Hi Everyone
Just checking in with a bit of a progress update. So, since Christmas my cycling has only been the commute to and from work twice or three times a week (even then, I avoided the icy mornings). Not the hardest thing in the world as I work 1.2 miles from home! Still, I've seen a little improvement in my ability as the weeks have gone on, and while I'm not going to say the hills are "easy" they do fill me with less and less dread.
Today, however, I took advantage of the (honestly, suspiciously good) weather we're having and went on my first proper bike ride for fun. I managed 7.7miles in all, Strava telling me that my moving time was just over an hour and I was out of the house for and hour and a half all told. I kept stopping to take photographs of the lovely scenery, and also stopped for a coffee and a refuel (that's the cycling law, right?) at Elsecar Heritage Centre, which was nice. The going was a mix of country roads, and off-road bridleways. I hadn't planned to go that far but I was having fun and the weather was nice. I was ready for home by the end though and feeling a little saddle sore. That's the longest time I've spent on a bike so far.
I honestly surprised myself at how far I went and also how much I enjoyed it. When I think back to the first time on my bike and I had to stop for a drink and a rest about 4 minutes in!
The steed could do with a bit of clean now as there was a but of mud in places but that's a job for tomorrow. Tonight, I'm going to reward myself with a G & T or two.
Onwards and upwards.