A Plod He Calls It, Exercise I call it!

Hello Blog readers.

Two blogs again today! I'm on a roll, I'm back to my running, and I'm keeping up with my cycling.

A change of attire, well, I changed my jog pants to my cycle pants, and I was ready to go. I wasn't expecting to do the route we did today. A nice easy route, maybe up to Greenstreet Green and the head on to Chislehurst, maybe pop into the Tigers for a class of diet coke and some diet olives. But the old boy had a different agenda. He took us up to Downe Village!

No, I wasn't expected that! Through Farnbourough village we rode, and then down Church Road. It was pretty dark down there. I could have done with some mega lighting, even though I had my Hi vis coat on, my hi vis hat with head lamp, and my cycling tights with hi vis panels. Plus bright lights on the back and front of my bike! But I still wanted more light!

Going up to Downe village, I really felt it in my legs. It was a very slow plod up there, and I was conscious of the complete darkness, I wanted to stop, and I shouted at the Old Boy that I was preparing to stop. "You keep going, we're nearly there" And I did keep on going! It was amazing! I really wanted to stop. We did have a little rest once we got to the village and passed the pub. Then we headed on to Biggin Hill from there.

We were planning on a stop for a class of diet coke, and we decided on the Greyhound in Keston, only because it has those heaters outside. And then we were going to go through to Bromley.

It was bloomin cold through those lanes, and the stop for a coke chilled me down a bit more. But I knew I would warm up again, I was looking forward to it! We went through Bromley, and decided to have just one more diet coke, and one of our favourite pubs, The Red Lion.

From there we headed on home, direct home! No, detouring this evening. We were hungry! Even after two packets of crisps and a packet of poppadoms with mango chutney!

Geeky stats for you, these are mine from my Garmin, the Old Boys shows him going fast up the hills, how it does it, I don't know.

Is Spring Here?

Hello Blog lovers.

As promised here is the second blog of the day. So active, so fit! So not true! But I am getting there.

Riding, especially the sort of riding I did today, is such a pleasant experience. I am hoping that it is doing me some good, because it is so much fun to do! It must be, even if its just burning up calories!

I can't believe this bit of weather we are having right now. I didn't even put on my woolly gloves over my riding gloves today, although I did take them, just in case, this is Britain after all. The OB was having a few issues with his bike, so he decided to just stay local, in fact very local indeed. We rode up to the George in Hayes. Here we stopped for a........... diet coke and packet of crisps and some olives! We are still sticking to the 'no alcohol' rule for January! Although its tough going, I do enjoy a pint!

When we had settled down with our drink I had remembered to stop my Garmin, only to be disappointed that I hadn't actually started it off in the first place! Darn these contact lenses, I need to get vari-focal contacts!! Do they do these?

From here we headed up to Bromley, and did almost the usual route, with a few turns that I had never been down before. We ended up again at the Red Lion. Another great pub, and they can pull a cool pint, and the OB often partakes of the IPA here. But not today! Two more diet cokes, sitting outside the pub, enjoying the very early spring like evening!

A nice ride home from here, through our local park, just a lovely meander around around. The OB's bike issues, although still there, didn't stop him from riding!

Geeky stats.

Made In Britain! Or is that Mad In Britain?

Hello blog lovers.

How can you tell we are British? Because we go out riding for pleasure in typical wet, windy, cold conditions, for pleasure!......... or, of course, the complete opposite, in high temperatures we choose to go running or cycling!! We're British, we can 'ack it!!

Mind you, I was rather comfy on my chair, so that when the OB said "You don't want to go, do you?" It prompted me to say "Yes, yes, of course I do" with a slightly perplexed look on my face.

Have told you all, that this is a totally alcohol free and milk free four weeks for me? And all of a sudden I was Hank Marvin! But I was craving bread and butter, and cups of tea! and this just the first day! I was hoping that what I had already eaten today was enough to keep my energy levels going through today's short ride.

1 banana
3 black coffees
half carton butternut squash soup
apple
grapes
more grapes...

I was thinking about my dinner before I had even changed into my cycling gear. Maybe that would keep me going faster. We set off, with me still thinking about dinner, and the weather wasn't too bad. I suggested to the OB that he try the route to his new offices, as he has decided that sometimes he will ride to work! So that's what we decided to do. From there, well there was only one place to head for, and that is Crittals Corner! Up that huge hill. Well, its only another hill and a short ride full of hills!

And it was from about there that the rain started. So really, not too bad a ride. But I don't like riding in the rain. Because we had decided it was only going to be a short ride I didn't put any contact lenses in and kept on my glasses, of course, they don't come with 'window wipers' Maybe I should invent something like that!

We stopped just as we got to the high street in Chislehurst to decided which way we was going to go. If we carried on straight down, there was a headwind, and of course Summer Hill, and if we turn left the at least we will be sheltered by the trees for a while. Even the OB said that we should go left! It's not nice riding in the rain, and I was chilly, and my glasses were all speckled, but at least I could see though thise new pair compared to my old ones I had back in November!

