Oh boy!

It's like a neverending saga, this is - and it hasn't even started! Still ... I know there are beginner cyclists out there who are feeling unfit and badly equipped for this challenge and it's comforting to know that if they can be bothered to glance over my initial experiences, as depicted here, then they should immediately feel a lot more confident and able as I can't believe anybody could be off a more ridiculous start than me!

That said, I've been on my bike - oh yes, I have, but my success has been shortlived. I was in agony after about two and a half minutes and found myself cringeing at every tiny bump or blimp in the road. It was horrible. I didn't enjoy one single second. Everything has a positive side, though and lots of good things came out of it.

1. I realised that starting training ridiculously early wasn't such a bad idea after all - if I can't even manage 10 minutes on a bike, how am I going to do several hours on consecutive days? I really had to come home and seriously rethink this - and I consider myself reasonably fit!!

2. It made me rethink every detail of what I was doing - starting with looking at my bike-size, handlebar positioning, posture, etc. etc. I did some serious digging on the internet and found the most amazing titbits of invaluable information - all of which have helped.

3. It made me sit down and sort out a training schedule for myself.

So what's happened since then?

Quite a lot! I'm not there yet, but I'm getting there. This morning I went cycling and thoroughly enjoyed myself - I was comfortable, relaxed and the weather was fab. Not that the ride was without hiccups (actually, one extremely major hiccup - more like a massive seizure!!), but it's certainly made me see that I can do this after all.

I gave myself a lesson in bicycle tools and spent a good half an hour adjusting saddle and handlebars to what I now know is the correct height. My back pain was definitely due to both saddle and handlebars being too low. Amazingly, I discovered that even half an inch can make the whole world of difference.

I bought a gel saddle cover and it was like going from hell to heaven in one easy step.

I spent a lot of time on the internet looking up bikes and trying to decide whether I should invest in a new one for myself - a bit of a treat, really, but the one I'm using is sooooooooo old and cranky and to tell the truth I haven't a clue how to use the gears!! I had a good play around with them this morning, knocked the chain off twice and sussed out why some of them 'make a noise' and others don't - but basically they don't work terrible well (and I don't think it's all down to me!). Anyway, I found a couple of particular brands of hybrid bike which tick all the boxes and have got great reviews across the board, so I've earmarked them for further investigation. Since I'm going to be spending a great deal of time on my bike I want to feel completely confident that I'm doing the right thing.

Besides - and you're going to love this one - the decision was more or less made for me this morning when the HANDLEBARS FELL OFF!!!!! HA! Boy, did I bless the little angel who was sitting on my shoulder at the time - and who'd pointed out to me that the handlebars were a bit wobbly, so I stopped to check them. I'd already discussed the fact with my husband that they were at the 'top' of their height, but as I went to push off on my merry way again the whole lot tumbled out. It was quite funny, actually, although I shiver to think the mess I could be in had I been moving at the time! So to cut a long story short, I think I've decided I'm definitely going to treat myself to a new bike!!!

That's it for today. Happy? Yes. I'm happy now. I'd a really fun ride - only about 5 or 6 miles, but it was worth every minute.