Monthly Archives: May 2014

New Beginnings

Posted in Cycling, Slimming World by

Well, yesterday I met my RideWise trainer, Wayne, for the first time. How amazing is it that they come to your home, give you their time, and all for free? Wayne’s been a massive help already. We went onto a quiet side road and he helped me start to make sense of the whole gearing thing, taught me about road positioning – that was an eye opener, and even taught me the right way to get on the bike and set off!

He’s also chock full of really useful information about cycle routes, organised rides and organisations for the beginner cyclist like me. I’m astounded just how much is going on out there!

It was a brilliant introduction to road cycling, and while I already know that long term I am a mere leisure cyclist, I need to be confident and competent on the road, to enable me to get to the off road routes without having to lump the bike into the car each time.

So, I even went out in the rain today, only 2.5 miles but it’s so hard on the roads and the hills are virtually killing me. But with more practice I’m sure I’ll reach the stage where I can cycle the whole way and not have to dismount and push.

My niece also came up with a great suggestion for a bike name – Tallulah! I think I love it but I’m going to sleep on it anyway.

And more great news at Slimming World! In the week where I saw my niece for the first time in a few weeks to be greeted with “Auntie Cath! How much weight have you lost? I can really tell”, and also where I was punching the air in the changing room when trying on the dress for my friend’s hen party, and had to ask the assistant to find me the dress in a smaller size! Yes, I’ve also had a 2 pound loss, giving me my 2.5 stone award, and 36 pounds in total. I am stoked!

Off to Cleethorpes with the family tomorrow for some beach fun, fish and chips, arcades and ice cream. I think I’ve earned it!

image

Big up to Halfords. Yes, Halfords

Posted in Cycling by

Well, the maintenance workshop was great but I got cocky and managed to overtighten the front wheel, having removed it to get the bike in the car. This meant I couldn’t move the skewer either way, but also as I couldn’t lock it I couldn’t really ride the bike, since I wasn’t sure the wheel was safe. What an idiot.

Anyway, bundled the bike into the car, and headed off to Halfords. Now, the bike workshop’s on the first floor, and almost immediately a young man offered to carry it up for me. Bingo – bonus points. Had a tiny wait for the workshop guy, nothing major. Explained apologetically my ineptitude. Guy must have super strength because he seemingly easily unscrews the skewer that neither me nor my husband can budge. He replaces the parts I’ve damaged, then does some stuff with wrenches and even adjusts my brakes because he sees some minute misalignment – maybe the reason they started squeaking the other day? Then tells me there’s no charge and carries my bike downstairs for me!

I did, of course, protest. It was my own fault, and I fully expect to pay for my own idiocy, but he was having none of it. So I’d like to publicly applaud Halfords Chilwell branch. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a display there of excellent customer service, and that young man today certainly went above and beyond. I’m one very happy customer and I’m glad I got my bike from there.

Sadly, other commitments, and a not inconsiderable amount of rain, have kept me from the saddle these past few days. I can’t escape tomorrow, though, as I have my first session booked with my RideWise trainer, Wayne. I can’t deny to being a little trepidatious. Very worried my terrible fitness levels will let me down but need to remember I’m a very early work in progress and everyone starts somewhere. Let’s hope he’s gentle with me…

Learning Maintenance

Posted in Cycling by

Today I’ve been on a FREE, yes, free bike maintenance course, funded by Broxtowe Borough Council and run by local charity RideWise. It’s been really helpful to get me more familiar with the unnamed bike and confident that I can deal with the easy stuff, like punctures, on my own. The highlight has been finding out how to remove the front wheel, making transporting the bike so much easier.

Only thing is, in my over-excitement arriving home, I seem to have cross threaded it and now I can’t get the wheel off but am also not confident it’s attached securely enough to make riding the bike safe. I’m so mad at myself. Oh well. Trip to Halfords when I can get on Tuesday. So annoyed.