Zero degrees centrigrade...

Its zero degrees centigrade but I managed to get out and do 25 miles. I wasn't gonna go but decided to just do the loop and drop in at Clive's for a cuppa to warm me up. I swear the temperature dropped by a few degrees when I was in his house coz my fingers and toes froze up on the way home (they were ok going??). Had to have a bath for a whole 2 hours just to warm up! LOL, like I need an excuse to stay in the bath!

Gave Jack a little pressie for Christmas too. He's a cute kid but don't tell anyone I said so, they might think I'm losing it. Kids ain't my thing.

O well, it's one degree warmer tomorrow (apparently!) so I will try and get out again. To be honest I don't mind the cold, it's just if there is any ice on the road that worries me. Certainly don't need to come off and do any more damage!

How many calories do I need to burn to get rid of this 8lb of fat??? I burned 1200 today. I think that's 1/2 lb!

Another 35 miles

Did another 35 miles yesterday with a quick stop off at Clive's and Debbie's for a quick cuppa and a KitKat. Yum. He tried to fob me off with a home made crunchy. Trust me, they are nothing like Cadbury's Crunchy! I was really disappointed the first time he got it out (oo-er mrs). Told him I'd rather have a chocolate hob knob instead heehee.

Debbie was really ill, this awful flu thing is going round, seems to have missed me and I think its coz i'm still cycling. Well... i gotta lose the 8lb yet! Also going swimming tomorrow night, hopefully Stuart will of sorted the membership thing out. If I don't get to cycle to work I might pop my bike on the trainer tomorrow night too. Got a Christmas do on Tuesday and wearing a short skirt. Also I have a very important party to go to in March so I have to look hot hot hot as there is going to be a hot hot hot guy there! I'm not saying anymore! (",)

Where have I been?

You might well ask??!!!

I've been gorging myself on chocolate and putting on 8lb!!! (".)

I was a tad shocked when I stood on the scales. I mean, I realised I was getting a teeny muffin top but I didn't realise it was 8lb's worth.

Needless to say have since done a 35 mile cycle and been swimming twice!

Have also since found out that not only is next year's Paris trip an extra 40 miles (with the longest day of 108 miles on the 3rd day) but I am also doing a charity fundraiser with 7 other people doing the equivalent mileage of our London office to New York office. So hopefully with all the training I should lose the extra 8lb and more! In fact, this time next year I should be so fit, Playboy will be begging me to do a photo shoot (",)

The Races

Big Ears, Tafflon, D5T, and Crabsticks made my weekend by all making it to Warwick on 14th Sept for the Cycle Races. Warwick town centre was closed to traffic for the day for the event to take place.
Knowing the circuit, and having already broken one collar bone this year I didn’t really fancy taking on the tight corners of the race circuit with 50 other novice riders, so I decided to take my place as the official team PHUK.dis mascot/podium girl and just sport the colours instead… zipper strategically placed to distract the opposition of course… (although I take no responsibility for the guy who crashed into the barriers … taken away by ambulance but found out later he was just a bit bruised and shook up. What a wuss!).
So, how did the sl4gs get on?
Well…
Crabstick got “lost” on the M6 but made it in time for food! His bike seemed to be still lost though!
Tafflon got a punct***, although the only evidence we had was seeing the deflated tyre… no one actually saw it happen…and where was the hole????? Hmmmm….
D5T withdrew. Nothing unusual there, I’ve heard it’s his thing and he almost had 3rd podium place, until we decided that we best own up they made a mistake! (We only owned up coz the guy who really got it, Dominic Harrison, is a friend of ours.)
Big Ears showed up his son (D5T) by at least sticking it out til the end, even though he got lapped a couple of times by the leaders. You just can’t keep a good man down!
As for me… well, my hair went frizzy in the morning mist! So much for my podium girl look!
We finished the day by carb re-loading at Frankie & Benny’s, although the waiter left a lot to be desired… where’s Jeff with the tea when you need him?

