Well Funky February is in full swing, although not as funky as I first thought. I decided that maybe this year, I would try to tame the funk.
It started just as normal, with tears and tantrums. Feeling so sorry for myself and wondering why life was treating me this way. Crying for hours (one whole day in fact) for no apparent reason. Yep, I was feeling the fuckin funk.
But then... after friends (twitter peeps) lent their ears and emails, February was beginning to shrink in size.
Then there were the girls.
I love the people that I have met over the year, and I love my best friend (you know who you are) but there is something great about having girl friends. And girls who cycle just kick fucking ass! Any girl who cycles knows the woes of having to pee mid ride, what its like when you are suffering from that time of the month, and the embarrassment of pulling your stuff out of your jersey pocket, only to have a tampon land on the table. They are great at helping you kick the shit out of your funk and they love cake, just as much as me.
So it only seemed appropriate that as I love my girls, and cake, and chocolate, that when I was asked to have a ride up Shap with a lovely lady, I shuttered, made myself sick with worry, but after the promise of visiting the chocolate factory at Orton, I gave in. I did make it up Shap (fuck you funk) and indeed made it to the chocolate factory.Unfortunately our ride was cut short when one of the riders came off her bike, with an almighty bounce! (actually lots of bounces) Fortunately she is ok, I imagine just sore and in need of a new crash hat. But hey, it means that we will do that ride again, and it also means another stop at the chocolate factory too.
And then there is Angels, Fight Club and Breakaway. Sufferfest workouts for the turbo to help you royally kick the February Funks little ass! Some cyclists poo poo turbo, stating stupid things like "weather makes a cyclist" Well, I dont like the cold, or frozen rain, and cold fuckin wind, so turbo at least keeps my legs spinning. And if you have done a Sufferfest workout you do more then bloody spin, you sweat, swear and even sometimes, throw up a little in your mouth.
So Funky February! You may have just met your match! A few friends and a few rides and February will be long and truly over!
So off the sofa I get! See you all out on the roads.
Monday, 14 February 2011
Monday, 31 January 2011
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
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
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
cycling winter blues
The weather has gone fucking cold, but I prepared myself early for this. I built a cx bike to not only use off road but to also use as a safer way to ride out when there's a bit of frost, or muck, or even snow on the roads. Then Paul lent me winter tyres, the ones with lil spikes, to use on the mtb, allowing me to safely get about and keep fit without using the turbo. But the one thing that I forgot to prepare for was the lack of self motivation I tend to suffer from.
Someone should have warned me that lack of motivation leads to ass growth, ever disappearing fitness and more lack of motivation.
In two weeks I have barely been out, and haven't once yet set up the turbo. And now I feel like crap. So disappointed in myself and pissed off that Ive spent all this money to ensure I keep my fitness and here I am, sat on my sofa, writing a blog after a weekend full of takeaways and Xmas party dinners. I feel like one of those people with all the kit and no fucking clue.
I could blame so many things. Being unemployed is becoming a bit of a let down. I set foot in the Job centre for the first time last week and felt and was treated like scum of the earth. My hands have been so fucking sore lately that its finally starting to keep me up at night again. Im tired of riding on my own. I suck. But I know the main reason is because I have just gotten lazy.
So how do you motivate yourself? Its -5 outside, there's snow, and turbo numbs my already failing brain. Whats the trick?
I didn't want this winter to be like last years. I spent the majority of my time fighting off illnesses and when It came to spring I was so unfit it took all bloody summer to get to a point where I was sort of becoming confident.
I cant ride in groups because everybody is way stronger then me. I wanted to use this winter to train hard so I wasn't dropped all the time. So I wasn't ashamed of my riding ability. So what can I do?
Where do you start? When Its so easy to make excuses, how do you change your train of thought?
I am suffering from some serious cycling winter blues.
Someone should have warned me that lack of motivation leads to ass growth, ever disappearing fitness and more lack of motivation.
