Thanks to a physio session (and perhaps that liver-unfriendly combo of Chardonnay and ibuprofen), the aches in my neck and shoulder have gone from persistent to occasional… and, though my toenail-less big toe wouldn’t place in a beauty pageant, at least it no longer looks like a supporting cast member in a made-for-TV period drama about Florence Nightingale.
On a quick ride over to my writing partner on Wednesday, I discovered I didn’t actually know how to change the gears of my new road bike — a fairly crucial thing to know if you’re doing a 545 mile ride with it. Work (and laziness?) meant it took until today to do a “proper” training ride. At least by then I had figured out the whole gear change thing by then (thanks, YouTube!).
“Proper” is might be stretching it a bit — the ride was mostly downhill and then flat. However, I am ecstatic to report that, when there was uphill, the experience was completely different to the old bike — like spreading room temperature butter on toast instead of when you’ve pulled it straight from the fridge. I went from rolling oak and doug fir-covered-hills (and views of snow-dusted mountains) to Ukiah, the county seat. On North State Street, I passed smoke shops and gun shops and a Motel 6, veering between specks glistening in the late winter sun, hoping that they weren’t glass and glad that, if they were, at least I’m now riding tubeless... 💅
Next week beckons like the blank first page of a new notebook. Here’s to less white wine, even fewer aches — and, most importantly, more rides. I’ll raise a glass to that.
THIS WEEK’S FACTS AND FIGURES
Total distance: I’m too embarrassed to say…
Percentage remaining to reach fundraising target: 29% (if you have friends who might want to donate please forward this to them)
Time left till AIDS/Lifecycle: A truly frightening 15 weeks