Funky February

February is here sooner then I can wash my knickers, but unfortunately so is the February funk. Actually occurring a bit sooner then usual.


I hate February, its a useless month, and generally, although the shortest, feels like the longest.


And now, in my funk, I am realizing that everyone around me is increasing their cycling miles and hours. No one is scared of the risk of ice which is still around and I constantly hear or read "rode 50 miles in 2 hours and it felt great" Well la de da to you!!! Im so glad you can ride so many miles in so little time!!! And Im ever so glad you feel so great when I feel so low! Oh and whilst your at it, why not try add that stupid, intolerable saying "dont worry, you've got time, its not spring yet" whilst you waffle on about how much time you have had on your bike this week,


Its fucking winter! The other day I went out on my road bike, only to have to help pick up an unknown cyclist off the pavement after he slid across the ice. I had to dodge a serious amount of old and now ever so new potholes brought on by the shit winter, and my cheeks were colder then an Inuits igloo. Alright it didnt feel so bad, and its always nice to be on the bike.


Then there's always the alternative, the turbo in the spare room. Discovering The Sufferfest has proved a good workout and may be a good way to keep pedalling whilst keeping warm.


But the one thing I guess I need is to get out of this funk. Easier said then done.


Not working is not a great motivator. Some say "how lucky" but I think being unemployed without a lot of cash to live comfortably is not enjoyable. Others say "you can cycle anytime you want!" Very true, but again, being in a funk means its hard to get motivated, and it can get rather lonely getting out on your own all the time.


And even cake is no longer playing its comfort game.


So what happens now? Maybe as I have just accumulated a new mtb I should get out more on that? Or continue river laps on the cx bike to help me with this funk. Or is it spending more time with friends to compensate for the fact that most days I spend by myself. Oh and if you know me well enough, time on my own can be my own worse enemy. I make up scenarios in my head and then convince myself that they are bound to be true.


I know I shouldn't worry to much about my riding, not like Im ever going to be very good at it, and Im never going to be a racer, but I dont want to be left behind, and whilst everyone else is building up their miles im sadly being left on my own, and soon I wont be able to ride with anyone without holding them back.

So I am back to the beginning, everyone increasing their mileage and me pedalling backwards.So if anyone knows the cure for my Funk, I would be greatly appreciative if you shared it with me. And if you dont have a cure then please dont brag about how great it felt to do 50 miles in 2 hours. Thanks

2011 The Year of the Bike

Oh joy! January has arrived and not a minute to soon. 2010 wasn't the greatest year for certain parts of my life but when it came to cycling it wasn't that bad.

It started out horrendous with illnesses and injuries but I got there in the end, and the best part was the people I met and the riding I accomplished.

So 2011 brings all sorts of new things, and again I have begun it with a downer. A cold over Christmas that hasn't really disappeared and unfortunately my hand/wrist is causing me all sorts of bother. But hey, I'm a girl, I can handle it.

So where do I start? Turbo? Oh how fun. I don't understand how people can like the turbo. Ok so it keeps you warm, but its noisy (sounds like an airplane taking off when your cadence is high) you pedal forever and you dont get anywhere (feels like certain road rides last year), you dont get to rest going downhill (ok so some of you continue to pedal going down too, why???) you dont get to wear all your fancy waterproof, winter kit, you are all alone and there is no cake or Illy.

But turbo may be a good place to start, bring up my fitness after almost 3 weeks with a cold/virus.

I could then get on my cx bike, ok so season is over but I'm not a racer so does it really matter? Besides no ones going to see me and it saves having to get the road bike off the turbo. And besides, my new stem has finally arrived and I can finally finish it off completely.

I also purchased a new MTB frame (yes yes I have no job and yet I buy a new frame, you would to for £275) so I can build that up and hit the trails. But I dont like going out on the mtb by myself, Im a bit scared that I will fall off (always do) and have no one there to feel sorry for me.

So 2011 what will it bring? My first sportive? Hope to do the Le Terrier in June, and we will see what other ones come up. Get more confident on the mtb and kill reds (ROAR), lose a stone (lol lol lol lol lol lol) not eat as much cake ( dont be so fucking stupid) and my main goal, to do a 100 mile ride in the Kendal area.

So wish me luck making 2011 my year of the bike.