Hello Baby!

Hello Blog lovers.

Can you see which blog I am writing on! Thats right, its my cycling blog! I am back on my bike, my little baby! It was either a run by myself this evening or a cycle ride with the Old Boy!  It's always so much more fun when there is two or more, especially when it's dark.  During the daylight hours I can cycle for miles by myself, and run by myself. But when it's dark, company is just so much nicer, and plus, it makes it so much easier to go for a quick pint!

We both got ready, two pairs of socks, cycling tights, track suit over those, running top, cycle jacket and a nice warm cycle waterproof over that. Then there was a buff, hat, thermal under gloves and gloves on top! I was finally ready to go out! I hate being cold! There is nothing worse for me than being cold! I just cant ride, or concentrate.

We eventually got out, rode about 10 yards down the road and the Old boy shouted to me to stop! I turned around thinking his chain had fallen off or some other mechanical failure. but when I saw his face I realised that it was nothing to do with the bike, but all to do with his knee!  His pain had returned and he didn't want to go on any more.

So there I was all dressed up and nowhere to go.  "Go by yourself, just cycle around for half hour or so" he said to me. That was something that I didn't fancy! But then I thought "Why not go cycle to my sisters house, show off my bike" as that household has yet to feast their eys on my bike! And I am ever so proud of her. So that's what I decided to do.  The Old Boy went into to take the weight of his knee, and cook dinner, while I rode off into the darkness towards my sisters house.

Now, she don't live that far, I can run it in twenty minutes! But still, I had a purpose to ride now, and plus the fact my brother always has a beer in the fridge!  I  was singing to myself all the way there.  It was only after I passed the umpteenth person that I realised I was singing out loud! At least I made it seem as if cycling is easy peasy and that anyone can take it up!

I just got to my sisters house and, just as they opened the door, my sisters boyfriend pointed out a load of cyclists coming down Palace View Road! "Are you with that lot" he said to me. And just then I realised, that it was probably the Wednesday Wanderers! Darn it! I could have gone with them if I had remembered what day it was! I could have grabbed some cash off the Old Boy as well, as they usually stop to sample some ale some where en route!

Oh well, at least my brother will have some in the fridge.  Boy was I disappointed! There was none to be had!  So my sister made me go with her to the offy for a few cans! I enjoyed one can with them, then showed off my bike and went on home to a lovely dinner of green Thai curry! Delicious!

No geeky stats as it was always going to be such a short short ride! And besides which the Old Boy would have had his Garmin going!  But it felt so good to be on my bike, and I was very toasty in all my gear.

Cross Training, Happy Cyclist!

Hello Blog Lovers!

This Old Girl was back on the bike again today, my Spesh. I am taking things a little easier this week, before I attempt my first ever half marathon on Sunday, The Tunbridge Wells Half! A very challenging course, just what I need to help me get in shape for the London Marathon in April. (either that or do me in and save me the pain). So for some cross training, and some fun, I went with the Old Boy on a quite slow ride on one of our usual routes.

Each time I get back on my bike I have to re-familiarise myself with the gears, and try and remember the silly things I have said to remind me of how the gears go!  I know it should be natural, and total obvious, but not to me! My first encounter with a bike with gears was a twist shift on my old Raliegh. To me that made sense. Left hand big gears, twist it three times, either way, the right hand, twist up to 8 times, forward means high gears! Even I could grasp that.

Then my Giant with a couple more extra gears on the right hand side, but still quite simple to figure out, (eventually). One lever worked by your finger, the other worked by your thumb. Two different digits, easy enough to train yourself to do. But my new bike, the gears are on the brake, worked by push side ways. Still two levers, but worked using same digits! To me, an Old Girl trying to learn new tricks, it's taking it's time!

But still. It was a very pleasant ride up through to to Halstead, then through the lanes, with our very bright lights and head lamps lighting up like daylight. Then through to Biggin Hill, and of course Keston, for a pint!

