Mice Log Starrrrr Brrrrrr Date 36

05 02 13. 17 miles, 11.6 Ave speed 22.9 max, in 1 hr 29.Ooooooo  it was cold out there - luckily I'd been tipped off by a friend that it was chilly so had put on extra socks and stuff. 

I pootled round Hyde Park which really does look different every time I go there (I go there a lot I hear you say!!). Those lights by the new Millionaires building (used to be Bowater House eons ago!) really are on a timer - those in charge of traffic lights ought to try riding a bicycle along South Carriageway to see how much more fun it could be if it was on a different set up!

I popped up to Marylebone and then down to Victoria Station to collect some train tickets then home via the supermarket. I looked at my shopping list which was less of a list and more of a warning. I had written "The Fridge is Empty!" Not any more it's not!!

Stay warm peeps!

Mice Log Star Date 35

The 4th of Feb. Ooooo it's windy! Max speed 25.6!!! Ave speed 12 mph in 1hr 15. 655 calories burned (which have just been eaten, twice)!!

15 miles around the park - some into a headwind, some fighting a sidewind trying to knock me off my bike and some into a tailwind wooohoooooooooooooooo (who put that stupid set of traffic lights there on a timer!)

There was a bit of carbon in the park which made me realise that cycling is a language isn't it? I mean at first glance my bike was eyed at and ignored , (the word dissed comes to mind) clearly I'm not one of "them" kind of thing. Then they notice my Castelli windstopper gilet and give me another glance. Then they see the Sidis and do a double take!! Finally, at last, they nod at me (that nod that hardly moves the head in case anyone notices)! Hilarious!

And all the while I'm thinking - Pah, call yourself a cyclist? Let me introduce you to some fab peeps I cycle with and then we'll see whether you are a cyclist are not? And for the record, George could drop you on his dib dib dib bike and Ross could do the same on fixed! I laughed all the way home! On a different day on a different bike of course the roadies in the park wouldnt even notice me at all!  It is not about the style of bike or the gear, it's about riding a bike - not many things are more fun than that!

 
And I owe a thank you to a friend of mine whose description on Cycle Chat Commuting of his ride to work today made me think it was ok out to be there on two wheels! Otherwise I'd have been on the turbo.

I think it will be windy later tho so mind how you go peeps!

What I wore:  Gore leggings, a merino baselayer and long sleeved cycling top under my Gore Oxygen jacket. On my feet I had two pairs of socks and a pair of trainers.

I wonder what you would have worn.

Mice Log Star Date 34

20 Miles around London somewhat unexpectedly as a lazy Sunday turned out to be anything but! Evey Allsopp had a yellow card to come and do her very first Sunday London Ride - on her fab road bike - wooohooooooooooo!!!

We met at Victoria Station and headed up to Hyde Park Corner. Ooo it was cold. 2 degrees is nippy! A few minutes later Benborp arrived. He had already met Evey Chez Allsopps when swapping turbos apparently!

We waited for the Household Cavalry to go by as it is always so impressive to see. Then off down Constitution Hill where I was overtaken by a whirlwind - Evey shot off like she has been cycling at speed all her life. Wowser! Ben and I definitely heard "weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" reverberating along the wall of Buckingham Palace gardens. Fabulous! When we caught up with her, there was a very large grin on her face! 

We headed down to Parliament Square, along the Embankment, through the City and Canary Wharf to Trinity Buoys Wharf where we consumed buckets of tea whilst chatting about all sorts of things - children, theatre, wardrobe (Andy Allsopp your wife needs thicker socks - her feet were frozen!) cleats to name a few subjects covered.

On the way back, heading westwards the headwind was decidedly unpleasant but that didnt stop Evey from speeding along Commercial Road at 20mph. Thank goodness for traffic lights!

It was all great fun and I hope that the smile on Eveys face is a sign that Sunday London Rides are to be revisited frequently - if not weekly! FNRttCs are looking highly likely and Evey will be at the top of the hills before I can say "Stopping"!!

What we wore: I wore lycra leggings, a Baa Baa merino baselayer, a longsleeved cycling top and Gore Oxygen jacket which performs perfect temperature control, is windproof and waterproof. I wore my cycling shoes with two pairs of woollen socks.  Evey wore leggings, a sweatshirt and a cycling top borrowed from her husband. On her feet she wore trainers.  Ben wore cycling leggings, a cycling top and cycling shoes with special cleats I havent seen before.  The cleat is on the pedal not the shoe.  

 

Mice Star Log Date 33.

02 02 13.  A fabulous pootle around Brighton. 30 miles, top speed 19 mph, average speed 11 mph. A train from Victoria Station where I found British Airways giving away free flights to Trinity and Tobago every 15 minutes to those who best landed an assimilated aircraft. Very creative competition I thought.

My happy mood was smashed somewhat by a complete jobsworth on Southern Railway. Why is it necessary to assume that everyone walking towards them is a criminal rather than a customer? The ticket person tried to shut the gate on my bike - well either dont let me in or do but dont trap me with the gate shouting "Ticket" at me - manners would work wonders. A Customer Service Refresher Course would definitely put their staff on the right track (pun intended). 

  

Once on the train, I sat down to take in the views and 50 minutes later I was in Brighton with George and Sahar for a pootle and a catchup as we havent seen each other since early December. We cycled straight down to the sea shore, waved at Gregs as we made our way down Madeira Drive to the marina. As we stopped outside McDonalds we realised the last time we went in one was on LonJoG! (*LonJoG - a fabulous ride in 2012 from Hyde Park Corner, London to John O'Groats).

 

We went past it tho' on to Cafe Rouge where Eggs Benedict and coffees were consumed amongst chit chat and laughter. The day took a temporary turn for the worse as they made me walk round the harbour wall. I don't do walking, I'm from London..!! 

The views were stunning tho and we saw that species of course fisherman sitting by umbrellas doing their best to catch their European Quota.  We of course we dressed for cycling, not fishing!

Back to our bikes and we cycled westwards along the cycle path all the way to Worthing. It was flat, some of the drivers clearly don't ride bikes and the sooner the cycle path is reinstated by the old pier the better (and more obvious) it will be. 

The wind was in our faces, the air was cold but the sky blue. Coffee and cakes in Worthing which caused confusion as it was 3pm and lunch hadn't happened. Then I realised this was a halfway stop so coffee and cake was perfect! Oh what it is to be a cyclist! 

We cycled back to Brighton pushed along by the wind that was no longer our foe but our friend.

The sun was dropping to the horizon, the light was absolutely stunning. The best time of day to be on a bike by the sea and I couldnt stop taking photos of it. It was so beautiful.

 

Into West Street which apparently is the place for clubbing or indeed beersies after an FNRttC to Brighton but is definitely the place to eat as we found Preto, a Brazilian restaurant which I highly recommend. We stuffed our faces for £20 eat as much as you can either meat or vegetarian buffet. 

Time flew by and the next thing I knew we were haring to the station with two minutes til the train left! Just made it in time. So as I headed to London still wearing my cycling helmet even though people boarding the train looked not unlike the people The Fridays see spilling or rather staggering out of night clubs on FNRttCs in the early hours of the morning. But on the train to London they seem sober!! 

A great day - fab to see you George and Sahar - Thank you.

What we Wore:  I wore lycra leggings under a black mini skirt with an Assos baselayer and Gore Oxygen jacket. Sahar wore leggings (non lycra) and a being woollen dress under a thick woollen coat. Leather calf length boots with thick socks. George war lycra shorts under jeans with an Assos baselayer and bomber jacket. 

What would you wear I wonder?  Not many miles but needed to be warm when the wind blew.

Mice Log Star Date 32

Wowser! it's February already 01 02 13. 14 miles pootling from home to SE1 and back via Borough Market and On Your Bike which has moved from one set of arches to another. 

Somehow I avoided the raindrops! I was on a CS at 8am which was quite an experience. And l shared it with scooters and motorbikes. What's that about? Not forgetting wing-mirrors of vans/lorries who insisted on keeping their wheels on the painted line of the CS. 

Then a backlog of cyclists who couldn't pass a truck that was parked in the CS as they were held up by some chap in a Porsche next to it who was oblivious to the blockage he was causing because he was engrossed in his Blackberry. I guess this kind of thing is standard status quo for those that CS commute daily. 

