N2 will be joining us on the ride to Paris. He has signed so that makes 4.
THIS has been sent from my mobile. some sort of blackberry software. Geek central!
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Wardrobe additions.....
Lovely new skullcap (makes me look a dawk), new long sleeve top and a nice new wind proof, waterproof and breathable zip up top. Also some new gloves a la KooKooachoo for lovers of seventies trivia everywhere
.
I needed all this today cos the weather in London town is shite. I cannot articulate this any better because it's the only way to describe it. It's the kind of weather where you really want to stay in and eat comfort food like Shepherds Pie and cabbage. Which is what I did yesterday although I made it with Quorn which some people say is the devils work but everyone ate it with no moaning.
We had a full attendance today. Set off from C's house at around 10.30am and did about 30 miles. N was there too - he has had some new brake blocks fitted for the amazingly cheap price of £7.50 by some geezer who has a yard somewhere round the back of Bickley station. Amazing - £7.50 - how can he make any money out of that? Perhaps he just does it for the love of cycling! I feel a bit guilty about having my new bike as I think the others are struggling a bit with some of the hills - but I think they may both choose to invest in new ones soon so my guilt will evaporate when they steam up these hills leaving me behind!
We may have a further mug, sorry volunteer who's going to go with us to Paris - the guy who got me into it in the first place after a few beers. I met him the other night, he was so surprised that I had accepted the challenge that he thought he ought to go for it as well! He's an "N" too so I will have to call him N2 or something. Anyway he's going to join us for these Sunday jaunts occasionally.
I was really finished off by the time I got back to C's today. It was very hard work today even though we didn't really up the mileage. Even now 8 hours after finishing I am aching. I seek no sympathy, I'm still going to do the real thing next May but for three days? Blimey I'm gonna need to stick in some serious training soon. Reckon I'll have to do some night riding after work which around the roads of South East London is always a pleasure, never a chore ;-)
Right that's it - I'm off to set up my charity giving website, all you lucky readers can soon follow the link!
God I ache so much...............
.
I needed all this today cos the weather in London town is shite. I cannot articulate this any better because it's the only way to describe it. It's the kind of weather where you really want to stay in and eat comfort food like Shepherds Pie and cabbage. Which is what I did yesterday although I made it with Quorn which some people say is the devils work but everyone ate it with no moaning.
We had a full attendance today. Set off from C's house at around 10.30am and did about 30 miles. N was there too - he has had some new brake blocks fitted for the amazingly cheap price of £7.50 by some geezer who has a yard somewhere round the back of Bickley station. Amazing - £7.50 - how can he make any money out of that? Perhaps he just does it for the love of cycling! I feel a bit guilty about having my new bike as I think the others are struggling a bit with some of the hills - but I think they may both choose to invest in new ones soon so my guilt will evaporate when they steam up these hills leaving me behind!
We may have a further mug, sorry volunteer who's going to go with us to Paris - the guy who got me into it in the first place after a few beers. I met him the other night, he was so surprised that I had accepted the challenge that he thought he ought to go for it as well! He's an "N" too so I will have to call him N2 or something. Anyway he's going to join us for these Sunday jaunts occasionally.
I was really finished off by the time I got back to C's today. It was very hard work today even though we didn't really up the mileage. Even now 8 hours after finishing I am aching. I seek no sympathy, I'm still going to do the real thing next May but for three days? Blimey I'm gonna need to stick in some serious training soon. Reckon I'll have to do some night riding after work which around the roads of South East London is always a pleasure, never a chore ;-)
Right that's it - I'm off to set up my charity giving website, all you lucky readers can soon follow the link!
God I ache so much...............
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Sunday Jaunt
30 miles today around the expanse of the countryside in NW Kent and then a few miles around Greenwich. The latter due to me having no keys when I got back from the former and so having to trek down to the "village" to get hold of some.
