“He resolved, then, to carry on the war alone, and to look for no success foreign to himself, but as we look for a fortunate chance”, Three Musketeers, A. Dumas

Total Distance Travelled: 292.11kms;  Days to holiday: 311

Sunday

The weather sucks.  It was forecast rain on Sunday morning, so I didn’t get up early – only to open my eyes at 10am to beautiful sunshine.  Seriously! And I was actually going to cycle.  When I checked the forecast for the rest of the day – it was going to rain later.  I wasn’t so sure, but by about midday the skies grew darker and it started to drizzle.   I felt a little vindicated.  That was due to stop around 4, so I thought about going out later. Did it heck! So – guess what – no cycling for me that day.  Deep down I’m probably a touch relieved.

Monday – 09.03

I thought about it.  Even took my helmet with me to work – then it rained.  So I went home, and proceeded to cook these…….

These are little German doughnuts – or more precisely deep fried balls of dough – I picked up the recipe at a Christmas market in Cologne last year.  These little buggers are a nightmare – they’re the easiest, fastest doughnuts one can make – which is right damn dangerous.  Just to make sure I didn’t eat them all myself, after polishing off a small plate – I took the rest to work the next day.  These things are so moorish, you can just pick them off with a nice cuppa.

On a plus side – can’t make any more at the moment, because I’m out of flour and so are all my local shops due to Covid-19!! Seriously. 

Tuesday – 10.03

I biked today.  Not really a session.  Just a little cycle home after work, with 1 extra loop around Battersea Park – ended up with just over 14kms on the meter. However I was at a disadvantage going out.  

A friend at work and I decided that we needed to be more active; and as one of the things I really struggle with is stairs, we thought that might be a good way to get a few extra steps in.  So towards the end of the day we took a little walk up to the 10th floor, and back down to 3rd where we work.  Out of breath and happy we then went our separate ways home.   I didn’t realise until I started peddling on the bike, that that little walk would have any substantial impact on my leg muscles.  Turns out it did.  It wasn’t anything massive, but as soon as I got my legs moving on a bike, I could feel the fatigue from the staircase walk. Hence why, by the time I got to 14kms, my legs were feeling far more strained that usual. 

Never the less still pleased with my effort and that I keep carrying on with it.

Wednesday – 11.03.

Simply cycled home again – the long way – 8.8kms. With the weather steadily improving, I’m slowly aiming to make cycling my way to commute home after work.  No extra loops today, just a way to get home.

I have to say though – I’ve out-cycled someone today.  A girl was also peddling through Hyde-Park also on a  Boris Bike, and I’ve managed to out-cycle her – and not just on any stretch of the path, but on the Horse Guards Barracks Bitch Hill.  

Could not wipe the smug look off my face.  Looks like the training is paying off and I’m getting better at keeping a constant pace no-matter what the terrain.  The skinny-arse-brigade girl that was cycling up the incline, was probably just getting into it, and I suspect she’s healthy and sporty in other aspects of her life, thus is probably going to be out-cycling me in no-time.  So my back-end-of-a-bus brigade arse, will shortly be left in the back for dust.  For now though, I’ll take it. 🙂

Friday – 13.03

After a day’s break, Friday I was practically rearing to go.  In the city I’m taking it easy, constantly looking for quieter ways to get me from the office onto the Northbank cycling highway.  By the time I reached Battersea – feat that took longer than expected, as somehow I managed to get lost in South London – I was rearing to get some proper cycling in. I think I’m getting better at it.  I feel like my method for dealing with speed-bumps is putting less pressure on my wrists and bum; and is improving my ability to continue at the same pace.  

As luck would have it, the day I chose to peddle harder, was the day a bunch of people decided to do a night charity walk.  I mean, how were they to know that I’m in training and need the space…… 🙂