Farningham - Revisited!

Hello blog lovers,

What a glorious day it has been today. The sun was shining, after the promised rains failed to arrive.  What else can you do but get out and have some fresh air.  Me and Naggy Neighbour had planned to go for a run after I came back from church and then maybe grab some lunch somewhere in a local hostelry!  But Naggining Sister called me and tempted both me and N.N. to go for a bike ride.  "Only to Shoreham, and then back again" she said.  Well, I certainly didn't fancy riding up the same hill that we have to come down "Why don't you go to Eynsford and go home that way" I asked her
"Cos I don't know how to get there" She said.

I told her to give N.N. a call and see if she wanted to do the cycle ride instead.  It's good cross training, I'm sure she will go for it.  It was all set.  Nagging Sister told N.N. that we are going for a 9.5 mile to a pub and then make our way home again. N.N. thought she could manage that. The place for lunch is the Kings Head in Shoreham Village.

We all met up outside my house, well, N.N. only had to ride over the green to me, where as N.S and her Beau had to come a couple of miles.  We all set off towards the A21.  "We are not coming home by the same route" I told them all, "We can go to Eysnford and then on to Farniningham" I explained.  I knew the way there, and I felt confident.  The only bit I may have problems with is when we get near to Swanley, I know we have to take a straight across and at another road its a left turn, but for the life of me I wasn't quite sure which one was which.  But it's not the outback, and we will get home eventually, that I am sure off.

For someone who hasn't been on a 'proper' bike ride for years, N.N. was flying up the A21 and then flew up the Halstead turn off.  I was trailing along at the back with N.s. Dan was in front of me, I think maybe catching up to N.N.!  We had a quick breather, just to regroup, as we got to the Shoreham turn off.  Then we were all ready to do the undulating ride to the next right turn that will take us down to the village.

I kept at the back, so that I can keep an eye on everyone, well that's my excuse, and it is a valid one too. The calls of 'Car up' or 'Car down' came from our small group, I thought it best to teach them a few FNRttC call signs, 1, because it is good to know these things, and 2, it makes it more of a sociable thing, knowing where everyone is, is very comforting for everyone.

We soon got to the pub, drinks ordered, lunch ordered, and chat starting about the ride so far! Everyone was having a great time, it was a totally relaxed ride so far. Here is a picture of us all.



from L to R, Dan, Nagging Sister, Naggy Neighbour and me.

                                        

 

Notice how we had our drinks ordered first!  It really was a lovely day, and we were all very thirsty.  A lady very kindly offered to take this picture of us all, now if I had taken it, I would have got the bikes in as well, especially my pretty pink bike!

After our lunch we headed on for part two of our ride.  Up to Eynsford. It's another little uphill section, so a nice steady plod up.  But then we do have the dips as well.  I decided to just have a bit of speed as I was getting nearer to Eynsford, and over took N.N, the other two were behind anyway.  I would wait for them at the Ford.  Dan was first to get to me, then N.S. and then N.N.

 It was about 4 ish, I knew the sun don't go down till much later these days, and it's just as well, I had forgotton to put my front light on! Very bad cyclist.  But I was hoping to be home well before sun down.  I really wanted to show them Farningham, the lovely little place me and the Old Boy went to on Wednesday.  I thought this was a little secret place, that no one knew of, and I wanted to stop here for a pint and a photo shoot. "Oh I have been here before" says Nagging Sister, "Yeah, I bring my daughter" says Dan. "And your daughter and my daughter come here as well" added Nagging Sister. Oh, so I am the only one that seems to have missed out on this pretty little place then.  Needless to say, they didn't want to stop here, they all wanted to get nearer home before stopping for our last pint.

Going through Sutton at Hone, Dan decided to take the lead!  I was hoping he wasn't going to be too far in front as we will be taking a right turn by the pub, Ship lane!  I told the girls that is what is happening, Dan was no where to be seen! He was way ahead in front of us now.  We got to the right turn and I told the girls to wait there and I will go look for Dan.  Fortuanatly Dan had a 'feeling' that we will be turning soon and just stopped a little bit up from the lane that we needed.

