Bear Wrestling!

Hello Blog lovers!

It's been a while since I had written anything, which can only mean one thing, I have not been doing any exercise lately! Tut, tut, lazy mare.

But there is good reason. There is always good reason, no excuses, just proper, real reasons! And right now........ I can only think of one, for the Saturday just gone! My eldest daughter and her man are moving to Australia! So of course we had to have a celebration to commemorate this huge step in the lives! And what better way than a BBQ, So that is what I was doing on Saturday morning, preparing, and cleaning, and  buying and getting ready to host a great BBQ.  The Old Boy went out for a spin, I think he managed to get 35 miles on his Garmin while I was 'putting my feet up' as my middle daughter said later that day!

So this evening, feeling very fat, bloated and lazy, (especially as I had a rather pleasant lunch with my bestie this afternoon as well) we set off on a new route. We were only going to do a very short bike ride, to a place that me and the Old boy rocked up to on one of our Friday nights out. A place called Fickleshole.

Now this place is not that far from us, but some how on the Friday we found this place, we made it quite a trek, driving through country lane, adding miles on the clock. The OB decided that this Saturday mornings ride out, he will track it down again, and find out if this will be a do-able ride for me. He knows that I moan like anything if there is a hill anything higher than a nursing homes driveway to ride up.

We set off from home, and made our way, he tried hard to keep it as flat as possible. I made things a little more difficult by suggesting that we took a wooded path I saw as we 'cut' the corner of a road and used the footpath. It's always quite exciting trying new ways, but only when you are with someone of course, I couldn't think of anything worse than getting lost when you are by yourself!

But the path that I chose was very difficult to ride on, it was a bridle path. We both ended up walking to the end, which didn't bring us any closer to the place that he wanted us to be anyway! Still, it was an adventure.

We arrived at Keston and turned right, just before The Fox pub, down a road called Fox hill, he kept saying to me "You will be surprised how near you are to the pub that we went to on Friday" Quite frankly I couldn't see it. We seemed to be in the car for ages, it was a long time from leaving house to getting first pint! The journey home seemed even longer, said first pint was wanting to make an exit now!

Anyway, I digress as usual. We rode of down hill, until we came to a T junction. "Well, I know that way definitely takes us to the road I want, but this way could be it as well" Now this is where it got interesting. "Let's just turn left and see where it goes"

We rode for a while, and the Old Boy was beginning to think we should have turned right instead. We popped out of the road on to Leaves Green!  Ah! This can only mean that we still had to head on up to Biggin Hill!  And then turn right to ride on the 15% hills, the first of which is fine.....it's down hill! I walked up it's 'sister' hill! The OB slowly rode on behind me. "Can't you walk any faster" he taunted me, "No" I said, "Can't you ride any faster?" and with that he rode past me, smiling as he did and disappeared up the hill!

At the top I spotted the OB waiting for me, and we carried on to the destination that he was planning on. "You will be surprised where were are going, and how far it is" he kept saying. If we had turned right instead of left on Friday, well, you will see" he said.

After getting slightly lost, heading down a road, which meant heading back up  to take the right road, it wasn't that long before we came upon the pub that we were in on Friday night! The white bear!  White bears are virtually extinct now, from this part of the country, but when I came face to face with the last remaining bear, the OB saved me. I took a picture of this heroic act, like any good damsel in distress would do here it is.

We enjoyed a lovely refreshing pint of ozzie stuff, and, well you know me and my olives, I just had to try out what company they get theirs from. Let me tell you, they are very nice. A packet of crisps for the OB and we were happy!

Now for the Journey home.

Like we should have done on Friday, we came out of the pub and turned right. We rode on for a very short while and then we saw Layems road! This is not that far from us at all. I would say from door to door it is about 7 miles, making this a very do-able ride in the winter months. But we are going to find out where a couple of the other roads lead to, hoping that they will take us through to Keston, instead of heading off to Hayes.

A great little ride out, just what I needed after a very boozy, face filling weekend!

Geeky stats from the Old Boys Garmin.

Is Summer Back?!

Hello blog lovers,

Well what a day today was, the sun was shining, it was warm, and it felt like summer had come back. Unfortunately I was stuck in doors for most of the day!

