Yay! Our annual week of summer’s finally here so it’s lovely with the warm temperatures and light nights to be able to make the most of it.

Been out on the bike again to Attenborough and doubled, yes doubled, my previous distance, travelling a massive 4.63 miles. I do know that’s not really very far in the grand scheme of things but that’s huge for me. Just 7 days ago I got on a bike for the first time in 25 years and struggled to set off! My confidence at starting pedalling has grown enormously already. I don’t think it’d be an issue for me now, whoever was watching. I’m also beginning to feel much more in control of the bike, it doesn’t seem quite so heavy and I’m a lot happier when passing pedestrians and moving through the “slow down” gates.

Need so much more practice though. On stopping I took on water but just felt sick and my heart rate was up to 118, damn you phone app! But I gave it 10 minutes and things returned to normal. I guess I just have to work through it and do a bit longer each time. 39 minutes of cycling from nothing in a week has to be OK?

In better news I’ve realised I’ve an extra week to get up to the magic 25 miles, so I’m aiming next Sunday for 9-10 miles. If I can achieve this I can start to consider cycling home from work after my annual leave.

And perhaps I’ll get a weight loss boost. Losing just a half pound this week needs some work.

Weight loss – 33.5 lbs
Longest ride – 4.63 miles
Longest duration – 39 mins

I’m 46, overweight and the most unfit person I know.

But potentially I’m undergoing a mid life crisis. Over Christmas 2013, I suddenly came to the realisation that I didn’t want to be fat and 50 so I vowed to take control. I joined Slimming World, and things started to change.

I’m now 33lbs into my weight loss journey. There’s still a very long way to go, but I’ve now lost enough that it feels like time to do some exercise.

I’ve entered the Great Notts Bike Ride. I have to cycle 25 miles on 22 June. That’s less than 5 weeks away.

Problem is, I hadn’t been on a bike for 25 years. And I didn’t own one. Until Sunday. I’m now the very proud owner of my first hybrid bike, entry level of course, an Apollo Elyse, yet to be named but definitely female.

Sunday’s ride in the rain at Rushcliffe Country Park was hell. It was hard enough to get upright and moving, let alone the awful tightness in my wind pipe. I have no idea how long or how far I went but it felt like hours and miles. More likely 5 minutes and 500 yards. And my poor bum!

Tonight, however, I’m much better equipped with a phone app that mapped my ride and gave me more stats than you can shake a stick at. I headed to Attenborough Nature Reserve and it was lovely. Warm, quiet, a glorious evening. OK, I only traveled 1.81 miles, and it took me 18 minutes but the longest journeys start with a small step.

I also got blooded in, trying to work out which gear to use for going uphill. Seems when you go really slowly you fall off. I’ve now got grazes on my knee and back, along with a lovely collection of bruises on my arm to show as war wounds.

I’m still too scared to cycle on the roads, and my stamina, strength and aerobic capacity need a lot of work. However, I think I can now proudly say that I’m a cyclist.

Weight loss – 33 lbs
Longest ride – 1.81 miles
Longest duration – 18 minutes