlKuvGxo5-8JyNU9xPq4oWqrjV-W-XgwWCDQKFfHs2sutxeskbymQhIp2_Sfy-5UFX740Ct1L8udKuRVqVQGBM6n52Znb3k1e9QUd8ZNgfS__NDFdF4/s1600/watersports-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLftOH4HzlER4Uh4qzsj3Vm5H69FlKuvGxo5-8JyNU9xPq4oWqrjV-W-XgwWCDQKFfHs2sutxeskbymQhIp2_Sfy-5UFX740Ct1L8udKuRVqVQGBM6n52Znb3k1e9QUd8ZNgfS__NDFdF4/s320/watersports-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7czDM0RxzpXR1jbzJ1AM4yNPzVR4l4HUHUe_slBxrvVzPcsvlbMnfLGn0hZBlR81n5IWAEbhgCulUQ9j6Beuxkbvr-amftXjPgcHHwqw9-Uq3rOfQpm5K4Nv2fzEygU6noMd8FVEwPmMP/s1600/biking-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7czDM0RxzpXR1jbzJ1AM4yNPzVR4l4HUHUe_slBxrvVzPcsvlbMnfLGn0hZBlR81n5IWAEbhgCulUQ9j6Beuxkbvr-amftXjPgcHHwqw9-Uq3rOfQpm5K4Nv2fzEygU6noMd8FVEwPmMP/s320/biking-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLftOH4HzlER4Uh4qzsj3Vm5H69FlKuvGxo5-8JyNU9xPq4oWqrjV-W-XgwWCDQKFfHs2sutxeskbymQhIp2_Sfy-5UFX740Ct1L8udKuRVqVQGBM6n52Znb3k1e9QUd8ZNgfS__NDFdF4/s1600/watersports-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-xxZKGIYJKdY4eeXkBXvmwWsTkgMw8ysH5sKBwiUpkd_IIEZ9QQSNmp9YhczBQ-IU-Dfd_1WxsFjDcbJYNiAE9HUA3p5QGA-UYapug7-S-onSXXf1oqT8vNhtt6ESEXDFQw5Ks7pmEMW/s1600/strawberry+picking-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-xxZKGIYJKdY4eeXkBXvmwWsTkgMw8ysH5sKBwiUpkd_IIEZ9QQSNmp9YhczBQ-IU-Dfd_1WxsFjDcbJYNiAE9HUA3p5QGA-UYapug7-S-onSXXf1oqT8vNhtt6ESEXDFQw5Ks7pmEMW/s320/strawberry+picking-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawuieHNw2hLQSZu00mtU7jrCWzuDAhtqDzqhSDRRyv1tlN6LHTWZAYKt9zg3V_NNIwdoLtZTXfK6vegqWfm8TUTwIsmS7TUjbFWVcDDJj-0K8Lvu6vLUQzCyOdjEmoIDMa4Qwofe_0eDJ/s1600/edinburgh-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawuieHNw2hLQSZu00mtU7jrCWzuDAhtqDzqhSDRRyv1tlN6LHTWZAYKt9zg3V_NNIwdoLtZTXfK6vegqWfm8TUTwIsmS7TUjbFWVcDDJj-0K8Lvu6vLUQzCyOdjEmoIDMa4Qwofe_0eDJ/s320/edinburgh-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1a4A9WmJzg90I1xmGIE-xeOHGYqN-q7OfPIXcPUJQ39OIBb8LYJdKgl__lt6JKE4B-gI9Kzf5n2kVydweBVIJDENOWydlJM2FlTx32gkUgXBV2zfQFiwePlg-fg4bnDSBw2UHiK5vUuQ/s1600/croft-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1a4A9WmJzg90I1xmGIE-xeOHGYqN-q7OfPIXcPUJQ39OIBb8LYJdKgl__lt6JKE4B-gI9Kzf5n2kVydweBVIJDENOWydlJM2FlTx32gkUgXBV2zfQFiwePlg-fg4bnDSBw2UHiK5vUuQ/s320/croft-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIBUE9K15SBaku8RQgZvB5n9sRYRpNzHnwUDyQCwvjSrL4OZRn3k-goJrfC0ELJGy0KmljGBZab3As6rj9u9p2vjS0eJ5IitQ3VfEDawtVZMxOq_UTUK7aHIUMk5ODndQYPFZsrLToNe-/s1600/dancing+shoes-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIBUE9K15SBaku8RQgZvB5n9sRYRpNzHnwUDyQCwvjSrL4OZRn3k-goJrfC0ELJGy0KmljGBZab3As6rj9u9p2vjS0eJ5IitQ3VfEDawtVZMxOq_UTUK7aHIUMk5ODndQYPFZsrLToNe-/s320/dancing+shoes-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDWSKsw2HFa4WqeMBto48sOGwbPYBNGne37-tbtd3PswWOmRM7NYTATWIcEfx7724NMqhFihxagwOdUXiZiVBwH4cxFpG2NJkx-cb9v4D322v9PkLtjRxZFhHHF9ApMxm6BoSe40gPfgO/s1600/beach-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDWSKsw2HFa4WqeMBto48sOGwbPYBNGne37-tbtd3PswWOmRM7NYTATWIcEfx7724NMqhFihxagwOdUXiZiVBwH4cxFpG2NJkx-cb9v4D322v9PkLtjRxZFhHHF9ApMxm6BoSe40gPfgO/s320/beach-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_u7cRtbi1ymvK1jJ-kNsfGD1C5qaXkvPVSibloiATRR2vTzRELVAQFh50yGrm5DxkXibP62TlH7-EoMkMJX7sgkcALRQdmCRDiCnJkw9Rseqahp02j2UVOT0a-fm5Y0QPhCVXA3oY_A5/s1600/boat+trip-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_u7cRtbi1ymvK1jJ-kNsfGD1C5qaXkvPVSibloiATRR2vTzRELVAQFh50yGrm5DxkXibP62TlH7-EoMkMJX7sgkcALRQdmCRDiCnJkw9Rseqahp02j2UVOT0a-fm5Y0QPhCVXA3oY_A5/s320/boat+trip-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVNmcSCg7yntNHQTRE02InplS643h-9CCDuzKDUCc-E3iwSqrAEaFtNtvZ-DlfmjJgW2Sii-BfLey5dri9nw9fgFPZndMIfhCqxy19rKyos6MSLSG2ualBaSZMM8KEzSJLQ9qNg2zMVG-/s1600/snorkeller+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVNmcSCg7yntNHQTRE02InplS643h-9CCDuzKDUCc-E3iwSqrAEaFtNtvZ-DlfmjJgW2Sii-BfLey5dri9nw9fgFPZndMIfhCqxy19rKyos6MSLSG2ualBaSZMM8KEzSJLQ9qNg2zMVG-/s320/snorkeller+2-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftR6aqxx_bI6pC05adklCLyKMztVKCRa0s3wT3Ec4KTCbv0V-cMwvwSmutTjr2wtXfiVWlSv9bXiHGIGh9n9QISRgjFcTKZftNlgA5lVBB7uQEAgAv1DSuVSZoZrjhEJ-SgWEUbBQRpNO/s1600/island+life-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftR6aqxx_bI6pC05adklCLyKMztVKCRa0s3wT3Ec4KTCbv0V-cMwvwSmutTjr2wtXfiVWlSv9bXiHGIGh9n9QISRgjFcTKZftNlgA5lVBB7uQEAgAv1DSuVSZoZrjhEJ-SgWEUbBQRpNO/s320/island+life-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqokMt0dcLUnu9RsWzF-s7eedhLqwH9ZB2_MqxCOEODbM091ZwELs3DcIyXZgZES3yykwnc5EVuoc_-MtVifWsgoRwbRO8cFjMP1BNM4BruNbmc90F89famNzCvMijP7w5G5jDB4j2SFA/s1600/footwear-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqokMt0dcLUnu9RsWzF-s7eedhLqwH9ZB2_MqxCOEODbM091ZwELs3DcIyXZgZES3yykwnc5EVuoc_-MtVifWsgoRwbRO8cFjMP1BNM4BruNbmc90F89famNzCvMijP7w5G5jDB4j2SFA/s320/footwear-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO3vM3uCnK1oQ7QDYIOxUu3P8H9R7XNoHfUs1rxJkI1h4K1yLsUULFHMEIFUDiIF32maWzX4sh0hqI3wXcZa-1AO_5UeTtydvjCyG76qY6kuMc9Q2ll6duEPyGl6fqBdFJ2H1eJF6Rf1Q/s1600/sausage+sizzle-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOO3vM3uCnK1oQ7QDYIOxUu3P8H9R7XNoHfUs1rxJkI1h4K1yLsUULFHMEIFUDiIF32maWzX4sh0hqI3wXcZa-1AO_5UeTtydvjCyG76qY6kuMc9Q2ll6duEPyGl6fqBdFJ2H1eJF6Rf1Q/s320/sausage+sizzle-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2NnUGr2hA5LrV2j2ciuSd_YtciXbaPMUfO1R3SulMAUh_DrtujA0rpnKujHGyJWpuHZCn4qsgLGv2e8pKN_SLDhaK57Hs0xGWxEu5gkGFGtjVeBxvA3kpcZukDhRzShEKEWVnwKiJhYK/s1600/fringe+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2NnUGr2hA5LrV2j2ciuSd_YtciXbaPMUfO1R3SulMAUh_DrtujA0rpnKujHGyJWpuHZCn4qsgLGv2e8pKN_SLDhaK57Hs0xGWxEu5gkGFGtjVeBxvA3kpcZukDhRzShEKEWVnwKiJhYK/s320/fringe+2-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQFeDeunjVCeTs4DQWVmtXfi9goiVhnZSHKOBme9rEZABQ4OwQJvfwJn8nWQcLRPJhHQOXwP5uLJRMhq-A_kozbpgtsf3ClbL1tG-nHrZY4Qa0lrxeUeBJrlGy4sYqADYv5_ogjXQOWyH/s1600/bothy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQFeDeunjVCeTs4DQWVmtXfi9goiVhnZSHKOBme9rEZABQ4OwQJvfwJn8nWQcLRPJhHQOXwP5uLJRMhq-A_kozbpgtsf3ClbL1tG-nHrZY4Qa0lrxeUeBJrlGy4sYqADYv5_ogjXQOWyH/s320/bothy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_D7xv7QXTeY0I9ABVrZONeIkOXLGPIsV9LgrLMyyv21awzvioeoH5RsznYHKnSanx7Azf5FKcOazmvUVh4SBTG9zdcl5J-nrqnSy7kVpVXhzHPVKTtkNX08dYe1gDPuk2jVdPEEwRiRY/s1600/hills-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_D7xv7QXTeY0I9ABVrZONeIkOXLGPIsV9LgrLMyyv21awzvioeoH5RsznYHKnSanx7Azf5FKcOazmvUVh4SBTG9zdcl5J-nrqnSy7kVpVXhzHPVKTtkNX08dYe1gDPuk2jVdPEEwRiRY/s320/hills-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-ma3wfSyzRTQBYSdjBU3PGzKtjSyTa0d-wDUOenRhHl6Bv8VUKI02l4eC7oJFXzY7ncFw5TnUonR8P76fSMV7TCItkmcL9i0qv8GhGugwArGq1QSaSvpkziXLS5w6cCSq1-4KTvt87Ja/s1600/Loch+Morlich+view-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-ma3wfSyzRTQBYSdjBU3PGzKtjSyTa0d-wDUOenRhHl6Bv8VUKI02l4eC7oJFXzY7ncFw5TnUonR8P76fSMV7TCItkmcL9i0qv8GhGugwArGq1QSaSvpkziXLS5w6cCSq1-4KTvt87Ja/s320/Loch+Morlich+view-1.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So, back to sorting out various projects both mtb and photographic, lots to fit in on the slippery slope to shorter days, not to mention trying to squeeze in bike rides whenever the sun shines.<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-29348356878007945522015-07-22T20:49:00.001+01:002015-07-22T21:21:59.047+01:00Summer? What Summer?I know we're a hardy race, but really, this years summer 'dreich-ness' is starting to wear a bit thin! Temperatures are often in the single digits at breakfast and there hasn't yet been a decent spell of warm and sunny weather.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0D6Dct5Qh3kPSnja1T5E7xwLoujo7pmIBtCEqu10UZbHM-oJlXnNuLNLEf6zN9ObdHA9-xcj5n4Ek-Wf918_9xyqqk1jT0Z-cOuHeeWZZ_Typ2Pd2a5AKxuLpt7haw_hB3dw2E-ly9Ly/s1600/grumpy+gorilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0D6Dct5Qh3kPSnja1T5E7xwLoujo7pmIBtCEqu10UZbHM-oJlXnNuLNLEf6zN9ObdHA9-xcj5n4Ek-Wf918_9xyqqk1jT0Z-cOuHeeWZZ_Typ2Pd2a5AKxuLpt7haw_hB3dw2E-ly9Ly/s320/grumpy+gorilla.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See me, I'm grumpy.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Alright that's enough of that. Work has been behaving itself, got a lovely project at Tarland finished well in time for the summer hols. Great fun this job; mountain biking client, cracking wee hill, good ASDUG, exciting design and the team firing on all cylinders. I love working with Chris and his gang, they're all amazing digger drivers (obviously) but more importantly they're all keen and very handy bike riders. It makes a huge difference to me to have operators that really get into what we're building and want to ride it as they build it to make sure it works right. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMBNu9G-1b6AVI6JbcrIxQP_fVdid5tIB5l6AZNx7cKfhmB9IR9ZmdYFJEhEls-e5j4Dqxkdo55El7FOhA7_WUv5KvuZ0T7wZe5xQ0Y45UNb-52CDSHjn5ZgA6WgtoYktZM2YnaQ_gfXB/s1600/pump+track+digger+drivers-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMBNu9G-1b6AVI6JbcrIxQP_fVdid5tIB5l6AZNx7cKfhmB9IR9ZmdYFJEhEls-e5j4Dqxkdo55El7FOhA7_WUv5KvuZ0T7wZe5xQ0Y45UNb-52CDSHjn5ZgA6WgtoYktZM2YnaQ_gfXB/s400/pump+track+digger+drivers-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy digger drivers</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our next build is after the school hols and is back up at Fochabers where we were in the late winter / early Spring. Another pump track / jump run / feature rich skills trail type thing. Chris and gang on the diggers and rakes (!) Looking forward to it. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Meanwhile in the background I am still busy with consultancy on a big job, which if all goes well will be quite an interesting build! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Photographing houses continues to get busier, so much so that I've invested heavily into Canon tilt / shift lenses (google it) which meant a new body (6D) and a steep learning curve. I love my workhorse Olympus, but there's no doubt about it, if you're serious about developing in architectural photography, you gotta go with shift lenses. Geek bit over.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpmzpd0jnqofyyYk7Xr5b6k13dCPz3E2uaDfnLGeNnImTStDhm43RNJwfktZUtnIK9frUyD-MQsJyhnnHy8-Qt0FrMDFp8sc_onhZs-lcs1Kz1nki5Xk9CQQrnNsr3m29MI0oZrCfY-_l/s1600/before+and+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpmzpd0jnqofyyYk7Xr5b6k13dCPz3E2uaDfnLGeNnImTStDhm43RNJwfktZUtnIK9frUyD-MQsJyhnnHy8-Qt0FrMDFp8sc_onhZs-lcs1Kz1nki5Xk9CQQrnNsr3m29MI0oZrCfY-_l/s320/before+and+after.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me at work pic<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
A very strange thing happened a few weeks ago when Mrs Cycletherapy entered us into the local 'shop to the top' bike race to the top of Cairngorm. A 'fun' event, so we decided to do it on a borrowed tandem. However, I cannot cycle up a hill in a 'fun' manner, the need to hurt is too deeply engrained... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think we enjoyed it, the social afterwards was great craic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJpNqTs0Tab3V7XQF3zstqNeCipzcVCs7dou4gvq4oCIKp5E_vmcUwTvJdUu4WzdvKyxdugOR_z9FI3BD4xFWvOO-tUIbZQ1rGWN5fDPxQQ6HxAuTu6DA8vkSrgK7Eu2BMaBTpgBMCFtM/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJpNqTs0Tab3V7XQF3zstqNeCipzcVCs7dou4gvq4oCIKp5E_vmcUwTvJdUu4WzdvKyxdugOR_z9FI3BD4xFWvOO-tUIbZQ1rGWN5fDPxQQ6HxAuTu6DA8vkSrgK7Eu2BMaBTpgBMCFtM/s320/IMG_5259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me and the missus having fun</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, final images processed and uploaded, invoices sent, out of office email notice put up and holidays proper start tomorrow, We're off to the Outer Hebrides and just to be on the safe side we've packed everything from shorts and flipflops to duvet jackets and thick wetsuits! No 3G, no wifi, just us, the kids and whatever the weather throws at us.... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-50191374962394455272015-03-16T22:00:00.000+00:002015-03-16T22:00:28.516+00:00A Busy Start to 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhNKYWt6HvERSV_xZB6MtQKampx8DQDuri-lrUkq8fMt5dCPnmNsqDfl2jHCnamlqvZEk8L8Mh6klI8BIy-lftRK9AgLVLZ_nDKVMD7JRqIEjTR3Y-O4wVE5qsY7RSvKbv6kvhrJjToCr/s1600/ordiequish+feb+2015+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhNKYWt6HvERSV_xZB6MtQKampx8DQDuri-lrUkq8fMt5dCPnmNsqDfl2jHCnamlqvZEk8L8Mh6klI8BIy-lftRK9AgLVLZ_nDKVMD7JRqIEjTR3Y-O4wVE5qsY7RSvKbv6kvhrJjToCr/s1600/ordiequish+feb+2015+4.jpg" height="266" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Personally I'm having one of the worst ski seasons I've had in years; hardly any runs open on my local hill, poor snow cover and relentless high winds. Yes, there have been the odd good days, but not when I'm around.<br />
<br />
There is a silver lining to this though - it has been a great winter to build trails, with construction starting earlier in the year than is the norm. I normally don't like to start builds until April, just in case winter kicks in and we're halted mid build with snow and frost, but this year we started in mid feb'.<br />
<br />
A cracking wee contract to ease ourselves into the trail building year, with a freshen up and rejig of the Moray Monster trails. A tricky one this, as revising old trails is trickier than a new build and there are a lot of people who like old rooty, characterful trails (me included) but in this case there were some stretches that were just too muddy, worn out and just not enjoyable anymore. So, a delicate hand was needed, with a three tiered plan of hand works, minor machine tweaks and then full rebuilds where required. <br />
<br />
I was working with the usual team - Chris Rogerson Contracting and for me having digger drivers that I've got to know over many kilometres of trail building and themselves are keen bike riders makes life so much easier. They know what I want, they know how to build it and they know that if it doesn't ride right then it needs tweaking until it does - and that's without me saying anything! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoIA34I1mRnEoG5gsA4xaIjNtdkdqFtpUrScTxhPu-itAad2sK-IsOPuvxu3cXFg7bsNHDassFaA25azQtvcO5iNsazzB8SE6OVUoqPDS9ojMxNcLX8I1d71BM9fk7qslSW-7OhZzqmZu/s1600/IMG_0826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoIA34I1mRnEoG5gsA4xaIjNtdkdqFtpUrScTxhPu-itAad2sK-IsOPuvxu3cXFg7bsNHDassFaA25azQtvcO5iNsazzB8SE6OVUoqPDS9ojMxNcLX8I1d71BM9fk7qslSW-7OhZzqmZu/s1600/IMG_0826.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bike riding digger drivers rock!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We are heading off to Tarland (near Aboyne) next to build more jumpy, pumpy, woodsy trails - looking forward to this one - a good client brief and some new ideas from me and the gang!<br />
<br />
As always, in the background, I am involved with the consultancy side of things helping new clients take their initial ideas through planning and funding to hopefully get more builds happening in the near future. Some exciting things on the burner, but as usual can't really talk about them here!<br />
<br />
Blinking photography keeps getting busier too - this wasn't meant to happen 'til my late fifties - when I'm too crippled to build trails, but not complaining about the workload, good to be busy and every photo gig I land I learn something new. I seem to have hit a niche market of architectural photography, not quite the action sports pics I so love, but it pays well and action sports gigs don't.....<br />
I'm also trying to develop my weakest skill i.e. portrait photography, an aspect of the art I'm not too confident with, but keen to work on. It might not lead anywhere, but I enjoy making myself do something I feel awkward with. Mind you, my latest gig is made easier by having a model that is easy to shoot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueuc7P58UO3D4LhgAIFkpSHj0ONZsnLNlasHprrotyzmASVhqm4cwK_aBcczxc317Qu11OsXQaH5t7rNr_HWDXxpVe7OYlzEJTjWqjZWzqz36rIh8q9Y9CRYFoJwtkJzX_7gI32TMQPYz/s1600/ann+for+blog-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueuc7P58UO3D4LhgAIFkpSHj0ONZsnLNlasHprrotyzmASVhqm4cwK_aBcczxc317Qu11OsXQaH5t7rNr_HWDXxpVe7OYlzEJTjWqjZWzqz36rIh8q9Y9CRYFoJwtkJzX_7gI32TMQPYz/s1600/ann+for+blog-1.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ann Vestano local artist</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Riding wise, things are looking up: just started getting some 'base' miles in and although I had to miss the locals hot weather training camp i.e. Aviemorons go mad in Spain, I've got the bit between my teeth and am trying to get out whenever possible in whatever weather is happening. Grim, but essential if I'm going to try pinning on a number this year - not saying anything - just in case like.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyhoo, Easter next, family time and the next time you pop back another build update hopefully. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
TTFN. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-75739881077912308532014-10-30T13:00:00.000+00:002014-10-30T13:00:49.197+00:00Into the dark months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu46lcTIplNVL3LHQ0whdsLfwecnkocVXg1H2TwA-MHDZzpeczw2nlckWKwfbjodS_jir9bFGhWtrMspMNxbNJwgpHpQm5smgzVPkce4pztN63pZEoLiWQE2U4PZycDCgTBVddaG7s3c7/s1600/blog+pic.jpg" height="129" width="320" /></div>
October hols over and it's into the dark months that take us up to Christmas and hopefully the skiing season too. Hard months for trail building as less light per day equals less trail built equals less money! Thankfully there aren't many builds planned for this period (good planning that), what I do have is more design, planning and consultancy work - all office based, and photography work - mainly indoors (nice planning again) so should get through to the longer days aok. I always feel that once you're passed Christmas you may still be in the depths of winter, but as the daylight starts to increase things get easier. As usual can't say much about works in progress, but three lovely wee builds on the cards and a plum of a design job that is the start of a major project in the central belt.<br />
<br />
