Who Killed....

Well, its the end of another week.

A week that has seen me do a 30 mile ride to work on Monday and 20 miles on the way home. My first 50 miles in a day since last summer. I've ridden in the driving snow home from work, cycled in bright sunshine.... Yes, the weather has been variable this week.

I managed 135 miles this week and have to say I enjoyed every minute of it. Its a long time since I rode that far in 5 days. In fact its at least October of last year, if not earlier.

Thursday brought me another physio session. Unfortunately, I'm not sure it has done me any good. The physio had me hoping on my bad leg and doing bunny hops in the gym. Sadly, I think the landing on my knee has done it no good. The knee is hurting me now more than it has for some considerable time. Walking up and down stairs today has been painful, and sods law- the lift wasn't working properly at work and I had to keep moving between floors to speak to people today. Its done my knee no good. I'm sat here typing this after resting my leg since I got home 4 hours ago and my knee is still throbbing and feels swollen.

Thursday night brought a night off the bike and instead a train trip to Three Bridges. A journey I seem to be doing rather often these days. Who'd have thought I'd be happy to travel to the wrong side of the river! It also meant that I got a decent meal and hopefully the clothing I left behind may have been washed by the time I go back! Am I taking someone for granted?

On Thursday, I got my car back from the garage. It went in for repairs over 4 weeks ago! The repair bill is ridiculously high. I could have bought a nice carbon fibre bike for less. Having been without a car for the last 4weeks has made me realise how little I actually missed the car. I used the Aldi at the end of my street for shopping on my way home from work. I was able to use public transport to get everywhere else I needed to. I've travelled to Birmingham, Leicester, Swansea in the last 4 weeks. I've also been able to get around London without it affecting my social life. Those who complain re public transport in London are being unreasonable. I live 1/2 mile from a train station with trains to London every 10 minutes. I am ,1mile from a tube station and live 1/3 mile from a bus route. The buses run 24 hours a day! London does have some benefits!

Right, enough of this rambling. I have to be up early to get to the cycling club in the morning.

What was that you asked? You want to know what the title has to do with anything. Well tonight was the 25th anniversary of EastEnders and the revealed the answer to the whodunit - IE who killed Archie Mitchell. Well the Angelic Upstarts reveal in this song who killed Liddle Towers. Don't worry though, it was not murder of manslaughter, it was Justifiable Homicide - possible the worst inquest outrage in history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liddle_Towers

London Calling

Just a quickie today (as the actress said to the bishop).

After spending last night in Crawley and having a night I never expected (more to follow on this in future posts - perhaps!). Today brought my maddest idea of the year so far. I took my bike down to Crawley yesterday so I could cycle from Crawley to work. Its only 30 miles or so. Not too far you say- but factor in, my longest ride this year has been 15 miles and I've not done a 30 mile ride non-stop since last July. Now remember that I've never cycled from Crawley to London and have no idea of the route oh, and I am due to be at work by 0930. Seems not so straight forward?

I set off at 06:00 am this morning in sub zero temperatures and with the roads covered in ice. Oh, did I mention it was foggy as well. I have to confess to wishing I had taken the train, however, London was calling.

As it got lighter, I had progressed faster than I expected. I had allowed myself 3 hours to do the 30 miles, thinking I might need a stop on the way. I managed the 30 or so miles without a stop in 125 minutes at an average of 14.4 mph. I was impressed with myself and celebrated with a nice breakfast sandwich from the cafe next to work. That'll have undone the god work done by my cycling!

Tonight, I cycled home via the Redbridge Cycle Circuit to pick up some papers, meaning I cycled a total of 50 miles today. My knee stood up to the ride with no undue problems.

London here I come

Woman

Well, I've had a weekend away from the bike. No cycling since Friday morning. Instead, I've been down to Wales ostensibly to see Newcastle @ Swansea, but its also an excuse to see some of the lads for a drink and a weekend away. Its also a chance to see and stay in Cardiff with some really good friends. Thanks Lee & Cathy, it was good to see you and the family again.Shame it wasn't so good to watch the football. Saturday was a great day spoilt by 2 x 45 minute spells. Still at least the bar was open in the ground for the first 45 minutes of the game, so we were spared having to watch the 1st half of the game.

Shame Cardiff was full of men in skirts on Saturday night - down to watch the rugby. Too many people for a night out in Cardiff without 30 minute queues to get into every pub.

Shame for the men in skirts Scotland stopped playing 5 minutes before the end of the game. The number of skirts in Cardiff town centre being worn by men was incredible. I've seen less men in skirts at the local transvestite's night out.

Well, I'm sure the title of this post needs no explanation today does it. What could be more romantic than waking up in a different country to your lady. At least I've tried to make up for it by travelling back to see them for a late Sunday lunch together. I know that if I was really romantic I would have made it so that we had woken up together today. I have to confess that when I arranged this trip to Swansea I had not expected to be seeing anyone. I'll know better next time. I'll try to make it up to you Michelle. Flowers? Chocolate? Candlelight meals?

Tomorrow morning, I'm hoping to ride from Crawley up to Victoria area for work. That's up to 40 miles before work. Am I mad? Only time will tell.....