A tad windy...

...not me! the Weather! Blimey, had to come home on the train, got a mile from work and nearly blown into the path of traffic! Thought "this is ridiculous, I'm gonna get killed!" so turned off for the train station. Didn't fancy getting blown into the path of a lorry on Hatton Hill. Then absolutely pishing it down with rain when I got off the train at the other end. Typical. Very cold two miles home but I still love the rain. Winter is definitely just round the corner and it's only September. I can feel that briskness in the air in the mornings. So back to the leggings then... and just when I found a good fake tan too!

Must get up earlier tomorrow. keep being late for work, will get in trouble! Right, off to bed so I'm not so tired in the morning

An admirer??

Found out that someone off my team fancies me.

I'm not saying who though :) but he is quite nice. Actually, come to think of it, there's a few quite nice ones heehee

you never know... what goes on tour stays on tour as they say :)

A bit wet

It's a bit wet init? my cycle shoes are drying out on the heater but it gave me a chance to test the waterproofness of my new "wash off" fake tan. And I'm pleased to say it lasted the 17 mile journey in the pouring rain with no streaks! Wicked. Shorts for me from now on then :)

I think I'm the only one that enjoys cycling in the rain.

PHUK.dis on Tour

The official PHUK.dis AMR London to Paris 2008 Route 2 video

click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvRf8CWNHeU

London to Paris 27th July 2008 - Day 5

So, no early start this morning thank God. Phil had to wait for me to get ready. Absolutely PHUKing great... 3 coldsores for my trouble! Breakfast, then packing and then Phil and Eva went to see the Tour and Team PHUKdis found a pub near Gar Du Nord rail station and basically sat round drinking for the day. I did manage to get up to see Sacre Coeur, which is supposed to be the highest place in Paris (well, there were enough bloody steps to climb in the heat!) (photo's attached, the building and view).

Ordered a "well done" steak and when it came it was still bleeding Uggh!

Got the 6pm train back and then back in England at just after 8, back home by 12. I so love my own bed.

... and I think it's safe to say that after nearly 300 miles I'm a little more confident on my bike now than I was when I first got back on after my accident :)

O yea, and think I've raised about £1300. Will have to find a new challenge now so watch this space.

London to Paris 26th July 2008 - Day 4

So, the last day of riding. Think we did 64 miles. Same temperature as yesterday, 4 big climbs. It was a bit chilly to start so we went all out to get as many miles in before the sun came out. I even managed to beat Nic to lunch! By which time the sun had come out and there was a big climb out from lunch which did me in a bit.

We all ended up in a cafe 15 miles from Paris and left with an hour to do it. Easy! Actually managed to make the peleton this time, ride down the Champs Elysses with the rest of the AMR riders and me, Hetta and Simon were pretty much in the first riders to arrive at the Eiffel Tower. Must admit tho, it was a bit of an anti-climax after last year when we were late (due to being in the pub!) and there were 450 plus people there to cheer us in. I admitted to the team later that I preferred last year's arrival and surprisingly (or not so surprisingly I suppose) they felt the same. So had the photo's in our AMR kit and then donned the PHUK.dis kit for the first official photo.

After the photo's it was back to the hotel, nice shower, got ready. Had the room to myself as Hetta had to go home, but later Phil stayed in my room so that Simon and his girlfriend could stay together (his girlfriend came to meet him and hadn't booked a hotel). So, had the celebration meal and then we all went for a drink. Got to bed about 1am. Phil chatted until 3! I was so knackered! Anyway, the photo's are of PHUK.dis and me, Eva and Phil (aka the National Grid possey)

London to Paris 25th July 2008 - Day 3

Another long, hot and hilly day! Luckily today it wasn't so sunny, the sun was hiding behind the clouds, so although it was as hot and hilly as yesterday, the sun wasn't beating down on us so it made all the difference, and I was back up to speed today. Did a lot of riding with Patrick, including the first 2 miles out which was a good climb. They certainly know how to wake you up in the morning! Took a wrong turn with Patrick and didn't realise until we had done about a mile downhill!!! (".)