Lewis was an epic trip, in that we arrived at the same time as Hurricane Gonzalo! Add to that the house we were renting was about as exposed to the Atlantic as you can get and we had a few sleepless nights listening (and feeling) the house being battered by storm force winds and torrential rain (kids slept through it). Even with dreadful weather the Uig peninsula was a beautiful place to be and it was no bother keeping our two young lads occupied with walks to see the full might of the weather hitting the cliffs and beaches - having a gorgeous house to retreat to helped as well!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvUZmWBJ_3O00hjpth32F1SiRSCG5azllz-d8h94uIao_mlLa5sLZQf7CLWNje5Y6kQnczdcAZfJnJf1MFZUPr-L3SzhZ_UUyQBa_GjXABjVnnx4sQ1eGz_yDw61valw_1UrKGfQKDSjI/s1600/kirsten+mag+shoot+oct+2014+-+Version+2.jpg" height="139" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the most amazing foam party ever!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAn8a_KV67yUb2w9N_BFfjQXX6Gy78GCsiwyCyyfb-udD3Bbq43J8C1glHDHXg4Dhl5d5ADGoH8x967eEPxVGwajNASzD_oTKn2E0m5E5PpPFuBz9frIPzvGDgGIAxBc0VjWMXq70erp8S/s1600/lewis+oct+2014.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
cosy gaf</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a geeky kit note; I'm using the wee Olympus omd em-1 these days, a family holiday is no place to drag around a hulking big Nikon and the Oly is small enough to stuff in jacket or wee bag, totally weatherproof (camera was washed down in the shower several times to remove salt spray) and with built in wifi there was no involved editing type nonsense, just send to phone or iPad, a quick tweak and off to Instagram the image goes! Can't see me going back to a traditional DSLR anytime soon. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Prior to leaving for hols had to squeeze in a weekends work for Singletrack mag covering the World Endurance 24hr solo champs. I was sort of thinking of going over anyway, but to take the usual flash lit racers racing type pics that seem to sell well directly to competitors and sponsors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This time I was going to leave the flash guns at home and try and capture more 'reportage' style shots, a challenge, but massively useful for my development as a photographer. In the end I shot 1300 odd images, slept for all of 4hrs and came away with some shots I was quite happy with, whether Singletrack use them is another matter! Can't publish any of the pics, but here's a 'B' roll pic I quite like. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn6bvUAZQb-D_qci_C4xj5bnJ58HbUnbSy70bWKaRVAUkOgq2_3uMlj1cSYr2omG6djOTP_f-z33jo596nROMGtl8wAF1IXgXpUpMLFGkAMEQsuUhpzHWPnR8eDWvgIxyVlpsSPXNYB97/s1600/wembo+blog+pic.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Again used the little cameras, omd and the ever faithful fuji x100, both cracking wee cameras to use, especially the fuji for candid moments. Both cameras were cranked up to high ISO's - 6400 at night and all images fine enough for use. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Geek note here again, the oly has amazing image stabilisation allowing hand held at about a second, mental. Geek note over. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyhow that's enough of that, I'm off for a run as this is my traditional 'let's go back to being a runner' time of the year! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bye. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-7330984065422603972014-09-18T21:17:00.000+01:002014-09-18T21:17:42.217+01:00Into the AutumnWell it's a new season (well it feels like it here) and time for a catch up. Autumn's a good season for me, the kids go back to school - I love them dearly, but very little gets done whilst they're off (home workers). So me and the mrs let out a large sigh of relief and get on with work and some more 'me' time! Which in my case means trying to get fit again (my sort of fit) with loads more riding, both road and mtb. Eventually the body remembers, big hill fitness returns and it's time to squeeze in some epic mtb rides before the dreich months that end in 'ber roll around. Torridon is good even on a bad day, but we hit it with blue skies, warm sun and no midge, truly some of the best riding this year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCsrrt1JfaGXW7lVDkgKj8w-OC9cqoxmZdbrVG9xPD_lljM4vBrFSXVxgYDNUpNmbr6jeLN8bOfr_9Xwg1e5EEbmQTpSqvQPHBUX-GdEbxPe8CkRc4vkgDIiM_92vgak4uhMGmz-OLU1C/s1600/jamie+torridon+annat+descent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCsrrt1JfaGXW7lVDkgKj8w-OC9cqoxmZdbrVG9xPD_lljM4vBrFSXVxgYDNUpNmbr6jeLN8bOfr_9Xwg1e5EEbmQTpSqvQPHBUX-GdEbxPe8CkRc4vkgDIiM_92vgak4uhMGmz-OLU1C/s1600/jamie+torridon+annat+descent.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1976739024"></span><span id="goog_1976739025"></span>Torridon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Local trails have been getting a good hammering too, with some old classics getting as much use as possible before harvesting kills them dead. I know it's a crop and needs harvesting, but even so, forest I've ridden trails in for nearly twenty years are scheduled to go.... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx-7yeeZTN7Jdof2bdgTY3d0Ni2I95FI82vGXqCQGppyWpUIqd3kDHmCT_UR-bILyRr_SYR1Sg9Ge0nOasMzVqZyOrtU8juojshyphenhyphenxh8VXBqni4qIALrsK_0TMiJnS8kItwBsVCR7NPc29/s1600/grant+inshriach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlx-7yeeZTN7Jdof2bdgTY3d0Ni2I95FI82vGXqCQGppyWpUIqd3kDHmCT_UR-bILyRr_SYR1Sg9Ge0nOasMzVqZyOrtU8juojshyphenhyphenxh8VXBqni4qIALrsK_0TMiJnS8kItwBsVCR7NPc29/s1600/grant+inshriach.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
going, going, nearly gone.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But, with the weather so good, it would be a crime not to get onto the local high trails before winter closes them down (at least on bikes!) so some quick up and downs combined with longer forays across the plateau were in order, sometimes alone, sometimes with like minded 'mountain' bikers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XSDLt6UyDD49fFHMJ1NQvpXKFgJL3fMID_7x4v5zvfIAc0y8QZY44jED1t4SoidhuIkAwme0mScQV5OTgzxi3t9igzHXddK4XkO9Zv3slqRWz-klRY6KzP_hlA9aEFVk4bAWuNQEbrYZ/s1600/jamie+sneachda+view+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XSDLt6UyDD49fFHMJ1NQvpXKFgJL3fMID_7x4v5zvfIAc0y8QZY44jED1t4SoidhuIkAwme0mScQV5OTgzxi3t9igzHXddK4XkO9Zv3slqRWz-klRY6KzP_hlA9aEFVk4bAWuNQEbrYZ/s1600/jamie+sneachda+view+(1).jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coire an Sneachda </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Work has ramped up with a fairly equal mix of Cycletherapy and photo work. Trail stuff at the mo' is a mix of helping clients through planning applications, designing new tracks, trail surveys and a wee bit of trail maintenance training for various government bodies - I quite like this stuff, as I get older I like the idea of passing my info on. The photo work is progressing nicely with a steady influx of properties to shoot and something new to be learnt every contract; from dealing with tricky properties, to new lighting techniques, photoshop skills and streamlining the workflow through to the client. I love it! it's not quite the action shooting I thought I'd specialise in, but a niche I'm keen to develop and capitalise in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UObTDJKFxJmHpWpeaddbfNgoXhU6dczDajnZ3fNx028EtELOJlLDjBKyrXxCMZlSLIyDjMykInfFqj7-bz2vzIz7ygP1_2-itoc76fJvsKA2tJOU9EbyYM32ubum5fBIE705dhcUhCP_/s1600/15+Fasaich+sep+2014+208+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UObTDJKFxJmHpWpeaddbfNgoXhU6dczDajnZ3fNx028EtELOJlLDjBKyrXxCMZlSLIyDjMykInfFqj7-bz2vzIz7ygP1_2-itoc76fJvsKA2tJOU9EbyYM32ubum5fBIE705dhcUhCP_/s1600/15+Fasaich+sep+2014+208+-+Version+2.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Work</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyhoo, that's enough for the now, it's time for a wee dram before settling into watching how the Scottish Independence results play out - whatever happens there's tricky times ahead up here! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-63930641715964811992014-06-05T10:19:00.000+01:002014-06-05T10:19:17.080+01:00Mid Summer Madness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYPhmrqqr0wrafO2xNIXVqsXEbBzuAJh_R_V9m9FcePaGUmpVoRymMqekJVIGo_9B0fLjqyv43-nK6937294Nyv2taEmP7RQL6nRcgRqjPERh5QQEX2P0ncm8zfG0lg2casNnV4io-94C/s1600/aberfoyle+april+2014+47+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYPhmrqqr0wrafO2xNIXVqsXEbBzuAJh_R_V9m9FcePaGUmpVoRymMqekJVIGo_9B0fLjqyv43-nK6937294Nyv2taEmP7RQL6nRcgRqjPERh5QQEX2P0ncm8zfG0lg2casNnV4io-94C/s1600/aberfoyle+april+2014+47+-+Version+2.jpg" height="147" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi all.<br />
Busy.<br />
That about sums up summer for me, what with trail builds, design reports, trail maintenance contracts, the photography business (more on that later) family and the endless desire to squeeze rides into any gap I can.<br />
