The season of summer (TT column 12.08.13)

We are still in the first half of August, that's the peak of summer isn't it? When it comes to sport though, summer is already on the way out; the men's and women's Ashes have only one game remaining and the World Athletics Championships have less than a week until their conclusion. On a more personal level it seems cycling follows a similar timetable with the final Okehampton time trial taking place last week, I decided i couldn't wait until next year so bit the bullet and entered my first competitive cycling event. I just wish I'd got involved earlier as there was nothing to be intimidated by, you are only competing against yourself and it really is open to all levels of road cyclists.

Many of us might be disappointed at the ending of the summer sporting Calender but the majority of the UK's population will be excited that some new seasons are already in full swing. It does seem that if you blink you miss the break that football apparently takes, however I am sure many would disagree with me. Personally I am always more excited to see the return of the rugby season with the warm up games are just around the corner, although I do think October is a more appropriate time of year.

Outside of sport there are other events that define summer for me and over recent years that has been weddings. This last week has been no exception with invites to two separate occasions within just five days. Weekday weddings might still be unusual but with one on Friday followed by another on Tuesday I seem to getting well practised, although now i have no idea what day of the week it is.

Summer fruits (TT column 05.08.13)

There are many reasons I love living in the countryside and they are highlighted in the summer. This time of year the hedgerows and gardens are resplendent but they don't just paint a pretty picture, many of the flowers and fruit can be foraged. We do often have to wait a week or too longer than our neighbours further east for blossoms to develop, this gave me time make the most of the Elderflower crop. Being my first time experimenting with the flowers I stuck with producing cordial, my mother however has been more adventurous and attempted to follow the champagne recipe. I think I made the wiser decision as currently out of the six original bottles of elderflower champagne only three remain, something along the processing line has not quite worked as the bottles are exploding one by one.
I think my parents might disagree when I describe finding fruit and veg in the garden as foraging, but surely if you pick it then you have earned the right to eat it? Unfortunately they haven't made the same mistake as a few years ago when choosing to holiday just as the strawberries ripened perfectly, I might have to share them now but I have certainly marked this time of year in my diary to ensure I will be at home.  

As a Pisces I have always loved the water and living where we do we have the luxury to choose between the two coasts that border our county, it isn't just the direction I struggle to decide on but also which activity. This week I sampled both, heading south for a sail in Plymouth Sound and then north for a surf at Porthtowan. I am not skilled in either sport but that does not detract from the enjoyment I have when either on or in the sea.

Deep end (TT column 29.07.13)

Listening to my radio Devon "legacy" pieces last week it would be understandable if you were left still wanting more evidence on what the London Olympics have done for us. There have been numerous local and national reviews carried out for the first anniversary and all seem to have different conclusions. I want to believe London 2012 has inspired our nation, but the only thing I can be sure of is that it's inspired me. As a multi sport athlete I'm used to training for many different sports and from previous columns you'll be aware of my recent introduction to road cycling. Obviously as an athlete I'm competitive so it's only natural to be interested in the world of cycle racing, although it appears to not be as straight forward as I might have first thought. I'm used to running races where you purely enter through your club, turn up and run as hard as you can, that's not quite so for cycling. Resisting jumping in at the deep end I actually watched a local road race at Brentor on Sunday, although I'm not sure that has necessarily encouraged me.
Last week, all in the name of charity I was left without a choice and had to jump straight into the deep end with a different sport. I'm using the word "sport" rather loosely as my performance on the cricket pitch was more likened to a comedy sketch. This was the first time I'd ever held a cricket bat or "thrown" a cricket ball - yes my attempts at bowling were more successful when I resorted to throwing as opposed to bowling. The only previous involvement I'd had in cricket was sitting in the stands drinking Pimms and basking in the sunshine; I'll now be watching the next match of the Ashes series with a new found interest and respect.

Proud to be British (TT column 22.07.13)

The summer continues. Is it really british of me to think this is purely a phase of good fortune or should we actually believe that the we can have a sunny summer and more importantly can dominate in world sport? Two thousand and thirteen was dubbed to be the hangover year that would follow the Olympic Games buzz, how wrong could we be, the sporting triumphs are showing no sign of easing just yet.
This has been the first year that I've watched the Tour De France, admittedly partly due to my new found love for cycling but also to witness a Brit as the favourite actually come out and exceed all expectations. Chris Frome's stirling performance to win the Tour has meant that GB retain the yellow jersey for the second year running, it is hard to believe that thirteen months ago no British man had won it in the whole 98 years of the race's history.

Another competition that according to history we are not "supposed" to win is the Ashes, I don't want to jinx anything but the two victories for England so far have been more than convincing. I remember growing up thinking how I would love to be Australian, not just for their climate but for their record in sport, how things have changed, okay maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself now but we should bask in this glory whilst it lasts.