We pissed around a lot at lunch time and were last to leave which meant the broom wagon caught up with us. It's a bit disconcerting having the broom wagon behind you but me and Patrick put paid to the driver's "motivational chat" by riding 2mph and slowing the van down.

Mo the photographer made up a new saying. "Say No.. to camel toe" LOL. One guy rode in his girlfriend's bikini top today, each table at last night's meal gave 10 Euro's to AMR if he did it, so he couldn't really say no.

Food at the hotel tonight was as bad as last night, even worse I think. Me, Danny and John had already opted to pay for our own in town (it would seem Danny is even more fussy than me!) and we sent a text to the others telling them we were having steak and chips. Nic, Phil and Simon turned up in town later to tell us about their "delicious" rice, fried chicken and courgette! Not so delicious apparently, and poor Ray asked for the veggie option, so he got no chicken and extra rice! Considering the french are THE cycling nation they just seem to have no clue when it comes to feeding cyclists. Breakfast ain't much better. Most of us just ride out on croissants.

London to Paris 24th July 2008 - Day 2

Well, what can I say about Day 2.... HOT.... and LONG... and VERY HILLY! The first 1.5 miles was an 8% climb and that basically set the tone for the day. 88 miles to go and, 30 degrees centigrade, and no cloud cover. Managed to get suntan lotion in my eyes so they stung all morning. Had to find a chemist and get some eyewash. The best I could do with my limited language skills was to buy a box of 48[!] eyewashes. Couldn't give 'em away! The pain finally subsided at lunchtime. By lunch the pain and heat had caused a headache and I had to force my food down. Felt totally sick and thought I was not going to make the day, but after lunch when the pain in my eyes had subsided things started to pick up.

Funny story of the day... not the most ladylike thing to do but was riding with a guy and my eyes were streaming because of the suntan lotion in them and my nose was full to dripping! All I could think of was "please just ride on because I need to get rid of this snot". Anyway, after what seemed like an age the guy said, "I'm gonna crack on now, see ya". "Thank God" I thought and as soon as he was 10 yards ahead I let out one massive snot shot... only then didn't I hear a scream.... turned out some guy had ridden up silently behind me! I got him with a proper spiderman slingshot! LOL. My team mates found it really funny when I eventually caught up with them!

Lunchtime was the other side of this bridge... Looks flat yea? [see first photo]. Nope... see next photo!) View from the top was brilliant tho! and windy! thought my bike was going to get blown off the bridge on the way down.

Sun finally went behind the clouds for the last 10 miles of the day. I was riding with Patrick (one of Action Medical Research's staff riders) and we were finally able to crack on... both of us had struggled because he had done about as much training as me and the heat was killing us. We rewarded ourselves with a cornetto!

London to Paris 23rd July 2008 - PHUK.dis Premiere - Day 1

So PHUK.dis premiered the kit today! And we looked wicked even if I do say so myself. We chose to be the last to ride out at the start (Kingston University). Turns out having our nicknames on our arses is an excellent idea... you knew who was riding in front of you. Like I said tho, my shorts were a tad tight and besides being worried about a deep vein thrombosis because they were cutting the circulation off in my legs, I was a tad worried they would split and expose my arse... but they made it through the day.

Managed to lose Eva all day, but it was only 60 miles thankfully. It was a little bit hilly but I made it up all the hills (some members of my team didn't!). A few of the team took a detour to do Ditchling Beacon but I opted out having not done any training, as it was hot and I didn't want to knacker myself out.

Got bit on the knee by something. Not sure what.

Phil hooked up with Adam (and over the next four days they became firm friends!). Seems they have a lot in common, Phil having done professional riding in the past and Adam being a wannabe.