But once me and the Old Boy were ready for the rest of the evening we were off. Our route was going to be to Halstead and then Shoreham. Our first stop was at the Kings, in Shoreham village. This is such a great little village, and the pub is just so friendly. I was 'earwigging' some of the other patrons of the establishment and heard that they had come from South East London, and Bermondsey, close to where I was bought up. It seems all the best people come from that neck of the woods, out of the smoke and into the stunning country side that is literally on the doorstep of London.

I wasn't in any mood for a hard slog, so no matter what the OB said to me today, I was going to go at my own speed. If, indeed, he did say "Get a move on girl, the snails want to get past" then I was just got close the old lug 'oles and keep to my own pace. If there was any extra energy to 'attack' the hills then I would attempt it, but it would still be in my own time.

The ride to Shoreham was uneventful, the OB did his best keeping my ass moving a bit quicker, with things like, "Come on, you're on target so far, don't slow down now"  We got there in just over 50 minutes from leaving our house! I am pleased with that, considering that the first time me and Nagging sister did the exact route it took us 55 minutes just to get to Halstead!

We were going to Eynsford after that, its all up hill. I was feeling tired so again I was going to push myself only as much as I wanted to. No amount of nagging from anybody will be me go any faster!

Eynsford seem to come quite quickly. Am I getting stronger, or did I just nod off on my bike? Now it is up 'Fooking Hill Lane' the lane that Nagging sister has renamed, the lane that I over took her on, and not just when the Old Boy helped me here, by pushing me past her either! But I feel sure that I was going a lot slower than I have done this before. Oh well, at least I am still moving! And I am not getting off my bike and walking!

Over the M25 then turn left to head towards Orpington. It's a lovely fairly downhill section, and this road is usually quiet as well, so you can get quite a speed going. I just love it.

At the bottom of here we turn right, then left and the right again, we are now on the Sevonoaks way, heading towards Crittals corner, more hills, and I know there were yet more hills after that, to get to the Tigers Head, and this time the Old boy said we will be stopping!

None stop all the way up the 'Slope' as the OB calls it, and none stop all the way to the Tigers! Made it, and I was still smiling.

It was a great little ride today, even though I was tired!

Geeky stats are from the Old boys gadget as mine needed to be recharged!

Meet Me In Tonbridge!

Hello blog lovers.

Well, for someone with 'rooted lead legs' I sure seem to be doing well to hide it! Saturdays me and the Old Boy usually go for a nice ride out together, but I promised Nagging sister that I would do park run with her this morning, so the Old Boy went out by himself, and I was going to meet him somewhere, en route, after park run.

After I did my run, I went home and then I rang him to find out were he he had to. He told me to meet him in Tonbridge. Now obviously, I wasnt to to ride there! I was going to get the train, there was no way I can ride that far from our house, to meet him there. He was already twenty miles into his ride.

So I rode to Orpington Station to catch a train to Tonbridge, where the Old Boy was going to meet me in a local cafe.  The ride to the station is only about two miles long, so was there in no time.  The train only had two stops so I felt comfy enough to sit down, instead of moving my bike out of the way for each station.

The journey didn't take long at all and I was there looking up at yet more stairs to carry my bike up (there were stairs at Orpington as well) There was a lift, but I thought it would be quicker to walk up. I came of the station and turned left, I was going to head for Jimmys Cafe, where the Old Boy said he was going to be. But as I was riding along, I heard a whistle and a 'oi oi' the old boy was in the cafe just by the station! Jimmys was full.

After a cup of coffee we headed for Penshurst! This is a lovely ride, with a few hills! In fact, each destination that we had in mind had hills! This is going to be a very hilly ride. Ridiculous of me to agree to come really, after running for 6.50 miles yesterday and then running again today! I must be mad or crazy, or delirious or something!

When we got to Penshurst our next destination was 'The Bottle House Inn' for lunch. And...it's up hill.  The last bit, just about 15o yards or so from the place, there is quite a steep hill. I decided that I would walk some of this hill, the Old Boy said that he would see me up there. I carried on walking, I turned right at the cross roads and then headed down Nunnery Lane. The bottle house inn is not down Nunnery lane! Thank goodness I didn't go right to the bottom. I rang the OB to let him know where I was and that I would be there shortly.  By the time I got there he had already got my first beer in!