It's a shame that golf couldn't be added to last weekends sporting celebrations but there are plenty of other happy memories to reflect on at the moment. Tomorrow marks the year anniversary from the start of the Olympic Games, if you haven't already this week then you can tune into Radio Devon's breakfast show to hear me speaking to our local athletes about their experiences last summer.

London buses (TT column 15.07.13)

My week has been rather comparable to London buses, you wait a while then they all arrive at once. The first instance I can't say I was waiting in hope but knew it was not going to be far around the corner. I've been a little lax with my bicycle maintenance but luckily got away with it for over 2.5 thousand miles, it seems that luck has ended. After having various new parts, a service and other necessary tweaks I was ready to hit the roads again so headed off on a few longer routes. It was on the way home from a trip to Crackington Haven that I commented how my bicycle felt rather "wobbly" and this wasn't due to my limited riding skills this time, it was eventually diagnosed as a slow puncture (my first). Due to my slight lack of preparation I am still without a pump but thankfully a kind member of Tavistock Wheelers refilled my tyre. Being a slow puncture so close to home it wasn't worth repairing so after another refill in Tavistock I was hoping to make it home. Unfortunately this was unsuccessful but as a result I was kindly rescued by my parents and also avoided the nasty climb back home. It was only my first ride after this incident - fitted with a new tyre -  when it all happened again, this time a little more dramatic with a blow out just two minutes down the road.
Items in need of repair do not end there, recently my Hoover, toaster, handbag, sunglasses and shoes have all given up - it must be all that walking and cleaning I do.
On a more positive note I have had a sudden influx of invites, I am guessing it is perfect party weather. The only problem being the order of events split between home, Bath and London have involved far too much time sat in my car in the baking sunshine.

Sporting Dominance (TT column 08.07.13)

This Mediterranean climate we are experiencing seems almost too good to be true, but as a proud Briton the weather is not all that has exceeded mine and the nations wildest expectations; I doubt I'm alone as I continue to digest the weekend of sheer sporting excellence produced by our British athletes.

The most obvious triumph is the crowning of Andy Murray as Wimbledon Champion - just to write that gives me goosebumps - I am genuinely still lost for words to describe that tremendous feat.

After Sundays action it might already seem weeks ago, but it was only the day prior to the Wimbledon final that we were celebrating British success down under as the Lions triumphed against the Wallabies in their final test match. For this I managed to make another exception to my rule of "do sport don't just watch sport", I overcame it with the perfect excuse for a cycle - to my friends house to "share" their satellite subscription. I did not expect such an exciting climax to the test series, it certainly made that trip on the bike worthwhile.

In the past our nation hasn't always been viewed as the strongest across such a variety of sports but just one year after hosting the most incredible Olympic Games we could almost be accused of becoming mildly complacent. With all of the excitement in Sydney and Wimbledon the worlds largest cycle race has momentarily taken a back seat in the press. Yes we (Britain) won it last year but the fact (at time of writing) a Brit is already wearing the yellow jersey is surely still quite incredible?

Three huge sporting results and you are probably thinking that must be all, but no, over the weekend we saw two GB champions in the World Triathlon Series, more Gold medals at the European Boxing Championships plus medals in Canoeing and Windsurfing. We are a fortunate generation to be witnessing such an exciting change in British sport.

Summer's here (TT column 30.06.13)

Summer has arrived and no I'm not referring to the weather; right now the list of gripping international sporting events are endless. We have had the glamour of Royal Ascot which saw the Queen receive her first ever winners trophy at that meeting, the smile on the monarchs face said it all. It was then straight over to SW19 where Wimbledon got underway, the hopes of the nation may still be on Andy Murray but there is some exciting new home talent shining through in the form of the young Laura Robson. To fill the gap on the Sunday away from the grass courts there was the strategically placed British Grandprix providing plenty of excitement from the Silverstone track, just not quite a British podium finish. It doesn't end yet, yes you could be forgiven for missing it in this frenzy of sport but there was action on a different version of a track up in Birmingham where our athletes were in impressive form. It was the Diamond League meeting and again golden boy Mo Farah did not disappoint as he cruised to victory.

The list doesn't even end there or on our British shores. The largest competition in the annual cycling Calender had an eventful start, over in Europe the opening day of the Tour De France saw its fair share of crashes and even an incident with a bus when it became stuck on the finish line. Further afield in the Southern Hemisphere it is all about the rugby where the result is currently one victory a piece for our British Lions against the Aussies.

I won't deny I have been incredibly envious of any spectators at any of these events, however I have managed to console myself thanks to the brilliant television coverage. The only problem is that I've been brought up to make the most of outdoors, for me doing sport still beats watching it.