tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53761903250665851962024-03-12T21:15:18.871-07:00Trials of a newbie cyclist Chatting about life.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-35048438328377526282014-02-28T03:04:00.000-08:002014-02-28T03:04:04.764-08:002014 and we're off....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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So far this year I've rode 399miles although only 36 were on
the open roads. All the rest have been on the turbo trainer, why? Well I used
to get paid to be wet and sweaty as an infantryman so now I prefer not to. <br />
The weather this year as you all know has been miserable for the most part and
the winter sunny cycling days have been when I am working. My job takes me out
into Surrey, Kent and the leafy burbs of SW London where seeing all the
cyclists out on their rides make me want to run them off the roads (joking). </div>
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Finally on Wednesday I managed to get out for my first real
ride, it was great I felt good and stronger than when I finished last autumn.
The hills I could climb without dying a death of franticly changing down (or is
it up) to meet the gradient, I actually on a couple went the other way and
churned out a harder gear. However after 30mi I was tiring and at the end of
the ride I was ready for a bath in the old Radox muscle bubbly stuff. With that
ride I now need to start mixing it:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
turbo for strength and real rides for endurance.</div>
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I have many of the <a href="http://www.thesufferfest.com/">Sufferfest</a>
videos and they are great for maintaining focus and enthusiasm in the garage.
The music leaves a bit to be desired sometimes so I have on occasions turned it
down and put on my own. This has its limitation though as you can miss the
gunshot (for attack) or the screech of brakes (for slowing). So I keep the
video in a good place to see it when a visual comes on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in all I am impressed with the investment
in a turbo trainer and the videos they’ve kept me going through the winter and
I’ve improved.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-17813899767304157742013-11-06T07:12:00.002-08:002013-11-06T07:42:29.372-08:00Turbo Trainer: Let the Sufferfest begin<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I could never imagine cycling on a turbo trainer but a winter on the Carrera TDF my cheap Halfords bike was so demoralising I decided to get a turbo trainer. Jill made me sell my 1yr old Carrera TDF which I did for £200 to a mate I included a load of stuff with the bike so we both got a good deal. I waited with my finger poised on the "Proceed with order button" on TREDZ website for Alex to call saying the monies in my account. As soon as I got the call in went the order for next day delivery A Minoura B60-R and Schwalbe trainer tyre came in at £150 (with a free Lunar R2 rear light).........<br />
Variety is the name of the turbo trainer game. BUT: How boring and easy it it to give up on a turbo? For me very easy.<br />
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Having recently moved I had my own piece of manspace a turbo and my pride and joy my TREK</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGUtfk6q4pI/Unpf51PJ4OI/AAAAAAAAAKk/-RXgoUrwDQ4/s1600/20131106_133239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CGUtfk6q4pI/Unpf51PJ4OI/AAAAAAAAAKk/-RXgoUrwDQ4/s320/20131106_133239.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next Motivation: after much cyber surfing I discovered <a href="http://www.thesufferfest.com/" target="_blank">THE SUFFERFEST</a>.<br />
The Starter Kit for £23 was what I went for as they said: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 22px;">New to Sufferlandria and not sure where to start? Our Starter Pack includes three essential videos: 1. The Downward Spiral: Short, sharp and ultra-high-intensity intervals. 2. Angels: Long climbs with brutal attacks and 3. The Long Scream: A 30:00 time trial requiring maximum concentration.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;">The Downward Spiral I did first </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3Rn5uFrL_8/Unph-UL6cAI/AAAAAAAAAKw/xow2n2YWLiA/s1600/1st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q3Rn5uFrL_8/Unph-UL6cAI/AAAAAAAAAKw/xow2n2YWLiA/s400/1st.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think the bottom right pic of me shows what doing what the video says (well displays) will do to a perso</span>n.</div>
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I've completed all 3 now and wow enterPAINment is what it is. So: IWBMATTKYT (look it up on Sufferfest).</div>