In two weeks I have barely been out, and haven't once yet set up the turbo. And now I feel like crap. So disappointed in myself and pissed off that Ive spent all this money to ensure I keep my fitness and here I am, sat on my sofa, writing a blog after a weekend full of takeaways and Xmas party dinners. I feel like one of those people with all the kit and no fucking clue.
I could blame so many things. Being unemployed is becoming a bit of a let down. I set foot in the Job centre for the first time last week and felt and was treated like scum of the earth. My hands have been so fucking sore lately that its finally starting to keep me up at night again. Im tired of riding on my own. I suck. But I know the main reason is because I have just gotten lazy.
So how do you motivate yourself? Its -5 outside, there's snow, and turbo numbs my already failing brain. Whats the trick?
I didn't want this winter to be like last years. I spent the majority of my time fighting off illnesses and when It came to spring I was so unfit it took all bloody summer to get to a point where I was sort of becoming confident.
I cant ride in groups because everybody is way stronger then me. I wanted to use this winter to train hard so I wasn't dropped all the time. So I wasn't ashamed of my riding ability. So what can I do?
Where do you start? When Its so easy to make excuses, how do you change your train of thought?
I am suffering from some serious cycling winter blues.
Monday, 6 December 2010
MTB and CX winter style
Winter is here. The frost on the windscreens was the first clue. Lucky I ride a bike so I don't have to scrape the cold stuff off to see out. But the first part of winter wasn't to bad, mostly cold, rainy and well muddy.
So the second time I went off on the cx bike I tried riding in mud. I SUCK! Well my tyres weren't the best, and I'm still not great at handling a bike in the mud, my back end was sliding around like a fat lady covered in oil on a slip n slide. I need to learn to trust myself, but I always panic, scream, and put a foot down. And by the way, putting your foot down in mud is a stupid idea!! And the sound it makes when you pull your foot out of the mud, well if you've had crazy wet sex you know exactly what I mean :-/
The cx bike also needs new tyres, riding through grassy fields and sheep shit and I collected all of it on my front tyre and had to scrape the shit off with a stick. Oh and as I'm sure I wrote in a previous blog, I couldn't fucking stop! So muddy feet, sheep shit, grass, cold air and I was still happier then a kid in a candy shop.
So the first major snow fall and learning to ride a mtb in snow was the next step. Hmmm not to clever in mud, will snow be any different? Yep you don't get as dirty when you fall on your ass! And wow do you fall on your ass!!! But hey at least its a soft landing.
I didn't think snow would be that hard going, but it was. Another back end wobbly. How the hell do you control your back end?? They should make Imodium for bikes :) or maybe I should stop being such a loser? I did have good riding partners though.
So yesterday after some studded tyres were fitted on the mtb I chose to ride to Brockhole to watch a cx race. Riding on hard crusty snow, sucks! All over the place, getting stuck in icy rutts, vibrating over icy footprints, then sliding around in the slushy parts, and it wouldn't seem to me it would be a soft landing. Good thing I stayed upright!!
Oh and winter riding. How many fucking layers? I now say, enough so you can still kinda pedal! I was cold, cold, cold. Next time Im wearing more layers! I don't care if I look like a blimp! As long as I can pedal!
So riding in the winter, FUN!!! Sometimes scary! Always cold. But hey if your pedalling then who the fuck cares.
So the second time I went off on the cx bike I tried riding in mud. I SUCK! Well my tyres weren't the best, and I'm still not great at handling a bike in the mud, my back end was sliding around like a fat lady covered in oil on a slip n slide. I need to learn to trust myself, but I always panic, scream, and put a foot down. And by the way, putting your foot down in mud is a stupid idea!! And the sound it makes when you pull your foot out of the mud, well if you've had crazy wet sex you know exactly what I mean :-/
The cx bike also needs new tyres, riding through grassy fields and sheep shit and I collected all of it on my front tyre and had to scrape the shit off with a stick. Oh and as I'm sure I wrote in a previous blog, I couldn't fucking stop! So muddy feet, sheep shit, grass, cold air and I was still happier then a kid in a candy shop.
So the first major snow fall and learning to ride a mtb in snow was the next step. Hmmm not to clever in mud, will snow be any different? Yep you don't get as dirty when you fall on your ass! And wow do you fall on your ass!!! But hey at least its a soft landing.
I didn't think snow would be that hard going, but it was. Another back end wobbly. How the hell do you control your back end?? They should make Imodium for bikes :) or maybe I should stop being such a loser? I did have good riding partners though.
So yesterday after some studded tyres were fitted on the mtb I chose to ride to Brockhole to watch a cx race. Riding on hard crusty snow, sucks! All over the place, getting stuck in icy rutts, vibrating over icy footprints, then sliding around in the slushy parts, and it wouldn't seem to me it would be a soft landing. Good thing I stayed upright!!
Oh and winter riding. How many fucking layers? I now say, enough so you can still kinda pedal! I was cold, cold, cold. Next time Im wearing more layers! I don't care if I look like a blimp! As long as I can pedal!
So riding in the winter, FUN!!! Sometimes scary! Always cold. But hey if your pedalling then who the fuck cares.
Monday, 15 November 2010
a year in review (what I have learned)
So a season of rides after work is over, as darkness approaches I think back to the beginning of the year, and to all the things I've learned about learning to ride.
1. You fall off
Thats right, Even if you keep pedalling eventually you will hit pavement, or rock, or mud, or gravel, or tree root, or grass. At times it will hurt like a son of a bitch and the language that spews from your mouth will be worse then the kids on my estate. Other times you will just feel like an idiot when for the 5th time in a row you have fallen over sideways because you just cant figure out the mud thing. But the most dangerous part of falling is the way it can kill your confidence, so dont let it, swear loudly and carry on riding.
2. Its still expensive
Oh my god!!! Seriously! It should be illegal how much this costs! The words How Much?! seems to be heard loudly when my credit card bill arrives. But I just cant help it. They can be so irresistible all shiny and new, staring at me on the Internet web pages, begging to be used. *sigh* And then you say "well why dont you stop spending?" or "stop looking on the Internet then" Well you try it! I challenge you... do not buy any cycle related anything for at least 2 weeks... can you do it?
3.You need more then you think you do
And cue the credit cards and internet. Ok so some people think they can get away with one of everything. Really?? One?? Oh wait that must mean you only have one bike, and you only ride once per week then? I thought I would never need things like chamois cream, until that is, I wore a very questionable pair of padded shorts that ended up with rubbing worse then that of a clueless teenage boy looking for the clitoris :-/ And do I really need 4 pairs of gloves? Yep, actually i could use 5, cue credit cards and internet. And again, how many pairs of cycling shoes/boots do you need. Well I have 4 bikes so 4 pairs?? Oh and see thats the other thing about needing more then you think you do. One bike is never enough but even with 4 bikes Im already thinking I need one more.
4.You may alienate friends and loved ones
I really enjoy my time on the bike, and since cycling is a newer thing to me, my previous friends dont quite get the attraction, or maybe its that the majority of them are just lazy. I dont generally drink that much especially if im on the bike the next day, and Ive quit smoking, apparently losing my appeal to my mates in the mean time. But cycling has also brought me new and fabulous people into my life, 80% ive yet to meet in person but hey, at least then they cant stop liking me because Im not ordering several bottles of Peroni at the bar (can someone please explain the Peroni thing to me, there are several much better tasting things out there)
5.Tantrums are a fact of life
Kick, scream, swear, cry, moan, sniffle, gripe, laugh historically, wave fists in air, give folk the finger, all part of daily life of a cyclists. I have gotten quite good at tantrums. Screaming I AM SHIT loud enough for the NW to hear has become my trademark. I cry oh my do I cry. Somedays I even consider selling the bloody things and taking up knitting, then again Im sure I would be shit at that too. Im not sure whats more frustrating and what causes more tantrums, road or mtb??? Im sure maybe cx will prove to push me over the edge and I will end up crying like a little baby cuz I JUST CANT FUCKING STOP!!!
