Time to reflect on the past few weeks and months.
First, spend a decent amount of money on a new bike. Then spend a fair amount more on bits and pieces for the new bike. Then, today, take bike apart (somewhat randomly in the end) and shove him (with, ultimately, more brute force than care and attention) into a box and hand him over to a random courier to send him off to where he needs to be on Saturday. Where I get to try and put Humpty back together again... Well, that's one way to randomly fling a lot of good and bad money out the window!
I cannot truly express how stressful today was. I've never taken a bike apart before (frankly, I still find it somewhat anachronistic - I mean, I'm paying for a bike that works, not bike bits). In theory it is relatively simple. In practise... The first thing that you have to do is to remove the pedals. After several hours - and one broken spanner! - I had a bit of a meltdown. Possibly even a mini panic attack. In the end, I had to drive Boris to the bike shop where they (now fully convinced that I am the weirdest person that they've ever met) removed the pedals for me. With a bike spanner (only £10 at all good stockists! No, I didn't buy one), and more brute force than my puny arms would ever be able to apply to the problem.
Then there was the taking off of the wheels (which I managed, although I was kind of hoping not to have to do - no idea how to get the chain back on the sprockets... But since I can barely work them, will it matter if I don't have working gears?). And the removal of the handlebars (not as tricky as the other bits, but I doubt that I'll ever get the cables sorted again). And then, after much desperately trying to convince Boris that he did indeed fit in the box, removal of the front mudguard (which I paid for someone to put on in the first place!).
Then, somewhat desperate, I tried to fit all these bits into the one (really quite large box). And they kind of wouldn't go. I tried to be sensible about it, but after a few hours, I ended up shoving. I rather suspect there are quite a few delicate parts on Boris which will not be non-functional. And so if he arrives as scheduled (and the courier people were rather blase about the whole thing...) and I get him out of the box AND I work out how to put him back together... Odds on, he still won't work. Note to self: don't do this again. The stress alone may kill you!
As I clutch my caffeine-free (and allegedly soothing) cup of chamomile tea (hmph), I do have to wonder (again) what on earth I think that I'm doing...?
(@_O)
Today's stats
Taking Boris apart and putting him in a box - not sure how to measure this, but I was dripping with sweat by the end...
Monday's stats
Cycling (in gym) - 1 hr 0 mins, 11.2 miles [hill intervals at Level 3]
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Monday, 29 July 2013
135. Nor any drop to drink
Hmmm. The Good Lord moves in mysterious ways...
First he sent torrential rains and floods for most of Sunday. Well, all right, I can work round that...
Then he sent a slightly... Querulous stomach, which is odd as I've been trying very hard to eat very good foods at regular intervals (am now sick of chicken and salmon). Well, OK, there was some cake yesterday, but the stomach likes cake. Or, at least, I like cake and the stomach is expected to follow suit. Anyway, not a massive problem as can wait out the floods while waiting for stomach to get over itself.
Finally decided to do my hours in the saddle in the gym today - the torrential rain passed over eventually, but then the light was fading at an alarming rate. 3 hours or so on a bike in the gym - very dull, but do-able. And if I do intervals (hills every so often) then it won't be quite so unrepresentative of proper cycling.
Or so one might think. First issue - the bike will only let you set a ride for up to 99 mins. Okay... I can do a 90-min cycle followed by another 90-min cycle: not as easy to keep track of the distance, but only 2 numbers to add together. Second issue - bike decided it had had enough after about an hour (and I wasn't paying strict attention, and so I know I'd definitely done at least an hour's cycling at this point) and re-set itself. Okay... Set off on another 90-min "hilly" ride. This one stops after 40 or so mins (I was paying closer attention at this point). Set off on another "hilly" ride - stops after 20 mins. Quite vexed by this point (it's not as if I really want to be slogging through mile after mile on the stupid static bike) I try again. After 28 mins another re-set occurred and I had had quite enough, and stropped off home so that the bike would know that I was very unhappy with it.
Obviously, I had misunderstood the master plan for today. I should just have stayed at home on the sofa, every so often watching a video explaining how to take Boris apart for transport. Obviously. But it's too late now, and so I'll just have to go to bed and try again tomorrow...
(@_@)
Today's stats
Cycling (in gym) - ~2 hrs 28 mins, ~26.5 miles [2 hours hill intervals at Levels 1, 2, 3 and 5; 25 mins flat at Level 4]
Saturday's stats
Walking - 24 mins, 1.81 miles
First he sent torrential rains and floods for most of Sunday. Well, all right, I can work round that...
Then he sent a slightly... Querulous stomach, which is odd as I've been trying very hard to eat very good foods at regular intervals (am now sick of chicken and salmon). Well, OK, there was some cake yesterday, but the stomach likes cake. Or, at least, I like cake and the stomach is expected to follow suit. Anyway, not a massive problem as can wait out the floods while waiting for stomach to get over itself.
Finally decided to do my hours in the saddle in the gym today - the torrential rain passed over eventually, but then the light was fading at an alarming rate. 3 hours or so on a bike in the gym - very dull, but do-able. And if I do intervals (hills every so often) then it won't be quite so unrepresentative of proper cycling.
Or so one might think. First issue - the bike will only let you set a ride for up to 99 mins. Okay... I can do a 90-min cycle followed by another 90-min cycle: not as easy to keep track of the distance, but only 2 numbers to add together. Second issue - bike decided it had had enough after about an hour (and I wasn't paying strict attention, and so I know I'd definitely done at least an hour's cycling at this point) and re-set itself. Okay... Set off on another 90-min "hilly" ride. This one stops after 40 or so mins (I was paying closer attention at this point). Set off on another "hilly" ride - stops after 20 mins. Quite vexed by this point (it's not as if I really want to be slogging through mile after mile on the stupid static bike) I try again. After 28 mins another re-set occurred and I had had quite enough, and stropped off home so that the bike would know that I was very unhappy with it.
Obviously, I had misunderstood the master plan for today. I should just have stayed at home on the sofa, every so often watching a video explaining how to take Boris apart for transport. Obviously. But it's too late now, and so I'll just have to go to bed and try again tomorrow...
