In March we first introduced you to the ’37 year old experimental cyclist’ who was learning (slowly!) how she could incorporate cycling into her everyday life. She’s a few days in now, and shares her latest experiences…
Day 5 (Day 2 really)
The weather is still bright and shiny and so I am on the road again, I have to say with a slightly tender area from yesterday’s Cycle to Work day, and so today I have put on my lovely gel seat cover.
Not an obstacle free day! I had to navigate my way around a lorry, who was reversing up a very busy road. It was very nerve racking but I manage to do it and felt ok as long as I stayed within the traffic, it almost felt like extra protection being within the traffic, just had to have your wits about you.
What I did find amusing was how I managed to overtake a young school girl, further down the road admittedly she did not seem to be in a great hurry to get to school and was wearing her ipod. Is overtaking allowed? I am not sure about cycling etiquette….?
Day 6 (Day3)
Hmm….. the commitments of daily life have got in the way today and cycling today is going to be tricky. Both of my children need to be in two different places at the same time. Not really possible on a bike.
(I have in my mind that I will cycle 3 times a week- this will mean I will save £7:80 a week).
Day 7 (Day 4)
A less hectic family/work/school/homework/housework day today so I am back on my bike, and it was a chilly ride this morning! Who needs botox with fresh air blowing into your face?! It certainly wakes you up.
I am still cycling the same route to work at the moment, no major lorry-type obstacles today, but I am slightly frustrated with myself. At the end a main road, I have to turn left into another quite busy road…. that sounds ok, and if it was just that it would be fine, BUT I then need to filter over into the right hand lane, where there is a lovely cycle lane… so here goes…
… I got off my bike and walked along the pavement… and I know that’s not what you are supposed to do. Any tips anyone?
Day 8 (Day 5)
I think it’s only fair that I should admit that my journey into work is only 1.5 miles, I would not want to mislead anyone into thinking I am now riding 20 miles a day. BUT that is a round trip total of 3 miles a day, which is 3 miles more than I have previously done and multiply that by 3 makes a weekly average of 9 miles.
Today I rode in and got my trousers caught up in the chain…. I should have remembered that happens…It didn’t cause me to come off but it could have done, and of course I have not got a lovely patch of oil on my trousers. GREAT!
Day 9 (Day 6)
No fear of any oil today I have a clippy thing that keeps your trousers out of the chain.
I have also bought a couple of high viz velcro strips. I am slightly self conscious about wearing high viz but you can really spot someone wearing it, although I am not conscious about wearing a helmet – it will hopefully save me if I ever came off.
Day 10 (forget the alternative days count!)
Today we have been out as a family, this usually totally freaks me out because my husband still rides his bike as he did when he was 11, with no hands on the handle bars and at every opportunity pulling wheelies. (He is 38yrs old).
Today, with my new found confidence I lead the way and rode in front of him so at least I couldn’t see what he was doing behind. And I really enjoyed riding alongside my daughter. She is very confident after her cycle training, and was showing me how to get into a positive road position.
My son however thought it would be great fun to copy his Dad until his Dad realised and started to behave like a grown up. Finally.
