gregbalden

This recipe made 24 pieces. ENJOY

Hi people,
the title of my post might have set alarm bells ringing. Sorry for that.
So.... I’ve not been well for the past 3-4 years. Up & down. Making bad choices then punishing myself for it. Caught in a loop. Eventually went to get help.
Basically l, I had a really bad experience when I was young that I hidaway from.Denied it happened. Beat myself up for it. 
Eventually, I sought help. I was referred to a councillor and a CBT therapist. I won’t lie, having to discuss my issues and experiences was brutal. 
Why am I telling you this? Because if I hadn’t I probably wouldn’t be here.
Things got so bad that, what I thought was my salvation, “cycling” became toxic. Watching my weight, training, trying to keep up &, as life unravelled, being dropped was very crushing. I saw cycling as being my validation but it became a pressure & a stressor.
Thanks to mental health professionals & some very good friends in the club who have given me council, I’m on the mend. Thanks, guys.
I’m still cycling but for now I’m just going out when I feel like it. I’m also eating like a horse with no qualms or worries about “racing weight” I never raced much anyway!
Why am I posting this? We live in a society that is so driven by aspiration and the need to “get on” and compete. I’ve come to the conclusion that after my experiences I’m just lucky to be here. I’m quite proud to be alive.
So my message is- if you are struggling, don’t be ashamed to seek help and if you think a friend is struggling don’t shy away from asking if they are ok.
you just might savesomeone’s life. 
If you are struggling and looking for help, message me. I might not have the answers but I can signpost you to people who can help you.
It’s ok not to be ok!

I plan to be out Chung however have to be back sharp.
 
 
So I'll probably do a dead turn at the far side of the pipetrack...One of my favourite decents!!
 
Greg. 

Before Charlie gets in I couldn’t hold his wheel and had to take a short cut home, nice route though

Cracking night indeed.
 
Well disciplined bunch resulting in a cracking training ride without surges.
My legs were dying approachint bridge of weir, so after the turn at bulls garage I had not much more to give to hang on. 

Any appetite for a ride Tues evening? Local hills or similar 1830 kickoff. 
 
If not, I'll try the bogs! 

I'll be out from clubrooms, however will be dropping off somewhere near the golf course since I'm working at 1400. 
 
Greg. 

I'll have enough of a problem going forwards, thanks.

Half a good night for me. 
 
Punctured just outside Kilmacolm,  with a 2 inch ( exaggerated)  thorn.
Pinched the first tube in changing... Snapped the second ones valve. No tubes left. 
 
Fortunately called in air support ( the old man) for a lift....still got caught in the rain.  
 
See ya next week folks!!! 

Half a good night for me. 
 
Punctured just outside Kilmacolm,  with a 2 inch ( exaggerated)  thorn.
Pinched the first tube in changing... Snapped the second ones valve. No tubes left. 
 
Fortunately called in air support ( the old man) for a lift....still got caught in the rain.  
 
See ya next week folks!!! 

Utterly brilliant day on Arran and 3 new members of the SA Hall of Fame. Fantastic, and many congrats to SA Rookies Sam McGrath, Colin Sales and Alan Hendry, who were joined by seasoned SA vets Jan McTavish, Mark Kelly, Andy Gumley and myself. So 7 started as a team and 7 finished as a team. Also took all the rankings from 2nd to 6th or something on the Strava segment.
This was a rarer anti clockwise assault due to the predicted wind, however there was near zero wind all day. Very smooth paceline with much encouragement in evidence. Lots of resurfaced roads helped and I reckon this could be a year for records. Still some pretty grisly bits mind you.
Weather was probably the best I have ever seen on Arran and I have been there a lot! Truly heaven on earth.
So now you have a taste guys, set your sights on the Grand Daddy of them all - the DA in August. As I may have said somewhere before, this is a monumental and life changing experience that you will regale your grandchildren with, you will have it engraved on your gravestone, you will forever remember the single biggest day of your life. You will feel immortal.
To round it all off me and Jan rode over the Ross to meet my two girls at the Velo café, then clung on to their wheels to get back for the 1.55pm ferry as we were both tank empty status. 86 miles and 2,000m of ascent made for a fantastic day out.

 
 
 
 

Since it's Easter I think it's time I rise again!
Remember me? I used to be well fast....
Due to my three year sabbatical I have become way too short for my weight! The only training I have been doing is cycling from Houston to Kilmalcolm with the kids and getting a fry up!
So here are my chain gang and weight goals for this season,
Weeks 1-2 Get to the end of the Georgetown
Weight - The same as a Billy and Geo lovechild.
Weeks 2-4 Get to Bishopton
Weight - Greg Balden with a pair of heavy boots on.
Weeks 4-6 Get over the Cote du Bishy (I named it after my famous dropping on it during the Bogs)
Weight - Charlie giving Gummers a piggy back
Weeks 6-8 Hang on to the bottom of the Clune
Weight - Gunson/Archibald wet through
Weeks 8+ Give everyone a pumping!!
Weight - My right leg weighing the same as P McDonald!
See you tomorrow night if my kit fits!!!
 

Ok, swap Greg for Marc. 
If only Greg could do the same with the times.....

Sorry Greg, you don’t get to chose the team  ...... (assuming you want team AG2R)  it’s a lucky drip, you draw blind from the hat!
You fancy Oliver Naesen then :-)
Cheers

AG2R 
 
Quality idea chung!!!  

I'll be out, 830 bridge sounds Good. 
I'll be peeling off at the ferry, wouldn't manage the Largs loop. 
 
Greg.  

Guys so I am still going with the plan, if you can post up if defo going to save me going to the clubroom if no one decides to go...
myself, Raymond, Scott and Colin and possible Chung defo going out
7:30 at clubrooms 

Forecast looking better

Good thing were away from Paisley 

Good thing were away from Paisley 

Ok Greg. 8.15 at club rooms 

Anybody riding down the track tomorrow. Thinking of setting off at 8ish for a gentle spin to LW.

I'll be out, long distance for me hopefully, however depending on progress I may need to leave via the haylie. Scope it on the day. 

Aye Greg that's exactly what the main bunch should be, best discipline I've seen for years.

Cracking day indeed. 
Well drilled bunch,  thanks chaps.  
Thats how the main bunch should be. 
 
Gutted I missed that soup, waited all week for it. Cakes? Missed those home-made bad boys also. 
Cheers folks.