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This week is the last week in what's been an absolutely crazy year.
This time a year ago, I had my head up my arse preparing to induct some contractors. I was knocking up a presentation about now and feeling a bit rundown. By the end of the week I was on a ventilator just to keep me breathing, and hearing about Guillain Barre for the first time, and what it would do to me. I'm sure I've banged on about it enough on here, so most of you will know the script by now.
Anyhow. This place kept me sane when I was in rehab. I've had some massive highs, some awful lows, and a great deal of quality thinking time along the way. I still can't feel my finger tips or toes. I'm knackered, all the time. But I've never been more content.
So, although this may be a bit "look at me" it's not intended to be. It's been a bit of a year for me. Hows it been for the rest of STW?
This time last year, I'd just lost my Mother to cancer. I've slowly got over that and, after giving up work in the spring, have been adding to my cycling time, completing a few goals along the way (like a LeJOG). Got word last week that we have a buyer for my Mums house, so that chapter will soon be behind me and I#ll be left with memories.
OP; Good luck with things, seriously.
Not, so serious. My year? Same old, same old for me generally. Not much has changed. However, The kitchen and the dining room have been decorated, so the house is looking a lot better. I have a new niece, and my nephew saved a few goals today and won man of the match (even though they lost 5-1, 2 of which were own goals).
Slightly depressing. The chap across the road has just decorated his house (as he does every year) with the illuminated Christmas decorations. It is October, isn't it?
Odd. ("This year has been", not "your post was")
A year ago I was working in the Forestry industry, rapidly falling out with my bosses, hating everything I did at work, and was very run down because of it. One holiday and one resignation letter later, I was jobless at a crap time and scared sh*tless. One month later I had a new job which I'm still enjoying and being challenged by to this day.
's a funny old world, eh? 🙂
three years ago today my aunt topped herself and my mum found her little sister hanging from the balustrade by her neck.... happy times.
Druidh
So sorry to hear that.
Jon1973
I've forgotten to mention that we moved out 4 months ago whilst we have an extension and general tart up of the house.
Pyro
I've gone from working stupid hours to a reasonably normal week. Just wouldn't gave the balls to do what you did
Alpin
Awful. Can't imagine how that must be. My dads uncles body was found in the river a few years ago. It's thought he jumped from the bridge. Didn't know the fella, so no real grief, but it's impossible to understand the reasons why.
I was trying to meet project deadline with no sleep and was very stressed.
Now I am busy trying to learn driving theory ... arrrghhhh ... 😡
Last 12 months? Bit of a mixed bag.
12 months ago I was competing in my first world Champs, one ambition acheived. Since then it has gone downhill quite badly, my girlfriend of 4 1/2 years has left me and my father nearly died in a boat crash and spent 3 months in intensive care as a result.
Feeling oddly positive at the moment though, despite having just injured my hand with an electric sander as won my first race in 18months today and have a date next Friday.
kind of crap but kind of ok.
Rubbish from a riding perspective but nowhere near as bad as yours Paul (been there on the GBS as you know, btw just recently I've been losing feeling in my fingertips too - Dr just shrugged his shoulders when i asked if this was a residual side effect 😕 ). A new role at work last year meant a severe lack of riding time with my usual crowd due to shifts. Took to riding on my own through the winter and then tore my patellar tendon back in Feb walking through my front door! 7 months off the bike but things finally looking up - just ready for winter!!
On a none riding front. All's good in the hood. Lovely wife, gorgeous kids. Lot to be grateful for and I should never, ever take them for granted, although I suspect I do, from time time...
Keep your chin up mate.
We're only 5/6ths of the way through, still plenty of time to build a house/run a marathon/find true happiness right?
Mine's been pretty good... Nice spell of unemployment at the start of the year to ride bikes in. New job in April just as I was starting to get fed up with being unemployed... Which while not amazing, has been good in a lot of ways (mainly to remind me that some employers are neither mad nor evil). Some very good times dotted around it and a notable lack of really bad times. No sense of progress though, really.
Certainly better than my average for the last decade anyway, put it that way!
This time last year I became self employed and was bricking myself. I've done ok. It's been tough and a lot of work but I am now looking forward to the next 12 months.
A year ago today I had just started my final year at university. To cut a long story short over the following months I got depressed (relationship issues mainly), ****ed up my major project work, didn't hand in a dissertation... and didn't graduate. The road bike and the friends that came with it was the only thing that kept me going (along with the antidepressants).
