Been cycling to the new job on the new bike for nearly 4 weeks without tools or a puncture repair kit. Got both for my birthday 3 days ago and lo and behold I get a puncture on the way to work this morning. Fortunately I remembered to pack them in my rucksack, would have been bloody annoying if I'd left them at home.
Talking of rucksacks, I no longer need mine. Ordered my panniers Sunday night from an online store, saving £12 off the shop price, and they turned up today. I have adjusted the fittings so will be using them from tomorrow. No more sweaty, spotty back hopefully. And always plenty of room for my lunch, shirt, towel, book, waterproofs etc etc. To be honest more room than I need for my daily commute, but I will need them eventually, and the rucksack does have unpleasant side effects in terms of spots, and I'd like to be spot free by the time we go to Turkey on holiday in July. I am so looking forward to that, I don't want to be self conscious about taking my shirt off, as I know it's going to be really really hot!!
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Monday, 5 April 2010
LOST - one willpower, if found please return to me asap.
Well this Easter has not been good in terms of eating healthily, I'm going to have to work incredibly hard not to put on a fair few pounds. Easter eggs, chocolate cake with fresh cream, hot cross buns, plus 4 days off the bike, I can see 8 weeks progress being undone in less than a week. Apart from the last 2 weeks I have been steadily losing between 1 and 3 pounds most weeks. There have been a couple of big events recently whereby I have eaten and drank more than usual, a 21st Birthday, a 50th Birthday, plus a tribute night for Dad on what would have been his and Moms 50th Wedding Anniversary, so the last 2 weeks have seen a tiny weight gain, but I was prepared for a little blip, what has surprised/disappointed me is the fact that I have been unable to resist the chocolate the past few days, not helped by being given 4 or 5 eggs this year, but I could have always just given them to the kids, I didn't have to eat them myself did I? Well, I've only eaten 2, so I could always give the others away can't I........or can I?
Watch this space!
Watch this space!
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Another year older.
But probably no wiser!!
Had to wait until the kids had finished the easter egg hunt before I got to my pressies, the sacrifices we have to make as parents eh!?! Eventually I got a new water bottle and holder to match the new bike (ok, she's 4 months old, but she's still my new bike ok), multi tool, puncture repair kit, big bottle of Muc-off bike cleaner and a big can of GT85, and a new pair of wellies for down the allotment. And the sad thing is, I'm chuffed with all of it, how times change when we get older!! In fact, I can't wait to use them all - except the punture kit of course, hopefully that will never be used........fat chance.
Plus a few cash gifts too, so will be off to Red Kite tomorrow if they are open, a pair of panniers with my name on them (not literally) just waiting to be fitted. Then I can retire the rucksack, I can't fit that much in it and it doesn't half give me a spotty back. Happy days :)
Had to wait until the kids had finished the easter egg hunt before I got to my pressies, the sacrifices we have to make as parents eh!?! Eventually I got a new water bottle and holder to match the new bike (ok, she's 4 months old, but she's still my new bike ok), multi tool, puncture repair kit, big bottle of Muc-off bike cleaner and a big can of GT85, and a new pair of wellies for down the allotment. And the sad thing is, I'm chuffed with all of it, how times change when we get older!! In fact, I can't wait to use them all - except the punture kit of course, hopefully that will never be used........fat chance.
Plus a few cash gifts too, so will be off to Red Kite tomorrow if they are open, a pair of panniers with my name on them (not literally) just waiting to be fitted. Then I can retire the rucksack, I can't fit that much in it and it doesn't half give me a spotty back. Happy days :)
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Time to start blogging again.
Well what can I say, these past few weeks have been a mixture of frustration, disappointment, desperation and finally some joy.
For reasons I can't go into (I've already been reminded my previous contract included a confidentiality clause, how very 007) I found myself looking for a new job. So after 8 weeks of indecision and upheaval I was available for hire. Fortunately, fate was on my side this time, and after 2 days looking at various online recruitment sites, and updating of CV's etc, a great opportunity fell in my lap, I was interviewd on day 3 (Wednesday), offered the job the same afternoon and started the following Monday. That was almost 3 weeks ago now, and I'm really enjoying it. The commute on the bike is slightly longer, but I rarely took the direct route to the old place anyway, the people seem really nice - friendly, down to earth and enjoy a laugh.
One upshot is that I will need to reassess my charity ride - the route has definitely got to change, I can't see the point of visiting places where I used to work, and the date will have to change too - late April is unrealistic given I've only been riding regularly again for 3 weeks. No definite decisions yet though.
