I got up, dithered about my insulin dose, gave myself 2/3 of a normal breakfast dose (really didn’t fancy a hypo on 2 wheels when I’m still using clipless pedals), got dressed, packed the car, roused the child, dropped him off, drove to Ogle which is about 7 miles from this weeks cafe stop and had a cold, wet, slightly uphill, windy ride to Bolam. What was I thinking? Why am I doing this? Why didn’t I wear my rain jacket, what possessed me to thing my thermal jacket was enough? Am I lost yet? And yet I carried on, it was nice. Honestly, pootling along very slowly on my todd. It’s a feeling I enjoy and one that I’ve kind of missed. I’d left myself far too much time though and arrived at Bolam Stables a fair bit before everyone else, then everyone arrived in dribs and drabs and I sat there till the end. Still, I had a lovely ride back to Ogle with the last few club members, I really miss the super funness of group riding. So, about 12 miles which at one time would have been a stroll but left me happily tired and feeling great. There’s nothing like that special calmness I get from a bike ride.

Yesterday was a bit of a thoughtful time for me. There’s only 3 weeks left, then I have to wait for the surgery to heal. What do I want next? Well, I want to ride my bike. Dur. Actually it’s difficult to say. My son is 6 now and life was different then, I have no idea how my larger family is going to affect my life but I know it will. I’m going to break it into 3.

Definately Do, hell or high water: Northern Rock Cyclone with friend Sue who I miss terribly.

Gonna work my butt off for: Another 2 stone off (hills!!!!!!)

Pipe Dream: I’d love a sub 30 ten but lets face it, that would be a miracle, still it does no harm to dream does it?

I’m really looking forward to seeing my clubmates and riding my bike, the biggrin feeling. never seems to leave you does it? Do you think this means I can have cake at the cafe stop?

I’d arranged to meet new friend Tanya and Bobbo In Ponteland this morning. It was warm in my little bed and I was sorely tempted to stay there but I said I’d go so I did. Driving through Stannington on the way there the sky fell in, again I was tempted to turn back. I passed soo many cyclists on the way though. I just couldn’t believe it. Tonnes of them, and runners too! No wonder the gyms are empty, they’re all outside!

Anyway, turned up at Poppys to find a total of 6 other riders waiting. Crazy people. Anyway, in the cold and wet we were looking for good crack and a nice cuppa so we headed the 10 miles or so to Matfen Hall. It’s a nice ride out but it drags upwards just slightly enough to convince you that you are on the flat and going badly. I was ready for that cuppa even after just 10 miles. On the way back though it’s soo much fun, if you wished you could maybe pedal once or twice but otherwise? Freeeeeewheeeeeel…..

So yes, that was my day. Then home to a hot bath, insulin, chicken sandwich, orange juice and a nice sit down. I feel as though that was my last ride but I’ve felt that way before so I doubt it.

Anyway I’ve arranged a ride with a recently joined lady club member for Sunday so I’m really looking forward to that. If anyone else fancies a leisurely ride just shout.

In other news I think maybe I’ve given up on the turbo, oddly it hurts less to ride than to walk right now but it’s still painful on the crotch when turboing so why bother?

More news… I had my first encounter with insulin today. I’m on a tiny dose for now. I could have held off but if even a sandwich is doing silly things to my blood sugar levels I guess I’d need it eventually anyway so it seemed pointless to put it off. I gave myself my first jab this morning and what a difference it made. It doesn’t hurt in the slightest and I got to eat a slice of bread with my soup. mmmmm bread. Sounds daft but what a feeling. I’ll let you know how  I get on anyway though because it’s definitely a get your head around it thing.

Ooh, I went for a swim today, I used to swim once or twice a week a year or two ago generally managing 60 lengths in an hour but I just got out of the habit. Well I’m getting bored of all of this sitting around so got my costume on and went to the pool. 30 lengths in half an hour. I wasn’t expecting that. I’m pleased though. I like swimming, not as much as pedalling but still…

How’s your day been?

Yes my kitchen is that messy and yes, I do know it’s wobbly but check it out. Can you spot it? My bump doesn’t hit the saddle and it gives me just that tiny bit more uprightness so I can live with that.

Anyway, I don’t know if I can do this. I’m going to try though, I know the way home so it wont kill me but I’d like to see people who don’t live in my house and stuff so you gotta try eh?

I plan on at least attempting the club ride tomorrow. It’s been while since I’ve done any distance but I at least plan on making it to the cafe stop. At almost 7 months pregnant I strongly suspect it may be my last Saturday ride for a long time and I hope someone will keep my company despite my super slowness of late. That would be fab. Anyway, I have to check just how comfortable the road bike still is tonight (it’s fit astonishingly well so far) otherwise I’ll be taking the tourer which means 1) I’ll be even slower and 2) I’ll have to fanny about swapping saddles.

On the list of things they don’t really tell you about pregnancy is that my cycling shoes are a little tighter than usual too though my fat kit from last winter still fits!

I really miss my bike. The weather which wouldn’t have usually bothered me has kept me off the saddle except for the odd trip to work on the tourer. OOh, on the good news front I have the BEST friends. Who would say no to a free mountain bike? Not me.. I picked one up today thanks to a good friend and I’m chuffed to bits. I’ve wanted one for aaaaages. yay.

So, I’d love some company tomorrow, especially if you don’t mind keeping super slow me company. Fancy it?