Visited by the Puncture Fairy

Actually, it was more like the blow out fairy. BANG! Thought I'd been shot! (".)

(ok, that's an exaggeration, I didn't actually think that. I thought "o shit")

Caused by the tyre rolling off the rim while I was riding. To be honest though, I changed the tube a couple of days ago and I thought the tyre had gone back on a bit easy. I did mention it to a guy at work but he said it was probably nothing to worry about. Hmmm.

O well, only took me 10 minutes to change it but then had to re-route, and ride carefully, to Red Kite cycles. 10 miles of "please don't roll off, please don't roll off" because it didn't have another inner tube on me. So, one new tyre and 2 new inner tubes later... £39 poorer. The birthday money I've been getting has eased the pain of it a bit!

Today was hot hot hot. Such a shame I got re-routed.

Windiest year on record?

I am seriously beginning to think so! For about the last two months I'm sure that the wind speed hasn't dropped below 15mph for anything more than 2 days! I'm so sick of it!

Well, anyway, I decided I can't wait anymore so braved it and rode to work on Wednesday anyway. Wasn't so bad going to work, if a little dreary from the drizzle, but the fields of yellow rapeseed flowers managed to cheer it up. They almost make it look sunny! and that smell... It's gorgeous!

But the journey home was hell! South West wind. Apparently. So I can't understand why when I snotted out my right nostril it kept landing on my face!! Surely that would be a north westerly wind when I'm cycling west? Firing it out my left nostril was cool though! Spiderman eat your heart out hee hee (",)

Why when I worked in Warwick it was always a northerly wind when I rode home, and now it's westerly? Is it just out to get me?

Total time of 3.5 hours on the bike today. Phew!

Hot Hot Hot

I dunno how hot it was today but well into the 20's. It just saps my energy! Did 38 miles, headed out through Hockley Heath, Henley and towards Stratford and then hooked a left to Snitterfield and Norton Lindsey. Haven't been that way before, it was really nice countryside and nice to have somewhere new to cycle. On the way back called in at Clive and Debbie's. Of course, Deb was cooking and she offered me Sunday dinner. Well, it would be rude to refuse wouldn't it! (",) Anyway, that boosted my energy levels for the way home, plus it had cooled down by the time I left so much more my temperature. I think I must be the only cyclist that hates heat! LOL

Brad and Amy dropped in for dinner too. Just can't make "them" out. They seem to be together, but then they don't. Open relationship? They should just get it together, they'd be good for each other.

Better get out tomorrow... I'm really slacking with my training.

Posher than I expected...

So Tafflon (from the team) came over last Sunday and we took a ride out "no matter the weather". Well, it was pouring down and sooo windy! I told him I knew a 55 mile route and there was a pub half way, so we went for it. By the time we got to the pub we were soaked through, dirty, wet, basically looked like we'd been dragged through a very wet hedge backwards.

And we walked in... and... not a pub... posh restaurant!!! Talk about look a tad out of place (".) The owner was really nice though, told us not to worry about being wet coz the seats were leather but sat us down at a posh table and did us posh double egg, bacon and chips. Fantastic!!! And there we were, looking rough as shit, with all posh people coming for their Sunday lunch (",)

And even better, the sun came out to play for the return journey, which was a very good thing coz I was shivering in the restuarant.

and a few weeks later...

... I finally get back out on the bike. Weather has been naff, if it's not raining then it's windy enough to blow you off your bike. Haven't even managed one commute to work since I last posted.

So yesterday, took a ride out to Stratford and back. First thought was... "damn, wish I hadn't had that bacon & egg sarnie before I came out"; felt a tad sick for the first half hour heehee.
It wasn't as many miles as I thought, I thought I would clock at least 45 if not 50 but only managed 38. I didn't actually go all the way into Stratford town centre, but that probably would have only made 4 mile difference. There was a couple of women on my way out, sitting on the grass verge at the top of the hill out of Henley. They looked knackered, had obviously stopped for a rest, and smiled at me knowingly... i.e. they knew I was coming back that way and would have to tackle the same hill. It is a bit of blip on the landscape but I didn't need a rest at the top. I've gone past that point now, and it's a nice feeling (",).

Got into work today and John C said that he saw me on my bike! O No... bang goes my glamour girl image! (".)