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philip s.

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New Directions

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Feb 7, 2012, 1:26 pm
As usual with this time of the year I 'read' with in interest the various pro Riders tweets and blogs about the forth coming season. The GreenEDGE Antipodeans, The Brit Pack at TeamSky and the Final chapter of The Armstrong Saga. All enthralling, the later of which must surely have been penned into ...
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Baah Humbug

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jan 2, 2012, 6:43 am
In the lead up to Christmas I seemed to Metamorphosis into a new being - a cross between Mr Scrooge and Victor Meldrew. Impatience, frustration and temperance now hung from me like a well tailored suit. Usually such characteristics are watered down by my cycling activity, but with a combination of s...
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By the time I get to Phoenix

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Dec 21, 2011, 5:12 am
After hearing about our American exploits one of our premier Anglo Mules 'Bobby', decided that he wanted to experience some of it and did some 'Muling' in Arizona at the end of November. Being Scottish he was even able to find a sympathetic town called 'Scottsdale' which was 'newer than than a sing...
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Strict Liability

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Nov 6, 2011, 2:42 pm
I have recently had a few near misses with vehicles whilst commuting to and from work and as those journeys are now in darkness I feel more Vulnerable. In reality I am probably easier to see illuminated than I am mixed together in an assortment of other roadside furniture. Recently a driver pulled r...
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New Girl on the Bike

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Oct 29, 2011, 2:16 pm
We are all used to see Victoria Pendleton climbing up rostrums to collect shinny Medals but training needs Finance!!!! I think when her manager said you need some more sponsorship to get some 'bread' in she took it too literarly. here she is climbing Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK. BRINGING H...
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Frosty Expressions

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Oct 16, 2011, 7:49 am
Saturday Morning saw the first frost of the Year as Joanne, Simon, Bobby and I completed 58 miles around the Wolds stopping off at Mr Moos in Skipsea for Coffee. Once the sun had been up for an hour or so the temperature moved into single digits before edging its way up to a balmy 14 degrees by lunc...
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Cavendish comes home

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Oct 11, 2011, 1:32 pm
At last the speculation is over British cycling star Mark Cavendish has announced he will be joining Team Sky for the start of next season. Cavendish won the green jersey as the 2011 Tour de France's best sprinter and then added the world road race title. "I'm confident that we can achieve success a...
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The Paleo Diet and cycling

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Oct 9, 2011, 5:39 am
As the nights draw in and my commuter cycling days start to become affected by the weather I finally acknowledge that my 2011 cycling season is over. It has been an interesting year. I expect by its end I will have completed 7,000 miles and there have been new PB's for both 'The flat out in the Fens...
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Honolulu century Ride

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Oct 1, 2011, 3:14 pm
As us Anglo Mules hold onto the last rays of Summer before multiple clothing and frostbite take over three of our US Mules have been raising money by completing a Century ride.Departing Houston they sought a more exotic climate - Hawaii no Less Here they are wating for the surf to get up. Well done...
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Nice one Bradley

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Sep 30, 2011, 6:45 am
Winning gold on the back of winning the Tour would perhaps put me into a different bracket as an athlete,' says Bradley Wiggins. Bradley Wiggins is targeting both the Tour de France yellow jersey and Olympic gold next summer and believes British Cycling will decide in the next few weeks which events...
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Tour de Pink

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Sep 22, 2011, 3:37 pm
Whilst the Anglo Mules were engaged in Beer tasting at the Corner House in Beverley our US Counterparts were taking part in Tour de Pink. Paddy says 'It was an eventful ride which saw the patricipation of three MULES (Actually 1 Mule & two stallions). We galloped out at the start leading the whole r...
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You can Take a Mule to water..................