The first 30 were good. The weather was sunny but a bit cold with an icy breeze which you would expect for the time of year. You had to be going for a few miles before warming up. A slightly different route today around Dartford and Longfield and Meopham. We stopped for the obligatory Mars Bar which prompted a discussion about the rarity of King Size Mars bars now and how you only see the Mars Bar Duo which is a bit of a disappointment in comparison. We think it may have something to do with the Food Industry and the government discouraging us from consuming king size snacks. It's wrong to eat Mars Bars really but you do feel you've earned one after 10 miles cycling.
Only C was present today - N was out of action due to his bike undergoing some serious surgery. I hope they fix his bike. We returned after 2 and a half hours for tea and toast with Marmite as is becoming the tradition on these Sundays. Although we are upping the miles and I hope to be up to 40 by Yuletide, we need to up our speed so that we don't take too long on the day.
Both N and C are talking about investing in a racer each now. I can understand this. I am not the fittest person but with my new bike I seem to find the hills and distance a bit easier than when I was using my mountain bike. Plus my new bike is lovely. My back hurts a bit though, I think I must be sitting a bit oddly on it (the bike, not my back)...I must get that corrected when I visit Condors for its free service in a couple of weeks.
Here is my bike wish list:
Blimey, this charity run is all expenses!
On a completely different note here is a picture as promised in the last entry of Slovenian Mushroom soup in a loaf of bread.
and here is a very childish shop name spotted in Slovenia. I laughed.
I need a back massage.
The first 30 were good. The weather was sunny but a bit cold with an icy breeze which you would expect for the time of year. You had to be going for a few miles before warming up. A slightly different route today around Dartford and Longfield and Meopham. We stopped for the obligatory Mars Bar which prompted a discussion about the rarity of King Size Mars bars now and how you only see the Mars Bar Duo which is a bit of a disappointment in comparison. We think it may have something to do with the Food Industry and the government discouraging us from consuming king size snacks. It's wrong to eat Mars Bars really but you do feel you've earned one after 10 miles cycling.
Only C was present today - N was out of action due to his bike undergoing some serious surgery. I hope they fix his bike. We returned after 2 and a half hours for tea and toast with Marmite as is becoming the tradition on these Sundays. Although we are upping the miles and I hope to be up to 40 by Yuletide, we need to up our speed so that we don't take too long on the day.
Both N and C are talking about investing in a racer each now. I can understand this. I am not the fittest person but with my new bike I seem to find the hills and distance a bit easier than when I was using my mountain bike. Plus my new bike is lovely. My back hurts a bit though, I think I must be sitting a bit oddly on it (the bike, not my back)...I must get that corrected when I visit Condors for its free service in a couple of weeks.
Here is my bike wish list:
- Proper racing sunglasses (wraparound la-di-dah ones)
- A warm jacket
- A huge proper pump for my tyres
- A bike rack for my car
- Some decent lights
Blimey, this charity run is all expenses!
On a completely different note here is a picture as promised in the last entry of Slovenian Mushroom soup in a loaf of bread.
and here is a very childish shop name spotted in Slovenia. I laughed.
I need a back massage.
Monday, November 13, 2006
slovenian red hair
I don't think my co riders did any training this weekend but there again neither did I so I guess we're even.
My trip to Slovenia was all things Slovenian - they are big on mushrooms and the gathering of such items is a natioinal hobby. In addition a lot of the ladies have red hair dyed of course. It's everywhere. A bit like blond hair in Britain. I recommend Bled and it's lake. Fantastic views of the mountains. And the hotel was second to none - Tito's summer residence. And a day in Ljubjana - a nice game goulash and mushroom soup in a loaf of bread. Photo to follow!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Weekend off from cycling
I'm off to Slovenia for a weekend la-di-da. I may get some cycling in over there - you never know. But in case I don't I am leaving it to my two team mates to get training.
They won't - but it's a nice thought....
Back Sunday.
They won't - but it's a nice thought....
Back Sunday.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Yesterday's route
New bike pic!