Got to Newhaven at about 2, and we all sat in a pub watching the Tour De France (Alpe D'huez stage) before getting the ferry. Ferry crossing was about 4 hours so managed to get some kip. Also somehow managed to get a puncture when I went to get off the boat, so got a lift to the hotel in the van (well, no one wants to fix a puncture at 11pm at night!). I reckon it was sabotage... someone obviously heard how good team PHUK.dis are and decided to take out their lead rider! LOL

22nd July - The meal

Well, I need to update you on what happened on the ride so I'll do it day be day. 22nd July was the pre-ride meal. Phil couldn't get the day off work so couldn't pick me and Eva up until 6pm. I was quite glad to be honest because I'm a bit of a nightmare when it comes to packing. Anyway eventually got to the restaurant in Kingston at about 8. Sat Nav... who needs em! does help if you know the address of where you are going!

Of course, had to prove at the meal that I have earned by nickname 3 Foot and Peter Mann (Big Ears) had brought a tape measure along. Inside leg ... 36 inches (thank God I got that measurement right or I might have been chucked off the team!

Nic gave me my kit. O my God. he wasn't lying when he said it was Race Fit!!! Tried it on in the hotel room... a tad small, it looked more like a skin suit! Hetta took a Borat mankini style pose picture of me in my bib shorts on my phone and we sent it to the lads for a laugh. Nic says it's going on the website (".)

My nickname is printed across the arse of the shorts. Well, now I am worried that people will think this is a reference to the width of my arse rather than the length of my legs! (".)

How much???

New Specialized helmet.... £99
New Oakley sunglasses... £96
Looking good on the bike... PRICELESS

LOL I wish, I'm not even sure they suit me!

Second time out on the bike today. Doesn't feel too bad. I thought my confidence would be shot but the only thing that unnerves me slightly is turning right, and that's more to do with the fact that I don't think my collar bone is strong enough to take another knock. It's not falling off I'm scared off, just falling off on my right side at the moment. So it looks like the fact that I can't remember the accident is a good thing.

How the hell I'm gonna get to Paris tho I dont' know! I've only done 20 miles and I'm knackered! and now the trip is only just over a week away and I've got to work in London next week so won't have my bike (".)

Almost there...

Well, it's now been 7 weeks since the accident and I'm feeling a lot better. Bruising from face has gone (well, almost, nothing a bit of make up can't fix, including the missing eyebrow!), but still have road rash on the knees, I reckon I'll still have that at Christmas.

As for the collar bone. Well, to say it's lumpy would be an understatement. I asked the consultant about the lump and he said... "a lump is better than a scar". For who I wonder? I'm not a bloke, I don't want to look deformed, I want to look pretty. Yes, I AM vain (".)

Physio said a "Figure of 8" brace would have helped. Shite, Shite, Shite. Asked the consultant 4 times for one of them and he said it wouldn't have made a difference. I've since found out why. Saw a picture of one and they look a whole lot more expensive than the collar and cuff they gave me. Bloody NHS. Physio said my collar bone is now slightly shorter, because it overlapped when it mended, and that I will be slightly round shouldered [cries].

Physio also said "well, the most important thing is that we get full movement back".

Er... hello???? What about all the strappy tops in my wardrobe which I now cannot wear???? They are pretty important to me too!

O well, I will at least be riding to Paris, although I haven't actually been out on the bike yet. Planning on that by the weekend.

Not exactly looking my best...

i think i need to employ an entourage to get me looking tip top, my mum's hairdressing and make up skills leave a lot to be desired (".)

at least i can still wipe my own ass which is just about all i can do LOL

That's torn it....

...or rather broken it!