I got a call in June offering me a job at a large FMCG company that I worked at during my industrial placement year. I straight up told them I wouldn't be graduating, but they wanted to take me on anyway. Happy days, must have impressed someone while I was there 😉 So have been working for the last ten weeks and I'm absolutely loving it.
And I came off the happy pills last week. So now I just need to finish the degree in my spare time. And find a girl who doesn't live at the other end of the bastard country.
It doesn't always go to plan, but somehow works out in the end.
2011 has been awesome for me so far 🙂 Lost a load more weight and am now almost a "normal" size (just need to get rid of the remainder of the manboobs and love handles). Spent my summer in Whistler but probably home next weekend unless I get a job in the next few days. Riding has improved so much out here, all the Jedi skills have properly sunk in and I'm so confident in the air and off drops now! May have opportunity for a job at a tv studio when I get home, a few of my mates work there and their seniors say I shouldn't have a problem getting it!
my son has got a year older, and changed so much, hes 17 months old now. the house we moved into last october, with the intention of getting it done up within two years remains as it was, apart from polished floorboards, new carpets, williams room and the back yard painted. I am no longer a C++ programmer, now I'm a 'solutions architect' whatever that means. I now only have road bikes, no MTBs.
I'm tired all the time, have no time for myself, work long hours, but i'm happier than last year, i think!
Pretty full on TBH.
Last August I was young, free and single, riding 100 miles a week.
Met an incredible woman in the middle of August, 1st date Monday...
Moved in Wednesday...
Bit of drama involving the old bill and a psychotic ex...
Married in December...
Pinged back shortly after = almost no riding for 10 months...
Spent January in NSW and Tasmania...
Daughter born 29th June...
Back finally improving in September...
May you live in interesting times 
In the past 12 months i've lived in 3 countries, moved house 5 times, emmigrated longterm, nearly buggered up my masters and now moved onto a phd. That was absolutely hectic, iäm looking forward to 4 years of relative ease :=)
Mines been "interesting" for sure.
Without going into specifics here I've changed one thing for another and the first thing wasn't right, the second thing is now seemingly not right either, the first thing still annoys sometimes, but out of all this the original thing has resurfaced.
up and down like a yo-yo.
fantastic holiday in february, laid off in may, really enjoyable year of my degree, new job with loads of responsibility in july, best trip to the alps i've ever had in september, lost new job in october because idiot boss has not done adequate business plan and project has ground to a halt due to cash flow. now i'm mega stressed because i have the final exam of my degree tomorrow.
gis a job.
Well, started off te year, lost 7 stone, in April decided to ride across Adrian. Satrted working 7 day weeks to pay for it. I've nearly burnt myself out, put on two more stone, but at the end of the week I'll be paying the £9000 entrance fee. I've just quite my nice safe secure well paid job, an I'm looking forward to the next 3 months of prep time I have just loosing another 5 stone and riding my bike lots.
Also I've nearly talked myself into asking the girl of my dreams out. But more of that later.
Mostly up. Couple of years before were very shit, disastrous girlfriend that ruined my relationship with most of my family (my own stupid fault) meant that I was on the street, fast forward, got a place to live with a bloke whose been a massive support, found new girlfriend (massively unexpectedly gorgeous blondie, brainy beautiful and amazingly out of my league!!!) she nearly messed everything up, but we managed to to come through it. Even her mum is being ok-ish about it all. Living the lezza dream LOL
College and placement are good, last year has been good for us.
, lost 7 stone, in April decided to ride across Adrian
Bet Adrian was relieved re: weight loss.
I've had a very up and down year, started last September with the end of a relationship (just under 3 months from tying the knot) so this time last year I was an unhappy mess, but since then I've moved into a new house (having spent 3 months living with my mum while I was renovating it, had a bit of a knock in April when work announced some redundancies, thankfully I have managed to keep my job.
I bought a new bike which has rekindled my love of riding, although crashed at cwmcarn earlier in the year and put myself out of action for a couple of months.
Joined a new band recently, it's great to be playing music again and even better that I'm getting to play with 4 very talented musicians who have quickly become very good friends.
I spent a lot of time making the most out of being single and not having to answer to anyone.
And to top it all off, I met my awesome new girlfriend in August.
In the last 12 months I became a father for the first time to a beautiful little girl, my relationship with her Mum broke up, I met someone else who is amazing and I bought a Santa Cruz Butcher so a mixed bag really!
I'll be glad to see the back of last 12 months ... been a pretty crap year really. Time to look forward now ... looking forward to getting last year behind me.