I thought I was doing ok, riding up to Halstead, getting used to the gears, the new riding position, the 'twitchy' feel of the bike. But then came lanes! Normally I can get to grips with the undulating nature of this road. But I was starting to feel the chill, mainly in my feet, even though I have two pairs of socks on, and one of those pairs says thermal on them! And the I started panicking about the gear changes for the hills, some of which come up quite suddenly.  I did completely mess up one hill, just before the pub! I had forgotten about how steep this little bit is! I panicked, changed up, on both sets of gears, and then tried to change down, but it was all too late!  I eventually sorted it out and then carried on the rest of the way!

Going through Biggn Hill was a little more sedate for me, than I usually am on my Giant. But it still felt great going down hill. I was pedalling out, but that wa only because I didn't want to change the left hand gear, as I now had it on the middle cog! I was beginning to fill the chill even more now, but it wasn't that long before we got to Keston, after taking it really carefully, and really thinking about my bike on the inclines towards the Keston turn off!

I did cool down very quickly when we got to the pub! So we kind of smashed down our cold beer (why do I do that, I should ask for hot chocolate!) But still, it was very nice, it helped to wash down the poppadoms. Then it was a quick ride home, via the shop to grab some milk, oh and some chocolate! I am in training you know!

Geeky stats and these are from the Old Boys, I didn't push the start button on mine!

I need My Fixie!

Hello blog lovers.

Mmm, shall I explain the title? Yes of course I will, just in case you all think I have gone totally bike barmy and bought another bike (a fixie) before I have even pumped up the tyres again on my Specialized! (well, actually I had to do that any way, as it's been sat in the nice warm utility room since I got it!)

But what I actually needed was be back out on my bike again, And not just any bike, I wanted to go out on my 'Spesh' It's been sat in my house, gleaming, wanting to get out and ride. The Old Boy's bike must have been teasing my bike, with all the mud and dirt dripping from it, the water bottle filled and then emptied! So this evening I thought I would give the running a miss and go for just a short ride, to familiarise myself, again, with all the gears, and riding style of my new bike.

I pulled on my spandex with the luminous panels on the sides, thermal socks, spesh shoes, tee-shirt, long sleeve shirt, cycling jacket, cycling rain jacket, buff, hat, thermal glove liners and outer gloves! by then there really was only time for a quick ten miler! But there is one thing that I really don't like, and that's being cold! 

I wheeled my bike to the front door in happy anticipation of this evenings short ride around, opened it and looked out in despair as the rain and sleet had just started to come down! "Oh,  Undercarriages" I said as I turned to the Old Boy. "Oh just go" he said, "If we don't go out, we never will, it will soon pass"

So we went out. But it looked as if we were going to cut our route even shorter than we planned. "Just go through the local park and we will go straight to Bromley" O.B. said. I did as directed. But when we got onto Southborough Lane the O.B. directed me to go up the A21, our original short bike ride, through Hayes!

I just pedalled along, trying t remember which lever did what to my gears, and trying to concentrate on the traffic, contend with the cold affected my eyes (which were leaking, and freezing on my face!) I had a permanent grin on my face, due to the cold. But do you know what, I was really enjoying it.

My arms hurt, my hands hurt, my face was frozen into an inane grimace, and I was well wrapped up and looking like the mitchilin man. I can't wait for the summer! I know I am going to have some fun on my bike and I am so glad I had a quick 'fix' of riding on my new bike this evening!  it has reminded me of  things to come.

I didn't take my Garmin with me today, as this was just a 'get out on my bike and and have some fun' ride (if riding in the freezing cold, sleet and rain can be classed as fun) but the Old Boy took his, and we actually rode about 11 and half miles at around 10 mph, with one stop at the Red Lion in Bromley North!

Quick Change No.2

Hello Blog lovers.

First, explain title. After work today, my mate known on my running blog as Smarty Pants as been chasing her running mojo, getting back into the zone for running! I have been helping her, keeping her company on our runs, (and today being totally left eating dust, as she tore off the final 100 m).

But as soon as we got back, did our warm down stretches, it was straight up to change into my third outfit of the day! My cycling gear. Time to practise gear changing on my new bike!  And getting used to the new riding position, checking that my saddle is in the right position, etc!

