Must... stop... racing... A2... gasp...

Yesterday I cycled in with S before enjoying an eight-mile ride across London for a meeting. At A2's suggestion I crossed Richmond Park and it was AMAZING.

I didn't know there were cycle and pedestrian only roads through the centre. Smooth tarmac and gorgeous surroundings. Enormous Red deer were right next to one section and they sat looking menacingly beautiful with enormous spring antlers as I slowly pedalled past to take in the sight. They're HUGE close up, but while I kept a respectful distance and kept moving just in case they seemed happy to let me pedal past.

I left the park and headed for the river before crossing one of the locks.

All this was very picturesque but my God I was hot. It was incredibly muggy and the air was alive with the sound of small buzzing insects. I arrived for my appointment sweaty and dishevelled. Luckily, A2 works where I was headed so tucked my panniers away and guided me to a washroom where my carefully packed kit of washing equipment, moisturiser and dry shampoo came into its own. I re-emerged looking far more human.

When business was concluded A2 offered to guide me part of the way home. He knows the area far better than I do so I was grateful for the help. But then it happened. I attempted to race him. I was back in my lycra at this point but I was still laden with two heavy panniers on a mid-range bike compared to his carbon fibre lovely and a small rucksack for luggage.

We whizzed along anyway as we're both fairly quick off the mark but my one overtake (23mph) was an error. Afterwards I panted for some time as A2 discreetly took a notch off the speed to allow me to compose myself after seeing my tomato face and hearing the panty wheeze of someone ill-matched their opponent. He dropped me off and I cycled the rest of the way alone. All in all I cycled around 11 miles home, plus the eight I'd cycled two hours before.

I was a wee bit tired this morning. Probably not a good thing that I had to drop camping supplies to my parents' house for them to drive them to where I'm going this weekend before picking up S this morning. Sigh.... Sooooo tired.....

Screw the scouts, cyclists are the preparation kings

This afternoon I have to cycle straight to an important appointment. It's eight miles from the office and there's no direct transport link. I don't really have any other practical option other than to cycle.

Prep started last week. I looked into the transport situation and decided to cycle.

The last two days I've been researching routes. Yesterday A2 sent me a perfect one that's not too arduous (read sweaty) and it's pretty as it goes through Richmond Park.

This morning I was up early to decide on outfit (transferable from bike to walking around looking smartish) and 'the kit'. Facial wipes? Check. Dry shampoo? Check. Deodorant? Check. Make-up? Check.

Get to work this morning. Damn! I haven't bought new shampoo (current one makes my hair greasy and gross). Off to Hammersmith Broadway in lycra to pick some up.

I'm now ready, in a transferable outfit with clean hair and all the necessary bits and bobs. I'm also knackered. Zzzzzzzzz

Hurrah, A2 has a blog!

The lovely and super-helpful to novice cyclists who fall into canals A2 has started his own cycling blog.
He's a proper cyclist but we love him anyway and Aero Profile is a good read (although obviously only nearly as good as MY blog).

It's even got maps on it.... ooooooooooh.

A lovely morning

Last night I headed to Evans for the second round of leggings-gate.

I'd ordered in the XL Gore Wear ones and went to try them on. They fit. Like a dream. And are so comfy I could wear them forever. How annoying.

I was, in my heart of hearts, hoping that they'd be way too big but the XL fit like a glove. The fabric's so posh it feels like I'm naked and I have to keep looking down to check that I'm not. The panelling means the fabric is snug without pulling and there's so much ergonomic padding I feel like I'm sitting on a cushion. Mmmmmmmm

S and I set off and secretly I was hoping we'd escape without incident. Yesterday, her first day back after a nasty cough and cold, was horrendous. Solid traffic, a vicious left hook by an insane 4x4 BMW that would have left even the hardest lycra loony shaken and various nobbers on the road.

This morning was a dream. Very little traffic, whole stretches where we could pull out into the right lane with no one behind us and we beat the rain to make it into work dry. We also helped a fellow cyclist on a delicious looking Tricross who needed to borrow a pump. Then to top it off the lovely A2 met us in the coffee shop for a natter as we headed in to park up.

Lovely lovely.

My protege

When I started cycling A and A2 were vital to my development. Their continued encouragement and praise kept me going when I was exhausted and made me feel like I could continue to improve.

I've cycled in with A several times and A2 came with me to Bognor. I knew I was never alone and even when I got my first solo puncture I was able to ring A, who gave me phone support throughout and gave me lots of positive reinforcement when I got to work. Now I feel I am able to pass this help on.

S works with me so has heard me extolling the virtues of cycling and telling all and sundry how much I love it. I shouldn't have been surprised, therefore, when she announced her intention to get a bike. A couple of months ago she made good on this and has been pedalling around South Ealing on weekends. Despite not cycling in many years and having no idea which brake was which and how the gears worked, she persevered and this morning we cycled into work.

She lives about halfway from my house to work and I know the area well as it's where my dad was in hospital following the stroke. In fact, it felt a bit weird going that route again. But I digress.

We set off using the A4 cycle path and walked the nastier bits, like the Chiswick roundabout and the last section coming into Hammersmith. S did well and didn't wobble once. She signalled, looked behind with increasing frequency and refused to let the noise and bustle of the Chiswick High Road get her down. We negotiated a nasty set of road works and sailed into Hammersmith a good 20 minutes before work starts.

True we went slowly and cautiously, true we overtook just one bus in the whole journey but we didn't ride on the pavement, go through any red lights or break the Highway Code and I tell you what, a lot of other cyclists did.

What put the icing on the cake though was that apparently the tube is up the spout this morning. Mwahahahhahahaha!