I'm amazed that with the economy the way it is I still have clients that can find money for trail builds, I think the biggest change is that trail builds these days are driven by the local user groups, not by external agencies. These groups know what they want, do their research, have the community behind them and with all the right boxes ticked have no problems gaining planning permission and finding the money.<br />
Smaller jump parks, pump tracks and skills areas built right in the heart of a community are where the fundings at these days; not requiring transport to get to and being able to be used by kids all the time - not just when mum and dad can load up the van and travel to an 'uber' centre. <br />
All good by me, but I still pine for building endless k's of good old honest xc riders thin flowy single track hugging the side of a lovely remote hillside with stunning views, maybe with a few rocky problems thrown in, the odd berm, maybe a little tabletop here and there, ahhhh well, maybe one day again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouoHV8johKrQCBobm_FHtYPJmNnLKGgNM-qxszsvLOSSKRtmomNyRoRnNWeDeFihpC_-djMpEjb3wD_YR8Ej3bDOU0AW-Xeq5MdNAfdt8MFrNIxnLzJC-5O_cWEpaOvpMBnl6oEw2K64X/s1600/no+fuss+swoopy+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouoHV8johKrQCBobm_FHtYPJmNnLKGgNM-qxszsvLOSSKRtmomNyRoRnNWeDeFihpC_-djMpEjb3wD_YR8Ej3bDOU0AW-Xeq5MdNAfdt8MFrNIxnLzJC-5O_cWEpaOvpMBnl6oEw2K64X/s1600/no+fuss+swoopy+red.jpg" height="145" width="320" /></a></div>
The Aberfoyle build went really well, working with Chris Rogerson Contracting and his merry bunch of young keen trail builders, they're are always great fun to work with - what with their willingness to throw themselves over partly completed jumps all in the pursuit of good flow! See Pete above.<br />
Alyth's next on the to do list, with their build imminent and much to do before the kids break up for the summer hols and Cycletherapy closes down for a wee break somewhere hot and sunny.<br />
Designs are out to various clients to start on their journey to a build, hope these happen, they're really worthwhile projects and would be a delight to build.<br />
The photography business is also busy, I never intended for it to come on stream so quickly, rather I saw it as a long term plan to slowly develop my skills and client base to the point where I could use it well into my old age when trail building becomes harder. Call it future proofing (or my version of a pension plan!) However, the architectural photography side of things is very busy, with a good client, nice properties to shoot and the ability to learn something new with every gig - also, the level of accuracy and attention to detail required appeals to my OCD side!<br />
Much as I love the action sports work, it simply doesn't pay that well and photography in my busy world has to earn it's keep, but every so often I have to grab the gear and head off to the trails to scratch that mtb photography itch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnM8ZIxKqRzHRnFCMScQfaaF4psy4Byx7IQINt-yxk3XsDtqYaRhLCOITo24BFoEH3w16TkSfmHLjJkV2NEpL5IdLVbELMQ67aO0ixvWDk4Ep_bRqyyZAo_Chz-303_EI3gz7Wy16Zsdf/s1600/nash+burnside+may+2014+109+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnM8ZIxKqRzHRnFCMScQfaaF4psy4Byx7IQINt-yxk3XsDtqYaRhLCOITo24BFoEH3w16TkSfmHLjJkV2NEpL5IdLVbELMQ67aO0ixvWDk4Ep_bRqyyZAo_Chz-303_EI3gz7Wy16Zsdf/s1600/nash+burnside+may+2014+109+-+Version+2.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
No racing for me this year, not an issue just now, as I've regained my mtb 'mojo' and I'm simply in love with just riding my mtb on local natural trails, official and unofficial trail fairy work and just enjoying the ride.<br />
Til the Autumn - bye for now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_xY2G70Qze4dv1W15tb6omcEc9pU05aRT-Ni_XaHLHCacPXYAVSn47cwp4H40GOrEInLjRgA77ewTKuht39aUPJ1NQZqm4sjRJWYPyBoX42GmqiV3IkqvWj26uIPPqg5frPeqg4ZW_BX/s1600/nash+burnside+may+2014+20+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_xY2G70Qze4dv1W15tb6omcEc9pU05aRT-Ni_XaHLHCacPXYAVSn47cwp4H40GOrEInLjRgA77ewTKuht39aUPJ1NQZqm4sjRJWYPyBoX42GmqiV3IkqvWj26uIPPqg5frPeqg4ZW_BX/s1600/nash+burnside+may+2014+20+-+Version+2.jpg" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-57915875022419491552014-04-04T12:51:00.000+01:002014-04-04T12:51:18.937+01:00Spring Update Ok, blog update, long overdue, but that's cos I'm busy - which is a good thing (sometimes).<br />
At the start of the winter I said no winter trail builds this year, as last winter was just too damn hard to build in - and what happens? we get a relatively mild easy winter (well certainly at the low levels I build at)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9DHojtx3fcUJLh31Ny6We6LahTqhtKGGZcCQX1_EdqDm3Fz7sNotd8n644ZL7I7yRzENr9dVxA09zfmlG5aTHdQyNp22Re0p0xTxNiUelKXn3ZW7D2TqNJbpfYftk9jbwZfK8ojDh2Ve/s3200/IMG_3405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9DHojtx3fcUJLh31Ny6We6LahTqhtKGGZcCQX1_EdqDm3Fz7sNotd8n644ZL7I7yRzENr9dVxA09zfmlG5aTHdQyNp22Re0p0xTxNiUelKXn3ZW7D2TqNJbpfYftk9jbwZfK8ojDh2Ve/s3200/IMG_3405.jpg" height="140" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
you can build in that...</div>
<br />
So because of this I decide to step up my sideline of photography, and what happens? that gets really busy, really quick! Which is fantastic, but now the trail building season is with us I'm going to have to play it canny to fit everything in, as well as be a dad, husband and keen cyclist!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVJbItnDnFi5D85YUAH-f1F7IaTDyXdxD6gttVhzBLUdS3KzOzPY9pR70xBgmesn9NMO_ylPlLJ3jkry3iqHz26QTWe8MwMnmo0FIa8GdmCnCD3b3lTIu6Dz2zNY5c_3tSzMij3jMyRau/s3200/strathpuffer+jan+2014+89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVJbItnDnFi5D85YUAH-f1F7IaTDyXdxD6gttVhzBLUdS3KzOzPY9pR70xBgmesn9NMO_ylPlLJ3jkry3iqHz26QTWe8MwMnmo0FIa8GdmCnCD3b3lTIu6Dz2zNY5c_3tSzMij3jMyRau/s3200/strathpuffer+jan+2014+89.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
event piccies</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnT0DPu7Gf7JzeQmSA23pPVuUqceTZ5EZ4-3zlOTFXfyZu7DBYmQ3UTbQ24IKGFWsvuh_C6Eti72gqoIVqdmpQlQI0nhVcIRmnaYwqxwFUquQxcNSmXg7mVy4e1eyFbdpksz1bUpfaKkqx/s3200/aspen+lodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnT0DPu7Gf7JzeQmSA23pPVuUqceTZ5EZ4-3zlOTFXfyZu7DBYmQ3UTbQ24IKGFWsvuh_C6Eti72gqoIVqdmpQlQI0nhVcIRmnaYwqxwFUquQxcNSmXg7mVy4e1eyFbdpksz1bUpfaKkqx/s3200/aspen+lodge.jpg" height="176" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
house pics</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bUfT-Zz8k0by42WfESAwK2kNw_GeRno8cL43iHR9fdnr8_2Klms-aYeprwfk3gUjxtEEqcFKuMc1nJzahQSSBn9cFVMeXd2fmGcy8zpfZVLwYhOnLYcOsV5gf-FsmpverMRuM_tLTNeZ/s3200/toni+meat+slicer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bUfT-Zz8k0by42WfESAwK2kNw_GeRno8cL43iHR9fdnr8_2Klms-aYeprwfk3gUjxtEEqcFKuMc1nJzahQSSBn9cFVMeXd2fmGcy8zpfZVLwYhOnLYcOsV5gf-FsmpverMRuM_tLTNeZ/s3200/toni+meat+slicer.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
people pics</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHFY5RV_JDDD4VWDMi0oSm0150zWgv9ppmse2Cpae2ep0cSqkReuh46uzwOjKhSk-DIsHWtwvCfb167U7VSXX07wsrvHCPLAXzTwJAnhiOczlEiuZTMZxgN102_1SNsCzAj7zkeTEBKEk/s3200/kirsten+cookbook+shoot+2+feb+2014+57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHFY5RV_JDDD4VWDMi0oSm0150zWgv9ppmse2Cpae2ep0cSqkReuh46uzwOjKhSk-DIsHWtwvCfb167U7VSXX07wsrvHCPLAXzTwJAnhiOczlEiuZTMZxgN102_1SNsCzAj7zkeTEBKEk/s3200/kirsten+cookbook+shoot+2+feb+2014+57.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
product pics</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oecH9IZ3qlSzEQ6r5V8rkPwF8RYXLV5MKbLEwVCTuIEUbjize8IGtxeFFbAieVeIdt6QsDWFSx3J6cefyOOAQ-OnA_wV7md2cDFeu1cIz3L0RE5YGfc9J_KzHq95QRmIHANFyP-smfvE/s3200/nash+burnside+dec+2013+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oecH9IZ3qlSzEQ6r5V8rkPwF8RYXLV5MKbLEwVCTuIEUbjize8IGtxeFFbAieVeIdt6QsDWFSx3J6cefyOOAQ-OnA_wV7md2cDFeu1cIz3L0RE5YGfc9J_KzHq95QRmIHANFyP-smfvE/s3200/nash+burnside+dec+2013+33.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
action pics (Nash Masson) he's really very good!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I love photography, but for me it's gotta pay it's way or else Cycletherapy will not give it any calendar time at all! Luckily, all photo gigs so far have been at a good rate and long term it gives me the flexibility to use it as an income stream when trail building has to stop because of weather or me being knackered! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Trail building stuff continues, but as I've said before a lot of my stuff can't be talked about due to planning considerations. However, I can talk about the next couple of builds that will take me through to the summer hols (that's half the year gone) Aberfoyle is getting a wee skills area and Alyth is getting a wee trail, jumps, pump track, fun park type thang. All good fun. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The keen cyclist part of the life / work balance was satisfied with a weeks good 'beasting' on the road bike is Spain - 38,000' of climbing and near 400 miles in a week, of course as soon as we get back the weather turns all cold and wet, so it's out with the winter road bike and layer upon layer of winter thermals - groan! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Luckily here the local 'real' mtb trails are in good nick so the Tallboy has been out and about and I'm glad to still feel the love for all that trail riding thing. Mojo still intact - check. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Ski season rumbles to a finish: it's been a funny old season - heaps of snow, but rubbish weather with lots of days ruined due to high winds. Family Masson has been up as much as poss', but if I'm honest it'll not go down as one of the greats.... anyhoo, the boys have had some good blasts and Nº 1 son is going to finish of the season at Easter with a 'freestyle' skills clinic (gulp) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Right that's all your getting for now, going by this rate there'll be another update going into the winter! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
