With the news of the ITU World Triathlon Series coming to Leeds next year just out, it only seemed right to hear from Yorkshire-based Dan, with his trials and tribulations due to the typical British weather...

I guess I deserve it. That reference last month to Yorkshire in spring being the best place on earth. Well in April, Yorkshire did its best to make me look like a right divvie.

Now let me start by saying Skipton Triathlon is a fantastic event - a great route, a great atmosphere, well organised and loads of beginners giving our sport a shot for the first time.

But this year it wasn't to be. A check of the weather forecast before I set off for my 2pm start was cause for concern. Rain? No probs. Cold? I can cope with that. 45mph winds that'll put you under a truck without a second thought? Erm, not so much.

Unfortunately that's what the good folk at the Met Office predicted. And it's exactly what Yorkshire in spring delivered.

It was dry when I left home in North Leeds about midday. By the time I got to Skipton, Noah was shutting up the door of the ark and preparing to set sail. It was proper biblical. And the wind was every bit as bad as they said it would be.

But with my race face on I manned up and marched on, racking up my bike with numb hands and a sense of deep trepidation.

So it was a bit of relief when the swim briefing was interrupted with the news that the bike was cancelled. Having been inside and warmed up for a while I was a bit disappointed, but seeing the timing tent blowing away soon made me realise it was the right call. Fair play to the organisers.

So it was into the swim - 400m at my 1500 race pace to practice not overdoing it. I did just that but was a bit annoyed at the people I caught refusing to let me pass at either end of the pool. I know its racing but let the faster guy through people!

Going straight from a lovely heated pool to a freezing 5km run wasn't easy, but I gave it full beans. I was pretty pleased with 20mins and would surely have dipped just under had it been a little less horrendous. Those track sessions with Leeds & Bradford Triathlon Club are paying off!

But the next week I was paying for it. A gentle 10k a few days later left my right calf feeling awful. A strain? A tear? Hang on - think. Last time I had a calf issue it was tight hips and glutes to blame. So I self diagnosed some stretches - having been a bit lazy with them - and a sports massage.

Thankfully after a week of stretching and taking it a bit easy I was back up to speed. The massage was pretty painful but you kind of want to feel it if you're paying out.

Wetherby Tri is next up for me - full Olympic distance and a river swim. Which means one thing - wetsuit time is coming! Bring. It. On.

Dan's next blog post will be on Wednesday 15 June. To read his previous post, visit here.