Our route, (because that Old boy came with me) was up to Halstead, and then back again, and through to Orpington. Just a nice little ride, Up hills! Oh well, it will be a good test, to see if I can ride with the grown ups on a grown up bike!

It was hard work, but such a lovely ride! Ok, so getting up to Halstead round about is still hard, and I still struggled! I really shouldn't have expected to fly up there just because I have a brand new snazzy bike. It is still going to require this same Old Girl to use the same old muscles to move the bike up the hill!  I felt my legs burning, it could have been the two miles I had run a little earlier, but some how, I think its is because I am going up hill! It will hurt, I think it will always hurt! It's just a case of how quickly I get up there so that the pain will stop!

I was pleased with todays practise ride out, but my neck and shoulders were aching! It is obviously the new riding position. It felt like the first time I went out on my Giant, achy and sore but so very happy!

Geeky stats for todays little ride.

The Special One!

Hello blog lovers.

I have only bloomin gone and done it! I have bought myself a grown up bike, but still with the girly pink flashes!

Initially, when I was looking at womens road bikes, (after the Old Boy said he was going to get himself a new road bike) I was just literally looking at road bikes! I wasn't really thinking that I would go ahead and get myself one, after all, who needs two bikes, right! But I saw it, it was a Specialized, not only that but it was the exact same colour as my cycling shoes, (which happen to be specialized)

I thought about it, I cogitated about it, I read up all the specs about the bike, (not that I really knew what I was reading about, apart from the fact that they were slightly better specs than my Giant), the pros and cons of owning another bike and I even showed the Old Boy. I  told a cycling buddy that I was looking/thinking of getting a 'grown up bike'. So it must have been fate when my cycling buddy sent me a link to the exact same bike I was looking at!

Still, I waited. I waited for a least 2 months or more and then decided. I am going to buy that bike. Yet still I waited! Maybe get it just after Christmas, see how much my gorgeous family need first! Then, if this is still feasible, I am getting it.

Today was that day! Well, today was the day I picked it up! I had ordered it just a few days ago, just to try out, of course! To see if I can actually ride a 'grown up' bike. I rode it around and around a tiny little loop of Bromley Bikes. I almost got the hang of the gears, the silly cages on the pedals was very annoying, they will have to go! Maybe the saddle can go up a tad, feels ok, reach is fine. BLOOMIN SCARY THOUGH!

But it was too late! I fell in love with my bike. I just had to have it! So the business done, a quick lesson on how to take the wheels of, (which I hope the Old Boy took notes of!) and I was riding my bike home!

I got home, we had a cuppa, we looked at the bike, the Old Boy had a go on my bike! I am just so pleased that I am short, because he will not be getting on my bike again! And then we planned a short, 'get to know my bike' outing. Up to Downe Village, left at Jail lane, and then right towards the airport! No problems.

It took me quite a while to get used to my bike. I was nervous, I was apprehensive, hmmmm, ok I was scared silly! But so pleased. I didn't quite make it all the way up to Downe, I think I was just too tense! I wore myself out. I was surprised how far I did get though, as when we started to ride again, civilisation was appearing, i.e. schools and housing!

When we were riding down Jail Lane, I decided to have a pint of refreshment there. Well, my 'dry days' don't begin untill after the 12 this month! And after that we stopped off at Keston. As we sat there enjoying another glass of refreshing relaxation juice, a number of smokers came out and immediately noticed my bike (not the Old Boys!) Just goes to show, what a special bike I have!

12 to 14 miles, who knows, we didn't take our Garmins. A very exhilarating 'getting to know my bike' ride today. I know I am going to have some fun times on her (ooo, did I just call my bike 'her'?) That is just not good!

Lets Get The Bikes Out Again!

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.

Sore Toe, And? Lets Go For A Bike Ride!

Hello Blog lovers.

As my regular readers will know, I did a turkey run yesterday, over 10k, in old money that is approximately 6.5 miles. But I did have war wounds from the run. My toe on my left foot was hurting like anything. If felt as if someone had stepped on it with their hobnail boots!

