Having spent the week feeling like a slowly diminishing bruise I have, unsurprisingly, not managed to get this year’s training routine off to quite the start I’d planned.  Although I’ve been back at the gym since Tuesday, building things up carefully and generally trying not to make things any worse, today was the first day back on the bike.  Clearly I have a new helmet (more of which in a later post I hope) delivered at speed by Wiggle as usual, otherwise I wouldn’t have gone out at all – mama didn’t raise no fool!

I arranged to meet GW at a layby on the A38 near her new abode.  I was early so cycled around a bit before heading back there slightly late.  I should possibly have kept on going for a bit since, as ever, GW was a good quarter of an hour late herself.  Some things never change 😉

It being GW’s first ride this year (like you could tell) we stuck to the flat and even and pootled around the Levels.  It was warmer than it has been for ages and I was glad I’d opted for the lighter winter jacket and even so had to remove a Buff.  Very unseasonal.  Unlike the roads which were wet and muddy and twice I felt that little slip in the back wheel that makes your heart leap into your mouth and your stomach muscles contract in panic…  Luckily me and my bike remained upright, my internal organs returned to their correct positions, and I got home in one rather tired piece.

Cycling time: 1:54:01
Distance: 28.65 miles
Avs: 15.0 mph
ODO: 6704 mile

That was a bit slow I think.  Maybe just because I’m not better yet.  Odd though.  Because it looks like I cycle faster with GB but feel it less, and slower with GW whilst feeling like it’s hard work.  Cycling is mental – as I keep saying.

Anyway I would appear to be healing up ok from the latest accident, so much so that I can now feel the pain in my back again!  My knee was twingeing from the get go and I think after the third outing with the shoe inserts I can safely say they’re not helping.  I don’t think twingeing is a real word but twinging looks all wrong so spell checker be damned!  The main remaining issue is my neck which still hurts and which cycling appears to aggravate – something to do with the position you hold your head in when you’re on the drops.  I think it may be time for a pink pill…

Still, back on the road again.  Out again tomorrow.  Up some hills next week.  Least that’s the plan.  But look what’s happened recently when I’ve made plans!  So, let’s forget I said that.  There’s no plan.  What plan? 😉