(@_@)
Today's stats
Cycling (in gym) - ~2 hrs 28 mins, ~26.5 miles [2 hours hill intervals at Levels 1, 2, 3 and 5; 25 mins flat at Level 4]
Saturday's stats
Walking - 24 mins, 1.81 miles
Saturday, 27 July 2013
134. The gift of experience
For clarity, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify and define what I consider to be "fun" activities. What I would genuinely prefer to be spending my time doing. Which can pretty much be summed up as lying on a sun lounger beside a pool in the Caribbean with a cocktail in one hand and a book in the other. Now that's my idea of a good time...
Those labouring under the misapprehension that I expect to enjoy the random challenges that I sign up to - let alone the endless training that they all seem to involve - should think again. This isn't for fun, it's for charity, dammit! And, you know, various things like not eating myself into an early grave (*yawn*)...
Much fraught consideration today of whether my training has been sufficient to: (a) complete the 100-mile distance; (b) complete the distance within the 9-hour cut-off; and (c) indicate any real aptitude at cycling (i.e. are the "falling off" episodes a thing of the past?!).
There are 2 distinct schools of thought on this: (1) no to all the above (which I fear to be the case); (2) yes to all the above (which I hope to be the case). Weight is given to school 2 by the fact that I did manage to complete a marathon "run" last year and also then didn't relapse back onto my (dearly beloved) sofa; weight is given to school 1 by the fact that I haven't cycled over 20-ish miles yet in one go and haven't yet experienced cycling in groups (or indeed feeding on the bike)... I am sort of dementedly lurching from one school to the other whilst trying to remember to do minor things (like organise insurance for Boris!) and gracefully carry on with everything else in life (erm, work, mostly).
Of course, if I didn't cycle like a demented bumble bee (all my power is in my left leg, all my control in my right arm - you try going forward in a straight line!) then it might help. A bit. But just when you thought all hope was gone...
Discussion today on training, cycling, food, etc with one of the at-work cycling gurus (Ironman) elicited the information that you don't have to steer a bike with the handlebars - rather you just lean your shoulders and the bike follows. I've been cycling Boris rather like driving a car (and I do remember having to actually learn to turn the wheel to make the car move left or right...). Ironman sent me off to practise this new knowledge. And so I did. Carefully. I can be a bit literal, and so I didn't do anything with my shoulders - but when I wanted to go round a right-hand bend I bent my right elbow (keeping my left elbow/arm straight) and this automatically tipped my should in the correct direction. And it worked. Every. Single. Time! This does now mean that I can carry speed round corners (and thus terrify myself even more than usual) rather than brake carefully to ensure that I make the turn... But basically it just amused me for the whole ride tonight that it worked.
Who knows what I'll have learned how to do (which I'm sure your average 12-year-old boy already knows) by the time next weekend comes around?!
:oD
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 9 mins, 13.3 miles [same route, yet another distance. Ah, the joys of technology!]
Those labouring under the misapprehension that I expect to enjoy the random challenges that I sign up to - let alone the endless training that they all seem to involve - should think again. This isn't for fun, it's for charity, dammit! And, you know, various things like not eating myself into an early grave (*yawn*)...
Much fraught consideration today of whether my training has been sufficient to: (a) complete the 100-mile distance; (b) complete the distance within the 9-hour cut-off; and (c) indicate any real aptitude at cycling (i.e. are the "falling off" episodes a thing of the past?!).
There are 2 distinct schools of thought on this: (1) no to all the above (which I fear to be the case); (2) yes to all the above (which I hope to be the case). Weight is given to school 2 by the fact that I did manage to complete a marathon "run" last year and also then didn't relapse back onto my (dearly beloved) sofa; weight is given to school 1 by the fact that I haven't cycled over 20-ish miles yet in one go and haven't yet experienced cycling in groups (or indeed feeding on the bike)... I am sort of dementedly lurching from one school to the other whilst trying to remember to do minor things (like organise insurance for Boris!) and gracefully carry on with everything else in life (erm, work, mostly).
Of course, if I didn't cycle like a demented bumble bee (all my power is in my left leg, all my control in my right arm - you try going forward in a straight line!) then it might help. A bit. But just when you thought all hope was gone...
Discussion today on training, cycling, food, etc with one of the at-work cycling gurus (Ironman) elicited the information that you don't have to steer a bike with the handlebars - rather you just lean your shoulders and the bike follows. I've been cycling Boris rather like driving a car (and I do remember having to actually learn to turn the wheel to make the car move left or right...). Ironman sent me off to practise this new knowledge. And so I did. Carefully. I can be a bit literal, and so I didn't do anything with my shoulders - but when I wanted to go round a right-hand bend I bent my right elbow (keeping my left elbow/arm straight) and this automatically tipped my should in the correct direction. And it worked. Every. Single. Time! This does now mean that I can carry speed round corners (and thus terrify myself even more than usual) rather than brake carefully to ensure that I make the turn... But basically it just amused me for the whole ride tonight that it worked.
Who knows what I'll have learned how to do (which I'm sure your average 12-year-old boy already knows) by the time next weekend comes around?!
:oD
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 9 mins, 13.3 miles [same route, yet another distance. Ah, the joys of technology!]
Friday, 26 July 2013
133. Mostly on the plain
The weather has turned sultry, I believe is the right word. Whereas last week I was bemoaning all the lovely sunshine (too hot! Too hot!), this week we have nice cooling thunderstorms and torrential rain. I am going to keep my thoughts on the weather to myself from now on... While I am not allowed to not cycle because of rain (this isn't running, you know), I do draw the line at cycling in torrential downpours. Not least because it turns my cycle route to work into a standing-water-covered hazard.
So, with the excuse for not cycling to work and back today out of the way, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank various people. Firstly the couple wandering the (wide) cyclepath/walkway this evening with their 3 dogs (not on leads): my thanks for giving me the opportunity to actually hit a dog while out cycling. I was kind of hoping to avoid it, and certainly I'm proud of my brakes (when I say "hit" I mean "touch on the side with my front wheel after a desperate bit of emergency braking"). Thankfully, you had the good sense to chide the dog for being "silly" rather than remonstrate with me at that time (oh, yes, it was the dog's fault. Uh-huh). And extra special thanks to the lovely man further up the path who informed me as I cycled past that if I use my bell in future I won't be hitting any more dogs. I've thought of a lot of pithy responses since then, much better than my "I shouted 'excuse me' several times!" in actual response... Probably just as well that I was on my bike and anxious to get home (which I nearly was) at the time...