I was a bit gobsmacked by it all. Luckily I had a lovely day so forgot all about it - and the sun in the clouds on the way home was just a privilege to see.

Mice Star Dates 22 to 31

The Fourth Week of January and beyond. My cycling (AKA Mice) Log Snow Day 22. 1hr 24 mins to do 15.22 miles, 10.8 average speed and 18.3 max. 

The BBC website said 1 degree from midday so I took this as the moment to go for a pootle. Grey was the order of the day with grey skies and grey snowmen languishing above and in Hyde Park. It was fun to be out but poor robin, the east wind did blow. 

 

 I am a wuss - unlike friends of mine there is no way I would have gone out any earlier! And I suspect several others I know and care about are on that list (actually that goes for everyone out about in these conditions) so please be careful out there. As it was a little earlier in the day the orange sky is missing but I took some pics anyway

My Cycling (AKA Mice) Log Snowstorm Date 23. 12.26 miles in 1.16hrs, average speed 9.6 max speed 15.6 with the air temperature at 1 degree (according to the BBC website). Above freezing! I headed out on the Brommie and cycled three laps around Hyde Park.

On the way there the snow fell out of the sky so heavily and in such big fat snowflakes I could hardly see where I was going! "What am I doing?" I asked myself. "Am I turning into Ian Euk Ianrauk or Andy Allsopp or something?!" Actually I realised I must stop reading anything in Cycle Chats Commuting Section written by Crock of Gold!!  

Mice Log Snow Cold Out There - Date 24. Thank goodness for a fab elevensies with friends at  Gail's Bakery. We managed to avoid the temptation to eat - calorie levels could have gone through the ceiling! 

  

The last time I saw Jennie was in The Hague in November after a ride to Schalke  with Olaf Storbeck. The photo of Jennie and I on our Dutch bicycles generated a few comments about the little bag on her handlebars!!  Apparently not quite suitable for FNRttCs!!

 

After coffee I set off for Hyde Park and did three laps. it was cold which is probably why I managed 20.3mph as a maximum speed with an average speed of 12mph during my 15.49 mile pootle.

Mice Log Brrrrrrrr it's Cold Date 25 A trip to London Bridge followed by a visit to Borough Market. 11.43 miles, ave speed 10mph during 1.14hrs.

It wasn't entirely without incident however....! On discovering a traffic jam I got off my bike and crossed the road as a pedestrian. As I picked up the handlebars to turn the bike away from the main road the front wheel rolled away on its own and lay down like a dropped coin! Oh Gawd!!!

The lights were changing, there were people and traffic next to me and it was all a bit perturbing! Luckily a very kind pedestrian retrieved the wheel for me. He then helped me work out what to do next. The missing bolt was long gone and apparently the only option was a walk to the bike shop.

The pedestrian must be a cyclist because when I asked "Can I ride it to the bike shop?" his immediate and emphatic response of "No" was so quick that I laughed out loud. So a walk it was and I am now the proud owner of Pitlocks!

Very happy to know that there are some really kind people out there who help complete strangers. Thank you very much, whoever you are.

Mice Log Woohoooo Spring is here for one day at least Date 26. Temperatures in double figures, bare legs in the Park - (slightly mad I'd say) lots of people out and about and still the remnants of snowmen lying about the place. I wore SPDs and it definitely affected my average speed which was 11.7 with a top speed of 22.1 during 1.19hrs and 15.37 miles.

On my way to Victoria I saw confirmation that Friday Night Rides were . The Gates to the FNRttC were closed. It was alarmingly symbolic and I very much look forward to them opening again soon.

According to my heart rate monitor which I switched on half way round I burnt 722 calories!! Excellent!  

Mice Log Windy Sunday Date 27. 10.5 miles around London with a train trip to Hampton Wick to Sigma Sports. The weather was a bit localised as a friend in Hammersmith asked me how I was coping with "the showers?" to which I replied "What showers?"! The view of the sky from the station platform summed up what was happening!  

                                                                       Cloudy or not?

Mice Log Star Date 28. A trip to Marylebone via three laps of Hyde Park (obviously!). Total Distance 16.99, ave speed 11.7, max speed 24.3 in 1.26hrs. It was a bit windy! Snowdrops were out and the daffs are having a go! 

