I blame every single one of you.....

[spoonierunning]

Thank you

I did it, I did it

It's been about 7 years since I was last on my bike but today I plucked up the courage.

I dug my bike out from the shed, checked her over, inflated her tyres and I even found my cycle computer and what's more it still works.

The knees held out, I held out. I feel fantastic.

I now need a new cycle helmet cause I'm not sure if mine got dropped or not in the move and I would feel safer with one.

I also need some new cycle gloves cause I can't find mine at all.

And maybe after all these years I should treat myself to some cycles shorts, you know the ones with the padded bum.

I did 9.6 miles with an average speed of 9.3 mph, my top speed was just under 19mph ( erm assisted by down slope). Woooohooooo weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Oh life is great.

This just would never have happened without running. So new things discovered and old loves revisited

Next up swimming..... Oooh can anyone think of any possibles involving those three activities

[PandaRunner Graduate]

Oh fantastic! WTG girl! You rock! Xx

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to PandaRunner]

Thank you

Last year I was even thinking I should just sell my bike I'm so glad I didn't

[PandaRunner Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

I only have a bike to go to the shops on (it's a fab old fashioned sit up and beg one complete with wicker basket <3 ) but I would love a mountain bike to go on easy routes!

[paul2014 Graduate]

Triathlon coming up

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to paul2014]

I don't think I am really ready for anything like that

[misswobble Graduate]

Good for you! Aldi have cycling stuff! You might have to rummage as it's in with the running gear

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Ummm I wonder if aldi go big enough, will have a look thanks

[TurboTortoise Graduate]

Brilliant! Nice bike, cute bunny. I have a Brompton folder, not great for triathlons though! I just posted about Aldi's cycle gear flash sale - this Sunday, so your wish for new things, and perhaps a generic garmin, may be granted...

If it's anything like their running gear it's amazingly good quality for the price.

aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/s...

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to TurboTortoise]

Sadly no 'real' money but that gps tracker watch thing does look like a good deal.

I wonder what aldi sizes are like and if they go big enough.

Thank you I like my bike as well and the big bunny is one of my giant French Lops his name is Wooster but we call him Woo or WooWoo

[Rockette in reply to spoonierunning]

Aldi have the cycling shorts with padding in the seat area , there brill I have two pair . All my cycling stuff is from there I highly recommend it . Yes this running lark as a lot to answer for , I started c25k , that led to me cycling more, & now swimming 3 times a week ! . Looks a nice bike you have there , enjoy your rides , nice time of year for it . Have fun .

[Treemouse Graduate]

Excellent! They have a cycling week in Aldi imminently and have all the cycling gear you could want! Go for it Spoonie! x

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Treemouse]

Thank you

[poppypug Graduate]

Fab stuff Spoonie ! That looks the business Aw little Scout Bunny checking it over for you xxx

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to poppypug]

I was worried he was going to take a chunk out of the tyre.

It really is a lovely bike, I still remember when I brought it and my pouring over the specs of two bikes

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

TRIATHLON!!

Bloody good stuff, Spoonie. Bet it was a blast! Great looking bike (and bunny!) too!

I know what you mean; I'm sooooooooo close to buying a bike, and I blame everyone here too!

Are you going to make bicycling regular feature now then?

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Thank you, I'm not really sure I'd be up for a triathlon, not really.

Oooh go on buy a bike it's great whizzing down hills at speed, going up hills not so great.

I hope to get out on my bike regularly from now on, though I am absolutely shattered, tucked up in bed now with my teddy and Ribena.

[frannyfran Graduate]

I think you are in secret training for the Discombobulated!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to frannyfran]

Or I've lost my marbles!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to frannyfran]

Yep I've lost my marbles and signed up for the discombobulated

[poppypug Graduate]

Spoonie, have you seen Dozzers triathlon post ? Are you in ? xxx

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Oooooh well I was only offering to help Ferd with the swimming lessons but....

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Yep I'm in

[AmberC Graduate]

OMG, what a difference this running lark is making to us all.......who would have believed that just a few months ago we would have laughed our blister free socks off if anyone had suggested a triathlon to us.....but now anything is a possibility and we are all loving it. Well done you......is bunny thinking of cycling also!! So cute.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to AmberC]

Thank you. I think Wooster was miffed that something was in his way.

