Hello blog lovers.
I just had to go out. Mind you, the Old Boy had to be make the suggestion to get out, I could have quite easily have just sat on my backside watching Christmas movies until it was time for sleep! But I was quite glad about getting out and enjoying the remarkably warmer December evening!
I have bought myself some glove liners, recommended by a friend. It was certainly cheaper than other options, and considering I have spent quite enough on gloves this year, I thought it would make my bank balance a lot happier too. But of course with the unusually warm evening I really didn't need my thermal liners! But I did want to see how they felt in my waterproof gloves.
Our route is really only a very leisurely ride around town, with a couple of stops for a pint, well it is Christmas you know! We went up Faringdon to head on through the park at the top of the hill. It felt good to be out, I felt sure I was going to enjoy my little cycle around. I have missed my riding, and I am definitely going to substitute one of my running days for a riding day, and also have Saturdays as a riding day, but Saturdays will be all pleasure riding days! (Weather permitting of course!)
Our first stop is going to be the Red Lion at Bromley North. For beer lovers, so the Old Boy tells me, the IPA is certainly recommended, I had my usual pint of Forsters! We sat outside the pub, yes that right, out side the pub! It really was that 'warm' this evening, reminiscence of last year, when we were virtually never in during the evening!
Then it was through Bromley, but we avoided the high street today, because of all the shoppers that would be about, and also we wanted to go down Hayes lane to see the 'famous' Hayes Lane lights! They are just amazing, and such a delight to see. And just so much better than the high streets these days!
I remember, when I lived in Lambeth, it used to be a treat to go up Oxford Street and Regents Street to see the lights and the displays in the windows. All the shops put on wonderful displays in their windows, Christmas scenes, all moving. Disney characters, and Santa Claus and his elves, all in Christmassy situations. They just don't do that anymore. They give you a few lights strung over the roads, and then bombard your eyesight with the goods they have for sale in store.
After looking at the lights, and walking through the 'private' garden of the chap that puts the lights up, we headed for our second stop. The Greyhound at Keston. Just before I leave this thread of Hayes lights I just have to say this. While I was looking at the lights I heard a lady say to her friend/partner/dad/brother or whoever it was "Come and look inside the porch, its lovely, and maybe they will let you use their loo!" Now, I know the people who do the lights are very kind enough to let the public wander through their front garden, lean on their fence and walls to look at the display of lights there, but using their own personal bathroom, letting complete strangers into their home! I think maybe that will be a little too much to expect. Maybe the lady could ask if they sell souvenirs!
The Ride up to Keston was, well, quite a shock to the system. It's uphill, (always a shock to this Old Girls system!) but the shock was in ........ well there is no other way to say this..... but it was in the ass department! My ass has gone back to being a pedestrians ass! I was feeling every bump and lump on the way up. It felt like I was sitting on a concrete saddle! Fortunately for me the hill was doing wonders to take my mind off that!
I struggled like a newbie up the hills again, my legs started to feel the burn! I wanted to stop, "Easy!" I shouted to the Old boy as I slowed down. I could feel my face grimacing as I pedalled up towards the pub. I looked up and saw the traffic lights, and I just kept on pedalling, hoping that they will be red or just turning red by the time I get there. "Go on, if you pedal hard enough you can make those lights" said the Old Boy. Well, I knew 'if' I could, then I would, but there was no way I could have done, I even slowed down a tad, just to make sure that they were definitely going to be on red when I got there. They was!
Just the last bit of road up to the pub and I was so pleased to pull in and enjoy a pint and a packet of poppadoms! After our drinks, however, The Old Boy said that we were going to continue up towards the fishponds before heading home! Well, its a lovely evening, so why not! Onwards and upwards, as always!
We turned left in to Fishponds Road, stopped to spot the ducks with our headlights, and then rode to the end and turned left. A great ride, or coast down to Keston Mark, and then turned right to go up to Locksbottom. Not far to go now, just a little bump up to Crofton and then all downhills again. Can you tell that I am a totally hill dodger?!
As we were nearing our home we came across Big Son. The Old Boy was just a little ahead of me, and was chatting to our son. When I pulled up besides them the Old Boy said, "Jump on the back of mine I shall give you a backie, and let Big Son ride yours home" Well, I can't remember ever having a 'backie' and thought it would be fun to relax the rest of the way home, me being the hill dodger and all.
Well, now, I did tell you that my ass has become 'pedestianised' again, (and no, it dosen't mean it gets walked over....at least I don't think so) It just means it's become soft again! Not used to being in the saddle. Take that in mind, and the fact that the Old Boys seat is not designed for women, plus (I hate to say this) but my ass is not as small as the Old Boys, the last couple of roads we rode down were the most uncomfortable, painful, and probably totally noisest roads ever! The bumps felt like I was being pummelled with a sledge hammer, and the seat......well, I don't want to talk about that, I am just going to make an appointment with my therapist tomorrow!
I do remember saying, "Let me walk, let me walk!" and the Old Boy saying "We're nearly there" I could hear Big Son almost crying with laughter behind me! Never again, never again will I have a backie!
So, geeky stats for you.
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