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I think this winter I am going to make massive strides in my cycling prowess. Its such hard work and you only get what you put in obviously, but I am motivated by what's on the screen so it will work for me. Some are motivated by stats on the computer screen to get them through a turbo ride but again how boring. All in all I'm looking forward to this winter. Thanks Sufferfest, Minoura, Schwalbe & TREDZ.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-76453914929503598362013-10-07T04:26:00.001-07:002013-10-07T04:26:18.618-07:00New bike and a new era in cycling.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9Sx1hTgVhA/UlKV1gRk-5I/AAAAAAAAAJs/sqFqXdgktO8/s1600/20130914_104329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e9Sx1hTgVhA/UlKV1gRk-5I/AAAAAAAAAJs/sqFqXdgktO8/s640/20130914_104329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I decided at the back end of 2012 that if I continued to ride that I would get myself a better bike. Jill agreed that I could spend £800-900, which would give me an upgrade to probably a Specialized <i>Allez</i>. However the more I learned the more I thought that by punching through the £1k budget I could get a much better grade of equipment to an Aluminium with carbon forks or even a full carbon bike.<br />
So over many a month of cycling and browsing the interweb I came across the TREK <i>Domane</i> with IsoSpeed according to TREK: IsoSpeed decoupler gives you an incredibly smooth ride. It was described on youtube as "when you get punched in the face you get the pain of impact with fist and the force of your head going back. IsoSpeed on your face you would feel the force of going back BUT NO PAIN. With all my ailments and injuries this seemed like a brilliant idea.<br />
Then I discovered PEDALON a shop in TADLEY that stock the bike I was interested in and if you bought from them you get podium points. The more you spend the more points you earn and what do points mean? Yep prizes!<br />
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I ordered the bike which after the sizing I was told the 54cm Halfords bike was too big as I am a 52cm cyclist. No wonder I was never comfortable.<br />
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Oh the podium points came to 24 from the choice I had I went for the following equipment:<br />
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Shimano R540 SPD SL Black - 4 Points 39.99</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="RANGE!F8" target="_blank">Shimano R088 Road Shoes white - 9 Points 79.99</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="RANGE!F9" target="_blank">Pair of Bontrager Race All Weather HC Tyre - 5PP 53.98</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="RANGE!F10" target="_blank">6 Bontrager Innertubes - 1 Point 32.94</a></div>
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Pair of SIS Bottles 600ml - 1 Point 1.89</div>
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Pair of Bontrager Race Lite Bottle Cages - 1 Point 16.99</div>
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Cannondale Airport Nitro Floor Pump - 3 Points 29.99</div>
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The total price to pay £1200 just the price of the bike WOW!</div>
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All pictured above. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-31573237610643407092012-10-31T11:39:00.001-07:002012-10-31T11:39:17.634-07:00Well it aint a Garmin but...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LB3HLFoJXSg/UJFtOVv83lI/AAAAAAAAAFU/NTEhdN1hlvE/s1600/20121031_125314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LB3HLFoJXSg/UJFtOVv83lI/AAAAAAAAAFU/NTEhdN1hlvE/s200/20121031_125314.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
With all my tooing and frowing about whether to get a Garmin 800 for crimbo I have taken to exploring the expanse that is the Greater Chavingstoke area using OS map to route, then plot the roads onto a piece of paper, finally having waterproofed it and strapped it to the handlebars. It served me well.<br />
Although no Garmin or mapping could prevent my first real tumble as I rounded a bend the wheels went from under in some compacted mud on the country road and down I went.I was not going fast and fortunately no one was behind me.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5D6jnmB-j0/UJFtNIA1YMI/AAAAAAAAAFM/He6X7VRm7yo/s1600/20121031_121413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y5D6jnmB-j0/UJFtNIA1YMI/AAAAAAAAAFM/He6X7VRm7yo/s200/20121031_121413.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I did not realise until I got home that I had also ripped a small hole in the sleeve of my new waterproof jacket. Not impressed however sewing kit out and quick mend followed by a touch of glue to seel the repair.<br />