I've only gone and fell off my bike and busted my collar bone!

damn it hurts! did it last sunday (excuse the typin, havin to type wiv my left hand only) when i was doin a 100 miler with Hetta, Simon and Isy. don't remember a damn thing except waking up to see a paramedic standing over me.

also have palm size gravel burns on knees, stitch in my head, grazed face and lips, elbows, hip; basically i'm pretty fooked up.

still got my medal tho and the organisers are naming that corner after me (",)

see me on tv in 10 years time. they'll be doing a documentary on me... the 50 stone woman... i'll be one of those people that is like... "well, i used to be active but then i had an accident and the weight just piled on"... (".) LOL

My knees hurt :(

I did 61 miles today. On my own too. I didn't go out until about 1.30pm and, OMG, was it windy or what?! Along one road where I normally do about 17mph I was managing about 11mph!!! That's not good. To top that, even though the wind was behind me on the way back, I had long knackered myself out and my knees started to hurt, so onto my low gears I had to go to spin it out. Hope I don't start getting knee problems like I had before. Fingers crossed my knees are just a bit strained because my legs are tired.

I even managed to get lost today (".) which was quite interesting; and the sun was shining and it was quite hot, so hopefully that will help manage to correct that stupid suntan I got the other day! (Although nothing seems to have happened yet!)

So, stats for today are:
Miles: 61.36
Average speed: 13.2 mph
Time: 4hr 38 mins
Calories: 2897
Total ascent: 2133 feet

Boo!

Oops. You're gonna laugh!

Cycling to work today, nearly there, cycling through Warwick town centre when I see Stephanie (from work) walking along the pavement. Wicked thoughts entered my mind...

Sneakily cycled up behind her on my "stealth" bike and shouts... BOO!!!

When she had stopped jumping out of her skin and turned round... turned out to be some random woman (".)

laughed my head off, shouted back, "Sorry, thought you were someone else" and cycled off quickly. She was laughing so I think she saw the funny side. Been laughing about it all day!

(another 34 miles on the clock - legs felt a bit dead today, should have done a recovery ride on Monday)

First big one of the year.

I did the Forest of Arden 60 miler today with Eva from work and Nic (Lambshanks) from the PHUK.dis Team. Simon (SBD) and Peter (Big Ears) also drove up and they did the 100 mile route. We all started together. Well, sort of, we were at the start together. A guy called Dave who is doing London to Paris also joined us. Me and Eva decided to start off a couple of minutes before them, took a wrong turn 10 mins into the ride (apparently a hedge cutter had trimmed off the arrow sending about 50 cyclists in the wrong direction) which meant the guys never caught us up and we missed the first water stop. Probably a good thing in the end bcoz I later learned that Nic got sent in the wrong direction at the first water stop adding 10 miles to his journey LOL. Mine and Eva's wrong turn knocked 4 miles off our route, but we still managed 60 (later heard the 60 is in fact 64).

Bumped into SBD and Big Ears at the 2nd water stop then unfortunately didn't see them after that. On our way to the 3rd stop saw those same little fat b*st*rd kids that I swear took the sign down last time when we got lost... and guess what... yep they were messing with a sign. Eva shouted "Leave that alone!" and they shouted back "We're putting it back"... yea, woteva! putting in back the wrong way no doubt!

When we got to the 3rd water stop Nic was havin a cuppa! so we rode the rest of the way with him. I think even Eva was slightly faster. She's pretty quick I can tell you and she did take off towards the end but I decided to let her go, although I did keep her in sight, but I was knackered, and Nic was kind of in the middle of us. And of course, they had to put one last hill in a mile before the end.

Was chatting with Nic and Oly (who works for Action Medical Research) at the end and then Nic said he thought he had seen "time trial" earlier (this total knobhead of a guy we know, "all the gear no idea" type) and did a double take. It wasn't him but lo and behold, while we are talking, the guy rides in on this bike and he was the spitting image! It was one of those classic "don't look now" moments when everyone turns round and bursts out laughing making it really obvious. Poor bloke...

Introduced Nic to Eva's husband, Dominic. Dominic is doing the dragon ride. Have a feeling that they might end up going together.

Have to say, Simon and Oly.... looking good Mmmm. heehee (",). That's the best thing about cycling... all the fit asses LOL.