We had a bit of headwind as we headed off down to Pettswood. We would normally go through Jubilee Park before going home, you know how the OB don't normally 'do' straight home, but this evening he did! And I was so very glad of this!

So from Pettswood, the OB ploughed the way, ok, he had his own pace going! I had mine, and I had a stupid song going on in my head, trying to help me not to think about the now stinging little needle like rain drops hitting my face! Do you remember that song, 'Sitting in the back Seat, Hugging and a Kissing With Fred' Well that was going on in my head! and it worked, its a cheery tune, and I was singing it and humming out loud!

Only in Britain!

Geeky stats

Last Day Of Holidays!

Hello Bloggers.

I know that I have said that I am going tee total and milk and cheese free for a month, ....... but....... we are still on holiday! So the complete health freak comes out tomorrow.

Today we woke up to a nice sunny bright morning. Me and the Old Boy were feeling a bit better from the old cold germs that have kept us all snotty and chesty for the past two weeks, and we decided to do a 'bit of a ride' taking the country air, visiting a popular public house for lunch, and then see where we went from there.

I put on my new Christmas pressie, all singing, all 'lit up' cycling tights along with my new bright luminous running hat (PWR's will have the privilege of seeing this tomorrow, hopefully) The Old Boy, placed his new Garmin on his bike, and we set off!

Sun glasses on, and looking forward to our ride. The Old Boy has set his Garmin to do this auto stop, and it let him know as we stopped to say hi to a neighbour. The neighbour remarked on my luminous garb, and the Old Boy piped up "Why do you think I got the sunglasses on!" Very funny, but I feel its good to be seen, and boy can I be see. I am hoping that the cars will steer clear of me now. They do really come so close at times, so close and not so much as dinner being offered!

The first leg is really quite a slog! All up hill, on the A21. I'm sure I must be getting fitter, but it still hurts getting up there. We turn right towards Halsted, getting there it is still an upward slog, and I just keep my head down and peddle. occasionally acknowledging fellow cyclists, all, by the way, look totally comfortable and fitter than I did at that point.

The Old Boy was waiting for me at the bus stop, just by the round about! We took a five minute break there, his Garmin automatically turning off, me having to stop mine with my hand. I was quite warm at this point, and took my gloves off to ride the next leg of our outing, to Shoreham Village. But it just shows you, us townies are right softies, because it was blooming cold on my hands I had had to stop and replace my gloves.

There is a short sharp hill just as we ride on to shoreham, but for some reason, my legs and body, and head, didn't really acknowledge the hill. I was thinking, did I fall asleep, am I dreaming? But there I was, cycling up the hill, at a reasonable pace, and not puffing out of..... my ears! Had I suddenly turned into a professional cyclist? I wasn't going to mention it to the Old Boy, I just wanted to get to the top of this hill before my brain realised I was going up hill!

Shoreham village, and lunch! Lovely ham egg and chips for me, Thai fish cakes for him at the Kings Arm, affectionately called (by me and the Old Boy) the Ostler pub. After lunch we carried on our merry way, heading for Eynesford, and another pint of the amber nectar, well, its the last day of holidays, last day of alcohol for 4 weeks! so why not.

Its only about 3 miles to Eynsford from our lunch stop, and as the sun was still shining, we decided to sit outside enjoying the last of the sunshine, but I cooled down pretty quickly and suggested we go inside. "Ok" says the OB, "but try to look inconspicuous as we do", he said jokingly. Yeah right, check out my photo, how can that possibly get in anyway, be inconspicuously!





Off again, and the air temperature is falling now, and I was hoping my muscles wouldn't seize up as I have been fairly inactive for the past two weeks, but the hills of Kent could warm up a wholly mammoths muscles riding up them! But I was determined today that not one hill was going to beat me today, there was not going to be one hill that was going to get me out of my saddle, unless I kept my feet on the peddles and pushing hard up them. Not an easy thing after, ham, egg and chips, two pints of lager and a packet of crisps (so far!)

Just another 10 miles to go before we are home. And just this time last year, I wouldn't have been say 'just 10 miles' 10 miles would have been an afternoon outing for me. From my house to Greenstreet Green and back home again, including a lunch stop! So I think I am getting fitter, I must be, its only logical!

As we got to the roundabout near Pettswood the OB tempted me to just one more for the road, at the Tigers in Chislhurst, so a swing to the right and head on to the best place I know, to get the new delectable bar snacks of tasty olives!

Last leg home, and I was freezing my ass off by now. I am hoping that the thermal tights I have on are working, and that I would have frozen my ass of long before this time, and therefore a good investment. Well, there are a good investment really, because on these is emblazoned with light reflective stuff!!

Geeky stats for you :-) and some more photos.

Testing Testing!