Although, it might indeed be an idea to have a working bell on my bike. After several weeks of assuming that I couldn't work the bell, it is now apparent that it's broken. I've never actually used it (did it ever work), but after multiple off-bike excursions, I have to assume that I have managed to break it in something rather less than anger. I refuse - refuse! - to buy any more damned cycling kit, though.
I may steal Aggie's bell and transfer it across to Boris... She'll never notice...
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 7 mins, 13.29 miles [same route as yesterday, different distance. Go figure...]
So, with the excuse for not cycling to work and back today out of the way, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank various people. Firstly the couple wandering the (wide) cyclepath/walkway this evening with their 3 dogs (not on leads): my thanks for giving me the opportunity to actually hit a dog while out cycling. I was kind of hoping to avoid it, and certainly I'm proud of my brakes (when I say "hit" I mean "touch on the side with my front wheel after a desperate bit of emergency braking"). Thankfully, you had the good sense to chide the dog for being "silly" rather than remonstrate with me at that time (oh, yes, it was the dog's fault. Uh-huh). And extra special thanks to the lovely man further up the path who informed me as I cycled past that if I use my bell in future I won't be hitting any more dogs. I've thought of a lot of pithy responses since then, much better than my "I shouted 'excuse me' several times!" in actual response... Probably just as well that I was on my bike and anxious to get home (which I nearly was) at the time...
Although, it might indeed be an idea to have a working bell on my bike. After several weeks of assuming that I couldn't work the bell, it is now apparent that it's broken. I've never actually used it (did it ever work), but after multiple off-bike excursions, I have to assume that I have managed to break it in something rather less than anger. I refuse - refuse! - to buy any more damned cycling kit, though.
I may steal Aggie's bell and transfer it across to Boris... She'll never notice...
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 7 mins, 13.29 miles [same route as yesterday, different distance. Go figure...]
Thursday, 25 July 2013
132. New boots
So Boris went off to the shop to get himself some new boots at the weekend. (Aaargh! More new stuff! There goes next year's holiday too...). Boris appears to like his new boots. I, however, am not so enamoured. Road tyres are so thin and weedy - I liked the wider knobbly tyres that he had before... And of course, new inner tubes were required as well, which meant new spare inner tubes were required also. I now have 4 spare inner tubes, of varying sizes, and still no real idea what I'm supposed to do with any of them. Hey, ho.
I did enquire as to whether I could get new wheels too (in for a penny, in for many, many pounds). But apparently this is not a good idea: there's some wear thing that happens and unless you're changing wheels all the time then the wheels and, uh, whatever don't wear at the same rate. Or something. The man in the shop quite sincerely informed me that it was much better to just change the tyres, and that that was really something that I should learn to do. He laughed - laughed! - when I informed him that this was something that I was actively trying not to do. Hmph.
The point of all this added expenditure was to gain some speed. Brought about by a conversation with one of my cycling gurus where my intention to do the RideLondon thingy using my existing tyres was described as "brave". Huge warning signs appeared upon hearing this comment - "brave" would indicate a trickier route being taken - and thus the plan to change to proper road tyres was born. Never let it be said that I knowingly passed up an easier route to any given goal...
In other news I have - after much panicking - finally secured myself a bike box (for the shipping of Boris around and about). Yay! Unfortunately now that I have the bike box I have discovered that it doesn't really fit in my car (*sigh*), at least not without much re-designing of the interior of the car. But that's a relatively simple problem compared to still not knowing how to disassemble Boris so that he fits into the box... Problem for another day, I think.
:o}
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 7 mins, 13.32 miles [speed entirely due to new tyres...]
I did enquire as to whether I could get new wheels too (in for a penny, in for many, many pounds). But apparently this is not a good idea: there's some wear thing that happens and unless you're changing wheels all the time then the wheels and, uh, whatever don't wear at the same rate. Or something. The man in the shop quite sincerely informed me that it was much better to just change the tyres, and that that was really something that I should learn to do. He laughed - laughed! - when I informed him that this was something that I was actively trying not to do. Hmph.
The point of all this added expenditure was to gain some speed. Brought about by a conversation with one of my cycling gurus where my intention to do the RideLondon thingy using my existing tyres was described as "brave". Huge warning signs appeared upon hearing this comment - "brave" would indicate a trickier route being taken - and thus the plan to change to proper road tyres was born. Never let it be said that I knowingly passed up an easier route to any given goal...
In other news I have - after much panicking - finally secured myself a bike box (for the shipping of Boris around and about). Yay! Unfortunately now that I have the bike box I have discovered that it doesn't really fit in my car (*sigh*), at least not without much re-designing of the interior of the car. But that's a relatively simple problem compared to still not knowing how to disassemble Boris so that he fits into the box... Problem for another day, I think.
:o}
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 7 mins, 13.32 miles [speed entirely due to new tyres...]
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
131. Locusts, fire, floods and contact lenses
Another pootle along the seafront, another rather slower than expected result. Delays caused by cobbles, roadworks, people in the way (and deaf to polite "Excuse me, please!" pleas), dogs, a stiff cross-wind and...
My contact lenses. A new addition to the endless list of why I am so slow at this cycling lark. Welcome them warmly!! Early in my ride - still in sight of the house, in fact (ah, the irony) - I got something in my eye and my contact lens did not like this. It then started creating (cue sudden stop as vision distinctly lacking) and ultimately "went missing". After several minutes of rubbing and gurning (and possibly due to the level of invective being heaped upon its head) the contact lens decided to return from hiding. And I resumed my trek...
In other news, I am attempting to reduce my daily caffeine intake. No, really. I am! Obviously, coffee remains a constant of my working day (consciousness being vital) but of an evening now I am embracing the opportunity to try out various caffeine-free beverages. All of which seem to have somewhat miraculous powers (they don't actually claim to be able to bring about world peace, but it can only be a matter of time). In practise this means that I am embracing the "delights" of teas which I have previously generically referred to as "weird sh** tea". How the mighty are fallen... I can't say that I can find much to object to chamomile or even nettle (nettle?!?!) tea, although I do suspect that I am now paying rather a lot of money for lightly coloured and perfumed hot water...
