Hello all, another newcomer to these parts...
Having developed a love of the outdoors, growing up on the edge of Saddleworth Moors, at an early age, starting with hill walking, developing in to skiing, rock climbing and MTB in my teens, Mountain Rescue in late teens and early 20s (Oldham then Swaledale) I then fell in to a career in the military, which has taken me to some fantastic places and given me some great opportunities but ultimately curtailed my outdoor activities in the early years as I tried to make a name for myself.
Once my early career settled down and I established my priorities in life, the outdoors came to the fore again and I've spent a significant amount of time either gaining outdoors quals through the military or pursuing my favourite activities. MTB racing led to road racing, which led to cyclocross racing to keep competitive during the winter, in particular in what is my favourite event - the 3 Peaks Cyclocross. If I could only do one bike race a year, it would be that one... In order to become better (although I'm never going to be challenging the likes of Jebby) over the last 18 months I've started to develop fell running as a component of my training.
Of all my general cycling, MTB is my favourite because of the ability to cover distance and appeal to get to places otherwise unvisited in the hills. I now find myself even more drawn to fell running as it takes that opportunity even further - there is no need for a track or path to follow. I also enjoy the solitude of the fells and dare I say it the romance of fell running - the freedom of being unencumbered by boots and pack, to explore wherever in our remotest lands.
I'm also lucky in where I can run - although currently based in Nottingham, the White and Dark Peak are but a short drive, I still have family and friends on whom I can impose if I fancy heading over to the homeland of the north west Peak, my parents live in Ambleside and I get to visit regularly and my wife is based at RAF Lossiemouth (she's in the RAF) so the Cairngorms are a stomping ground when I'm up there.
Anyway, hope to see you all out and about sometime!
