How Weak the Spirit
the flying hernia
Posts: 30
Just splashed through the swamp that was my garden to the shed to gaze at a pathetic heap of mouldering two wheeled nags...unloved, forgotten, starved...OK. enough of that...not sure that carbon moulders exactly, but I am writing this as a confessional - an admission of crapness. I have abandoned my sport.
After a keen and cracking year, with plenty of enjoyable miles and even an Euro sportive adventure, i was feelig pretty good. Faster and fitter than I've ever been, probably.
But since the highpoint of the Southern Sportive, months of dissipation, decay and now, dispair...
From 100 miles per week and blissful early summer morning laps of Richmond Park to - ye gods - 12.4 miles in October and less last month. Pathetic . Vows of doing more regular rides with the welcoming lot that are the Kingston Wheelers ringing hollow.
Publically I blame work or illness for keeping me off the bike for nearly three months..
November alone was a biblical horror story of colds, flu, chickenpox and puking (ah the joys of small children).
But the truth is different. Fear of lost fitness breeds excuses for not getting out. Lethargy so seductive. Watching four episodes of the West Wing so...civilized. What's worse, I've whimped out of a couple of oportunities I did have to ride because - ahem- the weather was rubbish and i didn't want to get my bike dirty. yes. i know. I meant to buy race blades but never got around to it and besides, the campag's gleaming and...and..
Cue withering comment from wife: "...And you pretend to be from the North? "
Finally, however, it is time to say 'Balls to the Wellingtons!". When i finish this, out comes the MTB and i'm off to get wet.
Then its time to check with the gang and see who's up for some sportives.
And the bike's coming with us to Devon at Christmas.
Plus, a new office brings with it a shower and the chance of the odd commute into town for work. perfect excuse for bringing that old 531frame back to life and trying this fixed thing.
I'm going out now. I may be some time.
After a keen and cracking year, with plenty of enjoyable miles and even an Euro sportive adventure, i was feelig pretty good. Faster and fitter than I've ever been, probably.
But since the highpoint of the Southern Sportive, months of dissipation, decay and now, dispair...
From 100 miles per week and blissful early summer morning laps of Richmond Park to - ye gods - 12.4 miles in October and less last month. Pathetic . Vows of doing more regular rides with the welcoming lot that are the Kingston Wheelers ringing hollow.
Publically I blame work or illness for keeping me off the bike for nearly three months..
November alone was a biblical horror story of colds, flu, chickenpox and puking (ah the joys of small children).
But the truth is different. Fear of lost fitness breeds excuses for not getting out. Lethargy so seductive. Watching four episodes of the West Wing so...civilized. What's worse, I've whimped out of a couple of oportunities I did have to ride because - ahem- the weather was rubbish and i didn't want to get my bike dirty. yes. i know. I meant to buy race blades but never got around to it and besides, the campag's gleaming and...and..
Cue withering comment from wife: "...And you pretend to be from the North? "
Finally, however, it is time to say 'Balls to the Wellingtons!". When i finish this, out comes the MTB and i'm off to get wet.
Then its time to check with the gang and see who's up for some sportives.
And the bike's coming with us to Devon at Christmas.
Plus, a new office brings with it a shower and the chance of the odd commute into town for work. perfect excuse for bringing that old 531frame back to life and trying this fixed thing.
I'm going out now. I may be some time.
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Comments
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man up ! Get your arse oon your bike or you will be dropped quicker than frank bruno in a tyson fight come spring! Wet makes no difference, wind makes you stronger and a better bike handler. You are missing valuable base miles, still it will give me someone to snigger at when i speed past you at next years southern sportive!!!!!! 0
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And of course you get the kudos of being a nutter out on the bike when the weather is terrible. I made sure I went out and did 24 miles on Monday even though it was tipping it down. I got soaked through all three layers and due to having no mudguards on my Allez, had an almighty amount of crud up my back and in my hair.
Was good fun though, I did like my new gloves...0