The ultimate purpose of this caffeine-reduction is to make taking caffeine more effective on race day... Indeed, I may need to embrace a few days of even less caffeine in the immediate build-up... Never let it be said that I don't make sacrifices for my, er, art...
(^_^)
Today's stats
Walking - 24 mins, 1.38 miles [literary ramblings]
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 10 mins, 11.46 miles [once more included walking as a fun "extra"]
My contact lenses. A new addition to the endless list of why I am so slow at this cycling lark. Welcome them warmly!! Early in my ride - still in sight of the house, in fact (ah, the irony) - I got something in my eye and my contact lens did not like this. It then started creating (cue sudden stop as vision distinctly lacking) and ultimately "went missing". After several minutes of rubbing and gurning (and possibly due to the level of invective being heaped upon its head) the contact lens decided to return from hiding. And I resumed my trek...
In other news, I am attempting to reduce my daily caffeine intake. No, really. I am! Obviously, coffee remains a constant of my working day (consciousness being vital) but of an evening now I am embracing the opportunity to try out various caffeine-free beverages. All of which seem to have somewhat miraculous powers (they don't actually claim to be able to bring about world peace, but it can only be a matter of time). In practise this means that I am embracing the "delights" of teas which I have previously generically referred to as "weird sh** tea". How the mighty are fallen... I can't say that I can find much to object to chamomile or even nettle (nettle?!?!) tea, although I do suspect that I am now paying rather a lot of money for lightly coloured and perfumed hot water...
The ultimate purpose of this caffeine-reduction is to make taking caffeine more effective on race day... Indeed, I may need to embrace a few days of even less caffeine in the immediate build-up... Never let it be said that I don't make sacrifices for my, er, art...
(^_^)
Today's stats
Walking - 24 mins, 1.38 miles [literary ramblings]
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 10 mins, 11.46 miles [once more included walking as a fun "extra"]
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
130. Closed for renovation
So I was getting bored with the normal route and decided to be adventurous tonight. New route (fingers crossed tightly that I wouldn't get lost) planned, Boris unleashed, flatter and thus hopefully faster time before me!
Or not...
Several things got between me and proof that I can actually average the mandated 12 miles per hour:
1) cobbles. Neither I nor Boris were impressed by the cobbles (and there were an alarming number)... The cycle-route planners strike again!
2) dogs. Or rather dog owners. Or, specifically, dog owners standing on one side of the wide esplanade while their dog is having fun on the other side - and stretching the adjustable lead between the two sides. That's not at all dangerous and indeed just plain inconsiderate to all other users of said esplanade...
3) roadworks. Yes, indeed, the council continues its hate strategy. Not one, not two, but three (3!!) sets of roadworks between me and where I was trying to go tonight... I actually had to walk around one set... Taking to the bike was supposed to defeat the council's works against me, not give them more scope!!
Other than that... It was quite nice (pleasant view), but it's obvious that the nights are drawing in now (aargh!). It's getting harder to get out after work and back again before dusk has started to turn to night. Sunset over the water is nice, but also somewhat alarming when you're still quite a way from home...
Tomorrow I return to the cycle-to-work-and-back madness... Although with that particular set of roadworks gone it should now be slightly quicker as there are a whole 2 miles less to travel! It's the small things in life which bring us true pleasure...
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 7 mins, 11.41 miles [included walking as a fun "extra"]
Saturday's stats
Walking - 26 mins, 1.5 miles [Home from the train station after a very fun day out]
Or not...
Several things got between me and proof that I can actually average the mandated 12 miles per hour:
1) cobbles. Neither I nor Boris were impressed by the cobbles (and there were an alarming number)... The cycle-route planners strike again!
2) dogs. Or rather dog owners. Or, specifically, dog owners standing on one side of the wide esplanade while their dog is having fun on the other side - and stretching the adjustable lead between the two sides. That's not at all dangerous and indeed just plain inconsiderate to all other users of said esplanade...
3) roadworks. Yes, indeed, the council continues its hate strategy. Not one, not two, but three (3!!) sets of roadworks between me and where I was trying to go tonight... I actually had to walk around one set... Taking to the bike was supposed to defeat the council's works against me, not give them more scope!!
Other than that... It was quite nice (pleasant view), but it's obvious that the nights are drawing in now (aargh!). It's getting harder to get out after work and back again before dusk has started to turn to night. Sunset over the water is nice, but also somewhat alarming when you're still quite a way from home...
Tomorrow I return to the cycle-to-work-and-back madness... Although with that particular set of roadworks gone it should now be slightly quicker as there are a whole 2 miles less to travel! It's the small things in life which bring us true pleasure...
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 7 mins, 11.41 miles [included walking as a fun "extra"]
Saturday's stats
Walking - 26 mins, 1.5 miles [Home from the train station after a very fun day out]
Friday, 12 July 2013
129. Change is as good as a rest
Sticking with the nature theme (not entirely sure how that started - it hopefully won't last long), it would appear that the ants have finally tired of Broom Wars and have retired the field. Either that or they are playing a damned fine game of Hide and Seek. Could go either way, really...
Have decided that I can only worry about so much at once (other people know this instinctively, I need to spend significant time to work this out) and my current focus is distance on the cycling front. Yes, the time issue is a concern (given RideLondon are very firm on cut-off times, and I appear to be way slower than the required minimum), but at the very least I need to be sure that I can cover the distance at all.
To that end, went out to cycle towards work and back home again. Nights are drawing in and so I'm running out of time in the evening to get out and back in daylight. Yes, I have bike lights. Sadly, Boris does not - Aggie (who has still not left the kitchen) is queen of the lights. I should probably do something about that... Anyway, went out for a decent time/distance, and discovered that - much to my shock - the council appear to have finished their roadworks! The fun 2-mile diversion is gone!
I am quite happy about this (shorter route to work!) but also thinking - now I don't know how to get to work (*sigh*) and, also, maybe the old route was better for training? It's a quandary... One which I don't need - the council does indeed hate me. The problem being that without the diversion signs, the longer route is a completely random route through featureless countryside (*yawn*) - if I try to find it by myself I am likely to end up circling aimlessly for hours (technically a good thing from the training point of view, but could get old very quickly).
