Category Archives: 2017

Plans, dreams and adventures

The Power of Yes

Posted in 2017 by

Almost exactly three years ago, I remember very clearly sitting just where I am right now and thinking that my life was just slipping away, dominated by work, thoughts of work, anxiety about work. And I remember suddenly having the realisation that at some point I will either retire or expire, and wondering at that very crucial point, what will I be thinking of? If I’m lucky and get to ‘retire’ what else will there be?

Yes, of course, my family and friends were the most important part of my life and I loved spending time with them. But apart from a bit of time with my choir, what else was there? 

I knew that I’d been offered opportunities which I’d passed up on. I was too unfit, too scared, too overweight, too insecure, too broke, too busy. Always an excuse. But what would my life be like if I had been braver, had made different choices?

So I made a decision right there. Unless there really was a very good reason, when someone suggested having a go at something, I was going to make every effort to say:

That day and that decision changed my life. I have had so many adventures, made so many fabulous new friends and here, now, in 2017 I’m looking forward to having my most fun and spectacular year ever!

Nottingham Girls Cycle 06.01.17. I only knew one of these ladies 3 years ago and then as just an acquaintance. These beautiful women are all now my friends. Aren’t they awesome?

And do you know what? My work life hasn’t suffered.  Far from it in fact. I’m more productive,  work smarter and am significantly less stressed. I sleep better, have more perspective and I think my colleagues would say I’m more approachable and even perhaps, a little bit of fun. Though not too much!

The only frustrating thing is it took me so many years to work this simple missive out.

Just say yes. What’s the worst that can happen?

And I know that if I do get to retire, then my life will probably be more full than it has ever been. But if I don’t make that and simply expire, then those final thoughts will be of bicycles and singing and sunshine and rain and my beautiful family and friends and I won’t regret a single moment.

*Special thanks to Jo Ward, with whom I had a conversation that made me think I needed to write this, and Kajsa Tylén, who has made me believe anything is possible

Why I’m Happy Being Scared

Posted in #ThisGirlCan, 2017, Cycling, LEJOG, Queen Bess by

Been doing a little investigation into the whole LEJOG thing over the past couple of days. There’s lots of options and routes and date ranges – in truth it’s all a little bewildering and frankly, rather terrifying! It’s a bloody long way. There are hills. A lot of hills. Some of them really, really big.

There will be a lot of this

I’ve heard the midges in Scotland are virtually vampires and there’s pretty much no chance of avoiding the little buggers. There may well be camping. There will likely be mechanical failures. I may fall off. I may get injured. It’s going to be bloody hard work.

I’m scared stiff.

I’ve had the pleasure, though, recently, to meet the rather wonderful Emily Chappell. Truth told, I was a bit star struck. I mean, Emily is a complete superstar of endurance cycling. She’s a published author, a super-well-educated smart cookie, role model and member of The Adventure Syndicate.

Well, of course, Emily, it turns out, despite being all of the above and more, is also mortal.

I mentioned to her that I’m going to challenge myself in 2017 to try cycle touring, which means the dreaded camping. It takes me so far out of my comfort zone I pretty much need a passport. But I’m going to face my fears and give it a go, because, after all, what’s the worst that can happen?

To which Emily gives me the broadest grin, congratulates me and confides that every time she sets off on a new adventure she is scared too…

Last night I had a conversation with another friend. She’s also an elite cyclist and I look up to her greatly. More than a bit bonkers (in a totally loveable way) and has achieved some astonishing stuff. She’s going to be embarking on a new challenge in 2017 – it’s currently under embargo so no, I’m not revealing what – and guess what? She says she’s scared too.

So that’s two elite women whom I admire and respect a great deal who admit that they still find things scary. Which makes it OK for we mere mortals to get the jitters too.

More women need to know this. It’s empowering. It means it’s normal.  It means we too can overcome it if we just stop being paralysed, face up to it and kick it hard where it hurts.

And so yes, I’m scared of camping and touring and LEJOG but it’ll be fine. It’ll be awesome because my friends and family will be supporting and encouraging and loving me and cheering me on, just as I will Emily and my friend when  they embark on their next adventures.

2017

Posted in #ThisGirlCan, 2017, Cycling, Queen Bess by

So yesterday I said I would write a little about my plans for 2017. These aren’t ‘resolutions’ in the traditional sense. I have no time for that. I make them unrealistic and can’t stick to them.  This is stuff I want and plan to do.  It’ll be fun to look back next Christmas and see how I’ve done. And what extra stuff has crept in!

My 2017 plans. So far!

Family and Friends

Top, top priority. See lots of them.  Tell them I love them. Show them they’re appreciated. Remember birthdays and special occasions. Be there for them when times are hard. Be truthful.

Health

  • Get my knee and shoulder fixed. I want to be riding my bike by April/May
  • Reduce my blood pressure (last reading was 153/92 – and I’m on medication! The one before that was 173/110!)
  • Lose weight – at least 3 dress sizes
  • Improve my diet – less sugar and fats, more fresh vegetables, salad and fruit. Take packed lunches to work. Reduce portion sizes
  • Reduce my cholesterol – December 2016 – 5.3

Fitness

  • Improve my core strength. Thank you to Mick, Jane and Ju who gave me some suggestions and which I’ve already started. I’ll be tracking and sharing that through the year
  • Ride 1500 miles on my bike. May revise this if it’s looking like an easy achieve
  • Practice hills so I’m not scared of them
  • Cycle 100 miles in one day. This is a carry over sweat pledge from Kajsa Tylén’s Year in the Saddle. I failed due to injury in the date range. Doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten it. I’ll be logging this at sweatpledge.com as soon as it’s up and running

Financial

  • Easy.  Save more. LEJOG will be expensive however I tackle it!

Step out of my comfort zone – Camping!

I have a horror of this. Where is the en suite bathroom? How do you get room service? Where do you plug your hairdryer in?

I’m going to challenge this by getting a tent and currently plan to camp at Pedal Norfolk and have booked a cycling/camping holiday! I’m taking my credit card…

This is what scares me most about 2017 and I’m freaking out already…

Nottingham Girls Cycle / Breeze

  • Continue to encourage women and girls to ride bikes
  • Support them,  believe in them, help them achieve
  • Organise at least 20 Breeze bike rides
  • Mentor others to pay it back

Cycling Events (so far, at least!)

  • 4-5 March – Women and Bicycles, Broken Spoke, Oxford
  • 11 March – secret (so far) event with the Adventure Syndicate)
  • 7 May – FLAB Up North Sportive, 25 miles
  • 27-30 May – Pedal Norfolk. 50 miles daily Sat-Mon plus the dreaded camping!
  • 10-11 June- cycle to WFA get together in Leicestershire and camp!
  • 25 June- Great Notts Bike Ride, 50 miles. Poss more?
  • 12-21 August- WFA. Cycle touring in France! With camping!  Approx 240 miles

Personal

  • Keep this blog up to date
  • Don’t be too hard on myself
  • Sing loud and proud at choir
  • Go to bed earlier
  • Keep getting up when I fail
  • Take no shit. From anyone!

I’m sorry that’s so lengthy but I have a lot in my head right now and I really think 2017 will be the most fun ever! And if all else fails, courtesy of CWRB this: