Here is a family of ducks on the canal near Chorley :)

This was the view from the A49 in Coppull :)

White bells I have never seen these before

And blue bells I posted these because I really like them lol!

Really Tired!!

Ok my first training session since my bike has been fixed was on Sunday 26th April. It was a lovely day. We cycled from Haigh hall along the canal paths, got a little lost at chorley and joined the A6 all the way up to Bamber bridge cutting through Cuerden Valley Park, which is really big and gorgeous, you should visit!

We had stopped briefly before reaching bamber bridge to eat lunch it took us 2 ish hours in total to get there. (We were going the long way). Now I was perfectly fine right up until I reached Bamber bridge train station and started to head back down the A49. I was absolutely knackered. Now it was either being unfit because I hadn't cycled in a couple of weeks, the hangover I started out with from my cousins 18th birthday party, including lack of sleep or dehydration. My opinion is a mixture of all of the above. I was ok to start off with, but every time we hit a hill my legs simply didn't want to play anymore, my back hurt, my eyes were welded open through sheer stubbornness, I think if I had just once stopped and lay down on the pavement I would have gone to sleep. Everyone can learn from this, dont go biking on a hangover and lack of sleep lol. :)

Despite the exhaustion, I thoroughly enjoyed the route, the roads had great cycle lanes on them (mainly the A49), some nice scenery, (I shall attempt to post some pictures, it hasn't been playing nice though). When I finally reached the "You are now entering Wigan sign" I think I could have cheered, ha ha ha. I was elated this gave me a second wind, and I got home feeling, quite achey but pretty satisfied. I worked out it was roughly 35 miles we did, at about an average speed of 7mph (it took us best part of 5 hours ha ha ha!!!).

Now this is rubbish you say, but we did stop frequently, and get lost so we're not out for the count yet, we'll do the 60 miles. It's all booked now anyway so there is no turning back. :)

One thing the bike ride did inspire me with is a good pub lunch on a Sunday, I passed so many pubs that smelled of wonderful food, that I went home and persuaded my boyfriend to go out for tea :) this I think is a well deserved treat for a long day's biking.

Healthy Bike

I heard from the bike shop! My bike is fixed the gears work fine and it only cost £30 quid including parts!! How cheap is that, :D I am quite pleased, can't wait to pick it up on Thursday now.

The shop is in Leigh Whittle Cycles been there for years check it out if you need a service. (Don't know if I am allowed to flagrantly promote the shop but they have done good work and everyone derserves the chance to find good prices for good work).

Thoughts of Insignificance

At my martial arts class yesterday evening, I mentioned my cycling training to one of my mates at the class. He is quite into all the marathon cycling type exercise and can push himself quite far. Upon mentioning the charity ride and telling him that I was quite nervous about it, being unfit and all, he told me he was taking part too and that he thinks it will be easy. This has made me feel rather deflated. Personally I have never taken part in anything like this before and my concerns were merely dismissed as trivial. I am not by any stretch of the imagination the fastest cyclist in the world, not even close to it. I am quite short and have little legs (no sniggers please). When training my friends are always far ahead of me and I lag behind and slow them down. This also gets to me a little bit. (Yes I am quite affected by other people's abilities, although I shouldn't be because everyone is different and blah blah blah). This doesn't change my competitive nature and my desire to be the best at everything I do, especially physical exercise.

I am too stubborn to quit, but I now wish I knew someone, anyone who is finding it as hard as me to get healthy, get fit, keep motivated and stay excited about taking part in, what I consider to be a big challenge. I personally am not finding it easy, I am dreading 60 miles (I can only just do 25), and I am not entirely certain I will be able to complete it.

I think it's more about proving to myself I can do it... sigh... I am not entirely sure why other people's opinions and abilities matter so much to me but they do.

Now that's my rant over with, I don't feel much better. :(

On another note; my bike is currently still in the shop being fixed and serviced, now I just hope it doesn't cost too much, I will find out today, fingers crossed.

My first post

Well all this creating my own blog to chat about me is actually very new to me. To begin with I am going to be taking part in the Manchester to Blackpool charity bike ride on the 12th of July this year. I have to admit I am quite nervous, I got my foldable mountain bike a year ago and that is the first time I have been on a bike since I was about 10 so about 15 years! It's true you dont forget how to ride it but you do forget how bloody knackering it can be!!

Anyway I have been training in and around the Wigan area, with my friend who originally introduced me to the idea. We've travelled mainly along the canal routes and so far we've only had one day where it absolutely poured it down and we got covered in mud, he he he. Our average mileage is about 20 miles, this takes me quite a while, as I am more unfit than I had first anticipated. As you can imagine this is very frustrating so, I am hoping to build up my stamina soon.

Sadly my bike broke last week, I was told it was the free wheel (the cog on the back), I told you I was new at this :). I have now had that replaced, however my gears don't currently work either so, I am getting a new gear cable and my bike serviced tomorrow. I have got my hybrid tyres already on my bike so I am now hoping it will be as good as new and the gears will actually work next week for the first time this year. Wish me luck. :)

Oh I shall also occasionally post pictures of the places we visit when we're out cycling. Feel free to leave any comments, words of encouragement (I need them) and advice (I really need this) with regards to biking, bike maintenance etc. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with you, I do so like to write. I will also add non-cycling related blog posts when I get the urge.

Ok that's the end of my first post :)