I was still pretty confident as to which way to get there.  And I shouted out 'Left' or 'Right' when it was needed. Mind you I had to look down at my hands to make sure I relayed the right direction.  No, I haven't got left and right written on my hands,  but it does help me to think about it.  You think at 50 years old  that sort of thing would come naturally to me, but for some reason it doesn't and never has! Weired!

There was only one bit of road that I got wrong, and I knew I would, as it looks very similar to the other road that we have to make a turn at. But I called it wrong.  Coming through Swanley, we should have gone straight over the road but I said 'Left turn'  Fortunately, when we got to the end of everybody knew where there was, all apart from me that is! And so it was easy enough to stick to the plan of getting to Crittals Corner and then up to Chislehurst.

It wasn't that long now before we were sat in the pub at Chislehurst, enjoying our last drink of the day, and a tasty bowl of olives!  After this we told Dan and N.S that we are going in the opposite direction as them, we will be going through Chislehurst and then Pettswood, where as N.S. and Dan have to negotiated Summer Hill!!

As we arrived to our road, me and Naggy noticed that the ice cream van was there, so guess what!

Naggy and my hand with ice cream!

Geeky stats for you.

A Mid Week Ride!

Hello blog lovers.

Well, for all you usual readers of my blogs,my usuall mid week rides consist of about about 18 to 20 miles, a poodle around the local area, and then back home again, (usually via a fav public house). But judging by last Saturdays riding I am, indeed, in need of as many miles in the saddle as possible. But I still wasn't expecting exactly the ride that we did this evening.

Let me start from the beginning, always a good place to start. The Old Boy told me he was going to do about 20ish miles, the usual, I thought. And that is up Halstead, and beyond.  In my mind I am still thinking 20 ish miles, I feel sure that is what he said. But then he said we are going to Shoreham but coming in from the opposite direction. We have to ride up to Polhill Garden centre and then ride all the way down! 

The last time I had some long down hills to do I was a bit nervous on my bike, and even more nervous when the only way to control my speed was to get down onto the drop bars to get a good grip on the brakes!  But since then Big E did something to my bike. He turned the steering thingy upside down, so that it is in a more pointy upward direction. So now, that should help me get better control of my brakes, make more of a comfortable ride, or so I am told.

To be honest, and don't tell him or the others that suggested I do this, I couldn't understand how it would help with the whole gripping of the brakes issue!  But it did! And it was more comfortable being slightly upright! Just because my bike looks like a 'grown ups' bike, it doesn't mean that  have to suffer for fashion (just like we do with the high heels girls, am I right or am I right?)  The Old Boy did the same with his steering thingy as well, so it's a more comfy ride for him too.

So there I am, in my spandex and my bright pink rain coat. Well, the weather looked really iffy! In fact when we left the house it had just started to rain! I asked the Old Boy if he wanted to go and get his raincoat but he was more optimistic than me. "We are heading over there, towards that patch of blue sky" he said "And besides, this is just a passing shower"  I looked over at the patch of blue, and looked up at the big black cloud above.  I had to admire his optimism!  It was a tad chilly too! I was hoping the ride up to Halstead will sort that one out. 

I really have 'lost' my cycle legs.  The A21 seemed to be particularly hard today! I was going so slowly up. The OB had his Garmin going, telling me exactly how slowly we was creeping up there.  He wanted to do an average pace of about 10 mph!  Lets hope I can pull that back on the downhill sections. 

As we were getting to to the top of the Halsted hill, where I usually stop and catch my breath, glug of water/juice/air!, I thought to myself I am going to go straight on, but before I could say that the OB mentioned that we are not going to stop there, and that we are going to Shoreham.  The down hills towards Shoreham were the ones I was very nervous about last time we went down there.  Now I shall see if the little flipping of the thingy-me-bob has done the trick.  But, instead of turning left he said that we were going straight up, over the round about and then down Polhill hill.  Now this is a long, long downhill section. I certainly wouldn't like to be climbing it in the opposite direction!  Now we shall really see if its a move comfortable and safer ride for me.  With still a bit or nervousness going on those drops (which I probably won't do) we proceeded down the hill.

