mamoth task

Well since my last post was quite long and exhaustive (for me) it has taken me a couple of days to recover, an excuse for writers block, or should one say, writers blog, no, that doesn't work,  it would have to be bloggers block. Yes that is it... wow 5th Jan, and already maybe coming up with new words for 09!

Yesterday I went up the hills with my friends, apart from my chain snapping 3 times arrrrgghhh it was a lovely ride. The outside temp never raised above -1c the whole time, brrrrr but still it was very nice.  Along the track Happy Village Life (sounds like a song) I decided to push it, and push it I did.  Managed to hit a maximum heart rate of 195 going up, and really thought I was going to be sick when I got to the top.  I've never quite believed in the adage of 220- your age, ever since I did a race one year with a average heart rate of 223!

I must of pushed it somewhat though as it did take it out of me, and it's been a many a year when I have felt that tired after a riding session.  I think it is the start of things to come.  From this Sunday, my official training plan begins. I feel that it's going to be a monumental task, but with excellent results.  I do fear though, that it will rule my life, or that my life will revolve around it.

Saying that, I have a plan for this year, and if you deviate from the plan, a different outcome will prevail.

On-On

when a man becomes a woman

Today I went for a quick spin. The weather is nice, I actually wore a layer less than normal. I only rode for 50mins. Actually looking for a road with minimal stopping here in Beijing is very difficult. Traffic lights appear some every 100 meters or so. But I found a nice cycle path which will enable me to have a nice spin, (nice spin meaning a nice almost non-stop spin, not including the environment) the only problem is that it runs parallel to the 2nd ring road.

I live in a city with like 1 gazillion people, and which 1000 new cars are being added everyday, I'll let you do the maths.
Saying that, the roads where really quiet today, I managed to ride for 50mins, with only putting my foot down twice to stop at lights.
So like I said, it was a nice spin.

When I got home, I ask the good lady what she was reading on the net, she said "stuff" which I then take it as gossip. When I probed further, it did turn out to be gossip, and what stars are wearing (she was swotting up on the latest fashion trends)
She said that I would have no interest in what she is reading, I said it's not what she is reading that I have an interest in, but what she is interested in, is what I am interested in, if you know what I mean.

I then commented on that it must be hard for stars to go out, with paparazzi following them, they have to look good all the time, the good lady then pointed out, that all women have this problem, and men, do not.

I pause at this point. Think.

When I go out, do I really care what I wear. On the norm, no. But wait. There is a time I do care what I wear.

On the bike.

I try to co-ordinate what I wear with the bike, I don't like colours to clash, I don't want to go out smelling to bad, so washing the clothes now and again is important.

Now I'm not a Euro-Cyclist but still, one has to look okay.

So does that mean, that men can become women like?

I was out on the MTB one day, when a fellow rider said that when shopping for bikes, and bike related stuff, the women side of us came out, I don't suppose he is right, I know he is right. Show me a cyclist who doesn't like looking at bike related, bike porn stuff, and he's not a cyclist.

There is one difference though, sometimes you can see someone who looks good, has all the stuff, and that raises the challenge in us, there is nothing better than getting to the top of hill or just riding better than the next fellow, maybe women have this same feeling if they see someone better dressed then them. I've yet to meet a man brave enough to ask this question.

So, Sunday is fast approaching, and even though I try to look good, I have one friend coming out, and he'll just pound us to the ground, doing trickz and stuff I can only dream of, and he dresses like a goth when it comes to cycling clothes....

Oh well, having fun is more important isn't it? Now where did I put that leg balm......

catching up

Last night for the bringing in the New Year, we decided to stay in.  We went out on the 30th to celebrate with friends, so we thought, blah, whats the point of doing it again?

Now some folk might think that I was sad, staying all night in, playing on the net, but it was really good.  I was chatting to my brother, for the first time in a very long time, and courtesy of social networking tools on the internet, I was talking to old school friends, some of whom I haven't spoken to in many many years (I live in GMT +8) so for me, I had a very good night.

Should least we forget times gone by, I think it was an excellant thing to do, and we do have Rabbie Burns to thank for that.

Today, for a change, we braved the modern foe of shopping.  Actually, we just wanted to walk off our lovely Prawns in Chilli and skinned Frog in dry fire! Wonderful (those are both my favourite dishes) and before you turn your noses up, you have to try it, before you can say otherwise.

As after any Christmas, sales are everywhere, except for the things that you want to buy.  I saw a lovely top today, in a sports shop (where else would I be) and after converting the poor pound against the Peoples currency, there is no way, I was going to pay that amount of money.  Also, as the good lady reminded me, it's also my new helmets money.

She knows me so well.

I so can't wait for Sunday.  It is going to be my first MTB ride of the year with the guys, and I'm looking forward to it.  Some of them have already started working, and some still haven't come back from home, but I sooooo need to get out there. It's been to long.

and......

Well, I was slightly mislead in my assumption that it was just Darren who was getting 3 letters after his name.

After looking at the Honours list, it seems that most of the British Squad are up there!

Congrats to them all :D