It's that time of year! On the way home I bought two bunches of tulips. I love tulips. One bunch of pink and one bunch of white - my absolute favourite. They are so simple. No fuss, no frills. Lovely! Chacun a sa fleur as they say...!

Mice Log Star Date 29 - the wind was about and I was out on the Brommie! 15.38 miles in 1.36hrs with a top speed of 15 which was a bit pathetic but hey, did I say it was windy?!

Hyde Park was much deserted, the swans, duck and geese were huddling together probably having a right laugh about a guy on a Boris Bike who was so busy looking at them he didn't bother looking where he was going and nearly collided with another cyclist. All ok tho'. 

  

The restaurant/cafe on The Serpentine looked very pretty. Might take a closer look one day. Am not sure winter has gone - tomorrow is looking a bit chilly again. Be careful out there peeps.

I ate well! I found this Warm Baked Goats Cheese Salad and made it - it was delicious - I ate the lot!!

Mice Log Star Wowser its Windy Out There Date 30. 11 miles. Average speed 9.1 mph.

A trip to south London via Victoria Station and back then around and about - it was too windy to be out in the Park so I explored squares and streets I live near which protected me from some of the gusts.

My windows are rattling and the lamppost opposite is behaving like a yachts mast. Am glad to be inside now. Hold on to your handlebars peeps!

Mice Log Star Date 31. 15.25 miles during 1.21hrs, average speed 11.2 with a max speed 25.1 mph!! Thank you tail wind! 676 calories burned but many more eaten. Oooops!! The blue sky out of the bedroom window looked perfect. What a shock to see the rain battering the windows in the sitting room! I ventured out anyway and missed the rain but the wind was definitely out there.

 

 

My total mileage for January is 416.75 all flat but miles all the same! I love riding my bike!

Mice Log Star Dates 15 to 21

My Cycling Log star date 15 = 30 mins on turbo up to 122 rph but not for longer than a minute followed by a 10 minute warm down and some Pilates. 

My Cycling Log Star Date 16 was out in SE London in -2 on bike! Too cold to cycle all the way there. Spent 30 mins on Turbo to make up for the loss of miles

Ooooo! Started falling in love with my Brommie again (although they do need to sort out the seat post height issue). My knee is not recovered but hurting less and less.  

My Cycling Log Star Date 17.  40 minutes on the Turbo as it was too cold to go too far. Met a friend for coffee - here is my Basil bag on the brommie gadding around town!!

Then on to the Bike Show in London's Excel which is miles away.  Too cold to cycle but I am glad I went to the event.  

My Cycling Log Snow date 18. Managed 10 miles to Tower Bridge and back using the main roads. Went past Channel Four/5 building and wondered where all the lovely Windows and Death ride peeps are. Was wearing many layers but stayed warm when moving. Once the temperature drops its going to be a whole different ballgame. Be careful out there peeps, on wheels or on foot. And I bought a lightbulb on the way home!!

My Cycling Log Snow Date 20.  35 miles around snowy London. Ave speed 11.2 max speed 28.2 funniest moment: pootling around Regents Park enjoying how lovely it looked, how I had seen giraffes in the snow, daydreaming about life when I was overtaken by a 24 year old on a........Boris Bike!!!

                                                 Giraffes in the snow at London Zoo

                                            A silent cyclist in the snow

 

That woke me up!! Looked at my speedometer which said 8.1 miles an hour. I upped my pedalling and overtook him saying "I'm sorry but that's too insulting. I can't be overtaken by someone on a Boris Bike" and we both laughed out loud as I shot ahead!

Popped into Evans on the way home then Cycle Surgery where I bought these really cool lights! 

 

 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/moon/comet-100-front-light-ec042055

Home in time for tea!

My Cycling Log Snow date 21. Managed 30 minutes on the turbo with 20 seconds at 128 rph!! Then 10 minute warm down.

But it looked so pretty outside I couldn't resist a pootle to the West End and back including Hyde Park. Was lovely! Made sure I was home by six tho' as the temperature is dropping. Tomorrows London forecast is 1 degree at midday. Be careful out there peeps!