Hi,
I hope your all well and thought I should post something as I've been rather quiet here the last year.
I still visit this brilliant site daily and give likes to posts I read, but haven't really engaged in any threads.
I was cycling mad for a good few years,but for some strange reason last year my cycling mojo mysteriously started to ebb away to the point I've done virtually nothing this year gone.
I don't know why my inthusiasm for cycling took a knock as hard as it did.
I'm thinking it was a combination of factors last year, in that I focused more on work, I had a new toy in the form of a new convertible car and that the summer was somewhat rubbish.I was also gifted an E bike from my father which turned out to be totally illegal in the terms of its power.In the short time I had it, I rode it sensibly and courteously but it was drawing to much attention and I felt on edge whenever I used it.
In the end I gave it back to my dad who has since sold it on to someone who can enjoy it solely on private land.
After using this somewhat dubious bike (which was amazing in all honesty) the thought of getting back on my non E road bike didn't feel to appealing to me.
So with all these combinations ,my cycling adventures slowly came to a grinding holt last year.
As a consequence my lack of exercise has started to show.
I've put a bit of weight on ,and the old belt buckle has gone up a few more holes along the way.
I was even considering selling my Specialized bike as it was becoming to resemble an ornament.
The last few weeks though I've been starting to think about all the things I've been missing out on with regards to cycling.
Heading off and enjoying the solitary lanes and being able to stop anywhere to take in the amazing views, or the thought of stopping off at a country pub for a pint and talking to a complete random stranger in the beer garden.
There's also the heath side I'm missing too.
I don't like the way I am now ,as in carrying more weight and not feeling as agile as I once did.
Well I "think" I've starting to get my mojo back these last few weeks to the point this weekend gone i couldn't resist the itch anymore.
I dusted the bike down, pumped the tyres up and somehow managed to fit into my cycling gear and headed off for a 30 mile ride.
After around 5 miles the long lost memories of what I once enjoyed about cycling came flooding back.The freedom, the wind in your hair ( more like strands in my case ) and the views that are all but lost when traveling in the car.
After 15 miles out I stopped at a popular lake in the blazing sun taking a well deserved drink from my water bottle and got chatting to an elderly couple.
It was nice just to meet some random strangers and just talk about nothing for half an hour before heading back home again.
The ride back was equally nice but I have to admit I was starting to feel it a bit.
By the time I got home I was feeling pretty knackered (blimey I wouldn't of thought twice about this kind of mileage last year).
I've since been out again yesterday and tonight and feel like the old magic is coming back.
I'm a lot slower now averaging around 15 mph, but with time and a bit dedication I will hopefully lose some weight and get to somewhere near my old self again.
I'm not obsessed on the numbers of speed and Strava stats but it will be interesting to see if I can improve and lose some weight.
More importantly to me though is to try and get a more healthy work/life balance back that I once had not so long ago.
Anyway enough of my ramblings and wish you all well
Johnny 👍
I hope your all well and thought I should post something as I've been rather quiet here the last year.
I still visit this brilliant site daily and give likes to posts I read, but haven't really engaged in any threads.
I was cycling mad for a good few years,but for some strange reason last year my cycling mojo mysteriously started to ebb away to the point I've done virtually nothing this year gone.
I don't know why my inthusiasm for cycling took a knock as hard as it did.
I'm thinking it was a combination of factors last year, in that I focused more on work, I had a new toy in the form of a new convertible car and that the summer was somewhat rubbish.I was also gifted an E bike from my father which turned out to be totally illegal in the terms of its power.In the short time I had it, I rode it sensibly and courteously but it was drawing to much attention and I felt on edge whenever I used it.
In the end I gave it back to my dad who has since sold it on to someone who can enjoy it solely on private land.
After using this somewhat dubious bike (which was amazing in all honesty) the thought of getting back on my non E road bike didn't feel to appealing to me.
So with all these combinations ,my cycling adventures slowly came to a grinding holt last year.
As a consequence my lack of exercise has started to show.
I've put a bit of weight on ,and the old belt buckle has gone up a few more holes along the way.
I was even considering selling my Specialized bike as it was becoming to resemble an ornament.
The last few weeks though I've been starting to think about all the things I've been missing out on with regards to cycling.
Heading off and enjoying the solitary lanes and being able to stop anywhere to take in the amazing views, or the thought of stopping off at a country pub for a pint and talking to a complete random stranger in the beer garden.
There's also the heath side I'm missing too.
I don't like the way I am now ,as in carrying more weight and not feeling as agile as I once did.
Well I "think" I've starting to get my mojo back these last few weeks to the point this weekend gone i couldn't resist the itch anymore.
I dusted the bike down, pumped the tyres up and somehow managed to fit into my cycling gear and headed off for a 30 mile ride.
After around 5 miles the long lost memories of what I once enjoyed about cycling came flooding back.The freedom, the wind in your hair ( more like strands in my case ) and the views that are all but lost when traveling in the car.
After 15 miles out I stopped at a popular lake in the blazing sun taking a well deserved drink from my water bottle and got chatting to an elderly couple.
It was nice just to meet some random strangers and just talk about nothing for half an hour before heading back home again.
The ride back was equally nice but I have to admit I was starting to feel it a bit.
By the time I got home I was feeling pretty knackered (blimey I wouldn't of thought twice about this kind of mileage last year).
I've since been out again yesterday and tonight and feel like the old magic is coming back.
I'm a lot slower now averaging around 15 mph, but with time and a bit dedication I will hopefully lose some weight and get to somewhere near my old self again.
I'm not obsessed on the numbers of speed and Strava stats but it will be interesting to see if I can improve and lose some weight.
More importantly to me though is to try and get a more healthy work/life balance back that I once had not so long ago.
Anyway enough of my ramblings and wish you all well
Johnny 👍
