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…

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.

Braved it today and did my first ride out from home. On roads. With traffic. So very scary, and way, way different on the tarmac in the rain from my lovely rides in safe reserves. Rubbish at tackling the hills too. I simply have no idea how to manage the gears, making it extra hard for my incredibly unfit body.

I guess I just have to keep biting the bullet and practise, practise, practise.

A ride round the block turns out to be 2 miles, and it has proved I can easily cycle to Slimming World so at least not all is bad, even if today left me wheezing, ready to barf and unable to speak for a while.

The butt mufflers, however, are a massive hit. Money well spent there.

Need to get my head down to be ready for the bike maintenance workshop tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be a little better informed after that.