Spent the first few months recovering from my crash on Ventoux. Then started uni. Have had a brilliant time at uni, despite a brilliant relationship ending messily. Averaged above a first, and then broke my arm. Spent summer recovering from that, which affected me mentally as well as physically, put me in really bad shape. Enjoyed the tour, finally got out of cast, went to France for a week and finally got a chance to do Alpe d'Huez, plus a week of mountain biking. Just started my second year of uni, and it's great. Arms still a little sore though..
Also bought 2 new bikes 😀
this time last year i was living with a girl i didnt love, being miserable 24/7 pretty much. i was working in an office doing a job that bored and frustrated me to tears.
in the last 12 months ive broke up with the girl, got a brilliant job in the cycling industry that i love, saw two of my best friends get married to two great girls, been out with a few nutters! just met a lass that's definitely got potential. And ive lost nearly 2 stone.
so overal the last 12 months have been bloody hard at times, but my life is 100% better than it was. And ive certainly learned a few things....
Watched my girls rapidly grow up (2yrs 4 months old).
Watched my mum equally rapidly die (cancer op over last Christmas, died two weeks after the girls 2nd birthday - at least she made it to their party).
So now I have two girls who will never know or remember either of my parents (dad died when my wife was pregnant).
But they adore my wife's mum and dad and fortunately so do I.
And my 'ickle brother (39 years old) has just said he will come to ours for Christmas dinner rather than spend it alone 'with a curry and a few beers' which I am absolutely over the moon about.
So a continued series of lows tempered with some highs.
Had a completely rubbish year.
Wife broke her leg in January and had to be ambulanced to hospital to be fixed up. Cue metalwork and a long recovery. The metalwork then gets infected when it is _almost_ healed, it is removed, she gets discharged and it re-fractures two days later. She's still casted up and off work, so we are down to just about a single income.
During that time we've had a miscarriage (deep joy) and have so far failed to sell our house, despite finding the one we want to stay in for the next 20 years. On top of that, our kitchen got flooded thanks to a burst pipe (cheap metal...).
All in all, it's been a toss year and I can't wait for 2012. Hopefully I'll have something good to report this time next year.
This time last year I was as deaf as a post in my left ear due to a ruptured eardrum. After feeling sorry for myself I got on me bike. I decided that since 2010 was 'the year of more bike commuting' that 2011 would be 'the year of just as much bike commuting and doing more with my bike club (NATS) and getting out MTBing more', or 'TYoJaMBCaDMwMBC(N)aGOMM' 😆
And more cake after rides 😆
And lo, it has come to pass. This year I have done a lot more MTB'ing and my skills have improved somewhat (but still fairly poor!) and stamina is great. I can get *up* those damned hills, I'm just not that good at coming down them!
Relationship is going good, my five year anniversary of civil partnership/marriage on Friday and I'm getting the house sorted (new doors/windows thing).
Then I had my yearly ear check and they cleaned out my bad ear (which was OK apart from tinnitus) with a suction thingy and a few days later I got a massive ear infection and now sit here as deaf as a post due to my eardrum rupturing again!
So I've now got maps out and am planning what to do when it gets better enough to get out there. And I've ordered a 'mould your own' earplug kit to do something positive for when I'm on the bike.
Good here.
Got married.
House things. Grew some tomatoes. Reflected more on the joy of friendships.
Broke wrist in Feb but that's a distant memory already.
Changed my outlook on life dramatically and have renewed enthusiasm for just waking up every day and living.
Work has been getting steadily worse but it's been an awesome year because of my endlessly entertaining 2 year old boy and a new baby daughter.
Apart from commuting to work, I've done very little running and even less bike riding but I don't mind. There'll be plenty of time for that when the kids are bigger.
Sorry to hear that so many of you have had bad years.
New years eve 2010 I decided to be more positive and to concentrate on being a good partner, friend and relative to the people around me.
New years day I found out my grandad died which made me even more determined to be the kind of man that he would be proud of.
It's paid off! I got married a few weeks ago to my beautiful wife (still feels funny calling her wife!) and we're hoping for a brat in the near future. I have become reacquainted with some old friends who have started riding with me.
Work has been interesting, got a pay rise and talk of an eventual directorship in a very positive appraisal.
I just want to work on getting back in shape now.
Nagatives - *Still recovering from a minor breakdown that I had last year. It's been tough mentally but I'm now heading in the right direction.