TTFN. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-22239040481592699462014-01-13T12:28:00.000+00:002014-01-13T12:28:03.592+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSupdqDoNBXew2LvE9jiUPMI8ufITq8iS3SMDpV291BzkQQlkumpFF-16zRJcdIM905PksG06UOZ_-6VR3S1Xe8o45yEn1TPFSJZg54m6xnXVIXRqV6eRzYFuI5vDTe3BgGkKp5EMceFTn/s1600/kitchen+jan+2014+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSupdqDoNBXew2LvE9jiUPMI8ufITq8iS3SMDpV291BzkQQlkumpFF-16zRJcdIM905PksG06UOZ_-6VR3S1Xe8o45yEn1TPFSJZg54m6xnXVIXRqV6eRzYFuI5vDTe3BgGkKp5EMceFTn/s320/kitchen+jan+2014+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Cycletherapy has mostly been here!<br />
It's the planning phase for a lot of jobs at the moment, which needs doing or no more builds, and to tell the truth a winter without building trails is not a bad idea after last years struggle.<br />
Some nice little community skills areas on the cards to do this Spring, those in conjunction with some bigger Forestry Commission jobs this summer will keep me nicely out of mischief for another financial year!<br />
On a different tack, the photography work has picked up and as this may well be the long term plan for when I'm too old to build trail I needed to focus (sorry) back on it again and as much as I love taking pics of bikers and outdoor sports, my main source of clients appears to be the housing market. A lot of high value properties, whether for sale or as holiday let businesses, have truly awful pics and I think people are realising that a snap with a point and shoot or an iPhone really doesn't cut the mustard these days. It's funny that with the proliferation of how to capture digital images - phones / tablets/ etc there is still a market for professionally taken images. I don't think it's about the gear, I just think someone who is being paid to deliver a quality set of images worries over the quality and style of pictures far more than someone who just snaps away.<br />
My biking has taken a back seat to running just now - it's a seasonal thing - I always seem to prefer running when the weather is truly awful and it sure has been rough out there for the whole of the festive season, with regular storms bringing down trees all over our local fave riding trails. I have been swinging a saw again for a number of clients keen to get trails open asap for paying customers, but really I would like to get onto my local trails as this has a more direct impact on what I like to ride.<br />
The skiings kicked off again for the season, but apart from making sure our kids get as much ski time as they can, the conditions aren't that great for a fun days telemarking, so I'll quite happily ignore the urge to ski 'til conditions improve and spent any free time working on the portfolio and running around wind blown trees!<br />
Til next time....<br />
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-9371681529408764202013-11-08T13:44:00.000+00:002013-11-08T13:44:56.991+00:00Glenlivet is Open.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqa6GJrBcJbVHWsB1Ao8Iag7Pg1Avhb4S3tnoC4mgIle1CHpe8obQgnFddSxdFbM4VKtu-7L78QJo_TkE8BkpovXzcM4kEuNZTKyTneOYja8rgkEFKzI74FuG2_GLaMpMAC6NbOFs-7z7_/s1600/euan+glenlivet+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqa6GJrBcJbVHWsB1Ao8Iag7Pg1Avhb4S3tnoC4mgIle1CHpe8obQgnFddSxdFbM4VKtu-7L78QJo_TkE8BkpovXzcM4kEuNZTKyTneOYja8rgkEFKzI74FuG2_GLaMpMAC6NbOFs-7z7_/s400/euan+glenlivet+blue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
So, Glenlivet is open, and the trail builders no longer have 20km of trail to themselves!<br />
It was a long, hard build, with the above November picture taken in a rare spell of gorgeous, dry, bright weather. From there on it it started to snow and that's the way things stayed right through to the Spring.<br />
I started detailed route selection and flagging way back in July, prior to the first digger turning up in August and by November we had five diggers and five labourers (well actually they're far more than 'labourers', but more on that later) scattered all over the site. In fact, November was a fantastic month of building, with over 4km built.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkjRh8mOCfDNUgH3JGDUDp8NfMaGV4PE4EjkfCXVtetCJY5Rg_uJWuP5u9hL0GjyHFI4mCbFAMBPOar7Pk9sePWbSmf96lsjBuhGbJcbCFRjzehJodsS1mzUXDn9pgY8FdCBjbh-ExAWe/s1600/november+gully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkjRh8mOCfDNUgH3JGDUDp8NfMaGV4PE4EjkfCXVtetCJY5Rg_uJWuP5u9hL0GjyHFI4mCbFAMBPOar7Pk9sePWbSmf96lsjBuhGbJcbCFRjzehJodsS1mzUXDn9pgY8FdCBjbh-ExAWe/s400/november+gully.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A typical day was up at 6, pick up the lads by 7, 45 mins drive, drop everyone off round the site and then walk in to whichever digger needed me first - this was usually the digger driver that had worked latest into the night and needed a wee checkover before he was good to carry on. Most of the digger drivers worked 14hr days and one hardy operator even saw out the entire project from his caravan parked up where the cafe now is! Hardcore. Headtorches on by 4, walk out to the van by 5ish, home for 6.<br />
Once the diggers had formed up some trail it was up to the 'labourers' to turn it into finished trail: this involved raking out the larger rocks to leave a surface that would compact down hard, fine tuning the cambers for 'flow' and drainage, test riding, placing rocks, pruning trees and branches, compacting with the 'wacker' plate or big drum roller (of various ages and degrees of cantankerous-ness!) and generally tidying up and landscaping before moving on - oh, and carrying pipes and fuel to the various machines<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMF2DdY019v7c3VdZF7EuNBl5twnIxY5yGOIEG9UZ18l_g2dnBmVwEsl2165nqQMDvLXr0RbnpWlgOc05AM0lxJe3VWG2H00MWii_Za3mUHMbhmB-utpMqYs764HHBXbEGUIV0f8WALDV/s1600/glenlivet+december+2012+63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMF2DdY019v7c3VdZF7EuNBl5twnIxY5yGOIEG9UZ18l_g2dnBmVwEsl2165nqQMDvLXr0RbnpWlgOc05AM0lxJe3VWG2H00MWii_Za3mUHMbhmB-utpMqYs764HHBXbEGUIV0f8WALDV/s400/glenlivet+december+2012+63.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And all this behind five diggers! But they did.<br />
Of course this was whilst the weather cooperated, but as the weather deteriorated into snow and regular frosts the 'lads' on the hand team had to figure out ways to protect the freshly dug trail left by the digger before they could get to it - the late night working diggers would leave raw trail that would either be covered with snow and/or frozen solid by the morning. We eventually had to unroll a 'carpet' of material out as the diggers progressed, rolling it back to hand finish as and when we could. This, combined with always trying to get the days freshly dug trail raked and compacted by nightfall - 3.30pm! kept us all warm enough on even the coldest days....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp8lJOpv9NrHxA035bbZwIx9WL9-1XKuXZf6g9qcwwiGJWJP-e3PY0_X8UexCX2Z0bh_GHQkfornxNj6KT6HOQaWVFB9O9R0kKPrKNvGMsFFhyphenhyphen2hYbbKWVaZzQ6Ie5StqTSMUqKKiGkm9/s1600/glenlivet+december+2012+40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp8lJOpv9NrHxA035bbZwIx9WL9-1XKuXZf6g9qcwwiGJWJP-e3PY0_X8UexCX2Z0bh_GHQkfornxNj6KT6HOQaWVFB9O9R0kKPrKNvGMsFFhyphenhyphen2hYbbKWVaZzQ6Ie5StqTSMUqKKiGkm9/s400/glenlivet+december+2012+40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Me? I walked between all the diggers constantly, sometimes clocking up 30km of traipsing around a day. If a digger was on a tricky bit, such as a drop off or berm, I would hang around as he roughed it out, sometimes raking a bit, sometimes running through it to check the flow and if possible trying to ride it - better to get it right as the digger was there rather than try and sort it later. To tell the truth after a good walk through and talk through, with a bit of 'handwavingimaginaryridingdemo' and precise flag tweaking the digger drivers virtually always got it right first time - they were that good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobUMCzZkEljGyJG2sMFVDZ4_GEu-7ioW_UHDIa1E1RZ4s7qPYINsj-0tvrCdXnDkLBlLzsdJQr9229CvhP9ETTlStF-AC_V7EL12Oe0hGdsXaIrloKdt_GLRX5LelFJL3cKyEWNqp8f3G/s1600/glenlivet+feb+2013+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobUMCzZkEljGyJG2sMFVDZ4_GEu-7ioW_UHDIa1E1RZ4s7qPYINsj-0tvrCdXnDkLBlLzsdJQr9229CvhP9ETTlStF-AC_V7EL12Oe0hGdsXaIrloKdt_GLRX5LelFJL3cKyEWNqp8f3G/s400/glenlivet+feb+2013+23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So we soldiered on, with conditions deteriorating into daily 'interesting' drives over the (in)famous Bridge O Brown, longer and longer walk-ins in knee deep snow, diggers and rollers freezing to the trail, digging out machinery and generally just getting on with it albeit it at a far slower rate than the earlier months. Nobody ever moaned, the team was so into what we were doing everyone just did what that had to do to keep trail going down.<br />
