Weekend Update

35 miles on Sunday, which wasn't bad seeing as I've not been out on the new bike for three weeks. My journey around South East London and Kent was productive but my legs are starting to feel fatigued after hill riding. I have a new book by Lance Armstrong which sets you up for your best ride following a 7 week schedule. I am hoping my leg situation will improve if I follow this schedule.

Solo rides get a bit boring, there is no one to talk to when you stop for a break and you become more self conscious of the ridiculous outfit you are wearing. I shall insist on a team ride next week! N1 was in Dublin and C was in Cardiff to view the Arsenal defeat at the hands of Chelsea.

Less than three months to go the big ride - all the sponsorship is raised and we are ready to ride - but for three days? More training required....

New bikes for team members

N2 and C have invested in new bikes for the ride. As C pointed out they gave me loads of stick about the amount of cash I spent on my machine and here they are going to the same shop in Clerkenwell and investing the same, if not more money on their machines than I did!

Ah well it's a good thing really. They'd better not overtake me though on their new flash bicyclettes.

I intend to cycle on Sunday for two hours maybe three although I have a busy weekend with one thing and another (off to Brighton tomorrow might, out locally on Saturday night and bowling on Sunday at the heart of Essex). Sunday morning it will just be a local run out around 8am.

Let the games commence...

Inspiration, the lack of...

After several weeks away and the lack of blogging facilities I have not been so inclined to make any entries recently. This is worrying me because I don't know if I am losing the blog bug.

I am hoping that by making this entry I will get back into the swing of things. I've done no cycling for a couple of weeks which may explain the lack of contributions.

No this isn't working.

Inspiration please.

skiing tales

and so its been sweden since sunday. via oslo no less. The resort Tandadalen is superb and so snowy all the tlme. I've never seen somuch snow all the tlme!
My skiing has improved in 3 days.my 1st lesson!oday my 4th lesson I Have improved greatly.
my confidence was slightly dented by an impromptu trip up the mountain which resulted in a trip down the green and red runs. I was very nervous but made it down with a bit of effort. And swearing. lots ot swearing.
Everyone is so tired at the end of the day's action but its a great holiday. No cycling news but the skiing is improving my fitness; along with the morgans spiced rum which is being consumed each night. happy days.

Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

A little break

A first trip to Scandinavia and also a first trip skiing. A week away and no cycling either. If I can blog I will, partly because if I can't get to the web then I won't be able to read blogs either.

My eldest's performance as the leper in Jesus Christ Superstar at school was superb. But I was disappointed to hear that the main character did not wear frilly knickers and a playtex bra.

More snow

Awaiting more snow - so excited. Thursday forecast is for worst (or best) snow for two years.

We shall see. It's midnight and still no sign of it. Minus three in the suburbs tonight.

I still ache a bit from Sunday but nothing serious.

45 miles, a puncture, hot cross buns

45 miles trek initiated by R, mad mad R who is cycling mad but is not joining us for the trek to Paris. We complain about the hills we get asked to do, and the first one is a killer. I have to get off which is a first for me and a disappointment. Still these are excessive hills (Surrey Hills, check em out) and the completion of 45 miles is satisfying.

My normal Sunday evening aches and pains are here. But I have raised my £1000 in three weeks with ease. City work may be rubbish but its employees are on the whole very generous. And the donations are still coming in!

We had a puncture today, C was going to head back home from Penshurst station as we had no pump to fit his tyres, but as we approached the station a kind man who was parking his car in his garage donated a pump and we were able to change the tube and get back on track. I think R had another 20 miles in mind so C did us a favour with the delay caused by the puncture.

Hot cross buns kept us going along with Mars Bars bananas and some drink I bought in Holland and Barratt which tastes vile but apparently gives you energy. Mmm the hot cross buns were good - although I prefer mine with butter and these were plain they were still lovely. But it is too early for such items? We are not yet into Lent, even. Sacrilege!

I attach a picture of puncture repair situation. I wasn't being very helpful by capturing the moment instead of assisting that I fear I may not get any help myself should I suffer the same fate.

I still don't know if I'm fit enough to do this...I need to do another 25 miles in one day! Help!

New Caff

This looks good, though not as good as my local.

Lack of blogging, Visions of Jesus, The Mafia

I've posted nothing since Sunday this week has flown by - the intention has been there to blog but it just didn't happen and now I can't recall the monumentally hilarious moments of the past few days (that could down to the fact that workwise, the week started off so bad but by today it had improved vastly).

Anyway summary of the week:

Last night - eldest's parents evening. 11 teachers in an hour, 4 minutes per teacher. A bit like speed dating. The Religious Education teacher looked like Jesus. Apparently the kids in the eldest's class teased him in December saying his birthday must be coming up on the 25th. A bit cruel really, but quite funny as well. I didn't get to speak to him, he wasn't on the list but I wish we had. I would have checked his hands and feet subtly for signs of stigmata.

Eldest doing well but could be doing better. Sound familiar?

Also I had Beers with the PTA at the Bugle Horn- chair and secretary resigning and no one to replace them. Never cross the PTA, they have connections like the Masons or the Mafia. Which reminds me of when I worked at another brokers a few years ago, there was this group of scary and hard east end women, all managers and quite intimidating - they were collectively known as The Muffia, which I thought was quite amusing (I'd like to take the credit for that name but I can't)

Tues night - nothing

Mon night - can't remember

Tonight - Watched some program on BBC2, the Truth About Food which said that if you consume low fat dairy products the calcium helps you excrete fat from the body. They also said that home made soups are the best because they are low fat and stop you feeling hungry for longer.

Nothing to say about my cycling. Apart from the fact I'm just £70 off my total of £1000. Sunday ride this weekend. 43 miles. No sweat.

Listening to: Belle and Sebastian - "The Life Pursuit". Bloody excellent