First ride

Hooray, i finally rode my bike in anger today and i actually quite enjoyed it. I wanted to do it sooner rather than later, so thought it better to go out with a more experienced rider to help me through my 'baby steps' and i have to say that was a very good idea. Stuart patiently explained how i needed much more air in my tyres, how high i should sit (already correct-somehow) and how my gears work which is something that had really puzzled me. Anyway we just went on some of the quiet roads near where i live and it felt pretty good, certainly a lot faster than on my mountain bike. It wasn't long before I got my first puncture, hence my gratitude that Stuart was with me with a spare inner tube, the appropriate tools and an amazingly good pump. As per usual i was utterly ill prepared. It basically transpires that my bike is a nice colour, but most of the parts that constitute it are of poor quality and so the bike is pretty rubbish really. False economy probably, but we'll see. Anyway we rode about 9 miles, i feel alot more confident about riding my bike and also wearing Lycra and i'm eagerly anticipating my next ride when i'll be going solo i guess.

Cold

I went wild camping at the weekend in the Lake district. The experience has reinforced in me the importance of been prepared, which i wasn't. It's all very well saving a few pennies but my naivety made the night i spent in a freezing cold tent one of the worst i can remember. Never have i wanted the warmth of my own bed so much. I had no sleeping mat with which to prevent the cold from the ground seeping into my bones, a simple thing that would have helped along with an extra pair of dry socks (I did have one fortunately). I mention this only because it could be a valuable lesson in making sure you are best prepared for every eventuality, especially with the ride somewhere on the horizon.

I was hoping to be doing the ride in May or July but I'm not 100% sure yet. I don't want to do it when Karen is on her school holidays and also i don't want to do it before Karen in pregnant. No pressure there then! It's quite difficult as people keep asking me when i am going to do it and it's hard to tell them as trying for a baby is not really something you talk about. So in the meantime i just need to fend off the questions i guess and prepare as best I can.

Up and running

I did it! I successfully pumped up two tyres. I got an adaptor from a bike shop and it actually worked. Not with the fancy posh pump i got for Christmas, but with the £3 one i got in Tesco. None the less i was able to go for my first rather tentative test ride. The breaks are not where you would expect them to be, the gears are all a bit strange and as for trying to get both feet in the peddle clips, that proved almost impossible. I did manage a lap round the block however. Next up, i think i'll give Stuart a call and get some expert advice on how to get the gears to work and maybe go a bit further. Anyway, at least i'm up and running.

Air

It's cold outside and i am not really motivated to go cycling just yet. I've tried several different ways to pump my tyres up, but as yet they are still as flat as a pancake, there has to be a knack to it i'm sure. I appreciate this isn't the most inresting start to a blog. Thank God no one is actually reading it at the moment. I'm really hoping that in a few months time i'll be able to look back and laugh at these small hurdles that i've overcome along the way. I will next write a post when there is air in the tyres.