The hand team had it the worst, and on really bad days we would all rendezvous at my van, turn on the engine, crank up the heating and thaw out whilst having our 'piece' (sandwiches to you). In addition, the on site office permanently had the generator on keeping it a warm dry refuge for drying out wet kit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpWFI8QoySLQojLZV0Em5JjeisolZMUevkFsfCO12z5IbnqRm1vbRwXkjwA24t9fI2x6g7fAEVRxI19my3QtpvdpY9TFhZG8YxzBeYrcjCvdINiCJD9XrO3_BnrhAF98QTosMJ3nAfmSQ/s1600/lunchbreak+in+the+van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpWFI8QoySLQojLZV0Em5JjeisolZMUevkFsfCO12z5IbnqRm1vbRwXkjwA24t9fI2x6g7fAEVRxI19my3QtpvdpY9TFhZG8YxzBeYrcjCvdINiCJD9XrO3_BnrhAF98QTosMJ3nAfmSQ/s400/lunchbreak+in+the+van.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As I have already said the term 'labourers' doesn't really do justice to a trail builders skill set. The hand squad were all bike riders - good ones at that and they could be relied on to not walk away from a section of trail 'til they were happy it was 'waterproof' i.e. drains well, and it rode as it should. As we left longer and longer finished sections of trail most of the gang (and digger drivers) would use their bikes to ride into the various work sites - and if there was something bothering them we would fix it there and then. <br />
Eventually the diggers were done, but by now - mid Feb', there were sections of trail that even with all our winter working techniques had frozen too hard to properly hand finish, so we pulled everyone off the job and had to return in the Spring. On our return we decided to not only hand finish the remaining sections, but to go over the entire 20,000m again just to re-compact and check all was well after the thaw. Hard to go back to the beginning knowing just how much trail there was to do, but the lads never complained, just packed the chainsaws, rakes and spades and set off on the long days trundling behind the rollers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArF4t1lsqQP6Ybg7SeQHWBTnQd-p1H6amCCDvZLkysnga7vN03uU1FU-5mBzMyXXoA3a_dPxzergEqMoCFnf4aheyo4oWjQyCMsVX-w_PsfvGFz4jh9s8Z2r7a2_AxLqrbTexkzxO-bjz/s1600/snowy+monday+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiArF4t1lsqQP6Ybg7SeQHWBTnQd-p1H6amCCDvZLkysnga7vN03uU1FU-5mBzMyXXoA3a_dPxzergEqMoCFnf4aheyo4oWjQyCMsVX-w_PsfvGFz4jh9s8Z2r7a2_AxLqrbTexkzxO-bjz/s400/snowy+monday+morning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
But winter had the last laugh, because even on one of my last work days in late April I got snowed on whilst walking in to clear some snow snapped trees!<br />
So, it's open to the public now and I need to just leave them to it, most will like it (the MBUK crowd - Russell and Doddy), some won't (those wanting it to be harder) but hey, it's a cross-country trail, go to Laggan or Golspie of you want more of a challenge.<br />
Me? I always find it hard to enjoy a trail I've built, I'm always analysing the trail, rather than just going for a ride.<br />
But the build was awesome fun. Thanks guys<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8HHfjsisFpEkphgj1r8h0KhC6i7TxKYEGVLkIDdn23w4lc3V5UUsZKhvpB2qQTJ1r5EjPfTMnsS9w9LKoFhcAj2OX6YVNr6mFeVjXkwzzXVYTb2idA1gh_aQzoRqIVk_71kOnzWRrnpJ/s1600/glenlivet+december+2012+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8HHfjsisFpEkphgj1r8h0KhC6i7TxKYEGVLkIDdn23w4lc3V5UUsZKhvpB2qQTJ1r5EjPfTMnsS9w9LKoFhcAj2OX6YVNr6mFeVjXkwzzXVYTb2idA1gh_aQzoRqIVk_71kOnzWRrnpJ/s400/glenlivet+december+2012+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The team:<br />
Digger drivers - Mark Hedderwick, Gregor, Chris, Duncan, Hans and of course Ewan Beaton (R.I.P)<br />
The hand team - Rory and Ewan Thain, Hamish, Pete and Hans (although he left us for a digger!)<br />
Tree cutters - Graham Collard, Sandis, Jamie.<br />
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-70108490645372503152013-08-06T21:18:00.000+01:002013-08-06T21:18:21.583+01:00Summertime and the livin' is easy....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjx04QKoxA7NlHQn0zMOuUWqwkwqiL4Fj9Nqt9vGjW8Hnj8IarMhgbRhH4A5mkHS4pX5bVELXJIm5gt5Wjb8_hK7O3bcoEKwoa-lIbA13P_uvMbZ1e-yMAnSu0Efswtc59HVroCP6rIcf/s1600/family+biking+glenlivet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjx04QKoxA7NlHQn0zMOuUWqwkwqiL4Fj9Nqt9vGjW8Hnj8IarMhgbRhH4A5mkHS4pX5bVELXJIm5gt5Wjb8_hK7O3bcoEKwoa-lIbA13P_uvMbZ1e-yMAnSu0Efswtc59HVroCP6rIcf/s320/family+biking+glenlivet2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Since the last blog; the weather has taken a dramatic change with day after day of heat, work has changed from the frantic end of financial year rush builds - which kinda dragged on into June (ahem), to the more relaxed 'designery' type work of wandering about in lovely forests looking and thinking about trail issues. I love running a big trail project, but I like the peace and contemplation time of designing new trails in my own time frame - it's a ying and yang thing.<br />
The only thing that ruins my karma is having to tender for jobs, I know it's just how things are done these days, but as a sole trader the time taken to put together a good submission is often not recouped on some of the smaller trail projects that are out there, multiply this by half a dozen tenders and that's a lot of non money making time. I'm coming round to the idea that I might not bother with the process anymore unless it's something meaty that I can really get my teeth into and I like the look of the contract.<br />
Call me fussy, but it's my little niche career and I'll do what I want!<br />
At the mo' there are some really exciting and challenging builds in the pipeline, all fairly local and all trails that I have a real love for. The only sticky bit is scheduling them in before winter bears it's fangs again - winter eh! Mid Aug' and I'm already worrying about fitting work in before the frosts and snow!<br />
Anyhoo, July means Scottish school hols, so Cycletherapy closed down for 3 weeks, loaded the van (still very shiny) and drove the family off to deepest France and Switzerland.<br />
We 'did' Disneyland (don't ask) Paris (with small children) and then settled down in a gorgeous campsite in the Jura region of France. The van allowed us the space to take all the bikes and I was able to fit in some lovely road rides including one of those 'col' things, in 35º heat and with a 'proper' chain set. Ouch.<br />
We eventually arrived back home 2500 miles later to the unexpected pleasure of more 30º+ heat, which in our neck of the woods is a rare and delightful treat, resulting in more beach days at the Costa del Loch Morlich and a few more road rides without needing to pack a waterproof!<br />
So, as we head through August it's trying to balance the needs of work / family / kids off and my ever present 'need' to cycle as much as possible ;-)<br />
See you in the Autumn.....<br />
Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-32759854332501369912013-04-20T20:04:00.000+01:002013-04-20T20:04:30.511+01:00Trail building Winter 2012-2013.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
A long and hard one. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobXRNJoL80XSA_FBxeV0bCAJoXc5mqgPL_jntXNy8P160AKEdT2F1dCn83BZXB3IPdepeVZpxTHx3lZ9adnAXOPy-AEKi8T7rNWe1fTzs2QfIW41uR6hapP-jjB57Tlpcwzrr3BMaB12e/s1600/glenlivet+december+2012+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobXRNJoL80XSA_FBxeV0bCAJoXc5mqgPL_jntXNy8P160AKEdT2F1dCn83BZXB3IPdepeVZpxTHx3lZ9adnAXOPy-AEKi8T7rNWe1fTzs2QfIW41uR6hapP-jjB57Tlpcwzrr3BMaB12e/s320/glenlivet+december+2012+7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6PxX-RlJQRWVz1WJ08CQnucc76GrIpC5iRPtesaSjzDUpMqKEZ5jFp03pj4hBUNzl-Ey1PfL2Gm4rJNnr9bxQ26C0N4f4K6YG_aKTZS5dUC8-fwecYxmSmhkPd6hIo4ZhWeTJFVswd3z/s1600/IMG_2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6PxX-RlJQRWVz1WJ08CQnucc76GrIpC5iRPtesaSjzDUpMqKEZ5jFp03pj4hBUNzl-Ey1PfL2Gm4rJNnr9bxQ26C0N4f4K6YG_aKTZS5dUC8-fwecYxmSmhkPd6hIo4ZhWeTJFVswd3z/s320/IMG_2525.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UQQ8OdX9Un1z81ZFiWdOARz_Qcn6t8ifYJPlSOuYnzYo4wJMoqBVCWBHtyMfnWw11F6D2FbfKJN9MyxKP4MiaGEeCXwu8rllke4GixOg4nhVYcYlnRNFwFr2W-NcWptRAtZDm2mgA1L3/s1600/glenlivet+december+2012+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UQQ8OdX9Un1z81ZFiWdOARz_Qcn6t8ifYJPlSOuYnzYo4wJMoqBVCWBHtyMfnWw11F6D2FbfKJN9MyxKP4MiaGEeCXwu8rllke4GixOg4nhVYcYlnRNFwFr2W-NcWptRAtZDm2mgA1L3/s320/glenlivet+december+2012+14.