6. People who drive cars are idiots
FFS!!! I cannot ride on the pavement, Road Tax dosn't exist, you can see me, yes you bitch this is a cycle lane, I am allowed in pedestrian only area's of Kendal, I dont need to get off the road, I am not a bitch (ok I am but they dont know that) and I am on a real bike. I am tired of cars parking in the cycle lane, there are only 2 in the whole of Kendal so im sure the lard asses can park somewhere else. And why the need to pass so close, or so fast???? Bloody retards in a vehicle encased in protection bullying a lil lady on a bike, your so fucking tough arent you!? Well stop your white van and I will kick you in the bollocks, now you aint so tough!
7. You can do more then you think you can
Ok so Im not ever going to win the TDF or for that matter the local Tour de Staveley, but I can get up a hill. I may not be fast but im slow and im not in a hurry so I guess it dosent really matter. I still panic a bit when I see a big hill ahead, or a steep decent. Im not to good at rock drops or keeping upright in mud, but I still push on and I still try, and occasionally I surprise myself (and others im sure)
8. Somedays you need to put down the bike
There are somedays when your legs ache or other body parts, or when your motivation has disappeared along with one of your favorite socks, the weather is insane, or your having a 'special' day. Its ok to put the bike down, curl up under the duvet and relax. Some people may tell you things like "getting out will do you good" or "stop being such a wimp" generally these are men, I say, again, kick then in the bollocks and they wont be out on the bike either.
9. Woman specific ranges are still pink
How many times do I need to tell you that I really dont like pink. But what actually is starting to annoy me more is the woman who wear a size 8-10 asking me "why do you find it so hard to find womans cycle clothing?" well you skinny bitch, grow some tits and an ass and then try again! There is stuff that fits me, but I have to purchase an XL, how is that supposed to make me feel good about myself??? And If I have to wear an XL being a size 14 what do woman who have bigger hips or chest have to wear?? So skinny girls, please dont brag about your huge array of choices to me, I may sit on you!
10. Cycling is the most brilliant hobby
Ok so I may moan a bit, but a the end of the day, what other sport can make you set goals, get fit, socialize, climb mountains, soar over hills, wade through water, and fill your days and nights with so much enjoyment you never want to go inside. If it wasnt for cycling I wouldnt have much to do with my time, (I may have more money) and I would have never met the most amazing group of people I have ever known. Thanks to cycling I have figured out a bit more about who I am and what I love most.
1. You fall off
Thats right, Even if you keep pedalling eventually you will hit pavement, or rock, or mud, or gravel, or tree root, or grass. At times it will hurt like a son of a bitch and the language that spews from your mouth will be worse then the kids on my estate. Other times you will just feel like an idiot when for the 5th time in a row you have fallen over sideways because you just cant figure out the mud thing. But the most dangerous part of falling is the way it can kill your confidence, so dont let it, swear loudly and carry on riding.
2. Its still expensive
Oh my god!!! Seriously! It should be illegal how much this costs! The words How Much?! seems to be heard loudly when my credit card bill arrives. But I just cant help it. They can be so irresistible all shiny and new, staring at me on the Internet web pages, begging to be used. *sigh* And then you say "well why dont you stop spending?" or "stop looking on the Internet then" Well you try it! I challenge you... do not buy any cycle related anything for at least 2 weeks... can you do it?