So, stats for today are: 60 miles, average speed 14.5mph, 2962 calories burnt, total ascent 2289 feet.

I did wait round with Nic to see if SBD and Pete came in but Nic had to go at 4pm. I had a splitting headache by then because I'd been waiting round for 3 hours so I called my dad and he came at got me at 4.30. Found out the lads got in at 5pm but I think I would have been ill if I had waited for them. Saw Dave from work tho, he did the 100 and came in at 4.30 (he had started an hour earlier than us so the guys gained half hour on him. Dave did a 14.5mph average so I think he was pretty pleased with that).

So... next stop the 100 at Suffolk on 11th May. Watch this space.

Another 40

43 miles to be exact. Had a bit of a blast out to the other side of Leamington today. I was tempted to stretch it to almost 60 (which was the original plan) but then opted for the train back from Warwick Parkway as I don't want tired legs to go out with on Sunday. 42 was ok with my conscience today. Another reason for getting the train was that I managed to mistime my journey which meant I would have been in rush hour traffic on the way back and I couldn't be arsed with that either.

I could have cheated and vastly improved my average miles per hour by leaving my GPS computer on (",) heehee. But I didn't.

Big congrats to my mate Rob Lines (www.roblines.blogspot.com) who has just completed the South African Ironman in a little over 11 hours. He must be crazy!

Has summer finally arrived???

Rode to work yesterday in my thermals bcoz it was cold .. and then 10am... glorious sunshine. Then my boss announced that as we had all worked hard over the past few weeks, she was taking us for lunch and then we could go home. So... ended up riding home in my blouse coz it was too hot to ride back in my other gear. And... it was gorgeous! ... sun shining, rapeseed flowers blooming (am I the only person who likes the smell?).

So 34 miles for yesterday. Gorgeous sunshine today but not got chance to go out. Got tomorrow off work so will get some miles in (in the morning if I get my ass out of bed in time) then a proper training ride on Friday to get me ready for Sunday's Forest of Arden Ride (of course, you can bet your life on rain for the rest of the week).

Can't wait to see the team! (well, some of them at least)

the weekend's gone and...

I'd like to say I've trained hard, but the weather has been shite and I've sat round Clive's tonight with two other cyclists stuffing our faces on Deb's cooking... and we've come to the conclusion that four finely tuned atheletes such as ourselves don't need to train EVERY day. LOL. None of us have been out since Friday.

O well, better ride to work tomorrow.

Deb's cooking was worth slacking off!

A few more...

Managed to get a few more training rides in this week.

Wednesday I rode to work, but had to catch the train home because I needed to get home quick. Anyway, knew I was cutting it fine to catch the train and as I carried my bike up the stairs to the platform the train pulled in. Legged it up to the platform, jumped on the train.... only the wrong bloody train! Ended up in Stratford upon Avon. Doh! The best I could do was to get a train to a station 5 miles from my home so had to cycle from there and got home 1/2 hour later than I would if I had just ridden home. I was kicking myself.

Rode to work on Thursday but had to work late (11.30pm) so Security at work had to look after the bike overnight. My bosses are crap at telling me anything! If I had known it was gonna be that late I would have just ridden my old bike in. The security blokes were probably riding round the block all night on my bike :(

Dropped in to see Clive and Debbie on my cycle home last night. "Bradley" was there, some bloke they know that can do a 10 mile time trial in about 18 mins or something! (".) Said I would probably pop back on Sunday when I go out for the ride with Eva, as I only had time to stop for 1 cuppa.

One of the barristers at work sponsored me 50 quid! nice one! Turns out he's a cyclist and he loves that photo of Vicky Pendleton on her bike. Told him the truth... that I'm actually her body double LOL!

First proper training ride

20 miles. Crap time. Did it in about 1hr 25. Am I unfit or what? The people running the London Marathon today are quicker! LOL. Was windy on the way out but had a bit of a tail wind for the last 3rd of the loop. Back to London for a couple of days now, but I've busted my little suitcase so got to go shopping first!