Positives - Fitter and healthier than I've ever been due to loads of roadie miles.
This time last year I had an idea to build a safe brick shed for bike storage. Finally after 13 months I moved my stuff in yesterday. 🙂
*Relationship with Mrs MM is stronger than ever as a result of the above.
Turning 40 in a couple of weeks which means new cyclocross bike. 🙂
Most importantly - Start adoption proceedings soon which both Mrs MM and me are very exited about. 😀
Well. It's safe to say that except for 9 weeks in 2010, I haven't had it so bad after all!
Around this time last year I got knocked off my bike commuting to work so no mtb for a few weeks. Finally got fit to ride then I broke my ankle doing martial arts. Two weeks after getting my pot off I got knocked off my road bike AGAIN on the same flaming roundabout 🙁 spring of this year was good though, doing loads of biking, martial arts training and sparring. Trouble was though I was doing to much training coupled with doing to many hours at work that my body said " that's it, time out" and I had a brain seizure. Unfortunately both my 10yr old son and my wife both witnessed it. At one point they couldn't find a pulse and I'd stopped breathing. Fast forward four months and I'm still off work until I get my results through from my brain scans which are in three weeks time. Can't drive until December but thankfully the fit looks like it was a one off. But hey ho I'm still here and at least I had this summer off to spend time with my family and do some biking.
This time last year decided I was going to get much fitter, join a roadie club and race as i wasn't getting any younger.
I'm the fittest i've ever been, got the fastest TT time out of my club this year, came 2nd in our hill climb competition, Became Bristol's Rollapluza champion In December and 4th in the UK and also got ouple of to 10 finishes at a few crit races. (did get my arse kicked in 1 road race)
So it's been a good year for me
I had a brain seizure
But hey ho
LOVING that attitude.
wrecker - Member
I had a brain seizureBut hey ho
LOVING that attitude.
+1
Knowing how I am, if someone had told me I'd be in intensive care, paralised, except for my head, unable to speak and communicating with my family by blinking then I'd have thought I'd be pretty down, but "hey ho" sums it up nicely. In situations like that you really do have to get on with it. I've never been so chipper and positive. I've never been so bored or frightened either though!
Well I met the woman of my dreams but that ended a month ago age and my own insecuritys dealt with that ! , Got made redundent from a 40k job I used to ride to work too, but then picked up a new one a month later and had to buy a car so doing lots less miles now .. Had my first Alps trip loved it and going back next year ..Came face to face with my own mortality .. finaly Learnt drugs are bad after finaly going “a bit weird” one afternoon and am now clean after 20 years of recreational abuse. Realised I needed to stop bottling things up inside and talk about them ! … A year of dicovery !
Started a new career 😀
Met an amazing lady. 😀
Got engaged. 😀
Had 2 late miscarraiges 😥
Just bought a new house 7 years after losing the old one in a very messy divorce. 😀
Bought a new MTB after 10 years 😀
Watched my boy play his first game of rugby 😀
Way more ups than downs... That'll do me just fine!
what new career captaincarbon?
Utterly shit. Cant wait to see the arse end of this year.
Wife announced she was leaving in January, Mum died in February, Nan in Law died the night before my mums funeral. Gave up weekend mountain biking so I could have my kids every weekend.
Hate my Job, Skint.
Still, got a new bike, I'm healthy and have two wonderful daughters who I love more than anything in the world.
Was a Butcher trickydisco, now a Podiatrist.
...have two wonderful daughters who I love more than anything in the world.
This really is all that matters. I am stunned at how I approach my life now I have children.
2011 has been busy to say the least
Moved house in late january and have spent a lots of time, effort and money on getting the new place sorted. So much to do that it barely looks like we've touched it.
Took on a whole load more responsibility at work, now managing 15 people, with all of the joy that it brings. Actually despite the mayhem I 've decided I really like managing people. Never thought I would.
Started a work related masters degree in March which massively eats into both my work and homelife. Beginning to think it was a bad idea but we'll see.
Watched in amazement as my two boys continue to grow and develop. As MF and others have said, nothing else relly matters that much in comparison.
Sorry to hear about the troubles that others have faced, I've been pretty lucky of late I suppose. To all those with difficult things to deal with and with grief to overcome, good luck and may the sun shine on your face.
In 2010 we were trying to start a family. The result is that in 2011, I've had much less sleep and much less sex, but in all other respects my life is immeasurably better through the sheer joy that is my new daughter.
my last 12 or so months has been the worst 12 months of my life thru medical reasons.
all better now tho......... 8)
The last year has been pretty good overall.
