Monthly Archives: July 2014

Let go of the little distractions

Yesterday evening I rounded off a very nice weekend away in the best way; by riding the bike. The low evening sun stitched my shadow back on, though it still resolutely refused to give me a tow up the hills. And there were hills. I wasn’t complaining though, other than as a token, best to do what is expected of you, gesture. I am nothing if not predictable… Having said that, it’s distinctly possible that the lady doth protest too much, (I know, who you callin’ a lady?!), and you’ve all seen through me. Hills are hills, I get up them, and then I get to go down them. It’s a trade-off I can live with 😀

Cycling time: 2:01
Distance: 29.9 miles
Avg: 14.8 mph
ODO: 5544 miles

Today my new wheels were supposed to turn up…and they didn’t, and I had to call them, and now they’re due tomorrow. Not that I’m excited or anything. Much. I’m the one bouncing around like it’s Christmas Eve – I am such a big kid! *grin*. Of course now I’m fretting that they won’t turn up again and I’ll have to chase them again. It would appear I’m not just good at complaining about hills, I’ve also got worrying down to a fine art 😉 I really should learn to let things go – life’s too short, right? In the meantime the postman did bring me two new Topeak AlienLux rear lights to replace the two that mysteriously disappeared one after the other, and a few more tubes of Nuun, so at least I had something to unwrap. Roll on tomorrow… 😀

Strictly the mother…

Yesterday’s evening ride took me up the Gorge, which went ok and actually felt better than of late. Maybe even good, after the steep bit. In fact if some eejot hadn’t removed the relevant segments, I reckon Strava would show that I did pretty well…*grrr*. Having gone up, I got to go down Burrington Combe which I love, but I need to practice because I always screw up the wiggly bit halfway down, and duly did so again. Definitely a case of “could do better” methinks. There was also some fast and some flat and even the odd sprint too, and you know what? It was fun. More miles, more smiles… 🙂 I’ve really been enjoying riding my bike lately. Whether it be on my own, following a Planet X, on the flat or even going up hill. Isn’t that cool? Because, like, isn’t that the point? 😀

Cycling time: 1:27
Distance: 23.3 miles
Avg: 15.9 mph
ODO: 5514.1 miles

In other news, I am now the proud owner of my very own 47 piece socket bit set. How cool is that? Yes, yes, I’m weird (no news there then), but I like having my own tools. I really do. I am the girl who did actually once ask for, and get, a power screwdriver for my birthday – and I still love that 🙂 I am hoping to get better at sorting my own bike out…though don’t hold your breath…I’ll still be begging for “help” on a regular basis 🙂 I’m currently trying to get my bike sorted for Ride London, which I’d like to try and do well. My current shopping list includes new wheels, new tyres, two new cassettes, one new chain, and two new pedals. I think that covers it so far…but I’m running out of time to get it all done…*help!* 😉

One day like this

To the mosquito(s) that last night decided that I was the most appetising thing since fried bacon, I will henceforth be squishing all possible suspects. It is time to leave the building! *itch*.

To the residents of Minehead who found it essential to have sofas & furniture delivered in very large lorries on the only day I want to get there and back along the one and only road there and back – *grrr*. But hey, apparently patience is a virtue, and although that road can be so much more fun, maybe I was being saved from myself, and with loud music and sunshine and no real rush, it could have been worse. I hope they, and you, are all now sitting comfortably. Then I’ll begin…

Why Minehead? Well, since apparently the last time I did it was probably last year’s Tour of Wessex, which is more than a bit poor of me, it was time for what would could turn out to be my annual pilgrimage to Porlock Toll Road. I really ought to do it more often…but life has a habit of getting in the way, n’est-ce-pas? So, here we are, and off we go. Time to visit Gaz, who is my guide around that end of the world. Sometimes we do more hills, but hey, me and hills these days? Nah. I think not. Today was not that day 😉

Today, in unprecedented sunshine, we just rode out to Porlock, so that I could go up the still lovely Toll Road. And then down the even lovelier main road back to Porlock, which I flew down, and once more came close to my goal…but came away with no cigar. Climbing done, it was time for coffee at Kitnors in Bossington. It be proper chocolate box pretty around there. Cute cottages, and thatch, and flowers and…aw. Though next time we’re going to go and have coffee at the Exmoor Owl & Hawk Centre – they had macaws in the garden and everything! Who knew? OK, so we had a very nice coffee break in the café’s garden, amongst more flowers, admiring sparrows, finches, thrushes, and even robins but hey – parrots? Outclassed 😉

The journey home was flatter, which is always good, right? And thanks to a trip around the seaside at Minehead on our way back, I am now feeling much fitter, healthier, and thinner. By comparison to the grockles there anyway *grin*. I’d have taken picturesque photos of the harbour, or the beach, but since we were busy enjoying feeling superior to the tourists, acting like one would have ruined the effect 😉

Cycling time: 1:49
Distance: 24.0 miles
Avg: 13.1 mph
ODO: 5490.8 miles

Whatever the stats may show, and hey statistics can say anything, what they can’t show you is the bigger picture. Today I rode my bike, in the sunshine, got to see my mate, and to go to the beach. From where I’m now sat, it’s looking like a beautiful day 🙂

At the time, I thought I’d gone up the toll road at about the same speed as Gaz’s adorable pet 😉 But according to Strava it turns out I actually did pretty well for me; probably because I was trying to keep up with Gaz himself! OK, it was fairly hard work, but it’s felt worse, and I wasn’t in bottom gear, so hey, I’m actually quite pleased with how it went. Go me :).

And apropos of nothing, on my way back home, whilst stuck behind one of the aforementioned lorries, a “wide load” escort car passed in the opposite direction, shortly followed by a flat bed lorry carrying…guess who?

It would appear Thomas is due in Bishops Lydeard this weekend 🙂