3.You need more then you think you do
And cue the credit cards and internet. Ok so some people think they can get away with one of everything. Really?? One?? Oh wait that must mean you only have one bike, and you only ride once per week then? I thought I would never need things like chamois cream, until that is, I wore a very questionable pair of padded shorts that ended up with rubbing worse then that of a clueless teenage boy looking for the clitoris :-/ And do I really need 4 pairs of gloves? Yep, actually i could use 5, cue credit cards and internet. And again, how many pairs of cycling shoes/boots do you need. Well I have 4 bikes so 4 pairs?? Oh and see thats the other thing about needing more then you think you do. One bike is never enough but even with 4 bikes Im already thinking I need one more.
4.You may alienate friends and loved ones
I really enjoy my time on the bike, and since cycling is a newer thing to me, my previous friends dont quite get the attraction, or maybe its that the majority of them are just lazy. I dont generally drink that much especially if im on the bike the next day, and Ive quit smoking, apparently losing my appeal to my mates in the mean time. But cycling has also brought me new and fabulous people into my life, 80% ive yet to meet in person but hey, at least then they cant stop liking me because Im not ordering several bottles of Peroni at the bar (can someone please explain the Peroni thing to me, there are several much better tasting things out there)
5.Tantrums are a fact of life
Kick, scream, swear, cry, moan, sniffle, gripe, laugh historically, wave fists in air, give folk the finger, all part of daily life of a cyclists. I have gotten quite good at tantrums. Screaming I AM SHIT loud enough for the NW to hear has become my trademark. I cry oh my do I cry. Somedays I even consider selling the bloody things and taking up knitting, then again Im sure I would be shit at that too. Im not sure whats more frustrating and what causes more tantrums, road or mtb??? Im sure maybe cx will prove to push me over the edge and I will end up crying like a little baby cuz I JUST CANT FUCKING STOP!!!
6. People who drive cars are idiots
FFS!!! I cannot ride on the pavement, Road Tax dosn't exist, you can see me, yes you bitch this is a cycle lane, I am allowed in pedestrian only area's of Kendal, I dont need to get off the road, I am not a bitch (ok I am but they dont know that) and I am on a real bike. I am tired of cars parking in the cycle lane, there are only 2 in the whole of Kendal so im sure the lard asses can park somewhere else. And why the need to pass so close, or so fast???? Bloody retards in a vehicle encased in protection bullying a lil lady on a bike, your so fucking tough arent you!? Well stop your white van and I will kick you in the bollocks, now you aint so tough!
7. You can do more then you think you can
Ok so Im not ever going to win the TDF or for that matter the local Tour de Staveley, but I can get up a hill. I may not be fast but im slow and im not in a hurry so I guess it dosent really matter. I still panic a bit when I see a big hill ahead, or a steep decent. Im not to good at rock drops or keeping upright in mud, but I still push on and I still try, and occasionally I surprise myself (and others im sure)
8. Somedays you need to put down the bike
There are somedays when your legs ache or other body parts, or when your motivation has disappeared along with one of your favorite socks, the weather is insane, or your having a 'special' day. Its ok to put the bike down, curl up under the duvet and relax. Some people may tell you things like "getting out will do you good" or "stop being such a wimp" generally these are men, I say, again, kick then in the bollocks and they wont be out on the bike either.
9. Woman specific ranges are still pink
How many times do I need to tell you that I really dont like pink. But what actually is starting to annoy me more is the woman who wear a size 8-10 asking me "why do you find it so hard to find womans cycle clothing?" well you skinny bitch, grow some tits and an ass and then try again! There is stuff that fits me, but I have to purchase an XL, how is that supposed to make me feel good about myself??? And If I have to wear an XL being a size 14 what do woman who have bigger hips or chest have to wear?? So skinny girls, please dont brag about your huge array of choices to me, I may sit on you!
10. Cycling is the most brilliant hobby
Ok so I may moan a bit, but a the end of the day, what other sport can make you set goals, get fit, socialize, climb mountains, soar over hills, wade through water, and fill your days and nights with so much enjoyment you never want to go inside. If it wasnt for cycling I wouldnt have much to do with my time, (I may have more money) and I would have never met the most amazing group of people I have ever known. Thanks to cycling I have figured out a bit more about who I am and what I love most.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
I built a bike (sort of)
Well its been a few months since that cx Dolan Frame arrived. A typical Dolan Frame, black with white transfers. Oh but being a girl I had another colour in mind. Green with white forks!!!(no bloody pink!)