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Sep 19, 2011, 12:10 pm
After my America trip I came back to England with new vigour about riding and being a Mule. It was great riding with so many Red white and blue shirts and having people 'holla' when the Mules cycled past. The perceived problem of transporting my bike on a plane did not pan out. It was simple, my bik...
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Hotter than Hell 2011 Part 2

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Sep 7, 2011, 4:00 pm
Texas in August is hot every year but in 2011 it was one of the hottest on record, with days of contiuous 100 degrees plus reaching double figures. For this reason Joanne and I decided to arrive in the 'Lone star state' ten days before the Hotter than Hell. We were later followed by our fellow Anglo...
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Hotter than Hell 2011 Part 1

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Aug 29, 2011, 11:08 am
This years Hotter than Hell was Hot! Although the air temperature only got up to 109 degrees.........Only!!!!!!! The temperature of the road increased as the day moved on and by the time we got to the 80 mile mark it was 125 degrees. Hot enough to raise a souffle and to cook a Sunday ...
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Gauntlet thrown down to Le Patron and his US Mules

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Aug 7, 2011, 12:53 pm
Earlier in the year I completed a sportive in the West Yorkshire Dales (Harewood) It was early season and I really struggled up the massive climbs. At times it was not unattractive picture with my face resembling that of a Wells Fargo Stage coach horse that has managed to out run the James Gang. My ...
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24

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jul 28, 2011, 1:35 pm
In the top TV series 24 every hour is packed with high octane energy. The series begins where the Hero or Anti Hero Jack Bauer is working for the Los Angeles-based Counter Terrorist Unit, in which he is a highly-proficient agent with an "ends justify the means" approach, regardless of the perceived ...
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Take a Detour with HTC

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jul 21, 2011, 4:36 pm
For those of you who may be waiting for for a report about our 24 hour ride.......be patient. There will be a blogpost with lost of pictures which is what I am waiting for. In the meantime I have discovered a real treat. On the back of 'Chasing legends' HTC have stolen a march in cycle film, by prov...
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Saddled with conflict

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jul 3, 2011, 4:26 am
There was a time when I used to think that joining any of the armed forces was a 'cop out' - Boys with toys. Men and women who extended their playgroup activities into the adult world. Where you were always provided with a roof over your head, money in your pocket and food in your belly. Where the t...
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Todays the Day

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jul 2, 2011, 2:30 am
Come on You sky Boys
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Mad dogs and Englishmen flat out in the midday sun

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 30, 2011, 2:51 pm
Last Sunday saw the Anglo Mules take on the 112 mile Flat out in the Fens Sportive. This coincided with the hottest day of the year with temperatures in the high 80's. My twin brother Paddy in Texas remarked 'That's cold........I'd be wearing a coat in that weather' I hope he was joking for any coat...
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Mr Blue Sky

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 25, 2011, 5:44 am
Sooooooooooooooo Exciting !!!!!!!!!!!!! Velo Nation Reports :- Team Sky have announced their nine-man team for the 98th edition of the Tour de France, starting on 2 July at the Passage du Gois. Bradley Wiggins, who came fourth in 2009 to equal the best ever Tour de France finish by a British rider, ...
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Flat out on the Fens - Deja Vu

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 24, 2011, 6:41 am
Ever since the recent royal wedding the tabloid newspapers have been full of Pippamania projecting Pippa Middleton from a royal Maid of Honour to National Hottie. Although I have to conceded she is rather pleasing to the eye I could never get caught up in this sort of exploitation. I am sure she doe...
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Cycling - The new Cool

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 19, 2011, 3:48 pm
Rapha + Paul Smith SS11 from RAPHA on Vimeo.
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Coast to Coast - Day Three

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 18, 2011, 2:41 pm
Appleton le Street to Bridlington After ordering everything on the Menu and over hydrating myself at the wonderful Cresswell Arms I felt a bit Peaky on wednesday morning, and was grateful in the knowledge that we were close to our journeys end. As we flew down into Malton with our 'Wheeled Mules' pr...
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Coast to Coast - Day Two

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 12, 2011, 2:15 pm
Grassington to Appleton le Street Having previously studied 'The Way of the Roses' route it was clear that much of its third part covered areas that we cycled regularly. It also meant that our second night stop would have to be close to York. Not wanting to be bored or out of pocket, we decided t...
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Coast to Coast - Day One