Still, I can't say that I'll honestly miss the kamikaze sheep. They might have livened up an otherwise dull route, but I have enough issues with kerbs as it is. Not to mention drinking from my water bottle while on the bike and yet still maintaining a relatively straight line... More practise required!
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 34 mins, 15.98 miles [out and home again, confused by the lack of diversion]
Walking - 21 mins, 1.32 miles [regular as clockwork]
Have decided that I can only worry about so much at once (other people know this instinctively, I need to spend significant time to work this out) and my current focus is distance on the cycling front. Yes, the time issue is a concern (given RideLondon are very firm on cut-off times, and I appear to be way slower than the required minimum), but at the very least I need to be sure that I can cover the distance at all.
To that end, went out to cycle towards work and back home again. Nights are drawing in and so I'm running out of time in the evening to get out and back in daylight. Yes, I have bike lights. Sadly, Boris does not - Aggie (who has still not left the kitchen) is queen of the lights. I should probably do something about that... Anyway, went out for a decent time/distance, and discovered that - much to my shock - the council appear to have finished their roadworks! The fun 2-mile diversion is gone!
I am quite happy about this (shorter route to work!) but also thinking - now I don't know how to get to work (*sigh*) and, also, maybe the old route was better for training? It's a quandary... One which I don't need - the council does indeed hate me. The problem being that without the diversion signs, the longer route is a completely random route through featureless countryside (*yawn*) - if I try to find it by myself I am likely to end up circling aimlessly for hours (technically a good thing from the training point of view, but could get old very quickly).
Still, I can't say that I'll honestly miss the kamikaze sheep. They might have livened up an otherwise dull route, but I have enough issues with kerbs as it is. Not to mention drinking from my water bottle while on the bike and yet still maintaining a relatively straight line... More practise required!
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 34 mins, 15.98 miles [out and home again, confused by the lack of diversion]
Walking - 21 mins, 1.32 miles [regular as clockwork]
128. All creatures great and small
Ants have discovered my front door. Or, rather, ways around it (I'm assuming under it, but anything's possible). Finding a few of the little critters wandering aimlessly about my front hall the other day I decided to be kind and merciful, and to enhance the Zen me who has been sadly lacking of late, and swept them up to release them back into the wild...
Sadly, my new ant friends seem to have interpreted this as some sort of game, and over the past few days have consistently made there way back into the front hall only to be swept up and escorted back out again. If this goes on for much longer I may lose my Zen focus and start stomping... Luckily, there are never very many of them and so I have not felt any need to resort to, well, chemical-based eradication of their entire hive!!!!! *ahem* Sorry, insane despot mode clicked on there for a moment.
Also, when driving home the other day I encountered a seagull in the middle of the road which both I and another car found ourselves carefully driving around. This is unusual (they usually fly away), but this seagull was pacing back and forward in the middle of the road with no intention of shifting. So we drove round his pesky vermin ass. Looking in the mirror as I drove away, I discovered what had so fixated him: he was attempting to drag the squashed corpse of a pigeon from the middle of the road off to, well, somewhere else.
Ah, the beauties of nature in all her glory!
Other than that, I've done some cycling. Probably not enough. Or the wrong sort. Or not hard enough. I'm feeling quite inadequate at the moment. As ever not helped by the RideLondon people. They have finally sent information out about the courier service... To use it I need a bike box (which I don't have) and need to disassemble my bike (which I don't know how to do) and then reassemble it again in London. Oh, and do so in reverse within 2 hours of the end of the RideLondon tosh to ensure that it gets sent back to me again (as ever, at a time convenient to the courier). So, that's a couple of extra days leave (to take it to the courier, and then to be in to receive it back), yet more money (both for the courier service and for a bike box), and yet another new skill to be learned in a hurry (take bike apart and then put back together. So that it works. For ~105 miles minimum).
Inadequate indeed! Why am I doing this...??!
(@_@)
Today's stats
Cycling (in the gym) - 1 hr 0 mins, 12.4 miles [Level 5]
Wednesday's stats
Walking - 24 mins, 1.35 miles [ahoy the library!]
Sadly, my new ant friends seem to have interpreted this as some sort of game, and over the past few days have consistently made there way back into the front hall only to be swept up and escorted back out again. If this goes on for much longer I may lose my Zen focus and start stomping... Luckily, there are never very many of them and so I have not felt any need to resort to, well, chemical-based eradication of their entire hive!!!!! *ahem* Sorry, insane despot mode clicked on there for a moment.
Also, when driving home the other day I encountered a seagull in the middle of the road which both I and another car found ourselves carefully driving around. This is unusual (they usually fly away), but this seagull was pacing back and forward in the middle of the road with no intention of shifting. So we drove round his pesky vermin ass. Looking in the mirror as I drove away, I discovered what had so fixated him: he was attempting to drag the squashed corpse of a pigeon from the middle of the road off to, well, somewhere else.
Ah, the beauties of nature in all her glory!
Other than that, I've done some cycling. Probably not enough. Or the wrong sort. Or not hard enough. I'm feeling quite inadequate at the moment. As ever not helped by the RideLondon people. They have finally sent information out about the courier service... To use it I need a bike box (which I don't have) and need to disassemble my bike (which I don't know how to do) and then reassemble it again in London. Oh, and do so in reverse within 2 hours of the end of the RideLondon tosh to ensure that it gets sent back to me again (as ever, at a time convenient to the courier). So, that's a couple of extra days leave (to take it to the courier, and then to be in to receive it back), yet more money (both for the courier service and for a bike box), and yet another new skill to be learned in a hurry (take bike apart and then put back together. So that it works. For ~105 miles minimum).
Inadequate indeed! Why am I doing this...??!
(@_@)
Today's stats
Cycling (in the gym) - 1 hr 0 mins, 12.4 miles [Level 5]
Wednesday's stats
Walking - 24 mins, 1.35 miles [ahoy the library!]
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
127. Onward! Ish...
Hmm....
This weekend was supposed to be all about endurance training (seem to have managed to not do any of that yet - oops!). But...
