Hello June 2013

Here we are into the sixth month of 2013 and my best New Year's Resolution ever.  To cycle a minimum of 10 miles a day or otherwise spend 40 minutes a day on the spin bike.  

As at 31st May this means 2,658 miles cycled!! That's 2,658 miles of fun fun fun! Who knew?!  Not necessarily speedy miles or indeed particularly hilly ones but definitely fun with introductions to so many things. so many sights and so many fabulous people. 

Cycling for me isn't about what bike - as long as the bike is road worthy and safe I don't care what kind of bike it is. Ideally the lighter the better but that's just me! 

I spent some time with Velorution Great Portland Street - any excuse to keep an eye on their stock - unusual and clever pieces and as for their range of bicycles....  I am a bit like a kid with my nose squished against their window! 

I cant believe how many great people I have met through cycling.  Some cycle to work, some just at weekends and some take it up just to raise money for charity.  This weekend there were quite a lot of cyclists all doing their best to raise money for  Help for Heroes

 

 

Some months ago a friend of mine told me she was going to do the ride from Blackheath to Whitehall. This included 250 people who were cycling from Paris via Blackheath to join about 1100 others - many of whom hadn't ridden a bike for years.

 

 

I couldn't join them as I already had a commitment for the day  but on the way home I did swoop into Trafalgar Square and down Whitehall to see the end of it. Although the ride was officially over, the atmosphere and the sunshine were still in evidence. Lots of peeps all relaxed and taking in the rays.

 

At a set of lights a chap cycled next to me and told me although he doesn't really ride a bike he had joined up for the full Paris ride to raise funds. He had succeeded and said it was one of the most amazing things he has ever done. 

As I headed to St James's Park there were great gatherings of bicycles by trees as peeps were sitting picnicking on a lovely summers day.

And June 2013 is going to be full of cycling - including a road race!  Somehow I seem to have secured a place in Team Velovixen at the IG Nocturne at Smithfield Market on Saturday 8th June.  Velovixen are a great place to find stylish and cycle specific items and accessories for your wardrobe.  The Nocturne is a series of night time cycle races - some elite, some quirky but hopefully all fun! 

As part of my research I cycled around the Course this afternoon - I think I need to do some more miles on my road bike.  And I have now watched the video on the IG Website. Wowser!! 

Today I met two of my three team mates - my cycling prowess is clearly miniscule in comparison to their achievements.  But they do seem to have absolutely the same understanding of the word fun as I do so I think I am in for a bit of a laugh although I will be giving it my best shot (obviously!).    

 

My stats for last week are all Brommie ones:

• Monday pootle to Marylebone in lovely sunshine but a bit cold 10.5 miles,  Max speed 17.4
• Tuesday 10.1 miles in the rain around the park three times. Top speed 16 mph
• Wednesday  in the wet to Ladbroke Grove 10.5 miles, Ave 9.8, 20.2 max in 1h6
• Thursday elevenses and off to the park 10 miles Ave 11.2 Top 19.5 In 51 mins
• Friday to Bar Italia 11.5 miles, Top speed 19.9
• Saturday 11.5 miles to Camden and back via Hyde Park
• Sunday 14 miles to Camden and back through central London in glorious sunshine
• And for today - Monday 3rd June: 17.51 miles with 18.9 max

I think I might have earnt at least one piece of cake...(thank you Arancini in Chalk Farm Road what a place to eat!  Not necessarily suitable for bicycles but the food is fantastic!