[BoPeep9009 Graduate]

Spoonie hi - that rabbit is eNORmous! Ze bigggg Frenchie!!!

Can't believe your bike actually says Landrover on it - i always think of mountain bikes as pedal-powered Landies!

Just the swimming now then!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to BoPeep9009]

I tried on my swimming costumes the other day, they still fit.

Yep he is a French Lop I love giant bunnies, we have his brother as well. I also have 2 little bunnies

My bike is actually made by Land Rover

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

Well done looks like you have picked up where you left off with the bike. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I have never cycled before and am very slow and nervous, but still entered into a triathlon in august. We conquer our fears. I work on the principal if I could learn to run last year I can learn to cycle this one. There are times I feel a bit mad though. Hehe.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I'm not as confident on roads as I used to be, I used to cycle along some pretty busy ones. But I discovered we have some guided bike rides locally so may take advantage while I can, they have one beginners and improvers and then a long ride option. Lucikly I live really close to a big trail so I can get lots of off road cycling in, only have to navigate a little bit of residential streets.

I grew up in a village and it was quicker to cycle to the nearest than get the bus (that didn't always turn up).

I am a little saddle sore this morning.

[Hidden]

I'm impressed. I didn't know rabbits could cycle!!!

Cycling is the absolutely bestest thing ever. Low impact, excellent exercise, get you to places runing can't (distance wise), and I simply love it.

Promise me one thing? Don't let you bike meet the same fate as most bikes do...they get bought, they are used for a few outings and then go into the garage/shed never to see the light of day again...keep it up.

Good luck and keep pedaling.

PS. You can spend a fortune on cycling gear ~ running stuff is quite cheap by comparrison.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I used to cycle daily. I had to give it up initially because of ME then I was able to take it up again replaced my old heavy mountain bike with the light mountain bike and got back to cycling daily then had to give it up because it was too much stress on my knees. Then I moved from flat Essex to hilly Nottinghamshire and I just didn't think my knees would cope and then ME flare and chronic back pain had me considering just selling my bike as it had just been sitting in the shed. I am pleased I didn't sell it

Still in hilly Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire but have easy access to towpaths so mostly less stress on my knees

However if I can keep it up will be dependant on the ME because when I get back to work, energy for work is always going to be more important.

I was never one for expensive cycling kit, just me, bike, every day clothes, helmet, cycle computer and gloves. I did however wonder about padded shorts on many occasions and I was investigating camelbaks before I had to stop.

My father in law on the other hand proper mad cyclist, although the hills were a bit of a shock for him as well when they moved from flat Essex to hilly Nottinghamshire, he had to cut his mileage down (he is in his 60s)

[Hidden in reply to spoonierunning]

I am impressed that you are still cycling.

Shorts are a must if you intend to do many miles. They say that you shouldn't wear anything under them, but I can't bring myself to do that. I still have to have a pair of knickers on too.

Don't buy a padded big saddle. These little blighters push your legs out and play havoc with your hips. I'm not suggesting a Brooks B17, but something slimmer is, ironically, more comfortable....when it and you are broken in!

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I got an electrically assisted bicycle so I could join the rest of the family. Unfortunately it is the exception for us to go out and no-one to fall off badly! (Still got after effects from a spectacular incident at the end of last Summer) However, it has already been used more than any other of my previous bicycles which have met the fate sallycycle describes... partly because we invested in a towbar and an easier to use but terrifyingly expensive rack.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

I've never ridden an electrically assisted bike, but I imagine it's handy for hills.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

Very. You do still have to put some effort in, and they all seem to be a bit different. Definitely something you have to try out first to see if you like it.

My Quest goal is to get out on mine again.

[azharalkindi Graduate]

I just loved your post.... nice and positive

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to azharalkindi]

Thank you

[scruttons Graduate]

I've got various padded trousers/shorts from Sports Direct which are always cheap. I have a really lovely ladies cycle group near me in Kent which cycles for an hour a week at the local cyclopark, so no traffic! It is lovely social group, maybe there are other groups around and about?

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to scruttons]

I discovered we have guided bike rides on Tuesday mornings locally, so I am hoping to pop along tomorrow and maybe they will have some info on local groups or at the very least some maps of local cycle routes.

I shall have a look at sports direct, thanks