New bits and bobs

Well, managed to get down to the bike shop today and get a new saddle. Bliss! also the bottle cages have come so I will now not die of thirst. The new saddle is white and looks the bizz on the bike.

The good news is my boss rang and she said I don't have to be back in London until Monday but can still use the hotel room tomorrow night. So I phoned Jaimina and we are going back on the train at about 4pm tomorrow, which means I will get a chance to get a good training ride in and try out the saddle. Might pop into Clive's and see if he's in. He hasn't seen the bike yet.

Did a couple of miles over to my brother's and back to show him the bike and so far so good with the saddle, but I won't really know until I've done a few good miles. Really need to put some miles in now.

O yea, forgot to say, nearly got doored on the way home! Some fecker opened his car door fully. Split second panic but managed to avoid it, with a lot of swearing to boot!

I'm back

Right, well I've been in London for a week and I'm back for a day and a half so I'll have to get a good ride in tomorrow. Of course, also need to get a new saddle and my carbon bottle cages have come and are over at my mom's.

I didn't realise just how many people commuted in London by bike! It's great to see. Hope my new job doesn't get in the way of my training tho! I will have to take the bike to London won't I? My mate Pete said he will take me to Richmond Park to train if I bring the bike. It will be an experience cycling around London. I know I will probably be spending a couple of weeks there in June so I'll have to ask the hotel if they will store it for me. Or it's been suggested I store it at the Strand in the CEO's office ha ha. Don't think he'd be too impressed!

Snow!

Snow... in April!!!

Well, it must be the excitement of a new bike, coz I've never been out in the snow before. Took at quick whizz over to Clive's to show him the bike, thought I'd surprise him but he wasn't in. Oh well, I know I could have phoned beforehand but it was as good an excuse as any to get out. Bloody cold tho, had to put me thermals on. The snow had melted off the roads by the time I got going but it was a very pretty view with it still being on everything else.

Met Dot (work colleague) and her fella Mike on the way back. I was riding through Knowle just wondering if I was going to see them and lo and behold there they were. Mike was admiring the bike. He used to cycle a lot himself. Dunno why he still doesn't do it?

The wind on the way back was something... I struggled to get 12mph in one place I usually get 16. On the way out I seemed to do more than my average. Was thinking it was the bike but now I'm not so sure it wasn't just coz I had the wind up me ass. Anyway, did about 20 miles altogether.

O yea, and I saved Baloo! Poor little Teddy on the side of the road. Must have been chucked out of the car by some kid. He is now sitting on my heater drying out :)

I've got it!

Here it is... my new bike. (naff photo sorry, I took it using my phone)

It's so light but it's weird to ride. The guy in the shop said carbon would feel dead compared to the magnesium frame I've been riding, in that I would probably feel like I wasn't going very fast but in fact I will be going faster. He's not wrong.

Everyone at work was well impressed! I took a ride home with Dave Chalmers from work yesterday. The wierdest thing... i caught him up on hills! Whoever said this bike could climb wasn't wrong because I am crap at hills. Having said that, I felt a bit sick when I got home. I did about 25 miles altogether (well, I had to deviate from my normal route to show it off to the guys in the shop and my mum!) but me and Dave did some pace and I haven't really properly ridden since November. Think I overdid it. Also, had no water coz I forgot to ask them to put bottle cages on! Doh!

I could certainly tell the difference tho when I had to pick it up on tired legs to take it up the stairs to my flat! My bag on it weighs more!

I suppose the proof will be in the pudding tho... the next time I ride it to work I will be able to see how fast it really is and what it's like over a route that I'm used to. Bad news is, I've got to work in London next week so unless I get out on it tomorrow, it will be going nowhere on it until next Saturday.

I managed to get the guys in the shop to do me a deal on a Garmin 305 bike computer. Looks quite good. It's GPS and downloads all trip info on to a map. Cool! I've put in on my bike now so may have to go out tomorrow for a ride to see how fast this thing goes! The weather forecast ain't good tho!