So the Old Boy suggested a bit of cross training today. Now, I love my bike, I love cycling! So much so that I am going to get a road bike, a bit more of a grown up bike, which I am really excited about. But the thing I do not like is the cold. I am still in the learning stages of what to wear, how many layers do I put on. Do I need to spend loads more money on base layers, liners for my already blooming expensive gloves, more thermal socks, hats, buffs, and everything else that will keep me warm.

I took my time getting ready. Thermal socks, my cycling pants, which did say that were thermal, then I noticed that the Old Boy bought same brand, same design, (boys pants of course), but they were called winter cruisers. Why are mine not called winter cruisers!? My nice warm winter running top, my lighter cycling jacket and my outer waterproof jacket! Woolly hat, and lights a blazing from all angles!

I looked a complete (almost) full kit nutter, (the shoes are specialised, and the hat is a karimoor) But I didn't care, I don't do cold! I turned the light off from the utility room and then the Old Boy said to me, "Are you forgetting something?" I looked a bit puzzled and then I remembered "Oh, yes, my bike" I said with an amused smile.

The route is just our usual one, up to Halstead, through the lanes, up to Biggin hill, quick stop at the pub! (I know, bloody freezing, but still) and then back home!  Now it seems to me that I have become weaker again on the bike. I have been concentrating on my running, with good reason, and getting up to Halstead took forever it seems. It could be the cold that is slowing me down, I know that the cold does zap your energy, so maybe its that. But at least I didn't feel as cold as I thought. We stopped by the roundabout to put on our headlamps to go through the lanes.

These headlamps are brilliant, they light up like car head lights. They work so well that I have to let the Old Boy stay quite a bit in front of me because his reflective panels are quite blinding otherwise, and I cant see the road, the bushes or even cars coming the other way! Just goes to show you how brilliant it is to have reflective gear on!

As we were going through the lanes the Old Boy told me how long we had been out, and also that he would have been in Keston or Hayes if I wasn't here! Well, all I can say to that is "*rassssspppberrrrry*" I just keep saying to my self, "You're out here Old girl, and not glued to the soaps on the telly" I can't even tell you who runs the Queen Vic now, or if Emerdale has had its festive disaster yet!

I just plodded along at my own pace. I was quite pleased to get to Cudham North Lane. I thought that if we went down there instead of going up Grays Road I could be home a lot quicker. Fortunately I pulled myself together and told myself to 'man up' and get on with it. We turned left and then the first right on to Grays Road. "Get the feck up there Old Girl" I said, quite loudly! The Old Boy thought I was talking to him "No, I'm just talking to myself" I said as I pushed hard again on the peddles.

Now this road is not as bad as some of the hills. As Big E said about Ditchling Beacon, there are flat bits. And they are better flat bits that Ditchling. Also there are some down hill little pieces as well.  I like riding up this road. At the top of it is an Indian Restaurant. Lit up like a Hollywood Premier film showing. But that is at the very top. When you reach that you know that there is all the down hill section left before you get home, with just a couple of little bumps. But I just love they way you can see the glow from the lights around it, you just know its just around the cornner.

The best bit now.  All down hill, pass the airport, and the (fiber glass) spitfires. Now I was starting to feel the cold. No buildings to keep up the temperatures or bushes to keep the cold wind from us. Brrrrr.

As I said earlier, we stopped off for a pint. But I was so cold, we smashed the pint down so quickly the barmaid might as well just poured the pint straight from the pump down our throats! We quickly got ready to go on the last couple of roads to get home.  My hands started to freeze. My hands hurt! my feet were numb! Memories of my last FNRttC came flooding back. But fortunately I only have about a mile to go before I am in the warm, and eating my dinner.

Winter wardrobe needs sorting! A look at Wiggle later, Christmas wish list  to be written, and then to be left somewhere to be found. So any more experienced cyclists reading this, please let me know, HOW DO I STAY WARM!  BRRRRRRR!!

Geeky stats for you (oh and due to be blooming frozen, I forgot to turn off my Garmin at re re-hydrating station (as one of my fellow runners calls them, which I kinda like) and the fact that my fingers didn't work when I got into my house, there is extra minutes of sitting in re-hydration station, and wondering room to to room in my house!