almost a wasted weekend...

So my plan this weekend was 3 days riding to see how i cope ready for wales, it didn't quite happen like that.

Saturday started well, i toddled off to Trek for my bikes 6 week check up (i really am getting attached to her!) all is good with my trusty steed, yay. The plan was to then go out for a long 50 mile ride with the bloke, only the weather had other ideas. Andy set up the turbo and i did a fast 10 mile blast instead.

Let me tell you about the turbo, I have mentioned before I hate (that's HATE) the turbo, its a means to an end but, whilst cycling is fun, you have the scenery, the pushing yourself to improve, the thinking about gears, traffic etc the turbo is not. The turbo is boring, even set up in front of the TV its boring, unless you have a DVD to follow its flat, no ups and downs, no free wheeling and, its harder work- I hate sweating, I like working out and I like the aches and the nice knackered feeling but i hate sweating. I have the turbo for when the weather is pants, I would much rather be out on the road.

Anyhoo, I had a nice 10 mile blast on the turbo and then settled in for a night of xbox singing and a Vodka or 2, not having too many as we had a 40ish mile group ride planned for Sunday morning.

well we did.......

when my alarm went of at 6.30am on Sunday there was NO way I was making it out, flashbacks of loud, tuneful singing went through my head (well we thought we were tuneful) as well as a vision of a few more than 2 vodkas, I had to text the group saying I was "ill" (I did confess later) and went back to sleep with the plan of going out with Andy later that day.

I actually never got dressed....... I am such a lush!

Seriously its been a long time since I was so hungover I couldn't function, I lay on the sofa most of the day berating myself for the loss of a day and stressing that, in 3 weeks time I'm riding 195 miles, in 3 days and I feel woefully unprepared.

I confessed my sins on facebook to the rest of the HASSRA crew, who all said the right, soothing words, we will be fine, a rest day is good and this is a team challenge lol. thanks guys!

I am so looking forward to meeting them all.

Went to bed still feeling a bit wibbly but, having watched the most awesome film-start trek in to darkness- and dutifully set my alarm for 6.30am

And this is where the weekend was saved, I was up and out by 7.20am, with a route planned in my head- after porridge and coffee of course.

firstly i wanted to attempt my old training run, when i began cycling i set myself a target of cycling to Meriden and back-20 miles- it was hard going, a slog and the 1st time I managed the whole 20 miles it took almost 3 hours. That was about 12 months and a mountain bike ago,  I changed my routes and then started to go out with the group so havent attempted the Meriden ride since. I wanted to see what the difference was- a lot, it really helped to show how far I have come, it took me just over an hour to do, hampered only by the fact my cycle computer died (yet again) and i had to stop a few times to fix it.

I then went on to do my usual training route, Steppy lane, Witherley, Sheepy Parva, Sheepy Magna but then carried on the A5 home.

The A5 was a bit hairy, despite there being more room than on country lanes the cars pass by closer, its mad! it's as if i'm not allowed to be on the road and, some car users take offence at me being there, i don't want to start a debate, there are as many bad cyclists out there as bad car drivers but, the outcome can be worse for me as a cyclist. I have noticed since I began riding I am much more aware of cyclists when i'm driving.

My road confidence is building as well, I crossed right over the A5  at a busy junction to get home, and it wasn't a stress, (the junction for Twycross/Weddington for local bods) I rode back through town and, I'm definitely learning to ride confidently, as opposed to panicking, and ending up standing on the pavement a gibbering wreck-when i started this i was firmly a pavement rider (I know I know i'm sorry!).

45 miles in 3 hours 15 ish (lost 5 miles on my computer) bearing in mind 20 miles used to take 3 hours. Would definitely say I'm improving.

Bring on the challenge.

One last word, i'm hoping people enjoy reading this blog but, it has been pointed out my grammar is a bit lacking (I was also accused of using text speak for which i apologise if I have that is a bug bear of mine but other than the odd lol i wasn't aware I had) the grammar issue is down to 2 things, I wanted this blog to be conversational/more "me" as opposed to an essay and, I'm so used to predictive text on my phone or auto correct on word that I forget to spell check, I will try to correct this! lol (sorry!) please please feel free to share this blog though, i love that people read it and i love when people comment.