After that we headed off for Edenbridge. Again hills! This was to be a theme today. You can imagine my legs now, they are complaining, my mood was getting more and more ....well moody, and I was getting tired. Maybe I should go to the train station. But the OB told me there was no one near by!

Edenbridge done, legs hurt, more walking, and then on towards Westerham. I know whats after Westerham, there are more hills! I know! We sometimes go to the pub in Westerham to enjoy an evening out on a Friday night. I know how long and how steep the hills are!

We decided to go up the hill from a road further down, in Brasted.  It's the same hill, but a much less used road than the one coming out of Westerham.  It's long, its steep and again I am off my bike pushing it. There was another cyclist's riding up the hill, him and the OB were slowing making their way up. Each refusing to give in first and get off and walk up I was walking up slowly, I looked up and saw the hill get even steeper! "Blimey, they got to walk now"  I thought to my self. Just then I saw the other chap get off and walk up. The Old Boy cycled on a few feet more before he too got off! "Men are human" I thought,.....so you can see how tired I was just thinking that thought!

Our next stop was to be Keston, and the Greyhound pub. We turn left into Grays road and I know these roads so well. I know there are some hills involved, but I also know how long they are, and I know they are doable for me.

I rode on to Keston feeling a lot happy, knowing that todays ride is nearly over!

Geeky stats,

Untitled by moosh001 at Garmin Connect - Details

Get Up, Get Out, Stop Feeling Sorry!

Hello blog lovers.

For some reason this evening I felt very tired after looking after my grandson today. Even snoozing for a bit after the little darling had gone home.  I was wondering how the Old Boy was going to be feeling, when he got home.

It appears he was up for a bike ride. I on the other hand was feeling like I just wanted to snuggle under the blankets and have 80 winks! But sometimes when I feel like that and then go for a ride, I have a really good ride. I was hoping today was going to be like that.

The Old Boy had been busy while I was taking a nap, he had prepared dinner for when we got back, then he woke me up and said 'Come on Girl, lets do this, you know it will do you good" So to wake myself up a bit, I tidied away 'grandson chaos' swept up the days debris, and went up stairs to get my cycling gear on. Already I felt a tad better.

We got out side our house, looked up to the sky, in the direction that we was going to head, and saw the clouds building. Hmmm, will we get a soaking tonight? Neither of us fancied a soaking, so we decided on a route that is shorter than our usual route, but the general direction. And it still included hills!

We were going to go through Farnborough village, then up to Downe village, then through Biggin Hill with a stop off at the Greyhound at Keston. Only about 11 miles, still enough distance to give a good work out, and still with those darn hills. Getting up the A21 never seems any easier! I am sure it must be, because I can remember really struggling when I first started out riding, and I even had to stop at least three times before I even got to the PRUH, the local hospital! The thought of going up that road was filling me with euphoria!

It was quite cold out and I was glad that I had put on my long cycling pants and my jacket, even though I was working quite hard to get up the A21, I never felt over heated.  Maybe going up to Downe road will bring on a flush of heat!

The wonderful down hill section to Shire Lane is always a welcome rest. Now it's more hard slog, up to Downe village. My legs were feeling quite heavy, and I was still feeling a little tired and grumpy. The hill got the better of me, or at least my ladylike manner, as I screamed and yelled at the hill towards to the top.  The last few times I have ridden this hill I have manged to get up it, just stay focused, not even talking to the Old Boy, closely following my back wheel, just as today! But I lost my temper with the hill today. Grumpy Old woman, people, beware!

The site of  'civilisation' as I call it, that is the play park, put me in a better mood. The village is not that far now. But there will still be more up hill before I can enjoy another longer rest. The clouds looked threatening, and we were heading to the top of the hill. Normally this is where the weather would 'happen' all the wind and the rain starts at the top it seems.  I tried to pick up the pace a little bit more but my legs really didn't want to play ball.

I was quite pleased to see Jail Lane. I knew then that it wasn't that much further to get to the main road. Down hill to the Greyhound and a pint of lager. Maybe that will perk me up a bit.  I do manage to get quite a good speed going down this road. Even peddling out, I just have to sit back and enjoy the ride down. Of course there is a couple of blips to spoil the way to the pub, but at least I should have burnt enough calories to enjoy my refreshment.