Need a new saddle! My arse is bruised (".) It will have to be a white one to match the bar tape. I was going to go today but I left it too late and the weather turned really bad. I only need an extra inch on that seat! May have to put my old one on from my other bike until I get a new one.

which pedals?

Seriously, when the guy in the shop handed me some pedals the other day, they were heavier than the frame on the bike! Bit pointless spending a lot of money on a light bike frame only to then load it with heavy stuff.

Thing is, I wanna wear both shoes on both bikes so pedals need to be compatible with cleats on both shoes. Ray told me the pedals would fit both even tho they were road pedals and i've got mtb cleats (??) (my other are mtb pedals) but turns out they are not Shimano pedals, just another make that fits both road and mtb cleats. No wonder they are heavy! So I had a look round on the Shimano web site and decided just to stick with the normal mountain bike double sided ones, but having the XTR which are lighter weight. They don't look quite as sleak, but who can tell when your foot's fixed to it eh? and the other advantage is I don't look a tit at cafe stops trying to walk round on road shoes and wrecking my cleats.

So... pick up the bike after work tomorrow and do my first 17 miles home, then do a round trip to work and back on Friday. Richard (workmate) has also just bought a new bike. We are comparing them on Friday. Well, he's just showing off ... yep, his was more expensive... but mine's still nicer! :) Then a ride on Saturday morning with Eva. i'm gonna be knackered!

Need to get a new lock and some insurance for the bike. Better do that tomorrow before I pick it up. Then the new shoes... then the new computer...

Expensive hobby init?!

It's here!

The shop (John Atkins in Leamington) phoned me today, my shiny new bike is here! But i can't have it until Thursday because they have to set it up. Ray asked me which side I liked my front brake. "Er....." that one got me stumped, had to think for a minute!

Red Kite (my more local bike shop) rang me. The shoes I wanted were discontinued. I told Jon at Red Kite that I would try the other shop. "The 'Other' shop?????? how rude!" Well, I told him... if he valued my custom he would have scoured the four corners of the earth for them (".)

So back to the drawing board on the shoes but I'm having spd pedals put on the new bike so i can use my current pair of shoes for now, so no rush. the new pedals are one sided (".) hope i'm okay with them. i'm used to double sided ones. O well, try them and see. Ray swears they'll look smarter.

Found out I have to work in London next week. A week's cycling down the pan then, unless i can work out how to get my bike there! Lets hope the weather holds out for the weekend.

o yea, forgot to say, managed to cycle a grand total of 6 miles yesterday :)

Don't feel so bad now...

Just phoned Crabsticks (John from Team PHUKdis) and he's told me he has beaten my non-cycling record, because he hasn't properly trained since we came back from Paris last year. I'm feeling positively fit now! Told him he's not getting out of the Arden ride on 27th tho and he needs to get on his bike

Neither of us have sent our insurance forms etc back to Action Medical Research either. And we are both doing really bad on our fundraising,,, oops.

Motivation

Well, i've signed up for London to Paris ride with Action Medical Research. see my page at www.action.org.uk/~3foot.

It's the end of March, only 4 months to go, and i've done sod all training so far (sorry sponsors) but it's not entirely my fault. i've been a bit poorly with some gastro illness type thingy, but it would seem i'm over that now. feel fine and back to work tomorrow.

to help me get motivated i've bought myself a new bike :) this little beauty here http://www.scottusa.com/gb_en/category/380/cr1
and some new shoes to match. having white bar tape put on it (bling) and should pick it up sometime next week, probably Wednesday.

so with the clocks going forwards and lighter evenings, there should be no stopping me now. fingers crossed. i have seriously got to get back on the bike now coz i've got a 100 miler at the end of April to do (".) and one to do on 11th May (".) with my team (check us out here... http://www.phuk-dis.co.uk/)