Then the descent started. So far so good. I was comfortable on my bike, and I was using the brakes! Ok, so it worked. Had no doubt it would (liar liar pants on fire!) All the way down to a turning that pointed the way to Shoreham. I was getting more and more confident on my bike, even letting go of the brakes and picking up a bit more speed.  I think it was a good idea of mine to twist the steering head tubey thingy......darn it ok, so I still not quite sure of the anatomy of a bike, and I didn't think of the idea to flip it over, but I am sure pleased that it worked!

Once in Shoreham it was, again, straight through and onwards towards Eynsford.  No stopping yet for a refreshment.  We are going through Eynsford and on to Farningham.  I had a quick stop though, to look at the little river! Whats the point on going out on your bike if your can't stop and admire all around you, right!  I wished I had my phone though, I could have taken some pictures, especially when we got to Farningham! What a lovely little place that is, and it has this lovely......well.......what I can guess from reading about it, its a cattle grid thingy that goes across the river.  They think it was built to stop the cows wandering off down river when they were crossing the ford.  But it really is a pretty looking bridge thingy.  I will have to get some pictures next we pass through there.

Form here it seemed to be a long slog of undulations to Sutton at Hone. From there it was a slow ride into Swanley to a a most welcome sight for sore eyes.....legs, bum etc.  I have stopped there before, and I know that the WWW's stop there on occasions too, it's called The Lamb.  The landlady let us wheel our bikes through and put them in the back yard! Nice and safe and I can sit in the warmth to enjoy my pint of 'Boom' and packet of ready salted crisps.

I noticed the time, and it was ten to nine, "I think it's going to be a takeaway for dinner tonight" the Old boy said.  I didn't appreciate how far we had to go before we got home!  We soon got on our way.  I was glad of my raincoat, it's warm, even if it not raining.  I was also feeling a bit tired as well. I know my face was glowing pink when we arrived at the pub, and now there is to be more undulations to keep the colour up!

Another long slog through Hextable and Swanley, still with undulations just not as high as they have been.  The Old by gave me a choice when we got to the big round about, onwards towards Crittals corner, which I really didn't fancy, or turn left and go through St Mary Cray and Orpington and then up Knoll Rise.  I know Know Rise has had me out of my saddle a few times, and I know I have conquered it a few times, but at least it's nearer to home. I feel like I am almost there. So I chose to go there, and it was just as well, because the road towards Crittals Corner was blocked by police! I just hope that it wasn't a fatality!

The back streets through the 'Crays's seemed to go on and on. Each mini roundabout I thought would be the last one before the High street turnoff.  The local kebab shop was looking very good, in my mind, now.  Deffo no way am I cooking dinner!  We were soon zooming up the high street, only Knoll Rise to do now, then its plain sailing.....ooops wrong sport.....plain riding all the way via the local Kebab shop.

Dinner in hand, or at least hanging on the handle bars of the Old Boys bike, cans of pop in my back pocket and the last mile home!  Needless to say, in the beginning I had misheard the Old saying how many miles were were going to be doing today! 30 miles! Mid week! what ever next for this Old Girl.

A good ride out for a mid week. Maybe next time though I should start off as sooner rather than later!

Lets Go To Yalding!

Hello Blog Lovers!

It's Saturday, the sun is shining, kind of, and we have nothing to do! No cars to fix, no shopping to do, no holidays to chillax on, so lets go to Yalding! Yay!!.......Of course there is some horrendous hills involved! 

We asked Nagging Sister to see if she wanted to come along with her beau. After all, they do need to do tons of saddle time to get ready for the L2B this year!  Unfortunately only Nagging Sister could make it. But she liked the sound of Yalding, (apparently it didn't sound that far!)  We did tell her that it was about 30 miles away.  I think she heard 'It's a 30 mile round trip' Oh well, surprises are good, right? And besides there's always the train back

We met Nagging Sister at the bus garage on the A21. The first thing that the Old Boy did was to check out her tyres! Flat as pancakes! So he gave them a little pump up with the tiny pump that she had with her.  Just enough to get to the garage a little further up the A21.  Her tyres, by the way, were only half inflated!!