We didn't bring the bike chain, so we were going to have to sit outside.  At least its not raining, although the bench seats were a tad wet from a previous downpour.

We decided to go straight home, the direct route, through the path that we came down on. We were both feeling a little chilled. Maybe it is this summer cold thing that is getting us lethargic. But maybe my excuse is the awful nights sleep I had last night. Just couldn't settle.

Geeky stats,
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/216553221

Fast & Furious!

Hello bloggers,

Today I am writing about yesterdays bike ride! We got back to late really to write it up, and besides, I was quite tired after it as well!

The Old boy said that we were only going to go for about 20 miles. But also that he wants me to 'Pick the pace up a bit' to an average 13 mph! I know that I have a bit of trouble going at 12 mph, let alone pushing it just that little bit more.

Not only that, but it was still up hill towards Halstead, but then we were going to go down hill, all the way into Orpington. The OB mentioned the 'The Tigers'. I like this pub, it has my fav bowl of olives anywhere! The only thing is though, is the hill going up into Chislehurst,....after the hill going up to Crittals corner!

He was behind me the whole way, telling me how fast I should be moving, and whether I was on track for getting a PB at the roundabout at Halstead. A bit of a headwind too! So blooming hard work.  After crossing the A21 and riding towards Polhill a Lycra clad cyclists, who, shall I say was a lot maturer than me, passed me by and said "Good evening". He didn't even sound out of breath!

We turned left and headed towards Orpington now. Watching all the time trialers over taking us. I was daft enough to try and catch one up, or at least not let him get to far in front! Who was I kidding?! At least it took my mind off the OB's constant nagging. I was wondering if he ever got out of breath while cycling! Probably not when he is cycling with me!

It was mainly all downhill into Orpington, but the nagging didn't relent. "Come on, fast on the fast now" says the OB. It was all too just far to short lived, as the hill climbing started again. Up towards Crittals Corner. I tried my hardest to keep on going. Knowing that the Tigers Head was not that far away.  All my energy was used up getting to the top of Crittals, then there were more hills! The Old Boy decided to wind up the nagging another notch! I chose....to ignore it. I chose to get angry with the hills, I chose to......go slowly up the hill! Soon time to sit down for a pint.

"Keep on going, turn left, no going to the pub" The OB informed me when we finally go to the top. "You said we're going to the Tigers" I whined. "No, I said we were passing the Tigers" DARN it. He did say that.

"Our stop is at Hayes!" he said. Oh my goodness! That's miles away!.  But I kept on spinning my legs, kept on peddling my bike, and kept on going at a pace I was comfortable with! If I could have gone faster I did, but if it was too hard then I just slowed down.  It was soon all over mind, as I heard a slow hand clap from the OB as we approached the George.

We rode through Chislehurst, passing pubs, through Pettswood, passing pubs, and down Southborough, passing pubs! Now it was time to stop! "You have done an average of 13. something miles an hour" said the OB, "Great, mines an Amstel and a bowl of olives" I said.

Geeky stats, mine and the Old boys,

Very,Very,Very, Very Short Ride.

Hello blog lovers.

I know. I know! Why am I writing a blog for such a short, short ride. Well, because, to me, it is exercise. I started my blogs, years ago, with just blogging about a 1 mile run! Yup, thats right. Just a 1 mile run, to Turn Around Lamppost and back again.

There has been quite a few rides, that I have done  to date, that wouldn't even register on Bradley Wiggins Garmin if he was plodding along a my speed for 20 miles. But in reality, my little plod out this evening  was exercise! The whole ride was probably only about 5 miles long, if that, and goodness knows what speed we went today. Neither of us took our Garmins.

I was feeling a little jaded today, after having a very restless night, last night, and so did the Old Boy. The thought of hauling my ass up the A21 or even up the path, was not good.  "Lets just go for a pint up at the George" was the last suggestion that we both agreed on.  It was raining every so lightly, and the George destination was foremost in our minds after deciding that Chislehurst was a no go this time round.

This evening it was to be a direct route to the George! Even cutting across the common. The Old Boy had his Giant bike out, ideal for a little off roading. After a pint here, we decided to ride on to Keston. Now Keston is 'Up' hill. I normally ride down to the George from here! Considering its only about 2 miles, I shouldn't complain really. Even so, I was still suffering! We made it to Keston, another pint in the Greyhound. And I bumped into a friend I have not seen for a good few years!!