Hello Blog lovers,

Today is the first time me and the old boy have felt fit enough to do anything more energetic than getting our boots on! The dreaded Christmas colds have landed on all of us this Christmas, even though we really tried to ignore it.

But the call of our new toys and attire was much too strong and we decided to go for just a short bike ride. So there was me with my new glow in the dark hat, and gloves (Which are for running actually, and I think that is the only time I will wear them, the seams for the key pocket was very annoying, so now must go and get some new winter riding gloves) and my new super duper thermal padded riding tights!

The Old Boy set up his new Garmin edge 200, and was looking at it as it found satellites, mine took for ever to locate, and he had already rode around in circles for quarter of a mile before I was ready! And then we set off.

It was only a very short ride today, about 13 miles, geeky stats will be at the bottom, and just to show you all how hard the OB pushes up hills, as soon as he has made up his own account for Garmin, I shall add his geeky stats on here.

But can you believe, we still stopped for a pint of lager and packet of crisps before making our way home, via the burger shop.

Roll on January, tee total and healthy eating, for one whole month!!

Geeky stats

A Wednesday Meander

Hello Blog lovers.

What can I say, definitely getting old, I forgot to take my garmin, but even in this cold me and the Old Boy were out cycling. I am just glad that wind has died down. Wasn't it windy?!

It was a nice ride though. We turned left this evening and headed towards Jubilee park. Our route was only going to be a short one, from Jubilee up through to Bromley, through the high street, and the turn right through an ally way to ride towards Hayes. I was really expecting to stop for a pint at the George, but the the Old Boy turned left and went into Normans Park. Darn it, no pint and olives today!

We cycled around the park towards the gate that will take us to Bromley Common. I then heard the Old Boy say "Noooooo!" when I caught up with him I could see why he said that. The gate was locked! So it looks as if we are going to go off road, through the woods, near the stream! in the dark. But fortunately the Old Boy knew another path, it meant lifting the bikes over a gate, but with the our lightweight bikes that is not difficult. We ended up coming out just by the college, Not too bad, and no danger of me plopping into the water!

So just a ride home from here, but of course, it was heading up before we headed home, going through Chatterton, and whaitehall rec! A stop for some choccies and a bite to eat.....chips!

A nice pleasant saunter this evening, and no beer! Well not till I got home, I had a bottle of lager that has been sitting in my fridge for two weeks now!

Oh and I know that the wind had died off, but I just like the picture!

One Ride, Two Nemesis's

Hello blog lovers!

What a lovely day! Sun shining, well earlier it was, the heat.....from my radiators, blooming freezing out there... yet I wait until its dark, and even colder to go for my bike ride.

Well I do like to go riding with the Old Boy! He keeps me going, especially up the A21, "Go on keep peddling, that's it" And that is just the start of the ride! He was threatening to ride up to Biggin Hill, but I kind of gently persuaded him to ride on to Chislehurst and see how The Tigers Head has turned out after the refurb! As I was in front he just followed on behind anyway!

My Garmin has having a hissy fit and refused to find satellites until we had reached the A21, which is about a mile from my home, so I need to add about 10 mins onto my moving time, plus some more moving time because being as that I am old, I forgot to restart it after we stopped at the Tigers!

The first of my Nemesis's was soon rising up in front of me! "Not today, Perryhall" I am beating you!" I started the ascent. I could feel it getting steeper and steeper, the cold air soon started chilling the moisture on my face (I won't tell you where is coming from, but lets say, I didn't want to stop to get a hanky!) The round about is just up ahead, if I'm lucky there will be traffic on the opposite side wanting to turn right, in which case I can take a legitimate breather! But guess what, the white van man saw me approaching the roundabout and WAITED FOR ME TO CROSS OVER! What a gentleman! I just wished he was a typical white van man just went over the roundabout as if it was his right! I was hurting, my legs were feeling like jelly! But I did it! And I was bloomin pleased that I did.

My other nemesis is of course Summer Hill. Ok so we are going the easier route from Chislehurst to Bickly, but it still gets me puffing hard! So after our pint of lager and a few olives we headed for Summer Hill. The Old Boy let me lead again, but going down Summer Hill he overtook me! I was riding sensible, with the brakes on slightly, he must have had his head down, making himself small as he sped past me heading the the uphill section.

I tried to remember all that the OB had told me, peddle in high gear until you get to the hill, then start working down the gears as you get on the hill! Again it was a struggle, the cold hampering me all the way, the snot annoying me, but I just wanted to get up the darn hill! Made it!! Done it. Two hills in one faily short ride!! I'm pleased with that! Now anything is just a plod along!

We headed on to Bromley, then we turned for home, stopping for a bottle of milk and then a ride though Jubilee! Well, there is no just heading on home when you're with the Old boy!

So geeky stats, with a few little missing sections, but I am old you know!

Ride with Alan by moosh001 at Garmin Connect - Details