4/1/12

Well today turned out to be rather more exciting than I'd been anticipating!

I spent 3 hours this morning doing revision, finally got to the end of module 2 out of 4 (number 3 begins later seen as there's only a week and half of holidays left!). As a reward I decided to go down to the bike shop with the intention of coming home with some new part of a drivetrain to put on my new frame when it turns up next week.

Instead my whole plan was changed, ended up buying a whole new road bike! I'll then transfer bits from my old road bike onto the frame thats coming next week, and that becomes the cross bike/winter road bike and I now have a new and shiny road bike that actually fits me. I can sell the few bits + frame that will be left over so it just about works out as being more cost effective than getting all the bits separately... and it means I have a road bike that fits me!

Not sure how I'm going to explain the appearance of what will be 2 new bikes by the end of next week, given that they didn't even want me to get one new bike - I was going to just hope they don't notice, but as it's now sitting in the garage I think that's unlikely so I'm going to tell me dad about the first new bike when he come's in from work (won't mention the other one yet!).

Initial riding suggests its very good! Only tested it briefly (it's raining!), but I like it. Being a bit shorter also seems like it's putting less pressure in the wrong places through my arm so hopefully I'll be able to ride a bit further. Weather pending I'll get out and give it a proper try in the next few days!

And yes, you guessed it - today's picture is of my new bike! (really hope my parents aren't reading this blog...). It's a terrible photo but it was raining outside and there's not a lot of room to maneuver in our garage!


Right, revision time...think I'll get start with statistical thermodynamics seen as I almost enjoyed that!

3/1/12

Well, today has been a bit of a quiet one. Wind/rain/hail/apocalypse outside meant far less distractions for me so I managed to get quite a chunk of work done, still lots to do though! Sadly that's the inspiration for my photo today...

I'd be enjoying the Drug Discovery module, given that it links into medicine, and it's really quite interesting, it's amazing how having to revise for an exam on the topic, learning all the ins and outs which you know you're never going to need to know again can ruin something that you like!

I'm a little concerned about my hand, given that it's still pretty sore and swollen but I'm prescribing myself a dose of WTFU 'cos it's probably nothing... (although it is rather frustrating watching my dad catch me up on Zelda and not being able to do anything about it because I can't hold the controller!)

Everyone is back to school/work tomorrow so just me in the house for the morning, I doubt I'll be particularly productive given that I'm expecting to hear about my "new" frame tomorrow...although I still can't decide exactly how I'm going to build it up...

2/1/12

Went to Beckworth Emporium today (sounds posh doesn't it?).

Though it would be a good opportunity to get my daily photo.

Was very impressed by array of food, these sweets in particular - you'll be pleased to hear I refrained from buying any!

We did buy some of their slightly pretentious crisps though, not sure they tasted of the flavours described on the packet, very tasty though!


That's all you're getting from me today 'cos after a Wii related incident this morning I'm sporting a lumpy hand and it's sore!

1/1/12 - It all starts here!

I hope everyone brought in the new year safely and happily!

I've decided that throughout 2012 I'm going to keep a proper record of my riding (distance, times etc.) so that I can keep track of my mileage and really, just so I can see how much riding I actually do.

I expect it's going to get off to a slow start given that proper riding is still proving difficult, but it should be interesting to see how it progresses.

I'm also going to start the much talked about 1 photo a day challenge; I can't promise that I'll keep it up for long but I'll do my best. On riding days I expect the picture(s) will be related to my ride!

So today. Thought I should start as I mean to go on so got out this morning for a 10 mile road ride. I was struggling with my arm after just 2 miles but I didn't want to give up so I kept on going, despite a stronger (and colder!) than expected wind. It was really great to see lots of cyclists out, all looking almost happy! Quite a lot of runners too - just like to thank the guy who was running as fast as I was riding on one hill for not laughing at my incapableness! Should probably thank the guy that never caught me up too - it's amazing how race mode takes over when you think you're going to get caught - got me through the last couple of miles (up hill and into a headwind) in a much quicker time than I'd have managed otherwise. Was out for 45 minutes, and that included a couple of stops for picture taking :P

Despite arm issues and general lack of riding my legs were feeling good today, so a positive start to 2012! Here's the pictures...
This is not a brilliant picture of me, although considerably better than the other one I took, think I need to work on takeing pictures whilst riding (without pulling stupid faces...)

Aaaaaaand a couple of obligatory bike + nice scenery pictures. Yes, I know if I'm *only* riding 10 miles I probably shouldn't stop to take pictures but then where would the fun be?