It was lovely, seeing her, her hubs and her little baby! Well, baby was a toddler now, (just incase you were wondering about the obscure picture up top, which by the way is not George) and was deffinately old enough to chose not to have a little squeeze from mummy's friend! When they are babies, they have no choice but to be squeezed and cooed over, and argued over who is having the next squeeze. When they get to little toddlers, and mummy says 'Go on George, give the Old girl a cuddle"  and little George gives the Old Girl a suspicious look as if to say "yeah, right mummy, you cuddle her!" then you know that you have left it too long to see friends! Kids, they grow so quick!

But I did have a little cuddle from another little precious girl. Totally friendly little thing, climbed up on my lap.....and tried to get my beer!, but she was just so cute. You can tell, that I haven't had work today, as I was just totally enjoying talking baby talk and having a little squeeze with the little people!

A nice little ride, and one that I thought worthy of a blog. No matter how short the exercise or bike ride we do is, the fact is,  we do it. Even when we are not feeling 100%. It doesnt matter how far we walk, jog, run or cycle ride, if we are not sitting on our asses then we are doing ourselves good. Be proud of that! Too many people are sitting watching mindless t.v. and getting wider and are blaming everyone except themselves. All you have to do is get up and walk, jog, run, swim, cycle, canoe! Just do something.

Post Holiday Ride Out!

Hello Blog lovers!

Its been a while hasn't it? Well I did have a few days away with the Old Boy, eating drinking and waling and singing!  That's right, we had a bit of a break from all the keep fit that we have been doing, even though the hotel had a swimming pool or two and somewhere a gym, but we didn't find that!

So today, the OB though we would do a nice easy ride out! Yeah right! Easy for him, not for me, who has put on several pounds over the 5 days we were away! Our route was the usual route, up the A21 and up to Halstead. It was a warm day, the OB was encouraging me to 'keep going, don't stop!" As if I would stop! My legs was peddling like mad! getting nearer to the turn off towards Halstead, a couple of fast cyclists rode on past me! I felt a little discouraged, one chap had a bigfoot jersey on, so he was quite an accomplished rider really, so I shouldn't be.

We took the right turn to go to Halstead. As we crossed the main road, the two cyclists that had passed us by a little further back was having a break! "They couldn't 'ack" I thought to myself, as I rode on past them. I had it in my mind to get as far up this road as I could before they rode on past me again.

I peddled and pushed myself as hard as I could, the OB was behind me, telling me to keep on going, push harder. There was a couple of times when I stopped peddling to take a quick 'breather' of course the bike was still moving, so why on earth he says to me "Don't stop, keep moving" I don't know!

I got to the roundabout, and realised that, maybe they were not going to be coming up this way afterall, but it sure made me peddle my ass off!  But now I started to get aches and pains. My bum was hurting, my knees were hurting, my feet were cramping up! Is this because I have not done any exercise for the last 5 days, or is it because I just pushed it a little too hard after having a break?

From here until we got to the George in Hayes, I was continually shifting about in my saddle, standing up to stretch out my knees, shifting my feet on the peddles to try and stop the cramping? I started to think then, "Is my bike set up right for me, should I be thinking of getting it checked out" I know I have been riding this bike for quite a while now, but I started off slowly and maybe my body got used to the position. Last year we even took our bikes with us when we went on holiday!

So any thoughts from fellow cyclists out there will be appreciated immensely. It could be that I have put on way too much weight after my holidays and I am not used to pushing that much on a bike anymore!

As you can guess, it was the Biggin Hill route today. The OB left it up to me about which way to go, I chose to go to Biggin Hill, rather that down to Shoreham. Shoreham is a lovely ride, but I just couldn't face the up hills on that route. The Biggin Hill route is still continuing to go up. There is not many down hill sections. This may seem strange to go this way, considering I am a known hill dodger, but I just thought it would be easier to keep pushing hard to go up and then enjoy the long down hill all the way virtually to my home! Plus a stop before hand for a refreshing pint of Amstel!

So geeky stats. Now, these stats are from the Old Boys Garmin, but they can count for me as well, as he stayed behind me all the way from leaving our house, and they only time he overtook me was when we got onto our road. For some reason he wont let me beat him home!