Tuesday – 07.04

It’s April – officially the month for when I’ve set myself a target of cycling 3 times a week, with today being the first full week of such training. So far I did the 58kms on Sunday, and suffered massive headache after. Tonight I did a short 24.11kms in a loop around Battersea park. But it was busy. Too busy. With the lockdown in place, the weather now being rather nice, and no other options, people flocked to the park for as long as possible. Whilst normally I don’t mind the bustle of Battersea Park. Today was just too busy for me. I couldn’t get the speed up, in case I’d knock into some child or a dog.

Thursday – 09.04

I’m supposed to go cycling tonight after work, but in all honesty, I’m not up to it.  I’ve been coughing for the last 3 weeks, in what I suspect may be the bastard virus, but as it’s only a cough and a mild one in that, I’m not in line for being hospitalised and getting tested.  At the same time, in my not be virus.  After my chest infection in October last year, and to be honest the one 2 years prior, I’ve never really completely shifted the coughing.  Usually early in the morning, or as I lay down in bed, I’m struck with a bit of a dry cough.  So I have no clue what’s causing this one. However, as today I’ve been particularly coughy, I decided not to go out on the bike.   I need to get over this, so the cycling is easier, plus if it is the virus, I shouldn’t be spreading it. I’ve been trying to keep away from people, even though my view of the whole thing is, that we should just get on with it. Nevertheless, and I think it’s more for the benefit of others than myself, that I’ve been keeping away from people. When cycling, making sure that I wipe down the bike with disinfectant before and after. I also currently wear gloves when cycling so the bike’s don’t get touched by my bare hand.

All that said, i’m not going cycling tonight. Can’t be bothered.

Sunday – 12.04

Don’t know why, but I got a bit frustrated today. Actually, I do know why. When we were sent home from work, back in March initially I thought this was going to be only a temporary thing. It’s been 27 days since I’ve seen my friends, been out to a restaurant or theatre, gone pottering around shops. I was supposed to build cycling into my daily way of commuting, instead I’m locked inside a small studio with limited human contact, and despite having a myriad of hobbies and a job to keep me busy; this whole situation is driving me absolutely bananas.

The frustration has led to me going out for a cycling session. Wisely, I decided to go out a little later than earlier in the week. The weather is still very nice, so I fully expect kiddies to be still running around the park. It was a good decision; by the time I got to my usual spot, most parents were corralling their children towards the gates and out fo the park.

I had almost perfect cycling condition, and after a day of pent up frustration, I blitzed through nearly 33kms at a very respectable average of 17kms – which for a heavy Boris Bike is not bad. I kept going round and round and round the park, desperate to get air into my lungs. After few days stuck at home, without even popping out to a shop for some milk, it felt like I was being released from underground somewhere.

Whatever the cause, the result was good. I was out, cycling, getting in some property distance in the training session and increasing my average speed. Now I just need to do it more often. I am nowhere near doing 3 sessions a week. I barely average 2, on a good week. This lockdown is not helping my prep. It would have been so much easier to get on a bike after leaving the office. When I’m parked up on a comfy sofa after work, why would I want to get up!