I am still not quite 'match fit' (at least I hope its that reason!) when it comes to riding my bike, or maybe it's because I am still getting used to my new ride and cleats!  (My confidence with both is going higher by the way)  Riding up to the garage N.S. was in front of me, pulling away.  Earlier this year I remember having to wait at the traffic lights at Locksbottom for her to get there. But now, here she is zooming in front.  The Old Boy was behind me, I could here him chuckling away!

After putting the right amount of air in her tyres we continued on our way.  We were going through Shoreham village, but not stopping! This is going to be toughie! "Stay in your cleats Old Girl" I thought to myself, "No need to unclip, nothing to see here" as we sped pass the Kings Head, one of our usual stops for refreshments, and we rode on over the little river.

From here we turned right. Usually we turn left towards Eynsford. It looks all up hill! And it is up hill! Oh well, we knew it wasn't going to be Holland-esque ride today!  I do need the practise thats for sure (just watching N.S. pull away from up the A21 proves that!) I have a couple of big rides coming up in the next few weeks! And if there is one thing the Old Boy is good at, its finding nice hills to ride up! 

It's a steady old plod, up hill! Up more hills, and still more hills!  There was a couple of tiny little dips, but they were soon replaced by more ups.  Both me and NS resorted to getting off our bikes and walking up, on more that one occasion.  The Old Boy seemed to be on top form, getting up the hills as if he were on a motorbike! The weather started to turn as well. There were drops of rain in the air.  I kept hoping that it won't come to anything more than that!

We cycled through Kemsing and Seal. The hills seemed to be relentless!  I knew, from the time before, what to expect, but listening to NS, as she pedalled up the hills made me smile! I was like that the last time I did this route. In fact, I think it was in one of my blackest moods on a cycle ride, (apart from the time trying to get up Bitchling Deacon with the Fridays)  it was a hard slog. Even though I walked some of these hills, I seemed to remember it being a lot harder last time! Strange, very strange!

The next little village was just a little further along.  But we had to stop! The rain really started to come down quite a bit, and it was time to get our jackets on!  There were some other cyclists going the other way, and I heard them saying, "We should have stayed in the pub" They had stopped as well, to put on their wets. "What pub, where is that" I said to them,  "It's just down there, around the corning, about 300 yards they said "Oh perfect! that is where we shall hold up until the rain goes". I thought

We had a lovely lunch there, the Plough at Ivy hatch, a tad expensive, but very nice BLT, with chips for me and the Old Boy, Nagging Sister had a cheese and onion ciabata with tomato soup.  I had a pudding as well! A lovely lemon tart! Very nice!......Well, I thought I had earned it!

The rain eventually passed and was just left with a slight drizzle! We kept our raincoats on. Try to at least keep our bottoms dry (without success I might add) and we continued our journey to Yalding. Of course, me being me, I forgot to switch on my Garmin again, and I think we had travelled for a good 4 or 5 miles before I realised that, so my Geeky stats will look like I 'flew' across the landscape! But I remember seeing the sign for Plaxtol, so we must have gone through there.

Now this is the sweeties, the rewards for those nasty hills. A nice flat route for the rest of the ride to Yalding.  We said to Nagging Sister that there is a train station at Yalding, if she didn't want to do the ride back.  It seemed that his put more spin in her pedals as she kept up with the Old Boy.  You could hear her say "Yay, its the train station" and she spotted the direction sign, and then a couple of minutes later say "Hey, there's the station, why is he going past it?"  "Just keep going" I said to her, "You will like what is at the end"

Just a little further on is another pub, I think its called the Blue Anchor.  That is a finale destination.  She soon stopped moaning and groaning when she saw it.  We had a drink there, and sat out side. Then the rain came again! We moved ourselves under shelter and we all decided that getting the train home would be a good idea just about now.