There was sport on TV (Tour de France! Formula 1! And some sort of tennis thingy...) which it seems that I absolutely had to watch... And it was hot and sunny (too hot to cycle - I might melt...). And...
RideLondon sent out another missive on how to be prepared for the big day. Which I found about as reassuring as hearing drill noises when entering a dentist's. Basically, I retreated into my cave and tried to pretend that if I hid inside where no one could see me then everything would be OK. Patently this strategy does not have legs, but it rather explains away my lack of activity this weekend.
On the other hand, I got lots of other things done. I took Boris to the shop (for a routine check-up - he's apparently fine. For a given definition of fine...). Bought more cycling stuff that I really don't know what to do with (but is important to have to hand); included in this were some road tyres for young Boris - not fitting them yet, but will do before the big day in the desperate hope that this will magically bring me some speed. RideLondon very firm on cut-off times all the way round the route... Got to get out of the way of the professionals, you know... Hmph.
Also went to the cinema - saw "Man of Steel". Not too bad for a Superman movie, but... I'm really not a fan of Big Blue (he's such a boy scout!). General Zod was great though; and Russell Crowe got a lot of very nice screen time for a dead man!
Oh, and I got my hair cut. So it's not like I did absolutely nothing... But in the grand scheme of things, and with the best will in the world, a new haircut is unlikely to really assist me in cycling 100 miles (102 with the stupid rolling start)...
Darnit!!
:o}
Today's stats
Cycling (in the gym) - 1 hr 0 mins, 12.2 miles [better than nothing...]
Walking - 42 mins, 2.55 miles [Round and about]
Saturday's stats
Walking - 27 mins, 1.54 miles [around]
Walking - 21 mins, 1.3 miles [about]
Walking - 21 mins, 1.32 miles [and back again]
This weekend was supposed to be all about endurance training (seem to have managed to not do any of that yet - oops!). But...
There was sport on TV (Tour de France! Formula 1! And some sort of tennis thingy...) which it seems that I absolutely had to watch... And it was hot and sunny (too hot to cycle - I might melt...). And...
RideLondon sent out another missive on how to be prepared for the big day. Which I found about as reassuring as hearing drill noises when entering a dentist's. Basically, I retreated into my cave and tried to pretend that if I hid inside where no one could see me then everything would be OK. Patently this strategy does not have legs, but it rather explains away my lack of activity this weekend.
On the other hand, I got lots of other things done. I took Boris to the shop (for a routine check-up - he's apparently fine. For a given definition of fine...). Bought more cycling stuff that I really don't know what to do with (but is important to have to hand); included in this were some road tyres for young Boris - not fitting them yet, but will do before the big day in the desperate hope that this will magically bring me some speed. RideLondon very firm on cut-off times all the way round the route... Got to get out of the way of the professionals, you know... Hmph.
Also went to the cinema - saw "Man of Steel". Not too bad for a Superman movie, but... I'm really not a fan of Big Blue (he's such a boy scout!). General Zod was great though; and Russell Crowe got a lot of very nice screen time for a dead man!
Oh, and I got my hair cut. So it's not like I did absolutely nothing... But in the grand scheme of things, and with the best will in the world, a new haircut is unlikely to really assist me in cycling 100 miles (102 with the stupid rolling start)...
Darnit!!
:o}
Today's stats
Cycling (in the gym) - 1 hr 0 mins, 12.2 miles [better than nothing...]
Walking - 42 mins, 2.55 miles [Round and about]
Saturday's stats
Walking - 27 mins, 1.54 miles [around]
Walking - 21 mins, 1.3 miles [about]
Walking - 21 mins, 1.32 miles [and back again]
Saturday, 6 July 2013
126. Designed to cycle
I do wonder what cycle-route designers are thinking when they plan the route out. I suspect there are meeting that are chock-full of conversations like this:
"So, we've got a really long downhill section here..."
"Ah, yes, picking up a lot of speed. Nice wide road."
"So I'm thinking, at the end, there should probably be a tight right turn..."
"Just the ticket!"
"Onto a narrow uphill path?"
"That's perfect! They'll love that!!"
I mean, that's how such conversations must go given the prevalence of such things on cycle routes (albeit that I've really only experienced one at length). My particular favourite is the tight left turn onto a short narrow path that goes up and then sharply down straight onto barriers before a pedestrian crossing on a busy road. All the fun of the fair!! And don't get me started on semi-vertical descents terminating in a narrow road with lots of parked cars and bollards... Oh, the bollards... Cycling skills increasing exponentially due to the fact that my only other option is certain death.
Not enjoying the super-fast downhill sections on my route to work. I can take the uphill bits (horrid as they are) but I'd rather not go downhill again straight afterwards. Quite terrified by the whole experience. I am trying not to sit on my brakes, but sitting and/or standing up to reduce speed is just not sufficient for me... I like my speed solely when enclosed in a nice big steel box with lots of padding and safety features...
Still, cycling routes (or at least my present one) do enable one to enjoy some interesting road signs. "Beware local estate traffic" is a good one (works in both town and city - although with somewhat different meanings). Another is "Please drive carefully - lambs on road". And they are indeed on the road. This side. No, that side. No, I was right the first time... I have discovered that: (a) sheep do "baa", and quite loudly; (b) Sheep will leap onto and across the road at will, and shouting at them has no effect.
After a day of constant braking in terror, I'm off for a stiff drink and a lie down...
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 2 hrs 0 mins, 20.29 miles [not too bad, could have been better...]
"So, we've got a really long downhill section here..."
"Ah, yes, picking up a lot of speed. Nice wide road."
"So I'm thinking, at the end, there should probably be a tight right turn..."
"Just the ticket!"
"Onto a narrow uphill path?"
"That's perfect! They'll love that!!"
I mean, that's how such conversations must go given the prevalence of such things on cycle routes (albeit that I've really only experienced one at length). My particular favourite is the tight left turn onto a short narrow path that goes up and then sharply down straight onto barriers before a pedestrian crossing on a busy road. All the fun of the fair!! And don't get me started on semi-vertical descents terminating in a narrow road with lots of parked cars and bollards... Oh, the bollards... Cycling skills increasing exponentially due to the fact that my only other option is certain death.
