On Saturday Moomin and I cycled to music school as her car is stuck in France being repaired. It was a beautiful day and we didn't meet any nasty drivers.
We were both a bit breathless from pollen but that was about it.
The highlights, however, were on the way home. Waiting for a green light at a bike crossing a silver car pulled up and, as it swung round the corner we heard 'Laaaaaadies.......' I braced myself mentally, I wasn't in lycra but nine times out of ten the comments aren't good. I was a little surprised, therefore when this followed in a French accent:
'I'm soooo drunk.... eeet is teeerrrrible.'
It was the passenger looking Pimmsed to the hilt but happy. Moomin and I looked at each other and burst out laughing. We continued on and, soon afterwards, a rather slim and spectacular-looking bike glided up to the lights next to us. I glanced over, surprised that he'd given us lots of room and executed such a courteous overtake.
I was shocked..... He was actually quite hot.
All in lycra, on a fab bike AND a bit of a hottie? He was next to Moomin at this point and they were both slightly ahead of me. Moomin gave a dazzling smile and glanced back at me with a conspiratorial wink.
All in all, a great day's cycling.
Showing posts with label squiffy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label squiffy. Show all posts
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Monday, 26 October 2009
Reg goes clubbing
So I decided to go ahead with my cycling/clubbing plan when it became apparent that the tube was a bit pants. I did, however, decide that I'd aim to take Reg with me on the train partway both ways and that I'd only cycle all the way if I missed the last one from Paddington.
The only down side of all this was that Mr Weenie offered to buy me a beautiful dress to wear out but its length and the fact it was silk meant I didn't want to cycle in it. Sigh.
Instead I wore a fab black sequinned vest-top dress over black leggings. I wore trainers and packed smarter shoes into my pannier along with my cable loop and headed into town. Reg and I caught the train to Paddington from my local station and then I cycled to Oxford Circus. It took 10 minutes (only!) and I had loads of time to lock Reg to a lamppost that was in full view of the club's bouncers on a very well lit piece of road. Someone else's bike was also there so Reg wasn't lonely.
I tidied myself and changed my shoes while waiting for T, whose birthday it was.
When she arrived she laughed and said her mum had joked I'd probably cycle there. She laughed even more when I pointed to Reg chained up a few yards away. We got inside and the night began.
The hardest part was making sure people didn't top up my glass once I'd decided to stop drinking (I don't think cycling squiffy is particularly clever in London traffic). I solved this by getting glasses of tap water with ice from the bar. As long as you're holding a drink no one tries to give you one.
We danced to Dizzee Rascal, I chatted to T's other half and a good time was had. At around 11.30pm I lost the others as the club got packed and, knowing I had to leave at midnight anyway, I decided to call it a night. I got my pannier out of the cloakroom (took ages) changed my shoes and went to get Reg. At 11.45pm we headed to Paddington and at 11.55pm I was buying a coffee from the Costa in the station (who knew it opened so late, hooray). I got on the 12.05am to Reading so I could get to Ealing Broadway and cycle from there. It was the most unpleasant part of the journey.
Everyone was trashed, people kept bumping Reg and only my delicious and much-needed latte kept me going. We got to Ealing Broadway, I carried Reg up the stairs and pedalled home.
I had texted Mr Weenie from Paddington to let him know which train I was on so I was surprised at the level of shock he displayed when I walked in the door. 'Check the time,' was all he said.
It was 12.30am. It had taken me 45 minutes!
Last time I got stuck in Leicester Square and came home alone it took more than three hours by night bus. Where I now live is a good solid walk from the nearest night bus stop and I reckon two hours would have been a good time to do it in.
I was actually in bed an hour after leaving a central London nightclub and I live in zone 4. Even if I'd cycled the whole way I'd have been home in 1hr 15mins max, I know because I've cycled home from the Barbican late at night.
Cutting more than an hour off your journey home and feeling totally safe the whole way door to door: worth skipping a few drinks for? Oh I think so.
The only down side of all this was that Mr Weenie offered to buy me a beautiful dress to wear out but its length and the fact it was silk meant I didn't want to cycle in it. Sigh.
