BASTARDS!!!!!!!!

They've just stolen the saddle off my bike!


(and gremlins have invaded my blog and everything's in GERMAN!!!)

Things just AREN'T looking very good today.

Finally ...

Finally, a good day. Great day, in fact. Have to say I'm sitting here feeling VERY chuffed with myself and really pretty positive today. Just done 20 miles over the Downs - or should I say up, down and over the Downs. Weather fantastic - just right. Plenty of breeze to keep cool but the sun kept shining. Went up to Devil's Dyke and all the way around Dyke Road to Poynings and Fulking. What gorgeous little villages - some lovely pubs, too!! Had the choice at Edburton to carry on along the road until I got to a major junction and then come back on the road as well, OR take a bridle path straight up the MASSIVE hill and over the top. Took the bridle path and no, I didn't cycle. Pushed bike all the way to the top - nightmare!! At the top I thankfully joined the South Downs Way so got in quite a bit of off-road cycling, too. Came down to the sea and ended up in Shoreham, where I turned home. It felt GREAT!!!
It'll be interesting how I'm feeling tomorrow, though - AND I've got my karate grading. Argh!

A toughie

Yesterday, I decided it was time to get out and training in spite of the weather. I'm just so pissed off with this bloody weather - and not just that it's getting in the way of any cycling. I HATE IT!!! It's July, for God's sake. What's going on?

Anyway - took a fit and got out the bike and dodged raindrops. Did a fast ten miles and was actually very pleased. Timing was good - and would have been a lot better had it not been for the wind. The wind was amazing. I took the easy 'outward' route to Saltdean - along the undercliffs paths. Quite spectacular as the tide was in and angry and splashing up over the sides. Fab. Then I made the mistake of coming back along the top. Oops! Double oops! I can only say that the wind was so wild I was 'pedalling' downhill and still going nowhere! It was amazing - funny and frustrating and even a little scary sometimes. But then, hell would freeze over before I phoned my husband and with a 'Help! Get me out of here!' and I made it home eventually - and in pretty good shape, too. Timing wasn't too bad, either, so still feeling optimistic.

Next route planned: Out to Henfield (over the Downs) and back.