Last week was terrible!!

I hit the wall, bonked (a strange cycling term - not something you wish to happen), came off the rails, just felt rotten for the first time this year. It was so bad I took three days off.

The problem has now been resolved though. I was not eating enough. You can not cycle apparantly 6 days a week on the same basic diet you had before you started. I know that is obvious but it was quite good seeing the weight come down only last week my energy levels collapsed. The solution has been great - double size lunches. Hopefully this new regime will have an impact.

On top of the energy problem I had three puntures in three days! And that was after going 3,000 miles with only one previous puncture. More embarrasing the third puncture happend on my first attempt at commuting to work.

On a more positive note a did manage to get to work and back on Friday by bike, so I was able to christen the new shower block, and very nice it is too. A picture is attached primairily to stop Richard asking me all the time to post one.

The grotty week was completed when Richard and I rode out to Pendine where we met up with Andy, a really good bloke. Andy let me borrow his Trek Pilot 5.2 (bikes can be quite techie), a machine I had been keen to buy. After a very fast ride to Laugharne and then back along the coast to Pendine Sands we hit Pendine hill. For the first time in a year I had to get off and push! The humiliation of it all.

I know I could have got up that hill with my Hewitt Cheviot. It weighes twice as much if not more than the Trek and is made of steel none of this modern carbon stuff. You see it is all down to the gears. Why do the press keep this a secret! Yes a lighter bike with the same gear ratios would be better but there seems a reluctance by manufacturers to give you an easy life. Still now I know not to spend a small fortune on the Trek.

Richard unveiled his new titanium bike. Very nice it is too, it goes very fast and looks the business. It is not quite for me as it does not take mudguards, so you get a muddy streak up your back and he does not want to ride it in the rain? The compact gearing was not for a wimpy cyclist like me, it nearly killed me trying to ride up the hilll at Amroth. So it back to the drawing board as regards my next bike.

Hopefully next week will be much better!

Regards
Ed