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I now have also come to realise why there is a vast array of clothing out there, the Dhb bib was not warm in the nether regions and the little fella was not a happy bunny down there. Time to shop again me thinks....<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHUf6c8oPTg/UJFtXHNupLI/AAAAAAAAAFc/3e2loXNxzsY/s1600/20121031_125404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHUf6c8oPTg/UJFtXHNupLI/AAAAAAAAAFc/3e2loXNxzsY/s200/20121031_125404.jpg" width="120" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-17369851462523468622012-10-22T08:37:00.000-07:002012-10-22T08:37:33.283-07:00Ignorance or Arrogance from other riders <h4>
<span style="background-color: white;">I<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 19.787878036499023px;">n the last week I have been out and about in the Basingstoke area. On my last two rides I have passed many a rider in the opposite direction than I. I smile, wave a hand and if I'm not breathing out my backside will say a hello. I can honestly say that only 3 have acknowledged my existence. 4 if you count the fella in a white jersey black tights who rode Huish Lane yesterday morning: </span><span style="color: #5d8fbd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="border-bottom-color: rgb(93, 143, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 19.787878036499023px; unicode-bidi: embed;">http://app.strava.com/segments/1441705</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.545454025268555px; line-height: 19.787878036499023px;"> . He looked at me as if I had a second head when I said Good Morning. </span></span></h4>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-15434038186820349922012-10-17T01:36:00.003-07:002012-10-17T01:36:29.084-07:00I survived the night.... <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="background: #EDEFF4; color: #17365d; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">The road is long and arduous, my
path to wellness bestrewn with many obstacles. Perils await by way demons who
did malevolently fashion such an accursed malaise! Woe betide thee to enter my
room, for I am but the fallen one! Fear not - Though death may stalk thee, it
is death's sweet embrace that shall bring me comfort... And so I must gather my
strength to run, to run towards the light.</span><span style="color: #17365d; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-65846781341133495312012-10-16T09:36:00.000-07:002012-10-16T09:36:00.348-07:00MAN FLU suffering and cycle suffering challenge.<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well despite being full of cold (man flu) and not able to go out for a ride today, I signed up on Strava for:</span><br />
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Cannondale’s Oktoberfest with Tim Johnson</h1>
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<strong style="font-style: inherit;">Can you match Tim Johnson’s fall training plan? 60 gritty hours in 3 weeks?</strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">Between Oct 20th and Nov 10th knock down 60 hours of run ups, off camber turns, or standard gut wrenching hours in the saddle.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.200000762939453px;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.200000762939453px;">This will certainly set me off in the right way. Although I cannot do the first day as I'm on a 12hrs 0700-1900hrs shift. But there again I might get up really early.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://app.strava.com/challenges/cannondale-oktoberfest-with-tim-johnson">STRAVA OKTOBERFEST LINK</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-83964819362737390692012-10-12T08:57:00.003-07:002012-10-12T08:57:45.030-07:00I seem to going backwardsWhen I started this hobby I quickly went from 10 miles to 17-23 miles. All of a sudden I am struggling to do 10 again and dying a death on inclines.<br />
Take a look at my strava:<br />
<a href="http://app.strava.com/athletes/996800">My Strava</a><br />
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But on the flip side I have ordered a winter jacket: <span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; line-height: 17px;">dhb EQ2.5 Waterproof Cycling Jacket in black. 30% of the wiggle price.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-48667207302543561192012-10-10T14:15:00.001-07:002012-10-10T14:15:56.662-07:00Wiggle wriggled out...<div><p>I posted that I had ordered the new winter jersey. Only to find after 3 days of nothing I emailed wiggle to find out what was happening. Oh sorry they replied our supplier has failed to supply.... Is there anything else you want? <br>
Really? Do you know how long it took me to decide on a top at a reasonable price. Reasonable being cheap but good.</p>
<p>Any ideas would help.</p>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-20839144241473289382012-10-08T07:54:00.001-07:002012-10-08T11:39:05.062-07:00Lots More Money and Few More Miles<div>Today in the rain I went to Halfords to check on the progress of my replacement stem. Only to be told it will be the 5th Nov, more painful miles to put in for a wee while.<br />