Instead I wore a fab black sequinned vest-top dress over black leggings. I wore trainers and packed smarter shoes into my pannier along with my cable loop and headed into town. Reg and I caught the train to Paddington from my local station and then I cycled to Oxford Circus. It took 10 minutes (only!) and I had loads of time to lock Reg to a lamppost that was in full view of the club's bouncers on a very well lit piece of road. Someone else's bike was also there so Reg wasn't lonely.
I tidied myself and changed my shoes while waiting for T, whose birthday it was.
When she arrived she laughed and said her mum had joked I'd probably cycle there. She laughed even more when I pointed to Reg chained up a few yards away. We got inside and the night began.
The hardest part was making sure people didn't top up my glass once I'd decided to stop drinking (I don't think cycling squiffy is particularly clever in London traffic). I solved this by getting glasses of tap water with ice from the bar. As long as you're holding a drink no one tries to give you one.
We danced to Dizzee Rascal, I chatted to T's other half and a good time was had. At around 11.30pm I lost the others as the club got packed and, knowing I had to leave at midnight anyway, I decided to call it a night. I got my pannier out of the cloakroom (took ages) changed my shoes and went to get Reg. At 11.45pm we headed to Paddington and at 11.55pm I was buying a coffee from the Costa in the station (who knew it opened so late, hooray). I got on the 12.05am to Reading so I could get to Ealing Broadway and cycle from there. It was the most unpleasant part of the journey.
Everyone was trashed, people kept bumping Reg and only my delicious and much-needed latte kept me going. We got to Ealing Broadway, I carried Reg up the stairs and pedalled home.
I had texted Mr Weenie from Paddington to let him know which train I was on so I was surprised at the level of shock he displayed when I walked in the door. 'Check the time,' was all he said.
It was 12.30am. It had taken me 45 minutes!
Last time I got stuck in Leicester Square and came home alone it took more than three hours by night bus. Where I now live is a good solid walk from the nearest night bus stop and I reckon two hours would have been a good time to do it in.
I was actually in bed an hour after leaving a central London nightclub and I live in zone 4. Even if I'd cycled the whole way I'd have been home in 1hr 15mins max, I know because I've cycled home from the Barbican late at night.
Cutting more than an hour off your journey home and feeling totally safe the whole way door to door: worth skipping a few drinks for? Oh I think so.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Beer plus cycling... hmmmmmmm
I didn't blog yesterday, shocking!
To be honest it's partly because I feel that the fall into the canal can't be topped as a topic but I'll try anyway.
Last night I had a pint before getting on Roger and cycling home. I was offered a second (the boss was paying) and I was sorely tempted, but I decided against because I just think it's a bit silly to cycle while squiffy.
I friend, let's call him Bust-up, is legendary in his particular social circle for coming into work looking like he'd been in a war zone, because he'd cycled home worse for wear after a leaving do and come off. No cars were involved, but a pavement hit him at high speed.
He's not the only person I know who cycles when squiffy but I just can't do it. Not only am I a bit of a lightweight but if I can fall into a canal sober I dread to think of what I'd do if pissed. However, I have to admit that last night's cycle was pleasant and I got home in record time. I have two massive hills to climb on my way home and I often walk up at least part of the second, but last night I sailed up both. I was still exhausted when I got home, but I can't help wondering if beer is the secret cycling super fuel.
Worth experimenting with I feel.......
To be honest it's partly because I feel that the fall into the canal can't be topped as a topic but I'll try anyway.
Last night I had a pint before getting on Roger and cycling home. I was offered a second (the boss was paying) and I was sorely tempted, but I decided against because I just think it's a bit silly to cycle while squiffy.
I friend, let's call him Bust-up, is legendary in his particular social circle for coming into work looking like he'd been in a war zone, because he'd cycled home worse for wear after a leaving do and come off. No cars were involved, but a pavement hit him at high speed.
He's not the only person I know who cycles when squiffy but I just can't do it. Not only am I a bit of a lightweight but if I can fall into a canal sober I dread to think of what I'd do if pissed. However, I have to admit that last night's cycle was pleasant and I got home in record time. I have two massive hills to climb on my way home and I often walk up at least part of the second, but last night I sailed up both. I was still exhausted when I got home, but I can't help wondering if beer is the secret cycling super fuel.
Worth experimenting with I feel.......
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