So after our drinks we headed off to Paddock wood train station. The thought of getting home on a nice warm train seemed to have given NS even more of a boost than before, as she flew up the road, over the hump bridge and on towards Paddock Wood. I had forgotten to start my Garmin again, such a scatter brain at times, but when we got to the very busy fast road, which I can't remember what its called, the Old Boy decided that he was going to ride home after all. He pointed me and NS in the direction of Paddock wood and we continued to the station.

A very nice little plod out c.30 ish miles, very wet and dirty miles! Me, Nagging Sister and the Old Boy had earned our stripes today! More so the Old Boy though, with the whole journey riding back home!

So geeky stats for you

Time To Give The New Girl A Proper Test!

Ok, not shoreham, but I forgot my phone!

Hello blog lovers.

The time for living in the glory of my marathon is coming to an end! Well, I can still talk about it for the next 20 years, but in the meantime it's back to keeping this Old Girl fit.

I don't have any plans for a mega running race this year, but me and the Old Boy have signed up again for the lovely day out to Bighton in June. So I need to crack on and get some miles under my saddle, and to practise with the new clippies, iron out any mechanical problems, fitting and anything else that may need doing. And maybe even a new summer wardrobe to match my bike!

I have been avoiding going to far on my bike, (fear of falling by not getting out of my pedals and still getting used to my new baby) but this evening I agreed to go up to Halstead, and then on to Shoreham.  This only means one thing! Hills, and hills, oh and more hills! Now I don't like hills, but it's a good practise for me. And also a good test to see if the clipping in and out is really suited to me!

I know my new pedals have helped up the little hills that I have done locally, so now the big test!  We are going up to Halstead!  We decided to go a slightly different route, through Pettswood, then towards Orpington and then join the A21 at Greenstreet Green, then continue the usual way from there to the round about at Halstead.

So far, so good.  The pedals feel great, but for some reason I am still finding myself having to push and pull on the pedals! It's all well and good having the right gear, posh bike that weighs less than  gnats poo, but the fact of the matter is.....I still have to pedal the blooming thing myself! There is nothing really that can make getting up hills any easier for me or anyone. You just have to get on and do it!  Oooo, how I hate hills!

My legs were feeling the burn and that is just getting to the turning for Knockholt Station! But I kept going. Up and up we went, to the roundabout.  My legs were complaining like mad but I didn't want to stop until I got to the top, my mission was to not stop on any hills this evening, but I tried not to think about it.

Getting to Shoreham was scary! The climb up was good! (did I just write that?) At least I didn't get off or stop (or fall off!). But the down hill section, the bits that I used to love, the bits where, before, on my old Giant, I flew down, with virtual abandonment. Now I was hanging on for dear life to the handlebars, gripping the brakes as best as I could!

This is where I found the only mechanical/technical problem that needs sorting,  is it fitting or setting up? Which ever, I found it a bit difficult to put the brakes on while riding on the hoods. My hands became tired and weaker by the time I got to the bottom of one of the hills, just before we turned right to go into Shoreham village, and that road is  yet another downhill section. 

I thought to myself, "Old Girl, you are going to have to look like a professional racing star, and get down on them bars" I can apply the brakes much easier from that position, my hands can reach it a lot better, and besides there is tons more power from that position!

So that is what I did!  The next down hill section found me arse up, hands down, and squeezing those brakes, I guess that is where the similarities end! A professional racer would embrace the hill and tear down it at a gazillion miles an hour! I just gentle inched my way down.

We stopped off at the Kings Arms for a much needed beverage! Then on to Eynsford and ..........that.......Foo Kin Hill!  Getting to Eynsford in the first is  upwards, but  there is a couple of nice cruising spots! We soon arrived at the Ford there.  I won't be taking my new baby through there. I remember the Old Boy did that last year! Nice cool, wet feet for him! A quick stop there to look at the pretty little river and then on to that hill!

The Old Boy did have one little moment, maybe were going a tad to slow, but he changed gear and then his chain came off! The practise with the cleats was evident as he managed to clip out of them in time. That is my fear! Would I be able to clip out in such an emergency?