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lx3fRKbFJz13WkEKCE_XOjL1a2mtEFqgYyJ6YmjbtN3iueo1xJYr9ujar-AnXBrTdjR1WvOIQeIYzokA3RO7Ilm_Vgzcxsz3LeDClC-XA3GejKHDKWXLs9AuwPOw4MTSNFSNlHPeD9JV/s1600/Glenlivet+december+2012+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lx3fRKbFJz13WkEKCE_XOjL1a2mtEFqgYyJ6YmjbtN3iueo1xJYr9ujar-AnXBrTdjR1WvOIQeIYzokA3RO7Ilm_Vgzcxsz3LeDClC-XA3GejKHDKWXLs9AuwPOw4MTSNFSNlHPeD9JV/s320/Glenlivet+december+2012+25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiOuHi6CTWJuUdJs9WRo_GUV1y5FA-13JQv5kFuGUdCtpd_joBu7BMWrYY0E-grP0EIlf56yxeLS0W25TsVudUQUmcRJ-FR7_94DDFra-D2aqcQ34c3KGPI65kEvqmperokB_yAwQGqTL/s1600/glenlivet+december+2012+53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiOuHi6CTWJuUdJs9WRo_GUV1y5FA-13JQv5kFuGUdCtpd_joBu7BMWrYY0E-grP0EIlf56yxeLS0W25TsVudUQUmcRJ-FR7_94DDFra-D2aqcQ34c3KGPI65kEvqmperokB_yAwQGqTL/s320/glenlivet+december+2012+53.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaM59xxPnsRexmVM1J0wG7mgrrPzt9nWKnT2M8Oeifv-C-cY8ZLcKsFFzKY8Vdy2kVUehzHSG9In6GaxGy-TDLienm9VsUFo25bXgBQ-SzcX3fXHMKUhj_ZYiEpkc4xg20jYrpC9iTWBR/s1600/glenlivet+december+2012+63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaM59xxPnsRexmVM1J0wG7mgrrPzt9nWKnT2M8Oeifv-C-cY8ZLcKsFFzKY8Vdy2kVUehzHSG9In6GaxGy-TDLienm9VsUFo25bXgBQ-SzcX3fXHMKUhj_ZYiEpkc4xg20jYrpC9iTWBR/s320/glenlivet+december+2012+63.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoowP8p3x6glwYLgxvuuFTwiRDWAIe8bjn3sdHRujGZw_i1LvAECw5wD1p97rPXnilEhuIkyi5TZxXxQUqhbAHmAKI7mbfa2PHozzEMdXKZn-9Vm4ZbtTyMkWyRI0TwHFWFxTsZcrbXSv/s1600/glenlivet+feb+2013+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoowP8p3x6glwYLgxvuuFTwiRDWAIe8bjn3sdHRujGZw_i1LvAECw5wD1p97rPXnilEhuIkyi5TZxXxQUqhbAHmAKI7mbfa2PHozzEMdXKZn-9Vm4ZbtTyMkWyRI0TwHFWFxTsZcrbXSv/s320/glenlivet+feb+2013+8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHigovVLdxIDLq-EuY9nMGVlqYkLEZRrpAPdQEH6j9tXJcsnTorTJkQIfMcQnUwa2XsiTs86LpbEFvXvhSPJZEh1SN491vdvw9M0KXHcoyNucdpUFe6e19Tk2Cj_t9V27KBZjYzQFsyrsk/s1600/glenlivet+jan+2013+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHigovVLdxIDLq-EuY9nMGVlqYkLEZRrpAPdQEH6j9tXJcsnTorTJkQIfMcQnUwa2XsiTs86LpbEFvXvhSPJZEh1SN491vdvw9M0KXHcoyNucdpUFe6e19Tk2Cj_t9V27KBZjYzQFsyrsk/s320/glenlivet+jan+2013+11.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YR5ncCCp08vvEbVJEvmTMsejwtQ0qhj6YjkfQlRHxiV18U4O-pKncjZApvNdX2H-gkhTRRJRPcCSi1S58ORi_Of481aK_ozfDVxPdB4-HvcXuVUOGXaOwlU5_QtFHINHraBaMLYEkITd/s1600/glenlivet+jan+2013+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YR5ncCCp08vvEbVJEvmTMsejwtQ0qhj6YjkfQlRHxiV18U4O-pKncjZApvNdX2H-gkhTRRJRPcCSi1S58ORi_Of481aK_ozfDVxPdB4-HvcXuVUOGXaOwlU5_QtFHINHraBaMLYEkITd/s320/glenlivet+jan+2013+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOQyVs1our6Hxt3PAR8dc7hBWsbGvJkTon1bYSlI4XaBWPjxIH05opg5MKh1Scc8ILnyCLQ7_OGJ4z8rLy0Wtf8HUvjfEiAmSojglSlhdkkeKV_aYsvRXC7ClaKZNE3EDmwBhyBH33-nR/s1600/glenlivet+jan+2013+45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOQyVs1our6Hxt3PAR8dc7hBWsbGvJkTon1bYSlI4XaBWPjxIH05opg5MKh1Scc8ILnyCLQ7_OGJ4z8rLy0Wtf8HUvjfEiAmSojglSlhdkkeKV_aYsvRXC7ClaKZNE3EDmwBhyBH33-nR/s320/glenlivet+jan+2013+45.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO8m2RwnZhAJRDuIW8tqyyvMQqXth_FsymvetgRbBlohllyWmJIkl2KQAPCPi_a720kKEuvgZ3h6bfboXld3r-eEs0ypNKlIvIQKS4aFWA667eHGUl5V_LXvDZDuIIYUlB_Ca4ZylWJRs/s1600/glenlivet+snow++13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO8m2RwnZhAJRDuIW8tqyyvMQqXth_FsymvetgRbBlohllyWmJIkl2KQAPCPi_a720kKEuvgZ3h6bfboXld3r-eEs0ypNKlIvIQKS4aFWA667eHGUl5V_LXvDZDuIIYUlB_Ca4ZylWJRs/s320/glenlivet+snow++13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Uwmx8HFl_6IH2PGJB5znRm9tUsW5vQqWe1r6umq_foG9TIp898kkq6xFos9nH0AjFHlFjnN-0_ZbksbxhFghuQoGOYqD5aHRiPwjDaL9NQhUkbWkn-SVnUa-GJXwfI8D4jzSfxAtYZEY/s1600/gregor+going+to+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Uwmx8HFl_6IH2PGJB5znRm9tUsW5vQqWe1r6umq_foG9TIp898kkq6xFos9nH0AjFHlFjnN-0_ZbksbxhFghuQoGOYqD5aHRiPwjDaL9NQhUkbWkn-SVnUa-GJXwfI8D4jzSfxAtYZEY/s320/gregor+going+to+work.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemKFf97p2JLTUvr09v0QIhURNKJMsuLN35zmmWF9IYIYxO3E5yNGICMXJeioSjPGR4xC57rBVijmEIeqCNf-ExJ4Qx79V0zx7s-G5AszsT47HlXte8QMJHWeT0LRwUUhERzOQkuGhyphenhyphenFvJ/s1600/hans+digger+snow+aboyne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemKFf97p2JLTUvr09v0QIhURNKJMsuLN35zmmWF9IYIYxO3E5yNGICMXJeioSjPGR4xC57rBVijmEIeqCNf-ExJ4Qx79V0zx7s-G5AszsT47HlXte8QMJHWeT0LRwUUhERzOQkuGhyphenhyphenFvJ/s320/hans+digger+snow+aboyne.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGokUH_vfU_GaST-UltttmgDnqIBF-4SG8merzRpqXO-nriUzsw_1dXnc6P_YBbSDbcpP0y6G8dMJsChN7OhSaB8vwhg-8B9O37TVgVRxOypUeVrjhLOG_K1I7jFdlersScXheno5zXJW/s1600/lads+heading+back+snowy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGokUH_vfU_GaST-UltttmgDnqIBF-4SG8merzRpqXO-nriUzsw_1dXnc6P_YBbSDbcpP0y6G8dMJsChN7OhSaB8vwhg-8B9O37TVgVRxOypUeVrjhLOG_K1I7jFdlersScXheno5zXJW/s320/lads+heading+back+snowy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbF-xRFnVJJ8AStKP3aM-yx0Wv_9FbPJugX1qp2C2LhYG911l88OQLoPrXjZW10qmxSTl6UwtJQ4AuzfOOB882OgyOMKYs_4Itsv4bN5HquAQV3g5_S-vMmWfYvjQobr2DZWfVkhyphenhyphenpYHW/s1600/pipe+moving+van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbF-xRFnVJJ8AStKP3aM-yx0Wv_9FbPJugX1qp2C2LhYG911l88OQLoPrXjZW10qmxSTl6UwtJQ4AuzfOOB882OgyOMKYs_4Itsv4bN5HquAQV3g5_S-vMmWfYvjQobr2DZWfVkhyphenhyphenpYHW/s320/pipe+moving+van.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMjWmpuV5p-DPdYuf4kcC4XCTkUNRvEbhogXDP27JAylR99xdFxsakUN4VgceEtCLAlRPDftyNbIdQi_xP7qWF3LmoqQO-Dnyp_587mASjyUMNjFwFzwvjcXT9WhwFxNZEHmRsnnyTdW9/s1600/rory+and+hamish+heading+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMjWmpuV5p-DPdYuf4kcC4XCTkUNRvEbhogXDP27JAylR99xdFxsakUN4VgceEtCLAlRPDftyNbIdQi_xP7qWF3LmoqQO-Dnyp_587mASjyUMNjFwFzwvjcXT9WhwFxNZEHmRsnnyTdW9/s320/rory+and+hamish+heading+in.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A6zwW-hU1r8NTDnoenit5gQNg_Ea54vLZ45poO9bYcKjgFwMgHp1RIxWoGOPtnswCmv1DmSGQwRXBopw7MpMPe9X1_K4k4NQA6TFUf43JcoH0LM5UTtPkiXMfRiKUrqUji7DDnbkRLrC/s1600/snow+barrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3A6zwW-hU1r8NTDnoenit5gQNg_Ea54vLZ45poO9bYcKjgFwMgHp1RIxWoGOPtnswCmv1DmSGQwRXBopw7MpMPe9X1_K4k4NQA6TFUf43JcoH0LM5UTtPkiXMfRiKUrqUji7DDnbkRLrC/s320/snow+barrow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaBjDq0a0gTCYKoZtyYkEZjbMMu1O7-HySHvc5asX5fXcXSDbRjJoCu19f6av-qLQoupEMOeLZe-yCNC5tQkOoTl5gRUEorjaa08PFLGibX7iXXOyNIvIi5AkuZvmjbnHCLtMP-tGZIDO/s1600/snowy+bark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaBjDq0a0gTCYKoZtyYkEZjbMMu1O7-HySHvc5asX5fXcXSDbRjJoCu19f6av-qLQoupEMOeLZe-yCNC5tQkOoTl5gRUEorjaa08PFLGibX7iXXOyNIvIi5AkuZvmjbnHCLtMP-tGZIDO/s320/snowy+bark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77lM15P3aO208Y9p5LSp3rEPxRbSyLBgSVF3NtxmGhsijdyEuoG6339E1OI8fensQmt9RK_Ts75KmeLrs0jBUcrFN6KGgKHGNPiILF0CSnTHk_bS6GbGhpIFlMDbrcl8wJkx22_CZisgA/s1600/snowy+monday+morning2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77lM15P3aO208Y9p5LSp3rEPxRbSyLBgSVF3NtxmGhsijdyEuoG6339E1OI8fensQmt9RK_Ts75KmeLrs0jBUcrFN6KGgKHGNPiILF0CSnTHk_bS6GbGhpIFlMDbrcl8wJkx22_CZisgA/s320/snowy+monday+morning2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BgNrjiMS2xaYD2hdvsQJ50p6RooNH_XIpEBwIrfTgG2r9nndoJFC5GLkRCqtPqkWn4LNM6pDqgZHT__JvcRzDbw-_DUPwBVkiBhN09cAvVyOyp7WgASUhUOr_j8f8mvOp2shLxsTRuyQ/s1600/snowy+trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BgNrjiMS2xaYD2hdvsQJ50p6RooNH_XIpEBwIrfTgG2r9nndoJFC5GLkRCqtPqkWn4LNM6pDqgZHT__JvcRzDbw-_DUPwBVkiBhN09cAvVyOyp7WgASUhUOr_j8f8mvOp2shLxsTRuyQ/s320/snowy+trail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrDJDOoYi6vwG4dy9REJ4A4PjArp5jLxK92fHxsBDxoCYdbNJRpUP1881NyjLlEm42jzI8a7bMM02XR41a9t-vgjr4_GuOfrBrv5NiRIXE090fWZ4lSY9NXzlJHz1CoRcRY95gk7FGiLu/s1600/glenlivet+jan+2013+66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrDJDOoYi6vwG4dy9REJ4A4PjArp5jLxK92fHxsBDxoCYdbNJRpUP1881NyjLlEm42jzI8a7bMM02XR41a9t-vgjr4_GuOfrBrv5NiRIXE090fWZ4lSY9NXzlJHz1CoRcRY95gk7FGiLu/s320/glenlivet+jan+2013+66.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzr9TMMiDzTSr2BthKM1iMf8-37TTt2hp1AEviD0UAiPl2Ii8gQnAaybPlCHCeMRZ-aezdRplJ1k83SAKQXr-gUUGfSbnmI665hF9avRhVrdz3msgvtNZA8o6bHf_kdRx-96YJYKzmVLi/s1600/snow+barrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzr9TMMiDzTSr2BthKM1iMf8-37TTt2hp1AEviD0UAiPl2Ii8gQnAaybPlCHCeMRZ-aezdRplJ1k83SAKQXr-gUUGfSbnmI665hF9avRhVrdz3msgvtNZA8o6bHf_kdRx-96YJYKzmVLi/s320/snow+barrow.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_S3WFqAPdLtNoA7H_FSKRNuGX2d3nTIPnHx9SfbMMbxTWA5EvyvsLEkz_mAvMJf12d94XsAzR-_ltInZQJToeE0xfbjRP3QfqXZPUdhcEnu3VyElTXrq3iTsok5dRanezoaOSw5sJ9dYU/s1600/glenlivet+snowy+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_S3WFqAPdLtNoA7H_FSKRNuGX2d3nTIPnHx9SfbMMbxTWA5EvyvsLEkz_mAvMJf12d94XsAzR-_ltInZQJToeE0xfbjRP3QfqXZPUdhcEnu3VyElTXrq3iTsok5dRanezoaOSw5sJ9dYU/s320/glenlivet+snowy+blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-5563410335667927332013-03-11T21:59:00.001+00:002013-03-11T21:59:41.805+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E5a5VBPhw09mFQMRjSvewR9MFcGHKpdGmrjT5YbDZrDLB7iGMuP_IK_fDLR7F0xLzJm04IOwQJZP2U7DmjxfMc02BvHIc837zTvNzLNtgY5DPG3aKlHhbr21fjBITL-qG2Djj5FTpdAX/s1600/laggan+red+feb+2013+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E5a5VBPhw09mFQMRjSvewR9MFcGHKpdGmrjT5YbDZrDLB7iGMuP_IK_fDLR7F0xLzJm04IOwQJZP2U7DmjxfMc02BvHIc837zTvNzLNtgY5DPG3aKlHhbr21fjBITL-qG2Djj5FTpdAX/s320/laggan+red+feb+2013+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