And that is it for now. Need to keep something back for tomorrows blog don't I?
For reasons I can't go into (I've already been reminded my previous contract included a confidentiality clause, how very 007) I found myself looking for a new job. So after 8 weeks of indecision and upheaval I was available for hire. Fortunately, fate was on my side this time, and after 2 days looking at various online recruitment sites, and updating of CV's etc, a great opportunity fell in my lap, I was interviewd on day 3 (Wednesday), offered the job the same afternoon and started the following Monday. That was almost 3 weeks ago now, and I'm really enjoying it. The commute on the bike is slightly longer, but I rarely took the direct route to the old place anyway, the people seem really nice - friendly, down to earth and enjoy a laugh.
One upshot is that I will need to reassess my charity ride - the route has definitely got to change, I can't see the point of visiting places where I used to work, and the date will have to change too - late April is unrealistic given I've only been riding regularly again for 3 weeks. No definite decisions yet though.
And that is it for now. Need to keep something back for tomorrows blog don't I?
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Todays weigh in.
Pleasing result this morning, 2 milestones reached. I now weigh 13 stone 13.2lbs, so 3 lost this week. That means I've broke the 14 stone barrier, and now lost my first half a stone. I wasn't feeling overly confident to be honest because despite my big ride I'd eaten a fair bit of party food this week. We had the in-laws over Wednesday (the day of his birthday), then there was the party yesterday with his school friends (which I survived by the way, and everyone seemed to have lots of fun), and today my folks are coming over so it's party number 3.
The body doesn't feel too bad after Fridays exertion's, knee hurts a bit, back still sore, but it was sore before so that's not because of the riding. Apart from that, no complaints.
Time to go and make myself decent, everyone should be here in 5 minutes. Fingers crossed the house is still standing when they've gone!!
The body doesn't feel too bad after Fridays exertion's, knee hurts a bit, back still sore, but it was sore before so that's not because of the riding. Apart from that, no complaints.
Time to go and make myself decent, everyone should be here in 5 minutes. Fingers crossed the house is still standing when they've gone!!
Friday, 5 February 2010
The Big 5 0 (a long story, be warned)
No, it's not my birthday, although it's only 8 weeks away, hint hint. Even then, I will definitely NOT be 50, another 7 years before I hit that milestone.
No, today I managed my first ever 50 mile ride, and on the new bike too.
I headed for Warwick first, and at around 15 miles there is a turning I normally take if I'm doing my 30 mile ride, which loops me back home through lovely country lanes. I have to confess, I spent a lot of time pondering if I should just do the 30 mile route today, after all, I haven't done a lot of riding lately. However, as wise a move as that might have been, I carried straight on and headed for Warwick.
Once in Warwick the plan was to head to Stratford Upon Avon then head home, however I realised that I hadn't actually looked at the map for weeks - I'd initially thought about doing this weeks and weeks ago but with one thing or another it never happened, so I was now in the centre of Warwick with my inbuilt "Man Sat Nav" to guide me!! I could recall that Stratford was on the right of Warwick on the map, so I headed right, past Warwick Castle and some fantastic Tudor buildings, and towards countryside. A mile or 2 later there was an island and some signposts, and sure enough I was heading in the right direction.
So I joined the A46 and pedalled onwards and upwards - quite a lot of upwards actually, but I was doing OK, although by now I was feeling a bit saddle sore, so any downhill bit, no matter how gentle, I took the opportunity to freewheel and stand on my pedals for a bit of relief. I didn't realise how far Stratford was from Warwick, they look quite close on the map, but by now there really was no turning back.
When I got close to Stratford I followed the signs for the town centre, thinking I'll get there then look for the signs for Brum. Which is exactly what I did, then found myself pedalling for a mile or 2 on the road I'd just ridden into Stratford, sods law I think that's called.
So I'm now on the home leg, and although I had a drink I had no snacks with me, and I was feeling peckish, but I'd forgotten my wallet and only had £1.42 in my rucksack. No worries, I'll see what I can get with that, if I can find a little shop. Well, did I come across a shop, oh no. And then I got pretty wet in a shower, surrounded by blue sky, one rouge grey cloud targeted me quite unnecessarily. It was 6 miles before I stumbled on a proper oasis in Wootton Wawen. A shop with loads of damaged and out of date goods outside at knock down prices, so I got a lot for my £1.40 I can tell you. Mini Hob Nobs (x 2), bottle of Lucozade and a packet of nuts, which I devoured like a man who hadn't eaten in days :-)
After that 10 minute break it was back on the bike, the rest of the journey was straightforward enough, although my left calf was starting to cramp up, and my neck ached (the posture on the road bike is different to the mountain bike, that should get easier though), the uphills were really painful, I resorted to getting out of the saddle for those, oh and my knees ached. But apart from that, totally straightforward.