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 9, 2011, 9:14 am
At 5am on Monday morning seven Anglo Mules and our driver congregated around our 14 seater minibus . It was comforting to know that the capacity of our carriage was greater than our requirement on account of our luggage. I was the clear winner of the heaviest load and it was suggested that I ought...
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Coast to Coast - Preperation and planning

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 5, 2011, 12:20 am
Rapha Continental – The Movie from RAPHA on Vimeo. Tomorrow Joanne and I are joined by five other Anglo Mules in a 'mini Tour' from Morecambe on the West Coast of England to Bridlington in the East. We will be following 'The Way of the roses' a designated cycle route, however there will be a devi...
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Wordless Wednesday

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jun 1, 2011, 12:28 am

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Sporting Heroes - Please dont let me down

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - May 28, 2011, 4:20 am
For as long as I can remember I have always been interested in sport whether through participation or as a frustrated spectator. As a small child I remember my father talking to me about the famous Busby Babes and of travelling all over the country to see 'The Red Devils' of Manchester United. Alt...
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Eating in the saddle

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - May 15, 2011, 10:43 am
Last weekends Brig Sportive threatened to be a washout with high winds and torrential rain forecast. Certainly as we travelled to the venue you could have been excused for believing that you were in a car wash as we were buffeted from side to side whilst seemingly being emerged in large quantities o...
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Commitment brings results

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - May 14, 2011, 10:40 am

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Ambition is the last refuge of Failure

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - May 6, 2011, 1:57 am
When Oscar Wilde wrote that 'ambition is the last refuge of failure' people applauded at yet another insightful phrase from this perceptive wordsmith. Once the clapping had died down they then argued about what was meant by it. This in turn ironically played the phrase out as ambitious scholars had ...
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"Stay on the road, don't go near the moors".

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Apr 20, 2011, 2:35 pm
When I decided to take part in my first Evans 'Ride it' Sportive I chose Harewood because it was fairly local. Although I knew where the start and the finish were. I had no idea of the route, not until the day before the event. An explanation for this is in case the organisers need to make some adju...
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Guilt free shopping

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Apr 14, 2011, 1:50 pm
After months of training it is now close to action time with my first Sportive next Sunday. Its a 90 mile sojourn around West Yorkshire, starting at Harewood. This is organised by Evans cycle retailers and is part of the Evans 'Ride it' series. As well as looking forward to the ride, I am also in...
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The Hills

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Apr 3, 2011, 6:03 am
This time last year I was out in Texas training for the Annual MS 150 Houston to Austin Ride. I was out with the Mules and we were cantering around the plains close to Zube Park. Paddy (Who by his own admittance was not in great shape for cycling at that time) became quite disconsolate about me '...
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Good reasons for going to Heaven

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Mar 27, 2011, 7:00 am
I have previously featured Cycle heaven in my blogposts because of the family connection with my brother Andy, it seemed an obvious subject matter at the time but I probably did not do it justice. Cycle retail is a competitive market and to succeed its not enough to be 'good' you need to be 'very go...
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Cycling Upgrade

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Mar 20, 2011, 4:07 am
A major revamp of cycling could put the sport on a par with the Premier League, says Garmin-Cervelo's director. Jonathan Vaughters, who is president of the Association of Pro Tour and Pro Continental teams, has given BBC Sport a 10-point plan to rebrand cycling. "If you look at cycling's demographic...
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This Charming Man

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Mar 15, 2011, 1:06 am
A punctured bicycle On a hillside desolate Will nature make a man of me yet ? When Morrisey wrote the iconic song 'This Charming Man' I am quite certain that 'cycling' was the last thing on his mind or was it? Music can mean so many different things for, so many people. Who am I to question whether...
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Wrong Legs

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Mar 9, 2011, 1:05 pm
When I prepare for my longer weekend ride I am far more methodical about my approach. There is no longer the need to simultaneously drink coffee, empty my bladder and brush my teeth - My pedal deity actually affords me some preparation time. Whats more the time is now in daylight. This enables me...
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Music to my Ears

