Well I’ve been feeling a lot better of late, as I’ve no doubt mentioned.  But hey, nothing lasts forever…as three days back on the tramadol last week goes to prove.  Since I’m no longer habituated, the sedative side-effects meant I spend most of those days unable to get far off the sofa, let alone on to my bike…*sigh*.  This all came, inevitably, in the middle of a very busy week, full of things that were festive or at least festivity related, so I think it’s fair to say that for a few days my exercise routine went to pot.  Which, come to think of it, is what I felt like I’d been smoking! 😉 *grin*.

Finally life has settled down again.  Yesterday I got my first workout in after a four day break, and today was my first time on the bike in a week.  Just as well it was just an easy ride for the traditional Sweets Mince Pie Run.  Easy is a subjective term.  However thanks to a small ACG contingent – Alan, James and Dave – I had both support and a choice of wheels to suck.  Even so the considerable wind was a trial, and I’m actually going to complain about it being so mild – as having decided to test out my new long sleeve base layer under everything else, I was way too hot.  Not a state I ride well in…though maybe the sauna like conditions are beneficial on some level?  Too many layers for sure!

We were the first amongst the many having the same idea today, thus meaning we arrived at Sweets before the lycra deluge and got our coffee in good time which, as we sat there and watched the queue grow out the door, was a very good thing 🙂  Our table was no doubt eagerly snapped up when we left, Dave and I to head one way, and t’others to go another.  They had more miles to do, we both had to get back for work.  Necessary evil, etc.

I have to admit to having found it a bit of a struggle today.  Probably not surprising.  But hey, at least I was out there again.  And I got to go down both Mudgely and Notting Hills my way, so it wasn’t all bad 😉

Cycling time: 1:14
Distance: 19.7 miles
Avg: 15.8 mph
ODO: 7352.9 miles