All sorted, we started to climb up the hill.  "I will be stopping on this hill" I shouted back at the Old Boy "Just do your best, keep pedalling and see how you go" he replied.  I started my assent. I could feel the hill getting steeper and steeper.  In the back of my mind was knowing how much more of this there was.  I  didn't want to go too slow in case I fall from my bike, but I didn't want to push it too hard because I knew I would burn out, ....and it will hurt!!

"I need to stop" I called back to the OB, "Well, just up there, on the bridge, we can have a break"  I got to the bridge and I realised I had done it! I had rode up the whole of the road!  I was pleased with that.  Just catch my breath and then on towards home, and one more nasty little hill.

I rode through the lanes as quick as I could, being in the lanes during the dark part of the day is not good.  We soon got to Orpington.  As we were heading towards the High Street I bumped into (not literally) someone I knew from a long way back. I saw her a few weeks ago when I was out jogging, and now I am seeing her here, a completely different place and I'm doing a different form of exercise! We had a quick chat, and she asked about our lights. She said that she really noticed us as we went passed her especially the back ones (we had pulled up for a few minutes, which is how she caught up to us).  That is always reassuring to know that we can be seen!

We had decided to go up Knoll Rise, this is the nasty little hill I mentioned earlier! It's a fecker of a hill, especially after doing all the other hills! And I have done a marathon you know!  We turned right to begin the ride up! Just at the bottom I had to have a quick stop! The Old Boy went up, I knew he would be waiting for me at the top. "Right Old Girl, get your backside up there now, in one go" I said to myself.  I started up slowly. I really wanted to do it, I didn't want to stop, or walk or anything else but ride up it.  I did it! Just that one silly stop at the bottom. From there on it was riding all the way home without incident! And I really was looking forward to my dinner!

Geeky stats

Post Marathon Bike Ride

Hello Blog lovers.

It's good to be out and about, exercising with no agenda what so ever! I am still a little sore, and I knew I would be stopping and resting up somewhere on this little jaunt out. So I really didn't want to go plodding along with the Wednesday Wanderers! They were heading to Shoreham, from my house that is a 20 mile round trip! And also there is those nasty little hills as well! So me and and the Old Boy plodded out to  Downe Village.

Downe Village, for those that don't know, is actually up a very long road! As it was just me and the Old Boy, I really didn't mind saying "Easy, stopping!" whenever I felt the total burn in my legs. It took at least three goes to finally get up to the village. I am looking forward to do lots more miles on my bike! The weather is improving all the time, all though this evening it looks a bit cloudy, I expect it may even rain as it has that stormy feel.

From Downe village it was a pleasant plod along down Jail Lane. I wasn't going to try and go fast, I was just enjoying being out. There is a little bit of a hill to climb up and instead of changing down to the lowest setting I thought I would try getting out of the saddle and powering up there, after all it was only a short hill. I can feel how the pedals were helping to pedal up efficiently. I deffo think I  grow to love these pedals.

We soon reached Biggin Hill and from there it was a very short ride to Keston for a quick drink. The raid had just started to gently fall. Hopefully it will stay very light until we get he.

I thought I would take a picture of our bikes while the Old Boy was getting out pints. They just looked really cool just leaning against this flower planter.

So a nice gentle ride out, not to fast and not to slow, of about 15 miles. Very nice indeed.

Rest Up Old Girl!

Hello Blog lovers.

How does an ex-couch potato trainee marathon runner relax. Well, there are several schools of thought on that.

1. Rest all day, on the sofa, great film, bucket of pasta, order everyone to, 'get me' fetch me' do me' and maybe even get a massage for the old bunions and crusty feet!
2. Go for a very short 2 mile jog, around an old favourite route, taking care not to tread on cracks, stones blade of grass, or anything that can possible sprain an ankle.
3. Go on a 'Beano' taking in nine pubs then have a curry at the end of the day. (This really is only recommended for tried and tested athletes!)
4. Go for a nice meander around two local pubs, in the fantastic sunshine, stopping at each pub for a nice unrushed relaxing drink with a packet of poppadoms at the last pub!