I sent it for a paint and whilst waiting for it to be returned I took redundancy and shopped online for parts.
The original plan was to buy used on eBay. Ooops :-/ well the wheels were used.
But the credit card was happy and soon it was time to put it together. So I learned how to build a bike in stages.
Stage 1: Have someone with you that knows what they are doing.
Seriously there are bits on a bike that look they belong in a car! And the parts have to point various ways and fit in various holes?????
Stage 2: Your going to eventually get your hands dirty and greasy.
I don't mind getting my hands dirty but I would prefer not to, and isn't greasing holes something that normally a man is better at???
Stage 3: Have someone who has the right tools
I really didn't want to have to buy torque wrench thingies, chain putter onners, wire cutters??
Stage 4: Patience, patience, patience
How many fucking Allen keys does it bloody take to put a bike together!!! You need plenty of patience just to find a key that fits the part! And then you have to tighten one side then the other then return to other side WTF??
Stage 5: Realize that your not done spending money yet
Something is bound to fail when building a bike and you are destined to have to purchase another part, or return something that isn't working. Keep your credit card handy and beg your local bike shop or Internet sight for discounts
Stage 6: Be very nice to the person helping you
Buy cake and make sure the kettle is always boiling. Don't piss off the help by whinging or refusing to grease bits!
Stage 7: Try not to squeal so much when its almost ready!
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
When can I ride??? Is it ready yet???? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE its so pretty!!!!!
Stage 8: Enjoy it!
I had so much fun building it! Now I get to ride it!!!
So for my first outing on the cx Hutty and I went for a blast around Keilder. Not a technical course at all but a beautiful 25 miles around the lake on a sunny cold winter day. And I got my first puncture too! The bikes not completely finished yet, a few tweaks required. But all in all its mine and my first build!
So this winter I will get muddy, learning to ride cx style!
I sent it for a paint and whilst waiting for it to be returned I took redundancy and shopped online for parts.
The original plan was to buy used on eBay. Ooops :-/ well the wheels were used.
But the credit card was happy and soon it was time to put it together. So I learned how to build a bike in stages.
Stage 1: Have someone with you that knows what they are doing.
Seriously there are bits on a bike that look they belong in a car! And the parts have to point various ways and fit in various holes?????
Stage 2: Your going to eventually get your hands dirty and greasy.
I don't mind getting my hands dirty but I would prefer not to, and isn't greasing holes something that normally a man is better at???
Stage 3: Have someone who has the right tools
I really didn't want to have to buy torque wrench thingies, chain putter onners, wire cutters??
Stage 4: Patience, patience, patience
How many fucking Allen keys does it bloody take to put a bike together!!! You need plenty of patience just to find a key that fits the part! And then you have to tighten one side then the other then return to other side WTF??
Stage 5: Realize that your not done spending money yet
Something is bound to fail when building a bike and you are destined to have to purchase another part, or return something that isn't working. Keep your credit card handy and beg your local bike shop or Internet sight for discounts
Stage 6: Be very nice to the person helping you
Buy cake and make sure the kettle is always boiling. Don't piss off the help by whinging or refusing to grease bits!
Stage 7: Try not to squeal so much when its almost ready!
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
When can I ride??? Is it ready yet???? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE its so pretty!!!!!
Stage 8: Enjoy it!
I had so much fun building it! Now I get to ride it!!!
So for my first outing on the cx Hutty and I went for a blast around Keilder. Not a technical course at all but a beautiful 25 miles around the lake on a sunny cold winter day. And I got my first puncture too! The bikes not completely finished yet, a few tweaks required. But all in all its mine and my first build!
So this winter I will get muddy, learning to ride cx style!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)