Not enjoying the super-fast downhill sections on my route to work. I can take the uphill bits (horrid as they are) but I'd rather not go downhill again straight afterwards. Quite terrified by the whole experience. I am trying not to sit on my brakes, but sitting and/or standing up to reduce speed is just not sufficient for me... I like my speed solely when enclosed in a nice big steel box with lots of padding and safety features...
Still, cycling routes (or at least my present one) do enable one to enjoy some interesting road signs. "Beware local estate traffic" is a good one (works in both town and city - although with somewhat different meanings). Another is "Please drive carefully - lambs on road". And they are indeed on the road. This side. No, that side. No, I was right the first time... I have discovered that: (a) sheep do "baa", and quite loudly; (b) Sheep will leap onto and across the road at will, and shouting at them has no effect.
After a day of constant braking in terror, I'm off for a stiff drink and a lie down...
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 2 hrs 0 mins, 20.29 miles [not too bad, could have been better...]
Friday, 5 July 2013
125. Curiouser and curiouser
So... I know that you're all desperate for an update on the puffy face situation. Well, after a bit of a think, I read the "possible side effects" section of my hay-fever pills. And I quote:
"Difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, neck, tongue or throat (severe allergic reactions)".
Well, now... I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier... It's so obvious that I would be allergic to my anti-allergy medication. Why didn't I think of that earlier?! Well, there's no absolute evidence one way or another: but just to be on the safe side I might stop taking the Loratadine and move to an alternative medication (there are after all many to choose from...).
On the up side, my face is less puffy. On the down side, I have moved straight from puffiness to eczema. And let me tell you, eczema on your eyelids - something to avoid if you are at all capable of doing so.
In other news, post the latest unexpected separation from Boris I decided not to chance a second commute to work on the bike (on the principle that I didn't want to get half way to work only to discover that either I or Boris didn't work). So Wednesday became an evening-only bike ride day (which both Boris and I survived). Today is a day off. Tomorrow... Well, we'll see how that goes.
Shoulder still hurts, but otherwise I appear to be unscathed by the near-pavement experience. Although, my body, as ever has stuck to the principle that if I'm in pain then there are no visible symptoms, and if I'm not then a rather excitingly-coloured bruise should appear. Which is annoying - although some of the colours in the bruises are pretty cool.
So, in summary, I'm looking good. A puffed face; patches of eczema flourishing everywhere; random bruising; a semi-permanent hunched back (my shoulder! my back!); and the ever-present dodgy leg. Really, poster person for a fitter and healthier lifestyle here!
As ever, the obvious remains true: exercise is bad for your health!
(@_@)
Wednesday's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 54 mins, 10.28 miles [everything appears to still work...]
Walking - 46 mins, 2.83 miles [lunchtime stroll]
Walking - 24 mins, 1.4 miles [usual trip to the library - tracker said this was 1.9 miles! Re-set tracker...]
"Difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, neck, tongue or throat (severe allergic reactions)".
Well, now... I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier... It's so obvious that I would be allergic to my anti-allergy medication. Why didn't I think of that earlier?! Well, there's no absolute evidence one way or another: but just to be on the safe side I might stop taking the Loratadine and move to an alternative medication (there are after all many to choose from...).
On the up side, my face is less puffy. On the down side, I have moved straight from puffiness to eczema. And let me tell you, eczema on your eyelids - something to avoid if you are at all capable of doing so.
In other news, post the latest unexpected separation from Boris I decided not to chance a second commute to work on the bike (on the principle that I didn't want to get half way to work only to discover that either I or Boris didn't work). So Wednesday became an evening-only bike ride day (which both Boris and I survived). Today is a day off. Tomorrow... Well, we'll see how that goes.
Shoulder still hurts, but otherwise I appear to be unscathed by the near-pavement experience. Although, my body, as ever has stuck to the principle that if I'm in pain then there are no visible symptoms, and if I'm not then a rather excitingly-coloured bruise should appear. Which is annoying - although some of the colours in the bruises are pretty cool.
So, in summary, I'm looking good. A puffed face; patches of eczema flourishing everywhere; random bruising; a semi-permanent hunched back (my shoulder! my back!); and the ever-present dodgy leg. Really, poster person for a fitter and healthier lifestyle here!
As ever, the obvious remains true: exercise is bad for your health!
(@_@)
Wednesday's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 54 mins, 10.28 miles [everything appears to still work...]
Walking - 46 mins, 2.83 miles [lunchtime stroll]
Walking - 24 mins, 1.4 miles [usual trip to the library - tracker said this was 1.9 miles! Re-set tracker...]
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
124. I just flew in from the windy city...
the windy city is mighty purdy,
but they aint got what we got
no sirree
(etc)
Today was a bit up and down (rather like the lovely route itself), full of highs and lows...
High: face is less puffy than yesterday.
Low: face is more noticeably puffy today (I look like I'm developing a black eye on one side!) and so had to talk about it more today. Kinda hoping that it's just going to go away tomorrow (otherwise I'll end up having to go to the doctor and it'll turn up to be both fatal and highly contagious. You know how these things go...).
High: got up and cycled to work, sneering in the face of the forecast rain and wind.
Low: forgot to put my contacts in this morning (and took 4-5 miles to notice - definition of not a morning person!) and spent the day wandering around in a gently blurred landscape. Which was OK apart from when returning home in low light and trying to see which way the teeny little cycle-route signs were pointing.
High: left work and cycled home, despite the strong wind and persistent rain. Discovered that wind can be quite useful as an aid to braking.
Low: discovered that that's pretty much wind's only use when on a bike - otherwise is makes you cycle slowly and tires you out. Oh, and threatens to blow you off bridges...
High: I can recommend Sudocrem and BioFreeze.
Low: even Sudocrem can only do so much...
High: didn't fall off en route to work.
Low: got to within 30 seconds of home (dead-end road leading to the estate my house is on) and tried to go up a kerb (to get out of the path of one of my neighbours who was not for stopping, despite the fact we were both trying to use the same part of the road) only to instead come off the bike heavily onto my right shoulder and head (note to self: unless you're approaching it at precisely 90 degrees, avoid kerbs). No, the car didn't stop (or even slow) during my elegant de-biking. Car drivers are evil.