As it was raining I decided to invest in the Crud Mudguards. £26 later I was crouching in the Bikehut fixing them to the TDF. 1hrs 10mins later jobs a goodun...... Left the store a happy man only to find it had stopped raining and the ground was drying out, Oh well investment made.<br />
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I also ordered on Wiggle after much too-ing and fro-ing: I ordered a Spuik Race Jacket reduced from £75 to £37.<br />
Hopefully all this lot will see me through the winter.....<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sm2QYDIcDbk/UHLoRs59NZI/AAAAAAAAAE0/nN2ZYY5Ea7o/s1600/2599-0-full-chran11_01-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sm2QYDIcDbk/UHLoRs59NZI/AAAAAAAAAE0/nN2ZYY5Ea7o/s320/2599-0-full-chran11_01-20.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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I then went for a 7 mile spine to blow the cobwebs of last weeks drinking session.</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-84138446790288893942012-10-08T02:23:00.002-07:002012-10-08T02:23:21.978-07:00Winter Brrr Too many choices!<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With winter just round the corner and no real change from summer as in its still raining!! </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought I would invest in some winter gear. I checked out all the usuals; Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles etc I found Autumn wear on the shelves. I cannot afford to have four seasons of cycle wear and there is no room in my one bed apartment.</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I now am in a quandary do I get Autumn wear and pad it out in the winter or wait and pad out the summer wear for now? So on the sites again and</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> when I look its all Baselayers, thermals, windproof, waterproof, Merino wool, long sleeve short sleeve with arm and leg warmers. WHERE DO I START?</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkXg3RugzEs/UHKagXn9AQI/AAAAAAAAAEM/FU5BbApBb_o/s1600/funny-monkeyreaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkXg3RugzEs/UHKagXn9AQI/AAAAAAAAAEM/FU5BbApBb_o/s320/funny-monkeyreaction.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">One thing I do know is I'm getting some CRUD...... Believe it or not their mudguards. It looked like I'd diarrhea sprayed my back the other day.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5376190325066585196.post-64180952320347033022012-10-06T06:41:00.003-07:002012-10-06T07:03:47.110-07:00New life in the saddle<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">About a year ago I nose dived out of fitness when my feet decided they had had enough of keeping me moving and I spent 5 months on the sick sorting them out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I went from going running and doing the Military style boot camp to keep me from being stressed to nothing. Then in August I had had enough of sitting round (resting my feet) time had come to get of my idle stressed out arse and buy a bike. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9VyY3C4s7A/UHAzbE_3TBI/AAAAAAAAAD8/vSQwEqHXMis/s1600/20120911_142433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9VyY3C4s7A/UHAzbE_3TBI/AAAAAAAAAD8/vSQwEqHXMis/s320/20120911_142433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought long and hard about how much to spend I could have jumped in with a grand and get a decent road bike plus equipment. BUT and there always is a but; what if I didn't like it then £1000 would be wasted. So I halved it and spent £299 on a Carrera TDF and some bits and pieces for safety total spend £500 on the cycle2work scheme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Almost 2 months in and I love it. I'm on Strava </span><span style="background-color: #ecf3f7; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.818181991577148px; line-height: 16.363636016845703px; text-align: start;"> </span><a class="postlink" href="http://app.strava.com/athletes/996800" style="background-color: #ecf3f7; border: none; color: #5d8fbd; direction: ltr; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16.363636016845703px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; unicode-bidi: embed;">http://app.strava.com/athletes/996800</a> . Bike Radar is visited all the time. <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now though I wish I got a better bike but will have to wait. I spent another £200 on summer clothing only now I have to get winter wear another £100 will soon be spent on warmer clothing. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THIS IS BECOMING AN EXPENSIVE HOBBY.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jill rolls her eyes and switches off whenever I mention the word "cycle" and is not impressed at my spending because we are supposed to be saving for a house. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14819190447841043883noreply@blogger.com4