End of February, and what happens, it all freezes solid...<br />
Glenlivet's done as best we can in this weather; we need to do some fine tuning with the rakes, the final compaction with the various rollers, a bit of tree 'pruning' and just a general once over before letting it rest a bit before serious use starts in the summer (?)<br />
So we're just going to have to go and take care of other business before returning when it's all properly thawed out and settled down.<br />
This time of year is always a bit crazy with various clients deciding they have some money that needs spending asap before the turn of the financial year in early April. All well and good, but this is also the time of year when traditionally we get winter part 2!<br />
Laggan is an old friend and no matter what happens or what I'm doing I always jump at the chance to go and give the old trails a helping hand with some big toys, in this case the old Red has some really problematic wet muddy puddly bits which are past the point of light spade work and really need some heavy duty rock armouring to handle the heavy usage by yer typical Laggan 'hooligans' (insert obligatory winking smiley emoticon) with todays bigger bikes, tyres and riding habits.<br />
Problem is, everything's frozen, so all we can do is ship in rock and armour where we can, when we can. Dressing of the surface with the obligatory crushed aggregate can only happen during the brief spell of 'plus' temperatures in the middle part of the day.<br />
Bit of a 'mare really, but we slowly get the metres done.<br />
Oh, and we are just about to start on a funpark / skills area at Aboyne - did I say I'm busy!<br />
There's other 'stuff' happening behind the scenes as well, but I'll save them for later...Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-84492671361390483502013-02-03T12:09:00.000+00:002013-02-03T12:09:11.259+00:00and then it all melted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYm0qz9agh3ARiDhsceoM-oCA4LHgp7cx2SHMDcP-TcVtlMWt-U1JKAs4fJ-ST9G4EC-Est-u0nP3UywiLCz2ognbLp0G1uFe5RuEudv4u3KAATCjs4mGCUrsuchOwdaZPv4Eud7Ehw47/s1600/the+lads+stone+pitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYm0qz9agh3ARiDhsceoM-oCA4LHgp7cx2SHMDcP-TcVtlMWt-U1JKAs4fJ-ST9G4EC-Est-u0nP3UywiLCz2ognbLp0G1uFe5RuEudv4u3KAATCjs4mGCUrsuchOwdaZPv4Eud7Ehw47/s320/the+lads+stone+pitching.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At last a thaw and a chance to do some long overdue stone pitching - which you just can't do when the rocks are frozen into the ground.<br />
Trail building on a big scale i.e. 20km + has to be done by machines, it's just not viable, both in terms of timescales and costs (a squad of good stone pitchers is way more expensive than a digger).<br />
Unfortunately, with this in mind, a lot of big trail builds can tend to have a clinical cut'n'paste feel, so with the cracking team of trail builders we have assembled up at Glenlivet we take every opportunity to let then hand work sections of trail - just to give it that hand crafted feel.<br />
Our team all ride bikes; from jumpy hardtails, to efficient full sus' mile munchers and even the 'odd' 29er and because of this all the crucial bits get the hand tuning treatment with the lads testing it's 'flow' as they go, 'cos they liking riding too!<br />
Rock work is slow, hard work, with a few metres taking all day, but the end result is worth it.<br />
The forecast for the week ahead is looking like a return to wintery, so best crack on whilst we can.<br />
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-4384554775656476082013-01-24T10:16:00.001+00:002013-01-24T10:16:14.129+00:00Building trail in the frozen North<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC0Jo1trNtyLCrOzK2wuz1Kph1D30ON8Zctv1NL3fjjVBd0hQ6v_uepqP7zk9TWSMKaztK_Tl3MKNqgFU-e91Q5WSMcvl58_cASXEyRSbVOXaxCQ-qk9C5bFGU2jsHpbN7r3ThDR_fcyr/s1600/rory+and+hamish+heading+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC0Jo1trNtyLCrOzK2wuz1Kph1D30ON8Zctv1NL3fjjVBd0hQ6v_uepqP7zk9TWSMKaztK_Tl3MKNqgFU-e91Q5WSMcvl58_cASXEyRSbVOXaxCQ-qk9C5bFGU2jsHpbN7r3ThDR_fcyr/s320/rory+and+hamish+heading+in.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Long time no blog, but December and now January have been very busy trying to keep the Glenlivet build going with the onset of SNOW!<br />
Ah yes, snow, we love it, pretty to look at, lovely to play in with the kids, great to ski on and very photogenic.<br />
But.<br />
Try building trail in it, 'mare.<br />
Funnily enough, the actual building of good old 'full bench cut' trail isn't too bad: all the topsoil has to be stripped back anyway, so the snow goes with it, leaving a clear and clean bit of sideslope to work on. The problems arise in other areas, like getting to the site - which means negotiating the infamous Bridge of Brown (often snow effected) then progressively less cleared back roads then tracks.<br />
Machines freeze to the ground, or simply won't start, getting fuel and supplies around can only be done with our 4x4 winter tyre shod vans (dumpers with metal tracks tend to just sliiiiide - oops) soil freezes overnight so must be raked into shape straight away and then protected with rolls of material, tools break, trees freeze snap and fall over, and obviously it gets dark really early.<br />
However, we are getting trail down, and the hand squad never grumble, never give in, never drop their standards with a 'oh that'll just have to do attitude', and when all else fails, they walk in, carrying fuel, pipes, spares and whatever is needed to keep the job going - hard as nails. Chapeau - as we cyclists say.Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-39995587834747975142012-11-30T10:13:00.000+00:002012-11-30T10:13:49.073+00:00Out of November into Winter.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8WQsESQwOfKTWwS9MtFYf0_g3SPp_io40zHog17wv87-9yro9gRsJGVKrQ95xEwP5sSHss_Cpkg2aUoqhHBcfnMvCVf_RlI21YS1lENug59NBCokEVSN_B3YS2Gzer4TOxNsNm7DPqIu/s1600/IMG_2454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8WQsESQwOfKTWwS9MtFYf0_g3SPp_io40zHog17wv87-9yro9gRsJGVKrQ95xEwP5sSHss_Cpkg2aUoqhHBcfnMvCVf_RlI21YS1lENug59NBCokEVSN_B3YS2Gzer4TOxNsNm7DPqIu/s320/IMG_2454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Uh oh, could this be the start of a 'big' winter à la winter 2010! Ski-ing head says hope so - work head says hope not. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Progress is fantastic on the trails; we've got <u>five</u> digger teams working away and the poor old hand squad are frantically raking, hand finishing, compacting and tidying, desperately trying to keep up with the diggers putting out a thousand meters a week! They are doing a great job, as I keep telling them the diggers may form up the trail, but it's the hand squad that 'tweak' it to make it a fun ride. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And fun it is, the red has now got it's own unique character and we've all been riding it (including the digger driver who's building it) to get into work of a morning. Tight n twisty, sort of 'Welsh' in places (think narrow full bench cut on a steep sideslope), lovely ASDUG - none of you're 'kitty litter' surfaced aggregate slidiness. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The Blue can be summed up in one word 'swoopy' you'll see what I mean when you ride it, sort of like a bobsleigh run stroke roller coaster ride. But it is <u>blue</u> so no deliberate jumps on it, however, if you try hard and you know the trail there are jump opportunities to be had. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I think it's pretty rad for a blue. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So now it's frosty and we've had our first flakes of winter, this will slow us down, but if we can just keep to my ok'ish winter estimates things should be workable, however, if it 'dumps' it'll be game over. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Best check me skis then....</div>
Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2503032820781958441.post-19172052952413380642012-11-06T20:15:00.003+00:002012-11-06T20:15:59.826+00:00Into the Darkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUreDhbzjxlUs7Yzxxmt1PC4Czmz41rcU99HCC7JBlojWUdBkdaOxw8-wc8dGJM_jjhXjgqzB0ghW-cN8vPK_3HqiSNS8Niq_hz-f4wklOqgbeJZpqxKjbRr06rVhXUpRBNWAwgmG45_0h/s1600/glenlivet+nov+2012+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUreDhbzjxlUs7Yzxxmt1PC4Czmz41rcU99HCC7JBlojWUdBkdaOxw8-wc8dGJM_jjhXjgqzB0ghW-cN8vPK_3HqiSNS8Niq_hz-f4wklOqgbeJZpqxKjbRr06rVhXUpRBNWAwgmG45_0h/s320/glenlivet+nov+2012+22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A quick mid-month update. The clocks have gone back, we are in a deep dark forest and the lights went on at 3!<br />
Head torches needed to get off the hill and winter kit now being carried - just in case...<br />
<br />Paul Massonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565164429027739027noreply@blogger.com0