Moved house a year ago today, cheaper rent, nicer area, nicer neighbours + bigger house.
Still enjoying riding my bike, did a ride I've wanted to do for years.
son started proper school.
All mostly good.
ton - Member
my last 12 or so months has been the worst 12 months of my life thru medical reasons.
all better now tho.........
POSTED 34 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
Xx big boy!
wrecker - Member
I had a brain seizureBut hey ho
LOVING that attitude.
Cheers. The way I see it is that although life can sometimes deal you with a shitty stick, it's how you wipe it clean that matters 8)
It's been the worse 12 months of my life, probably losing the sight in one eye if I don't slow down a bit, (something to do with potential retina detachment through myopia and stress, don't ask, I'm ignoring it if it happens it will) lost two mates to cancer and mother to old age bless her, work is at an all time low, lost my favorite dog and replaced it with a total nightmare, but I have rediscovered bikes in a good way so some compensation. Sorry to read of all your issues funny how you don't realise everyone else has sh1t in their lives, you tend to think it's only you..
_tom_ - Member2011 has been awesome for me so far Lost a load more weight and am now almost a "normal" size (just need to get rid of the remainder of the manboobs and love handles). Spent my summer in Whistler but probably home next weekend unless I get a job in the next few days. Riding has improved so much out here, all the Jedi skills have properly sunk in and I'm so confident in the air and off drops now! May have opportunity for a job at a tv studio when I get home, a few of my mates work there and their seniors say I shouldn't have a problem getting it!
high5 tom 🙂
Got married, went on an epic honey moon, 1 ski trip, got 2 new bikes and have just ordered a new car.
Been an epic year
Started the year getting back in to biking after a few years of loosing interest in it.
Broke my wrist in April, was off the bike for a 10 weeks, back on the bike briefly before injuring my knee, off the bike, bought a new bike (the best I've ever had) got proper flu, got Pneumonia 5 weeks ago, probably not back on the bike before Xmas...
[b]Good[/b]
Got engaged to a wonderful girl who likes me as I am and doesn't try to change me.
Sorted my job out and now earn a couple of quid more and feel a whole lot more satisfied.
Had a brilliant 2 week road trip around souther Europe
Sorted myself out financially after buying a house and sailing a little close to the wind last year
[b]Bad[/b]
Had to disband a football team that I started 10 years ago with some close friends
Had "that" chat with the above fiancee about children and agreed we were both on the same page...only for 3 months later me to be thinking I may not have been quite so sure it is the right page for me
Have barely ridden my bike, lost he mojo at the end of last year and have yet to find it again.
Got a bit fat due to the lack of football and lack of cycling
So, overall not bad but still room for improvement!
I am amazed at the candour here. It is refreshing. *high fives everyone*
It's not in my nature to reveal too much about how I feel, though it's fair to say that I have stared straight at (and survived) career doom, got fat/now getting thinner, become a parent, moved house and found out an awful lot about who and what I am.
It's been a mixed year,
Bought a house - Good
Split up with missus shortly after buying house together - Bad
Rode bike more this year than in the last 7 with said missus - Good
Lost a couple of stone (thankyou iDave) - Good
Mum phoned last night and told me she has incurable lymphoma - Bad
I'm not sure 2012 will be any better or worse to be honest...
I've had a great year so far, compared with previous years anyway.
My boys are a year older (5 and 1)and both in good health
My wife was okay with me backpacking round the Isle of Rum for a week with two mates, I've wild camped in the Lakes in the summer and Wensleydale in deep snow in January. I've done a few bike bivis too on the road bike.
I got my orange belt in Aikido and am testing for green in November.
Ran my first half marathon in September
I started eating meat for the first time in 12 years, with no regrets whatsoever.
Went to End of the Road festival with my lovely wife and left the kids with the grandparents.
Hired a self catering cottage for seven nights in Cornwall for £300 in August!!!
Made loads of bread!
Started a blog about being a working dad and trying to remain free.
On the downside my wife put up with a lot of crap from her work and her awful boss, but she handed her notice in last month 🙂
And just to throw it in, I'm looking forward to a backpack in edale over the weekend, and 8 days on Isle of Jura in Feb 2012.
And if my wife gets a new job (interview tomorrow)I'll be getting rid of my heavy old Norco Sasquatch and either getting a new hardtail or a second hand full susser in March!
I've cut down on the amount I drink.....life feels a lot better now 🙂