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Mar 3, 2011, 1:56 pm
Before February had turned into March and the snow had disappeared from the Wold tops I managed to break through 1000 miles for the year. By the same time last year I had only done 368 miles, so I am well ahead of schedule for my goal of breaking 6,000 for the year.In fact 7,000 may come into my si...
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Trick Cycling

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Feb 14, 2011, 8:49 am
January was a good month for me. After failing to reach my goal of 6,000 miles cycled last year I was determined to reach it this year. My plan is to try and beat last years monthly total each month which would put me well on target. In January 2010 I cycled 94 miles January 2011 558 miles plus ten ...
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Bringing home the Bacon

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jan 24, 2011, 1:08 pm
Puncture at 4 miles - £4.99 Puncture at 29 miles - £4.99 Two inner tubes given to stranded cyclists - £9.88 Ridicule faced at being last up The Devils Chimney - £12 round of drinks Full English Breakfast by a roaring fire - Priceless There are some things that money cant buy But for everythin...
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Me and Cav

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jan 20, 2011, 12:30 pm
If I said that me and Mark Cavendish have so much in common people might laugh but the fact is it is true. We both ride Scott bikes We could never be called tall We a currently both described as 'a bit heavy' by some commentators We have both had a recent crash We both can travel really fast on a bi...
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Knowing when to sloe down

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jan 17, 2011, 12:00 pm
On Friday night I had the most intriguing dream . It was one of those that was so lucid that you really believe it is true. I was on a train that had just pulled away from a station and realised that I had left my cycle on the platform. The train was crowded with people standing and I frantically ba...
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Cyclist falls from the skies

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Jan 6, 2011, 10:44 am
At the start of the week I was very alarmed to hear about thousands of birds falling out of the sky in Arkansas and other similar events happening all around the world.My blog site also took a dip as the word 'birds' surged to the most searched item in search engines.Religious bloggers soon loaded t...
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Tidings of comfort and Joy

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Dec 22, 2010, 7:09 am
I received this Christmas offering from Ed Thompson who is a reader of my blogsite. Ed works for freshnetworks who have produced something quite spectacular. Anyway I will let them continue the story. 'At this time of year, what better excuse to get people out of the FreshNetworks office than a syn...
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All I want for Christmas ............

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Dec 20, 2010, 1:17 pm
As the winter weather continues to keep us locked in its frozen jaws, I have finally conceded defeat in my attempt to cycle 6,000 miles this year. Even if the snow and ice were to miraculously disappear, I would still need to seek further divine intervention to rid me of my current 'medical afflicti...
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Bah Humbug - not me

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Dec 12, 2010, 12:58 pm
As the early winter grips with its icicle teeth, cycling is now forced from my attention. Even the prospect of 'spinning' has now been taken away from me. The snow piled up so high on my local leisure centre that it brought down part of the roof - forcing it to close along with its classes. Initiall...
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du pouvoir de la pédale à pied

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Dec 3, 2010, 8:30 am

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sNOw go part 2

philip s. posted an article on Cycling the MS 150 - Dec 2, 2010, 2:28 pm

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About Me

I am a balding,overweight, middle aged man whose mid-life crisis is like 'Groundhog day'. However to compensate for this I like going on adventures with my Mule called 'Scott'.Scott is not really a Mule and has two wheels.However there are similarities. He is expected to carry the weight of the world, my troubles, expectations and rotund frame without complaint.He is also very stuborn when you try and force him up steep gradients.
I also like to write hence my blog.
I dream of being a two wheeled althlete even if its just in my age catergory.
I love hills and climbing them and cycling at breakneck speed down the other side.
Each year I proclaim - This is my year. It has not happened yet. However don't rule me and the Mule out for this year.
If Lance Armstrong can make a comeback, I can.
Watch out you veterans I will be chasing your wheel. I try to do a number of endurance charity rides each year including the Houston to Austin MS 150 in April, joining my twin brother who lives in Houston, this year I am also doing the Hotter than Hell again in Texas in August.Whether I cycle fast or faster it will be fun trying and I will attempt to entertain you with my blog along the way.

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