Yesterday we started with a nice ride along the south side of the Thames (the best side of course, the north side is just too new with all those bland buildings in the docklands – far nicer to see the derelict factories of the south side, much more atmosphere) and then a run to Bromley after a quick lunch. N was there but C has a bad back and is suffering with all sorts of complaints so it seemed wise for him to rest easy and watch the Arsenal v West Ham game instead. After an 89th minute goal by the hammers I don’t think he was best pleased.
Not an especially large amount of miles but some good hills were negotiated. There were some particularly steep ones in the area round Mottingham. Naturally the new bike negotiated these well and I am most pleased. N’s bike needs a service as his braking methods using his feet are worrying me slightly! Either that or a new bike is in order…I know just the shop for that…
I’m just waiting for the acknowledgement of my application form now, and when that is in place I shall be setting up the sponsorship page. Get your shillings ready!
Friday, November 03, 2006
My lovely new bike is here!
I was going to pick it up at lunchtime from Condor Cycles in Greys Inn Road but events overtook me at lunchtime and I decided to pick it up later. I got fitted for some shoes that clip into the pedals (a bit scary) and bought a tiny pump, some leggings, a little saddle bag (tiny thing which goes under the saddle for your spare inner tube, type leavers and of course mobile phone). And they gave me a nice shoulder bag to carry all my stuff home in. Excellent shop. Heartily recommended.
Lastly I had some lessons on how to clip in and out of the pedals, but I decided to keep my trainers on and headed home as riding in Central London traffic in the Friday night rush hour on a new bike with clip on shoes for the first time was not a good idea.
I thought I could get home along the Thames path but that was a bad idea and I eventually stuck to the main roads through Rotherhithe , Deptford and Greenwich. There are quite a few bus and cycle lanes so the eventual ride home wasn't too bad. I fell off once but not badly and this was away from the main road.
Coming up the hill near home was a breeze in comparison to the same climb on the mountain bike (it bloody well should be better for the price difference!)
I am going to put some photos up of the new beast but I can't find my lead for the digital camera. It always disappears. I must get a wireless digital camera and then this problem won't arise again.
Roll on Sunday, 25 miles! A breeze.
Lastly I had some lessons on how to clip in and out of the pedals, but I decided to keep my trainers on and headed home as riding in Central London traffic in the Friday night rush hour on a new bike with clip on shoes for the first time was not a good idea.
I thought I could get home along the Thames path but that was a bad idea and I eventually stuck to the main roads through Rotherhithe , Deptford and Greenwich. There are quite a few bus and cycle lanes so the eventual ride home wasn't too bad. I fell off once but not badly and this was away from the main road.
Coming up the hill near home was a breeze in comparison to the same climb on the mountain bike (it bloody well should be better for the price difference!)
I am going to put some photos up of the new beast but I can't find my lead for the digital camera. It always disappears. I must get a wireless digital camera and then this problem won't arise again.
Roll on Sunday, 25 miles! A breeze.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Some Progress!
Two bits of news....my bike which I have had built is now ready for me to pick up. Exciting! I will be collecting it on Friday and I will post a picture of it by the weekend. All very riveting for me if not anyone else.
And there has been some progress on the doctor front - he has finally agreed to sign the form which means I can now apply properly to do the ride - so there is definitely no going back.
The new bike has been hyped so much by R that it must perform better than my £140 mountain bike which I bought 6 years ago and has served me well. It's lighter for a start and has these weird pedals that you slot your shoes into.
So time to post my application tomorrow, I'll have to advise my two companions to do the same - no pulling out for them either...
And there has been some progress on the doctor front - he has finally agreed to sign the form which means I can now apply properly to do the ride - so there is definitely no going back.
The new bike has been hyped so much by R that it must perform better than my £140 mountain bike which I bought 6 years ago and has served me well. It's lighter for a start and has these weird pedals that you slot your shoes into.
So time to post my application tomorrow, I'll have to advise my two companions to do the same - no pulling out for them either...
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