High: very nice neighbour (next driver along road) who stopped to ask if I was OK, and then wouldn't drive on until he'd seen me get back up on my feet and walk along the street. Car drivers are lovely.
Low: shoulder is really rather stiff and sore. I look forward to seeing the bruise tomorrow (maybe it'll draw resources away from the puffiness?).
Whip crack-away, indeed!
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hrs 38 mins, 17.14 miles [better than last week - fewer diversions!]
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 43 mins, 16.52 miles [oddly shorter than the same route the other way... Hmmm...]
but they aint got what we got
no sirree
(etc)
Today was a bit up and down (rather like the lovely route itself), full of highs and lows...
High: face is less puffy than yesterday.
Low: face is more noticeably puffy today (I look like I'm developing a black eye on one side!) and so had to talk about it more today. Kinda hoping that it's just going to go away tomorrow (otherwise I'll end up having to go to the doctor and it'll turn up to be both fatal and highly contagious. You know how these things go...).
High: got up and cycled to work, sneering in the face of the forecast rain and wind.
Low: forgot to put my contacts in this morning (and took 4-5 miles to notice - definition of not a morning person!) and spent the day wandering around in a gently blurred landscape. Which was OK apart from when returning home in low light and trying to see which way the teeny little cycle-route signs were pointing.
High: left work and cycled home, despite the strong wind and persistent rain. Discovered that wind can be quite useful as an aid to braking.
Low: discovered that that's pretty much wind's only use when on a bike - otherwise is makes you cycle slowly and tires you out. Oh, and threatens to blow you off bridges...
High: I can recommend Sudocrem and BioFreeze.
Low: even Sudocrem can only do so much...
High: didn't fall off en route to work.
Low: got to within 30 seconds of home (dead-end road leading to the estate my house is on) and tried to go up a kerb (to get out of the path of one of my neighbours who was not for stopping, despite the fact we were both trying to use the same part of the road) only to instead come off the bike heavily onto my right shoulder and head (note to self: unless you're approaching it at precisely 90 degrees, avoid kerbs). No, the car didn't stop (or even slow) during my elegant de-biking. Car drivers are evil.
High: very nice neighbour (next driver along road) who stopped to ask if I was OK, and then wouldn't drive on until he'd seen me get back up on my feet and walk along the street. Car drivers are lovely.
Low: shoulder is really rather stiff and sore. I look forward to seeing the bruise tomorrow (maybe it'll draw resources away from the puffiness?).
Whip crack-away, indeed!
:o)
Today's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hrs 38 mins, 17.14 miles [better than last week - fewer diversions!]
Cycling (outside!) - 1 hr 43 mins, 16.52 miles [oddly shorter than the same route the other way... Hmmm...]
Monday, 1 July 2013
123. Up-hill struggle
Had a lovely weekend away - convivial company, sunny weather, and best of all no bike! *ahem*
Sadly, I've now built up a rather large head of steam on the guilt front, not to mention I now automatically flinch any time anyone mentions August... And so I did pop out for a quick spin on Boris on Sunday evening.
But I seem to have over-done the sun yesterday (not entirely sure how - it was nice I sunny away from home, but I didn't spend huge amounts of time out in it - as I have spent all day today with a hot face which was puffed up like I'd had an allergic reaction. One of my more attractive looks (very juicy tomato) that I am hoping will pass by tomorrow (as I found it rather distracting). Not least as I ended today very tired and with a headache (which led to the planned RPM class not happening... *sigh*).
Having improved my understanding of the correct clothing requirements for long-distance cycling(who knew?!), and confirmed that I remain correct in my stance that triathlon is not for me (I relish both my dignity and modesty... For no real reason, but I am rather attached to both). Plus in equal measure have been reassured that I can still get myself trained up for the RideLondon, and also confirmed that I've left it all too late and I'm going to die half-way up Box Hill. It'll be exciting to see which way things will eventually fall, eh?! [If I get that far - 60 or so miles into the ride is when said hill pops up - what a fantastic route choice!]
Otherwise, my leg is giving me gyp, which I'm staunchly trying to ignore (rather hard as we are, quite literally, joined at the hip). But I'm sure, with more something (training? Right food? Rest? Water?) it will all work itself out and all will be well.
At times, I find my own positivity slightly sickening...
;oD
Today's stats
Walking - 23 mins, 1.63 miles [to library and back, another random distance for the same route]
Yesterday's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 49 mins, 9.86 miles [quick tootle along the cycle paths, which I thought was slightly further than it turned out to be...]
Sadly, I've now built up a rather large head of steam on the guilt front, not to mention I now automatically flinch any time anyone mentions August... And so I did pop out for a quick spin on Boris on Sunday evening.
But I seem to have over-done the sun yesterday (not entirely sure how - it was nice I sunny away from home, but I didn't spend huge amounts of time out in it - as I have spent all day today with a hot face which was puffed up like I'd had an allergic reaction. One of my more attractive looks (very juicy tomato) that I am hoping will pass by tomorrow (as I found it rather distracting). Not least as I ended today very tired and with a headache (which led to the planned RPM class not happening... *sigh*).
Having improved my understanding of the correct clothing requirements for long-distance cycling(who knew?!), and confirmed that I remain correct in my stance that triathlon is not for me (I relish both my dignity and modesty... For no real reason, but I am rather attached to both). Plus in equal measure have been reassured that I can still get myself trained up for the RideLondon, and also confirmed that I've left it all too late and I'm going to die half-way up Box Hill. It'll be exciting to see which way things will eventually fall, eh?! [If I get that far - 60 or so miles into the ride is when said hill pops up - what a fantastic route choice!]
Otherwise, my leg is giving me gyp, which I'm staunchly trying to ignore (rather hard as we are, quite literally, joined at the hip). But I'm sure, with more something (training? Right food? Rest? Water?) it will all work itself out and all will be well.
At times, I find my own positivity slightly sickening...
;oD
Today's stats
Walking - 23 mins, 1.63 miles [to library and back, another random distance for the same route]
Yesterday's stats
Cycling (outside!) - 49 mins, 9.86 miles [quick tootle along the cycle paths, which I thought was slightly further than it turned out to be...]
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