I opted for option 4, which I am sure all of you budding  Monsieur Poirot and Miss Marple's out there guessed!  The weather was just to perfect for sitting in and chilling, although that is a very good thing to do before I do my very first marathon tomorrow.  But I did take at least one safety precaution, I chose to wear my 'hanging out' trainers instead of cycling shoes and try clipping into my pedals. I do not want to fall over. The only thing that is on my mind right now is the marathon, clipping in and out of my pedals just wouldn't enter my head at the moment.

The sky is blue, the wind is still a tad chilly, just reminding us that we are still very much in spring! Even though I saw cyclists out in short sleeves and shorts! Brr, brave souls, but maybe they had been working a lot harder than me today. The Old Boy was on his new bike, I could hear him clipping in an out of his pedals. I really felt quite envious, especially going up the couple of inclines that was in todays ride, I really could  have done with the whole pull and push system!  Our route was through the local park, up to the common and then down towards Hayes. 

Our first stop was at the George. We a lovely chilled beer there, and a chat with some fellow cyclists.  They were just out for a little jaunt too, the young lady there was out for only her second bike ride!  And what better way to introduce cycling to her, then a nice pleasant, sunshiny plod about.  They were also going to our second stop of the day, the Greyhound in Keston.  We met up with them again after we had left Hayes.

But still, it was a very enjoyable 8 or so mile ride out with the Old Boy, I think, the best option for relaxing for me!

No geeky stats, just a chill out bike ride!

Also you will notice the little Justgiving sign at the top of the page on the right. If you want to sponsor me and help raise cash for cancer research UK you can just click on it, and follow the instructions.  It's so easy, and I do believe that you can use PayPal as well. Easy and secure online giving!, Help me to raise tons for cash and let's all try and kick cancers ass!

Lets Practice with the Cleats!

Hello Blog lovers.

I'm back on my bike, and loving it!  The Old Boy has got a brand new bike too, a Giant Defy. Well He has to keep up with me now that I got my new baby!, and also new shoes with cleats!

Tuesdays are normally Running Club nights, but, and this will sound ridiculous, 4 days ago (Friday) I was putting on a pair of socks and somehow managed to hurt my back! Or course I went into complete panic mode! "Oh no, my marathon is out of the window now" were the thoughts running through my head.  I tried to ignore the pain, I carried on moving and doing stuff, even went shopping, well I needed to get some ibuprofen! It seemed to have worked, but then, at the end of my work day, clearing up after the kids, I bent down, using my knees, to use the dustpan and brush and then I couldn't get up again as the 'bubbling' thingy happened again in my back!

I decided thatn that maybe, just doing nothing is probably best, and to rest for a good few hours. Not to go on about my back, I did consult my running clubs' Physio 'PhysioMike' and he used his magic hands, unknotted my back, and gave me confidence that the marathon is still in my reach! woo hoo!

But, to give my back total rest, but also to keep me from going stir crazy in doors, I think cycling is just perfect. It's gentle, it's comfortable, but its also exercise. It's working my legs, its keeping the muscles warmed and not letting them forget what they have to do on the 21st April!

So our route was my nice gentle little ride, through jubilee park, up to Bromley via Plaistow lane, just a little hill, yet one that used to terrify me, and still gives me shiver when I think about riding up it!  But now, with my new cleats, the whole push/pull spinning thing should benefit me and get me flying up there like Victoria Pendleton.....well I can dream, can't I.

We were soon at the little hill. I waited at the traffic light, waiting to go, right foot clipped in, left foot out, ready for the off. I made sure the pedal was the right way round, (I have pedals that can be flat or clippies!) I got up the hill now problem! Yes, of course it was still bloomin difficult, after all the only engine on the bike is me! But I feel that, once I am fighting fit, doing more riding on my bike, then I will understand how going with the cleats is going to do me good!

We only went to Bromley North, just for a quick pint, and then we made our way home again, via the main roads, including the A21, a road that is slowing becoming an enemy of mine (with the running that is.)  I had time my oven to start cooking dinner and be ready for when we got home, see not just and adventurous cyclists, and marathoner-to-be but I can also programme an oven!

Geeky stats not really necessary on this ride, as it really was a 'lets just get used to the clippies' ride.