I'm now completely knackered, but showered, warm and dry, we'll see how the body is tomorrow. My sons 5th birthday party tomorrow, him plus 11 mates at the local bowling alley, should be fun. If I survive I'll post an update.
No, today I managed my first ever 50 mile ride, and on the new bike too.
I headed for Warwick first, and at around 15 miles there is a turning I normally take if I'm doing my 30 mile ride, which loops me back home through lovely country lanes. I have to confess, I spent a lot of time pondering if I should just do the 30 mile route today, after all, I haven't done a lot of riding lately. However, as wise a move as that might have been, I carried straight on and headed for Warwick.
Once in Warwick the plan was to head to Stratford Upon Avon then head home, however I realised that I hadn't actually looked at the map for weeks - I'd initially thought about doing this weeks and weeks ago but with one thing or another it never happened, so I was now in the centre of Warwick with my inbuilt "Man Sat Nav" to guide me!! I could recall that Stratford was on the right of Warwick on the map, so I headed right, past Warwick Castle and some fantastic Tudor buildings, and towards countryside. A mile or 2 later there was an island and some signposts, and sure enough I was heading in the right direction.
So I joined the A46 and pedalled onwards and upwards - quite a lot of upwards actually, but I was doing OK, although by now I was feeling a bit saddle sore, so any downhill bit, no matter how gentle, I took the opportunity to freewheel and stand on my pedals for a bit of relief. I didn't realise how far Stratford was from Warwick, they look quite close on the map, but by now there really was no turning back.
When I got close to Stratford I followed the signs for the town centre, thinking I'll get there then look for the signs for Brum. Which is exactly what I did, then found myself pedalling for a mile or 2 on the road I'd just ridden into Stratford, sods law I think that's called.
So I'm now on the home leg, and although I had a drink I had no snacks with me, and I was feeling peckish, but I'd forgotten my wallet and only had £1.42 in my rucksack. No worries, I'll see what I can get with that, if I can find a little shop. Well, did I come across a shop, oh no. And then I got pretty wet in a shower, surrounded by blue sky, one rouge grey cloud targeted me quite unnecessarily. It was 6 miles before I stumbled on a proper oasis in Wootton Wawen. A shop with loads of damaged and out of date goods outside at knock down prices, so I got a lot for my £1.40 I can tell you. Mini Hob Nobs (x 2), bottle of Lucozade and a packet of nuts, which I devoured like a man who hadn't eaten in days :-)
After that 10 minute break it was back on the bike, the rest of the journey was straightforward enough, although my left calf was starting to cramp up, and my neck ached (the posture on the road bike is different to the mountain bike, that should get easier though), the uphills were really painful, I resorted to getting out of the saddle for those, oh and my knees ached. But apart from that, totally straightforward.
I'm now completely knackered, but showered, warm and dry, we'll see how the body is tomorrow. My sons 5th birthday party tomorrow, him plus 11 mates at the local bowling alley, should be fun. If I survive I'll post an update.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Another small step in the right diection.
Weighed in this morning at 14 stone, 2.2lbs, so another pound off. Better off than on though, right?
Plus, I had a little ride on the new bike this afternoon, probably only 3 or 4 miles, but the first time I've been on her since the day I bought her, and my first ride in days. Weather and back permitting I hope to do at least one serious ride this week. I hurt my back doing some digging down the allottment Thursday last week, and I've been in real pain since. Taking the anti-imflammatories and doing some stretches to help, but not a lot better yet. Suffered with back pain for years though, so I know it'll be ok eventually. Just not what I needed right now though.
Short and sweet, but that's all for now.
Plus, I had a little ride on the new bike this afternoon, probably only 3 or 4 miles, but the first time I've been on her since the day I bought her, and my first ride in days. Weather and back permitting I hope to do at least one serious ride this week. I hurt my back doing some digging down the allottment Thursday last week, and I've been in real pain since. Taking the anti-imflammatories and doing some stretches to help, but not a lot better yet. Suffered with back pain for years though, so I know it'll be ok eventually. Just not what I needed right now though.
Short and sweet, but that's all for now.
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